The kids were completely crazed one weekend day. Chris and I were so tired. It was clear to me they needed to burn off some steam, so out in the 100 degree heat we headed. The kids ran around the front yard like banshees for at least 30 minutes. And then FINALLY, finally they settle. And the next thing I know they are chatting about camping. Tyler runs inside for something and comes back out with a pot, scissors and cups. And the kids set to work collecting “firewood” and gathering their ingredients for their Mother Earth stew. All the frustration I had pent up from the day slowly melts away as I watch these two in complete wonderment.

Kayaking on LadyBird Lake at sunset with hubby and the kids.

No one on my shoulder bringing me fears Got no clouds up above me bringing me tears Got nothing to tell you I got nothing much to say Only I’m glad to be here with you On this heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly day - Patty Griffin

The kids decided to create together. I think they both worked on the black drawing. Don’t know what was up with all the black that day. At one point i remember Tyler asking Quinn “is that how you feel, Quinn?” Don’t know - maybe it was a brief gothic or beatnik phase. They started this themselves and had a good time doing some drawing.

Quinn also drew everywhere on the wooden floors with said black marker. Thankfully it was all washable. She went nuts - I found more of it today that I had missed yesterday.

Last week, Daddy was gone for 2.5 days on a business trip. I had purchased this neat “While I am Away” box and corresponding, “I am Always With You” wallet from a friend who sells Once Upon a Lifetime products. The products had come in, so I decided the afternoon before Chris left to get them and do some fun stuff for Daddy.

I told Tyler that we were going to get Daddy something for the plane. Tyler wanted to go get Daddy, “A CD of the national.” “I was thinking more along the lines of a book, Tyler. Why a CD Tyler?” “Because Daddy likes CDs; he likes songs.”

I couldn’t argue with that - he knew is Daddy. I didn’t really want to explain to Tyler that Daddy uses mp3’s - and for the last few weeks he had been ripping many of our CDs for his iPod and that CDs are kind of passe and that Chris already had all the National songs. So we went to the bookstore and came home with a book and a CD of the national.

We also went and had some recent photos printed. Then the kids each drew a drawing for their Daddy and I asked them what they wanted to say to their Daddy and wrote those words down. The wallet was meant to be a surprise, but when a toddler has knowledge of a surprise, well, it rarely remains as such. Daddy was quite pleased.

I had mentioned the box to Chris and said he may want to leave a note for the kids or something. I had meant to remind him that night, but had forgotten and assumed he had too. He hadn’t. While he was watching the Tour, he drew the sweetest drawing for the kids and wrote notes to all of us on the back. He also got our USA map and put markers on it for where we lives, where Daddy was going and all the places that Tyler knew - The Guads, Steamboat and Arkansas (we are vacationing there this fall ,so he talks about it a lot).

Tyler loved it! He would ask “Where is Daddy’s box?”, carry it to a spot of the floor, sit down and study the drawing. He also enjoyed checking out the map (he is so much like his mama).

Then I head to the knitting store and start many knew projects, I get busy at night with chores and whatnot, and lately, I have been plain tired. Chris and I are both somewhat confused and frustrated by our fatigue lately.

Are we getting old? Have we lost our endurance? He and I are both pretty productive people and a lack of energy just doesn’t work with out lifestyles.

I have about 100 too many things that I want to accomplish this fall. I feel like I spent this year shedding every extra-curricular thing I was involved in only so I could start it up again.

At least I do so with fresh ideas, renewed vigor and enthusiasm instead of a feeling of dread and resentment. Maybe I just needed some time off.

Keep checking back because i have like 5 other blog posts sitting in my head just waiting for me to have the time to get them out.

Oh, and I the above project was a vest for my Mom. Well, sadly, I have almost finished the front part and it doesn’t fit her. I am new to knitting clothing and I understand that there are a lot of tricks and know-how and experience that go into making a knitted fitted garment. So, I guess I am just getting started there. On the upside, it looks like that vest will fit me perfectly. Wow, I am making something for myself - what a novel idea!!

Remember all the new recipes I was going to try out this week? They were all awesome and fun to make. That black bean and mango salad was a perfect combo of flavors. The vegan nacho cheese was really impressive. I think I could sneak it by a non-vegan with no problems.

The question of the week last week was whether or not I should go vegan. That same night, I found three different vegan blogs with a plethora of amazing recipes right up my alley. I don’t like using a lot of processed foods and although i will use tofu and tempeh occasionally, I prefer to stick with grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts and spices…and almond and sometimes soy milk. I think that is what I like about vegan recipes - they are just so fresh. I mean - mashed potatoes and zuchini tacos - yummy! I will post some of the blogs I found in case you want to peruse them.

I think I am trying to lean as far vegan as I possibly can. We will see - I have a strange coming together of principles..maybe someday I will have the time and patience to delve into it here. For now, pics of the meals.

The other day we were upstairs and Tyler says, quite flustered, “all my hiding spaces are gone!” What honey? I had filled a cabinet up with craft and sewing supplies and had unknowingly taken away a hiding spot. He was also upset because we had decided to let go of his train table to make more room and he was very sad it was going away. He goes on, “my hiding spots are gone, my train table has to go…” I felt bad for the kid, it did seem like his chips were down. So I offered to move my stuff. And he told me, “Yes, Mom. While I am sleeping, you move all your stuff out.” And so I did. I am all about hiding spot preservation….