I am thinking...that we go off duty tomorrow and what all I need to get done before we do so.
I am thankful for...little voices and big girls voices in my life. And for days off where I get to spend time with just one little voice.
The dynamics of the cottage with little Butterfly are quite interesting. Normally our apartments are off limits to the big girls (with occasional exceptions, but those are specifically designated by us). However, Butterfly--at the age of two--doesn't fall under those rules (our choice). She and Blueberry play so much together, and she is with me so much that it would be impossible to keep the separation there. It's good for Blueberry as she's learning how to play and share with someone else--even if she might disagree with that statement. Although the delighted way she and Butterfly greeted each other this morning was encouraging to hear. While we do "pass down" Butterfly to the relief house parents when we go off duty, it's always a little weird just because of how much 1 on 1 interaction I do normally have with her. She finally does seem to be making true bonds with both Christopher and I which is nice, but is definitely going to be hard if the day comes for her to leave. Although that is true of most of our girls.
From the learning rooms...[or in our case--the learning brain]...words continue to explode. It's almost impossible to keep up now. Lots of two word sentences: "I want" "Lale pancakes". But mostly still one word statements--just a lot of them. Her fear of flies is rather hysterical if somewhat frustrating. She woke up from a dead sleep yesterday afternoon because a fly was buzzing around and I had to go rescue her to frantic wails of "Fly! Fly! Fly!" We've tried to make bugs in general a nonchalant or interesting thing, and it's worked with some things, but she is definitely my daughter with a deep-seated, instinctual fear of spiders or pieces of lint that might be spiders (or flies). Fly's I don't fear, they just annoy me.
From the kitchen...comes Saturday morning pancakes. Since the big girls are all still asleep, I went ahead and made GF version for Blueberry, Butterfly, and myself. I'll work on round two of breakfast in a little while.
I am wearing...pjs as of yet. Need to go get dressed but enjoying a few minutes of quiet expression. Skirt and top most likely.
I am creating...ideas for gardens. The cottage as a whole needs some serious gardening work/look--it's just not very pretty on the outside. And our little backyard area definitely needs something. Thoughts are wandering through my brain, now to put them into action.
I am going...to be working very hard today! Saturday's always are hard days around here. Not bad, just so busy for us--even if we have a lazier day for the cottage as a whole. I always crash hard at night.
In my mailbox this week.. .not a whole lot. Been rather a pathetic week for mail. However, I did get an email from my dad saying he ordered Blueberry a book about the Lake District which should be coming soon--so I'll just look forward to that instead!
I am reading.. .The Secret Holocaust Diaries which are the diaries of Nonna Lisowskaja Bannister--a Russian woman who lived through the Holocaust. It's interesting because she is NOT Jewish but rather was conscripted into the work camps of Germany as a Russian child. The perspective and stories are at times just as brutal but at other times show a life of joy and a glimpse at the pre-war world of Russia that is absolutely fascinating.
I am hoping...to get a makeup trip to Austin scheduled soon. Have a phone call to make and arrangements to work out with our reliefs.
I am hearing...two little forks banging on the table as Blueberry and Butterfly eat their breakfast and make fine music. Other than that, the house is quiet. The big girls had a "sleep over" in the living room last night--birthday party celebration--and are all still sacked out on the floor. Peace....
OK, since I wrote the above, the two littles have now gotten up and are playing baby doll and tossing balls at each other. Not quite so peaceful any more, but happy. So that works for me.
Around the house...I need to tidy up and do some dishes. Also have a sack of clothes for Blueberry from the consignment sale I went to this week. Got some really cute items including a new bathing suit (complete with adorable coverup) and a raincoat that I'm praying she will fit into by our England trip in the fall. Any ways....digression of coats aside, i need to go through all the items, unsafety pin them all, and wash and store/hang up. In the cottage we have a busy day lined up as the girls are doing a grand clean-up/move rooms partially because they want to and partially because we're getting child number 9 on Wednesday of next week!
One of my favorite things...spending time with best friends on vacations! Last weekend we had a little get away to Eureka Springs with one of my best friends, her husband (also a good friend!) and their baby. Delightful. Lots of walking, game playing, cooking, sharing, and hot tubing.
A few plans for the rest of the week: get through today so I can go off duty tomorrow? :)
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