hmmmm, camera shy?

Well, for some reason, my usual clicky-self hasn't been taking pictures. Huh? Sooooooo, as maya is prone to say lately, this is going to be more of a journal entry than a fun blog post. Our life hasn't slowed down, I just don't have any cute pics to share :(. Anyway...

Today Grandma and Grandpa came over for "Adventure Day"! In my quest for self-improvement (yawn), I've made a schedule (shed-ule), and Wednesdays are "Adventure Days". We chose not to do the field trip thing, because I've been trying to paint our laundry room for days now. Yes, I know it's a laundry room and by definition tiny. But, ya know, tiny rooms are harder to paint than big rooms (rationalize, rationalize). So somehow, I managed to get paint on my hands, but absolutely not one smidge of paint on the walls - don't ask.

We did have fun going out to lunch. We went to Red Cup. Giselle introduced me to this cute, cute place with THE best Portabello Goat Cheese grilled sandwich ever. They have a deck outside (well, of course, outside) that has a canopy created by three trees, trunks covered in ivy. Maya had beef barley soup and a cranberry nut muffin. She must have said, "tasty, delicious lunch" about ten times! I guess she liked it. She also stole, yes didn't even ask!, from grandma, some beautiful strawberries, plums, and grapes. But that was topped by Grandpa, who stole, hold your breath, a BROWNIE, from Maya. Oh, Grandpa, don't you know that chocolate is sacred?! Maya was actually speechless (that is a very infrequent state for her). She didn't even cry, she was so shocked. He made up for it though when he bought her another music box - a sweet one with a baby in a rocking crib - that plays Brahms Lullaby. Okay, Grandpa, we girls can be bought - we forgive you!

Yesterday, I asked Maya if she wanted to go to "Ronald Donald's" - we usually go on Tuesdays after playgroup, but there was no playgroup today, long story. She said "no, mommy, I want to stay home." Hmmm, surprised me, but I'm always happy to stay home. We did "craft-es" and made new grace cards. I think I'm going to try to market these..... We wrote (well, I wrote) prayers on card stock that Maya had colored. We light a candle and say a prayer before meals. Then when everyone is finished eating Maya can blow out the candle - one of her favorite things to do. She also says "happy birthday" but whatever... The theory is that one can't get up from one's seat until the candle is out. It's not working 100% in practice, but we're trying. What do you think? Will it sell? Blessing Sets.....Daily thoughts (for the non-religious among us)....Grace Candles.... I think I'll keep working on it, I sense an opportunity here. Grandma's favorite grace is "Bless us sinners as we eat our dinners." God has a sense of humor, too, don't you think?

Today is bean soup day at our favorite family restaurant and this is one of Wayne's frequent menu choices. After dinner, Maya wanted to go for a walk (good girl!) and we played "freeze race". That's where Maya and I race - Daddy says, "ready, steady, go" then randomly says, "stop" and we're supposed to freeze. Maya doesn't always do the freeze part, but it's fun. This is also when Mommy repeats her refrain of "this is why Mommy is the only one who thinks Maya needs a sister" as I run like an old fool. Huh! Then we play balance beam on the curb. Ya know what? Maya needs a sister (wink, wink).

Wow, I love this child. Can you tell? I keep asking myself if every child is as smart and funny and cute and beautiful and sweet. Every mom must feel the same, that their child is special, but this one sure is! At dinner she just looked over at Wayne and said, "I love you, Daddy". The waitress even melted into a puddle. Daddy was a BIG goner.

Sarah Palin's speech at the Republican convention was tonight. I was very impressed. I waver between Democrats and Republicans, there's things I like about both and things I don't like about both. Without a political discussion, though, I'm happy to see a woman VP nominee, whichever party it ended up happening in. Go Sarah, break that glass ceiling into a billion pieces and make room for my daughter someday.

I'm worried because the parties are becoming so polarized. So many people love any and all the candidates of their party, and hate any and all the candidates of the other party. I hope we can encourage respect of both candidates. While we might not agree with their opinions, it's no reason to love or hate the person. Sometimes there is such bitterness and hatred......not the world I want for my daughter.

Okay back to cute Maya stories! She announced today that she would like a purple "Foxy" to replace Lamby. Yup, replace Lamby!! I was shocked. But her favorite best - Lola, of Charlie and Lola - has a Foxy. Hmmm, the hunt begins. Somehow I don't think it will be so easy to find a Foxy.

Jodi, who went to the Smoky Mountains on vacation and convinced me to plan a trip, saw a bear there!! Close up and personal!! A wild bear!! Hmmmm, I don't think she'd mind if I posted the picture. Even if I haven't been my clicky-self, yippee, now I have a picture to post. This was scary though, she said a father and son had been attacked recently by a bear on this same trail. Well, I'm glad you just got pictures of this bear, girlfriend! The second pic is of the view from her cabin. Awesome is God's creation!

I got my first birthday card......and it was from QVC! Hmmmm, probably not such a good thing that QVC is sending me birthday cards!