sweetheart

• It was rainy and grey again today.  I think the time has come for me to switch out your summer clothes for your winter wardrobe.  George, you're still wearing flip flops and shorts.  
• George, you love your rainbow teddy bear.  You have named her Sweetheart.  She's been coming everywhere with us lately.
• Lila, today was the first day that you didn't beg to stay home from school.  A refreshing change.   You did tell me that today was much better because you didn't play with anyone at lunch.  You went and played by yourself in the forest.  Maybe you just need some downtime in your day.  You were still just as miserable after school though, but I'm happy to see this small progression.
• I seem to be spending a lot of time on the phone these days.  I think it's because I haven't done a lot of chatting on the phone the last few years because I've just been to busy with the babies.  It's so enjoyable to relax and have a great conversation with people I love.  Today I spoke with Auntie Kim and Auntie Jenny.  
• I finally gathered the courage to book the sessions dates for the personal project that's been on my mind.  Why was it so hard for me to make that call?  A friend texted and said, "I was thinking of you today, and the fear you were feeling about it, and I was thinking that that kind of fear is the fear that precedes really awesome creative growth. Scary and awesome."   I'm excited about starting.  I can feel myself coming to life when I think about it.    Auntie Becca also texted me, but her text was a little more blunt.  It's actually what made me decide to do it.  She said, "Stop being a goddam pussy and just go do what you need to do!"  (that's what her friend Cara would say to her if she was feeling afraid)
• Katie, today you told us that you'd like to quit piano.  I've been anticipating this, but I was surprised how definite you were about it.  I think we're going to tell your teacher and stop right away.  I'll miss Sandra.  I loved chatting with her.
• Jane, you're so happy to have your phone back, but you don't have any apps or texting on it.  Just the phone and music.  
• Jane, you reconnected with a girl who lives in our building.  You go to the same school now and have PE together.  You invited her to come over to look at your drawings.  As she was leaving, she thanked you for having her.  You said, "It was a pleasure."  I laughed.  Sounds like something I would say.
• Jane and Katie, I finally got keys to the building for you.  It's actually kind of funny that you're 15 and 13 and have never needed keys before this year.  You've never come home to an empty house before.  You're getting yourselves home this year so that I don't have to rush and can let Lila play after school.  There have been a few times when you've been waiting quite a while for me to get here.