:)

Ahh...tonight's like tonight make me smile...well, actually, the earlier part of this evening did...not so sure about trying to get three kids to sleep in the floor of one said kid's room. However...off track. We took the kids, including the niece and nephew, to the local waterpark. I wasn't really looking forward to going and was starting to get a slight headache, but I wanted to take advantage of the last weekday before school starts and the free tickets we had. And I'm so glad we did. The kids were so excited and had so much fun. We spent most of the time in the kids' area and the lazy river, but we all loved it. The weather was great because we went after Hubby got off work. We didn't leave until almost 8 when the sun was starting to go down. We were even able to relax for a while and watch the kids play on their own. Of course, it helps to have a brother-in-law and an almost-grown niece who can help with the younger ones. I needed that kind of time.

I do not, however, need the battle we are having now at bedtime. We enjoyed a pizza picnic in the floor...but sleep is not coming as easily as those $5 pizzas do. It's temporary, I know. I am already so exhausted, and I'll be working again in my classroom tomorrow...yes, on a Saturday, to finish up everything for Monday.

Wow...just typing that made me sleepy...off to bed.

So close

"So close" could mean so many things. So close to winning. So close to the right lottery numbers. So close to your best friends. Or so close to crazy. That would be where I am. This week has been a rough one...can't run outside because it's too dark or too hot when I can actually run. R has to go back to the eye doctor for the second time today. SB has puked more than once in the past week. My classroom is a mess. I have no lesson plans. And a sad day today for other reasons. I know it's all temporary. But it matters right now, and right now, it's hard. I'm ready for this week to be over, even if next week holds an equally hard one.

I know, I know...quit your complaining. And I should. And I will. I know it could be so much worse. I know we are lucky and blessed. And we are. Blessed to have two beautiful kids, of which glasses are the worst medical issue we have. Blessed to have a home with an a/c and comfy surroundings. Blessed to be able to run at all. Blessed to have a job. Blessed to have a big classroom and great classes. Blessed by a husband who handles my stress with ease. Blessed. I'll focus on that for now.

Procrastination

I finally (finally!) got around to making homemade granola bars with Sarah Beth...Ryan didn't want to help. They turned out really well...chewier than expected, but I like them that way.

I tweaked the Playgroup Granola Bar recipe off of Allrecipes.com and came up with this:

Dry Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar (fairly packed)
1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 craisins (or more)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup mixed nuts and seeds (I used pumpkin, sunflower, and slivered almonds)

Wet ingredients:
1 egg, beaten
1/2 canola oil
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 teaspoons vanilla

Mix all of the dry ingredients in a big bowl. Make a well in the center and add the wet ingredients. Use a spatula to mix the best you can; then use your hands to finish mixing well.

Use waxed paper to pat into a sprayed 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes. They'll be chewy when warm but will harden some as they cool. In other words, cut them into small rectangles before they cool.

Nutritional info if you cut this into 24 fairly small bars:
Calories: 160, Total fat: 15.5 g, Protein, 2.4 g

PLEASE NOTE: This makes 24 small bars. If you eat more than that, you'll have to adjust the calories.

Time is ticking away...tick, tick, ticking away...

I have no idea what song those lyrics are from...they get stuck in my head every so often. The words are so true now as I look at the last three days I have before I go back to school with training and inservice on Thursday and Friday. There's so much we didn't do this summer that I'd planned. But we did so much! Now, just to make the most of these last few. Of course, I think one of those days I'm going to spend with Sarah Beth for a little girl time before she starts school. And I think I'm going to spend one of them with my own mom for a little big girl time before we go back to school.

Of course, I'd like to spend today on a little retail therapy. We'll see what nap time holds :)

Garage sales

Our nephew stayed the night last night (our kids are going there tonight), so this morning, we were looking for something to entertain them. There was a garage sale at a church down the street, so we took them there. The kids each picked out a toy, which a nice gentleman gave them for free. The nephew picked out a Scooby Doo, SB picked out a stuffed flower, and R found a toy level. Then a lady said they could have a book, but only R found one...a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle one that he dubbed "super cool." We also found SB some clothes for 50 cents a piece...can't beat that. I'm so amazed how little it takes to entertain them...proved further by another garage sale where the kids each got a 10 cent toy for free...a metallic Buzz Lightyear, a tiny toy gun, and a magnetic block toy. And I came away with three pairs of pants for $1.50...and they fit! Can't beat a cheap day of entertainment...especially with the promise of a kid-free night to come!

No Nap for You

What in the world is wrong with my kids??? Today, SB is asleep (and she rarely naps) and Ryan is awake (and he always takes good naps). And what's sad about this is I was all snug in my bed about to doze off when he woke up. I guess that's just my sign that I'm supposed to be doing the dishes and laundry, huh? Not my idea of an enjoyable last Friday off for the summer.

I am going to do a couple of things for me:
1. Figure out my Garmin so I can do more than hit Start and Stop.
2. Ok, that's really it. Wow, not much there.

The problem is the things I'd like to do require me to drag the kids out with me or find a sitter, neither of which is happening today. Those things are:
1. Replace my running shoes
2. Find some running socks that aren't cotton
3. Head to JCPenney's to use my gift card
4. Buy a housewarming gift for a friend

Oh, well...maybe next week when the grandparents return I'll get to these things.

I think I'm going to attempt making Playgroup Granola Bars since the nephew is coming over this evening. I'm thinking a little sprinkler time, pizza,a movie, popcorn and maybe they'll all crash. Wishful thinking, I know.