Christmas (and more) in July

Yep, I said Christmas.

Ever have one of those times where you post something and later it just nags and nags and nags at you?  Keeps you up nights thinking how much better you could have said what you said?  Maybe not. I had posted some time ago my aversion to gift bags and I wanted to clarify that post - especially after I gave them last year at Christmas...what I didn't really say so well is that I don't like the bags themselves.  I get the convenience - I do.  I don't like the impersonal-ness or rushed attitude that they can convey. 

And now on to other things.  It's officially Christmas shopping season at our house.  I've started my collecting/shopping.  The first items are on their way via UPS.  My spare room will soon be converted to Christmas storage space.  I'll be hiding goodies in cupboards, under beds and in drawers.  Sadly, I depleted my stash of dishcloths that I made last year (can you believe I gave them all away as gifts!?!) and I've been too busy reading to create more.  There are so many good books out there!

We've also begun planning for Jacob's Gotcha Day Party.  I think this is going to be the best year.  Jacob is really into it.  He told me who he wanted to invite (My Grandmas, and my Grandpas and Aunt Karen and Louie and Uncle Mike {with a 'who's all the rest of my family?  Who all loves me?  Can they come too?"} , and Mommy and Daddy, etc.).  He said what he wants to do for his party (I wanna fwim in my pool).  He told me what he wants to eat (onies and bean-beans and hot gogs wif ketchup).  He even informed me that he wants a cake (Mommy, I want cake from the store, okay? - Yay, I don't have to measure the poke cake!)!  Jacob is also beginning to understand what the day is about.  He knows that it's his 2nd birthday (yes, he has given us a list of everything he wants) and the day the judge said we would be his mom and dad - forever.  He's asking a lot more questions about family lately and we're trying our best to give honest, age appropriate answers.  Honest is easy, age appropriate is where we struggle a little.  One day at a time.

The puppy is doing well.  She's about 2 weeks old now.  We'll get her at 8 weeks.  (I have a feeling that once the owners see what it's like to feed 9 puppies, kibble for 6 weeks, they'll be calling us early.)  We're reading some and making plans for her training.  Jacob, of course can't wait for her to get home.

I'm still frustrated with the preschool.  After the snafu with registration (oh, sure Mrs. H we have his form...it's not in the computer...oh, here it is.  I set it aside because it was missing information...I don't know what information, everything is here...I'll enter Jacob in...you should hear from the teacher in about a month...You're lucky it's the A school you needed and not the F or O school because those are full) and another call into the school (yes, we have Jacob's registration on file this time...his teacher is calling parents and should be done with that by June 18...the school is located at...If you don't hear from her, call us back.).  She still didn't answer my questions on cost.  Good news, the little girl at day-care will go to the same school and Elaine will take S anyway, so we don't have to work preschool around day-care!

I'm sorry to say, it's going to be a boring summer here.  No big trips.  A few little ones on the books.  Maybe some pictures.  No grand plans.  Just life at home constantly on watch for the fire trucks and swimming in our pool.  :)