What the Kids Do While I Draw

I drew this because I really wanted to remember the way Scarlett was hanging onto Michael in church on Sunday. She was so cute...she actually behaved well for the entire meeting! That was awesome and completely unexpected. She seemed to be enjoying herself, raising Michael's hand for the sustainings in ward business (if you're not Mormon, I'm sorry-- that probably sounds like a jumble of nonsense). She was quiet and sweet. 

Now I will take you backstage! While I drew that picture, I wore Michael's headphones. They make this soundworld bubble that drowns out all other sounds. 

>:) Yes, even children-sounds. It was like a vacation. 

So I completely zoned out of the world and zoned into drawing. I drew that picture up there, but I also drew some really dumb pictures with the "sticker" feature in another program...uh...so, I pretty much scribbled a ton. It was super fun, and I figured out a few new tricks in the art program. Makes me feel smart. 

But of course, when I zone out, the world keeps going even though I could swear it doesn't. 

After my little vacation, I learned just what the kids had done when I was deaf to their mischief. 

Over all, it was worth it. I mean, here I am again with the headphones and drawing! (Avoiding my laundry...I swear my laundry doesn't intimidate me, but it just fails to persuade me that it's the priority).
I think the kids enjoyed their own vacation from me, too.

Art and Valentines

 My eyes are gloriously tired.

Yesterday ended well; I felt especially aware of how my son is full of good intentions, and Michael was just plain awesome in helping me with the kids. When I left the house for some time alone, my mood had improved drastically! I ended up buying birthday presents for Ender. In fact, everything I bought was for him (except for some Grasshopper cookies). 

(Those are definitely for me). 

TODAY... 

We had a truly wonderful Valentine's Day. 

Our cousin babysat the kids while we went to the temple in the morning (THANK YOU!). Even though I forgot my bag (miscommunication-- totally thought Michael had it) and didn't realize until we were AT the temple and had to go all the way back for it, it was reallyreallyreallyREALLY wonderful. 

I think being in the temple is romantic. 

After our lovely temple visit, Michael took me to brunch. That food was delicious! And then guess what he did? Oh besides kissing me, of course. He bought me a present... a present that is perhaps one of the COOLEST presents ever. A Bamboo Splash pen. 

It's a sort of pen for drawing in a program on your computer instead of using your mouse, so you get your beloved hand-drawn effect (plus some wicked awesome special effects) right at the computer. 

I have been playing with it for a long time! :) 

THAT is why my eyes are so tired. 

Computer screens can be so bright. 

Aaah! Dismembered legs!

Something happened to the skin color in saving...woops!

Those are a couple from one of the art programs; there's another program I played with, but I haven't yet figured out how to convert the files so I can share them. I did a couple sketch-looking ones that are fun.
So you know what this means for me? It means I will be drawing so much more! And sharing my drawings! And learning more and more, too! These doodles are what I've figured out so far with some of the tools, but I think I'll be getting better all the time.

Today was a peaceful day in other ways, too. After picking up the kids, I put Scarlett down for a nap and did some crafts with Ender. I very rarely do that! I usually just show him how to do something and let him go at it. But for Valentine's Day, I wanted to give him a little more attention. When it wasn't windy enough for his kite, I sat with him to make some paper pinwheels. That was fun, and it progressed to making hearts and Valentines and paper circle fan things and making a mess with glitter. We both really enjoyed it!
Ender and Scarlett made Valentines for us while we were at the temple, too. That was just SO sweet. I'd scan them, but my scanner's being funky lately. For Michael, Ender wrote "Dear Dad" and then drew a perfect little rocket. Scarlett had her hands traced (and then gave her drawn handprint a high-five).

Oh, goodness-- she's growing up! We took the kids to the bookstore on campus, and Ender asked me what the sprinklers were in the ceiling. When I explained that they make fires go away, Scarlett said "Where's it go?"
I practically shrieked in her face, I was so excited. She asked me a question that related to the conversation in a FULL SENTENCE! And several more times today, I felt like I knew exactly what she was saying, like when she asked me to sing a specific song to her, or when she was explaining that my phone wasn't working for her. Oh man. Kind of makes my heart burst in both directions...my baby's growing up! It's crazy that she's definitely not such a baby anymore, but I'm also really enjoying the way she's growing up. She is very fun. I kept staring at her tiny face today with absolute adoration while sharing my dinner with her. I guess I have a Mom Crush on her. :)

Our day was so nice. When we were packing the kids in the car to go home (after having a leisurely stroll around campus and the bookstore), Ender asked Michael "was this sort of a date?" Yep! A date with the kids! And it was really, really fun.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

In Which My Kids Test the Limit Every Minute

When I talked to my mom briefly, she asked if I was having a good day.
I sort of laughed and answered honestly, "I'm having a hard day. But we're doing okay right now."
Want a peek at how my day went?

There's a peek for you. If you can read my handwriting. Things have mostly improved...I told Michael that I need to get out of the house. He's such a wonderful husband. He often asks me if I would like to get away from the kids, and I'm usually so tired with everything (and wearing pajamas and not wearing makeup) that I don't feel up to getting out of the house and would rather send the kids away with Michael or just wait until the kids are in bed so I can have some Me/Us time. But today, I need to get OUT. 

Hey, I'm even wearing makeup. And real-people clothes. And my hair looks normal (instead of like a heap of dung on my head). 

Scarlett seems to be doing better since Monday; we think she had a 24-hour bug (from nursery???). But she hasn't been sleeping well. Today, she didn't really sleep at all with her nap even though I kept her in her crib for the length of time her nap should have been. She just kind of played and fussed and babbled. Without that much needed sleep, she is one cranky child. She is crying about everything. EVERYTHING. Scarlett is normally a bit of a diva when it comes to Ender bothering her, but add crankiness to the mix, and she's a nonstop show of L'Enfant Miserable. 

(Okay, maybe that was only funny to me, but at least I appreciated my own joke...I needed it). 

Ender is doing fine. He's performing gymnastics on every surface in the house, which does bother me, but I happen to have my headphones in. Ah, the Sound of Music. Much more appealing than the Sound of Crazy Kids. (Why another movie joke?! I must stop that). 

I have felt very encouraged and helped today. Abby said just the right things to help me gain some perspective and simmer down enough to get back on the battlefield. Thanks for letting me lie down on the telephonic couch for some sound conversation, Abby! 

And my mom told me that she thinks I'm a wonderful mother. :) I said I'm trying! And she said that's why I'm a good mom. It's always good to hear that, especially from my own wonderful mother. 

Michael reassured me that I can indeed get out of the house when he gets home. He is on my side. 

And guess what? Now he really is-- like, he's HOME. 

So this woman: SHE GONE! 

*signing out...like really OUT*