whining again!

I really don't want every post to be about how busy I am - - how boring and pitiful. With that said, here we go:

I have worked like a mad woman this month. I taught twelve classes, which is WAY more than I usually teach. I am tired. And thank goodness I like my job, becuase I really can't imagine what I would be like if I didn't. I certainly have not had time to do much for myself, or really even for the girls, which I hate. But I also made next month's house payment and there is something to be said for that.

I feel like I am spinning my wheels a little while I figure out how to actually start my own business. My grand, pie in the sky plan is to have a sort of family resource center that offers birth doula serives, lactation consulting, post partum doula services, parenting classes (like what I am teaching now to early childhood people - baby signs, emotional intelligence, positive discipline, etc.) maybe a lending library. I really want to do that. I just need to figure out how. I need grant money, I think, but that also means I need to apply for grant money and that in itself is a time consuming process. I need to budget some time to focus just on that when I don't have a class to be preparing for. I also should probably get some kind of timeline together so I know where I am headed.

- - - end whining - - -

CHILDREN
Erin learned to pedal a little tricycle today. She is very excited. In fact, she went out to show her daddy about 30 minutes ago and I can't see them, or the bike, anywhere. Pictures of that to come.
Jillian had two ear infections last week. We haven't been sick in awhile so I gues it was someone's turn. She was pretty miserable but seems to have come around in the last day or two.

KNITTING
I have stalled a little on the mystery stole. I lost the hook I was using to put the beads on and I can't move forward without it. I have not had time to buy another, so there it sits. I have tried to cast on some socks with my souvenier yarn from Indy, but have not found a stitch pattern I am happy with. So I quit trying for awhile. I did start to knit a little doll for the girls, and that is some good mindless knitting for when I have to knit but don't have the energy to think. Erin saw the cover of the book that pattern came from, and now is ready to pick out some yarn for me to knit her a "big big big yong snake". She specifically said that I could knit it every day until it was finished. She sure picks up on things! Preschool starts next Tuesday and she is very excited. I am too - it is a wonderful place. Plus I will have some time alone with Jillian, which I have never had before. It should be great.

Just so no one is worried - the cyclist has returned singing at the top of her lungs and swinging her "bike hat" (ie - helmet). She is pretty proud of herself.

That's all I got folks.

From the eyes of a three year old

A few days before Erin's birthday -
Erin: "I wonder how big I will be on my birthday!"

A few hours before Erin's party, on her birthday:
me: "There's my three-year-old!"
Erin: "Almost . . . I'm still yittle."


After her party was over, as we closed the Playground down at 8:00:
me: "All right, you three-year-old. Time to go!"
Erin: (quivering lip, tears almost welling up in her eyes) "No . . .I'm not big."
me: "Yes you are! You've gotten so much taller than you used to be. You are the perfect size for a three-year-old!"
Erin: (putting her hand on top of her head) "No, I'm still just this!"


It all came together for me then - She thought that her birthday party was the point in time when she would become a 'big girl'. I am not sure how big she thought she would be, but I can't help but invision some bizzare scene from The Incredible Hulk. Bless her sweet little heart!


She quickly got over it when I told her she could jump in the jumpy castle a few more minutes . . . I had no idea what I was going to do if her disappointment persisted!

The party was a great memory for her - thanks to all of you who were there in person or in spirit!

The cake - Thanks Helga!

The birthday girl

Camille - "Who doesn't love a great party??"

Jumpin' girls

An accidental action shot of the boys - Nathan and Easton

Back to the blog . . .

So, last week we took a whirlwind tour of the finer points of Indianapolis. The Zoo, the Children's Museum and Conner Prarie. We had a fantastic time at all three places, and the girls did surprisingly well in the car and hotel! Conner Prarie, we have decided, was by far the favorite! It is a living history kind of place where the folks in costume are actually playing a part as you walk through, and you become part of this 1800's community. Erin pumped water from a pump into a bucket to water a garden, herded chickens into their coop and almost milked a cow. (The wait was very long and when we got back the cow was pretty much dry.) There was also a room of dramatic play stuff geared toward preschoolers, where we could have easily spent the entire day. We are definitely going back - - it was so much fun for all of us. It is just north of Indy, still pretty much do-able in a one day trip from here. Check it out! http://www.connerprarie.org/

And my first use of Flickr . . . here is a sampling of our Indy pics. http://www.flickr.com/gp/10032096@N06/AW9935


That was last Wed - Fri. This week, ( . . . drum roll . . . ) we are doing our first Vacation Bible School (I am working in the nursery with Jillian, and Erin is in the 3's class). That's right, folks. All three of the Tabler girls have gotten to church by (hold on to your hats) 8:30 am for three days straight! I know, I know. It sounds like I am making this up. But I am completely serious! The earliest we ever have to be anywhere completely dressed and ready for the day is once a week to music at 10:30! But now we are like real people and we get up and get ready and get out the door by 8:00. The girls have done amazingly well adjusting, even if there is a bit more w h i n i n g by the afternoon. It has been good practice for when Erin starts preschool in Sept. (which will only be 2 days a week, not until 9:00, and only 5 minutes from our house.) This is Erin's first time ever doing something like this without me. And she actually sometimes talks to her teacher, which is someone from another church! I am not surprise that she is fine without me; she was actually excited that she got to do something new "by herself." My biggest fear was whether or not she would bring herself to tell a total stranger that she had to go potty. And there have been no accidents! Her teacher, Ms. Ann, tells me that Erin will ask to go potty without hesitating! So even though she is unbelievable shy, and insanely independent, she has adjusted wonderfully to being with a new adult. I am so glad!!

Leaving for our first day of VBS

Erin and her VBS teacher, Ms. Ann (who has been absolutely wonderful!)

I haven't gotten a ton of knitting done (I can't imagine why!!) But I have almost finished Clue 2 of the Mystery Stole. Clue 5 comes out Friday, so I am still quite a bit behind. But I continue to be really really glad that I switched yarns. Once I finish Clue 2, I will block it and post pictures.



Alright folks, I am SO going to bed!!