around here

1. Good morning. Welllll, the older boys set a new house record for ungodly wake up hour morning and rather than wailing and gnashing my unamused teeth -- I'm going to lemonade the situation and link up with Kelly. I'm also going to order this clock. And put them to bed at 4pm this afternoon. Karma and consequences are a b, gentleman. 

pause for a photo of Bosco having the first of his birthday cupcakes and a couple of middle children not able to hide their confusion and annoyance at the situation.

If looks could kill ... my cell camera is dead, buried, and long gone.

2. Only about two years behind the curve I tried my hand at zoodles this week and the general family consensus was shockingly (shockingly!!!!) positive. Simon and the kids are not veggie lovers but with a little avocado sauce and some garlic shrimp helping the situation along - I just wish I'd made a lot more. We'd previously had this contraption which only led to frustration, a bleeding thumb, and the tiniest zoodle yield time after time so I went for the gold after reading lots of positive reviews and I'm a satisfied customer. I might even take the time to write a positive review. Or blog about it. Like I just did.

3. I was so happy to read that I wasn't losing my marbles after reading Christy's assessment of The Nest. The book really left me scratching my head over it's popularity and I'm pretty easy to please in the book department. I was SO happy when Hallie kindly let me know that Emily is coming out with a new book and I'm in the middle of The Assistants which is okay - but SO much better than The Nest. My apologies to any Nest lovers out there.

4. You know I'm a pretty big fan of Stitch Fix and this touching story only made me love the company more. I had a pretty great "fix" earlier this week that you KNOW I'll be sharing with you via many, many mirror selfies. Gird your pupils and judgment. Gird them good.

5. The older three kids start swimming lessons this morning and I think it could either go (wait for it ...... ) swimmingly (stop, Grace, stop) or disintegrate into a very public meltdown disaster. I'm going to pray for the former and prepare for the latter. I'm honestly mostly worried about Phoebe realizing she's not part of the aquatic activities and throwing a small to medium tantrum but we'll cross that bridge over potentially troubled waters when we get there.

6. Sebastian found this (sadly deceased) itty bitty baby lizard yesterday and after having me take a picture he ripped it in half and threw it at Julia's face.

She reacted accordingly and I didn't blame her ONE BIT.

7. Okay, well the boys are requesting a third breakfast and they aren't taking, "in a minute .... or two" for an answer. Maybe I'll take them on a long and step-heavy walk beforehand. Selfless mother
 4ever.

There's so much more I have to say -- like the delicious genius that is this dark chocolate but not super unhealthy popcorn that I discovered this week or how much Bosco relished and enjoyed and looooved this birthday cupcakes (from a box) -- oh, fine! A photo.

Okay, I'll save the rest for later.

Have a wonderful Saturday. I pray you were able to sleep in until 7. At least.

over and out. for now ;)