Clunk

I think I have multiple insect bites.

Right now I am on the couch watching Alton Brown. In our house, Alton Brown is one step shy of deity. In fact, all peace is gone from my kitchen because of him. I frequently hear, "Are you making that the way Alton Brown does? I have that episode. Do you want me to put it on?" Recently, we found some episodes of his on sale, and since he's usually so very overpriced, I decided to submit to more of the afore-mentioned criticism by allowing Josh to buy the DVD. Currently, we are exploring the possibilities of cooking with honey.

We just finished having some cheesecake. I had actually bought the cheesecake to offer my guests today, but I sort of forgot about it when I was setting out doughnuts for them. My mother, her brother, Pete, and my wonderful grandmother all came to see me this morning. When I woke up this morning, I was pretty cranky. (I tried to sleep on the couch, but it didn't work out the way I'd hoped.) But after I got busy cleaning I felt better, and was fine after a nice, hot shower. I made some tea and set out the doughnuts and some other snacks (forgetting the cheesecake). They really didn't end up taking much. In fact, they came loaded down with offerings: chocolate, Teddy Grahms, chips, strawberries, toys for the children, a dress for Abbie... The visit seemed short, but we all enjoyed it. Abbie spent most of the time on Uncle Pete's lap.

Now that the visit has come and gone, the rest of my week is an enormous anti-climax. My brain really isn't prepared for it to exist at all. I think I am making a "dinner in a bag" tomorrow before taiko, and that is the extent of my week planning.

Friday, we had a great time being completely lost on Kingshighway in St. Louis. Josh took the day off work and went to a job fair in the morning. It was a big disappointment. So then we hopped in the car, with the intention of spending the gloomy day at the Science Center. After being lost for a half hour, we gave up and went to the arch, which turned out to be great. We hadn't been since before Abbie was born, so we all had a great time. We walked by the river, had dinner out....it was great.

Saturday was Austin's first communion. Only Josh was invited to the actual mass, but the rest of us went to the party at Sarah's house. Josh's mom was decorating so much that Sarah's husband was starting to loose his temper. Mariah is the clique-ish type. She ran off with Sydney the whole time, and didn't play with my kids. They didn't mind, and neither did I. I hope it doesn't keep up, though. Eventually my kids are bound to notice, and I feel disloyal telling them that their aunt prefers others to them, even if I can add that it's her personality defect, not ours.

Grant actually had soccer tonight. We were getting our shoes on, and Abbie came running down the hall, tripped and fell into the doorway. She got a huge welt right away, She wouldn't let us put ice on it, but I hopped up and got her some chewable Tylenol and a WALL-E band-aid. On the way to soccer, she fell asleep. I don't know anything about concussions, but I knew I was stuck in the front seat and wouldn't be able to check her pupils until we got there and woke her up. I know something about myself now. In an emergency, I need a task.

She played lots at the park and even when we got home. She is just fine.

Well, now Grant is pitching tired fits, so I guess we need to to the bedtime thing. I wish you all good sleep. Be well.