dinner date

• Katie, you had an early morning game today out in Point Grey.   You got a ride with Marian because you have to be there 45 minutes early, then daddy and I came when the game began.  It was sunny and beautiful and the air was crisp and fresh.  A perfect fall morning.  You played really well and your team won again!  Yay!  Way to go Inferno!
• Daddy and I went on a Pho date for lunch.  Jane, you babysat the babies.  When we got back home the house was a DISASTER.  Lila had emptied out all the drawers in the dresser by the front door so she could use them as beds for her teddy bears.  She had also emptied all the baskets of toys all over the living room.  It was kind of startling to walk into that kind of mess.  We all did a family clean up which every one loves so much.  But really, because our place is so small, we can clean the whole thing in 20 minutes or less if everyone pitches in.
• Lila, you were a disaster today.  You were grouchy and mean to everyone.  We finally laid down on the bed with you and you fell asleep.  It was a blessing (for us...)  You woke up and were just as grumpy as before your nap.  I don't even know what to do with you sometimes. 
• Jane and George, you came with me to do the grocery shopping tonight.  I've never seen our fridge so empty before.  It's usually bursting with food, but all we had by this afternoon was a couple eggs and a whole bunch of condiments.  The plan was to go to Costco first and I'd get you a hotdog and fries for dinner then do our shopping.  But when we got there, it was closed already.  It must close at 5 on Sundays.  So we switched over to plan B.  We shopped at Superstore (where we ran into Uncle Mark and Spencer!) and then had dinner.  I took you to Nando's.  I haven't been there in a few years and had forgotten how good it is. 
• Jane, it was serendipitous that we ended up going to a quiet sit down place to eat.  By some miracle, George was super calm and well behaved.  He sat and played quietly with the salt and pepper shakers and ate his dinner.  You and I had a great talk.  You've been thinking about a lot of heavy stuff lately, and tonight was the perfect opportunity for me to really listen and hear what you're saying.  I'm so grateful for the trust you put in me.  I'm honored by it, to tell you the truth.  I hope I can forever hold a place for you, so you always have somewhere to go with your thoughts and worries and concerns.   I love you for you.  Not your decisions, your thoughts, your struggles, your mistakes, or your victories.  Just you.  You're my best best little Jane Jane.  I am your mommy.  Nothing can change that.  I want to know what's happening inside that beautiful mind of yours.  It's a pretty special place and I'm glad I get an occasional glimpse.