two more weeks. two more weeks!

We woke up this morning whooping it up (eww, I don't like that word, whoop)  that there're only two more (real) weeks of school!  Can you believe it?!  After I got my little bugs on the bus, I began obsessing about our timeline.  Two more weeks.  Two more weeks to clean. pack. prep for Father's Day.

A thought crossed my mind.  Beach-worthy body.   Is there such a thing?  After eating four, I glared at the chocolate chip cookies Handsome Husband had left on the counter.  (He was to carry those to work and dispose of them there.)  I wanted to throw out every stick of butter, jar of mayonnaise and slice of bread in this house!  Immediately, I hopped on over to Pinterest where I made sure I had this and I began work on this. 

Later, I brewed five bags of green tea (they were small bags).  Green tea contains nutrients that help block fat absorption and help raise metabolism.  (I don't think I need either of those seeing as how I have to eat something every couple hours just to ward off headaches and the shakes.  But someone in this house thinks they're overweight.  I won't name any names.  It's not me.  It's not the littles.  I'll just say that I disagree completely but, it's not my body afterall.  So, I can only say so much.)  Plus, green tea helps your body utilize carbs more efficiently and, it contains powerful antioxidants that slow the aging process and help fight cancer and heart disease...says Dr. Oz.

To my green tea (totaling 3 quarts of water/tea), I added one sliced lemon and one orange plus a handful of mint leaves.  Lemon is good for digestion, oranges are packed with Vitamin C which helps break down fats, and mint is an energy booster.

We'll see how see the next couple weeks go.  I'm, by far, no fan of greek yogurt, but I'm bound and determined that we will eat healthy.  A chicken salad makeover is first up. 

I'm tired of Handsome Husband and I groaning about how we wished we looked.  I'd come face to face with my almost thirty-four year old body that's birthed two babies and isn't perfect.  Until I realized I had two weeks before we hit the road.  (Really it's four, but I tell myself it's two so I can bust tail to get in shape.)  We can't cook like Paula Deen and Ree Drummond and expect to look like we want.  Although I do love those ladies and their calorie-rich recipes but, let's face it, no ranchers here. 

what now?!

The gooberlings are now at school.  I dropped them off, despite C's dismay that it won't hurt them to ride the bus.  Oh we've done that, brother!  Not going down that road again!  Yes, I understand it saves gas, but out of babes' mouths come the worst of things.  Things that I don't want my two birds hearing or knowing anything about at their age!

Now, I told you I had a great long list of things I was gonna do to celebrate being home alone and I was all pumped to do them.  You know it's coming, don't you?  But, I am frozen stiff with the overwhelming realization that my tiny munchkins will be at school ALL. DAY. LONG.  It's harder than I thought.  I'm used to K being gone until 3 during the school year, but the man, he only went 3 half  days to preschool and I was so accustomed to having him here.  Whether he was quietly playing in his room or trying to coerce me into a wrestling match where I would finally give up because he's just way rough and I couldn't take any more, or if I was attempting to complete one of the hundred million things on my agenda and he was interrupting at every step of the way.  I do, I miss them.

Now, I find myself making coffee and buttering bread to console myself.  Maybe then, I will get myself together.

the day before

Despite other area schools being closed,
we are going!

We received a message from the school board office saying
all the schools have been walked with building inspectors and
everything is fine.

So.

We've made sausage links for breakfasts.

Picked out the week's clothes.

Began the closing ceremonies with baths and Simple White Cake

(recipe courtesy of The Idea Room)

with bought chocolate icing.

~ I didn't have any Cool Whip ~

And a double shot of milk.

Watched just a bit more TV and read a book.

Finally, decided on a meal for breakfast.

Now, they are soundly in bed.

Hopefully not worrying anymore about the earthquake

and the aftershock that was felt as we knelt by the bed saying our prayers.

Me,

I've grabbed my charger and thrown in the battery.

Have to be ready ya know.

Morning will be here before you know it

and then, the time will fly by.

butterflies

We met teachers today and dropped off school supplies.  It's almost time!  I'm feeling jittery just thinking about it.  When K started going to preschool, I would drop her off and tears would fly, but they said she was fine once I left.   Still, it left me with that miserable feeling that sank deep into my bones.  I would go home and feel absolutely wretched!  I was so attached to her and she to me.  I really didn't know what to do with myself!

This man, he's different.  He loves me so, but he's a go-getter.  He's not the type to sit and watch from the sidelines.  Although, every once in a while, he needs an introduction because "I'm too shy, Mommy."  Once the meet and greet is over, it's all business and he plays his heart out.  Not to mention, I have since found things to do with my time and when my two head off to school on Wednesday, I am going to hit the roof I'll be so excited!  Just thinking of the things I'll be able to do without hearing "Mommy!", "Mommy, she's giving me a nasty look!", "Mommy, tell him there's no kicking and punching in wrestling!" every 5 seconds.  This may sound awful, but I am so excited to be able to sew, read, do housework where I can actually fully complete the task at hand without interruption or chaos I just don't know what to do with myself!

Maybe I'm just so ecstatic because my baby is dying to go.  He wanted to know if he could stay there today, in which I had to reply, "No, you'll go in 2 days."  Which then prompted an "Ol' maaaan!"  Over the summer, I have, at times, been sad that my littlest bird is leaving the nest, but he's just so ready and so thrilled.  He wandered around that room today with a sparkle in his eye, just in awe of all the new toys and new space.  He hugged Mrs. R good-bye and couldn't wait to go back.

Don't get me wrong, I will miss my babies, I will, but I am looking forward to some quiet time.  Am I the only one who feels like this?  I don't know, but I will not feel guilty for my new found freedom.  I will use it to the best of my abilities and something grand will come of it, I tell you.  Look!  My sewing list is lofty and I intend to tackle it. 

Not to mention, the baby gift I'm sorta working on.   Let's just say I cut the fabric.   So, there will be no "we interrupt your regularly scheduled program..." for fighting, bickering and name calling, hungry, tired, or needy children.   No sirree, I'll be as happy as a pig in mud!

But on those days when allergies flare up and we haven't gotten a bit of sleep from coughing or we've got a cold, I will cuddle fiercely, bask in the glow of an entire day's worth of TV and make all of the soup, grilled cheese and popsicles I possibly can until I burst.  I will love and dote on those babies with all my might.