"Lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely..."

So, anybody know what this is? Anyone?
Hello?
Bueller?
This, my peeps, is a house sans children.

Yes, it's true. They all went to school today.

All of them together. At school. At the same time.

I don't know what to do with myself.

(Well, besides sit around in my underwear and eat ice cream out of the carton at 7:50 a.m. - but doesn't everybody do that?)

"On a Pot of Gold with a Silver Lining"

We went on a mini vacation to Stateline. We had a really fun time even though a lot of the fun rides were pretty much closed the entire time. Well, I take that back. They DID let us use the water slide for 65 minutes on the day we were leaving before they unceremoniously kicked our butts out of the pool for maintenance. The maintenance they apparently couldn't get done the previous 58 hours the pool was closed. But I digress...

In actuality, it must have cost them a fortune to have us stay there for three days. Since we don't really gamble, and they gave us $160 in free buffets and $340 in free ride wristbands, we didn't spend any money while we were there. (Unless you count the anti-nausea medicine I had to take after going on the virtual roller coaster. I am not young anymore.) SCORE!

"Keep on Rockin' in the Free World"

Aunt Kelly took Ryleigh to her first concert - The Jonas Brothers! When she got home, I asked her how she liked her First. Concert. Ever. She said, "Well, it was really loud."

I have so much to teach that child.

"Because you're sweet and lovely, girl, I love you "

Kendall is amazing.

She dances, sings, performs skits, and can throw out an insult faster and meaner than a 10th grade cheerleader. For example:

While waiting in line at the local super market:

"WOW! Mom - your hair is turning really, REALLY dark brown. Here. At the top. And I see gray hairs, too. I like all the pretty colors on your hair, mom. Except, I don't."

While organizing her old clothes to give away:

"Mom, where are all of these going?" "Well, honey, you've grown out of them so we're going to give them to a friend of mine." Silence. More silence. I glance over to see her staring at me, slack jawed and wide eyed. "YOU. HAVE. FRIENDS?"

I hope she's saving for my therapy.

"Whose broad stripes and bright stars"

We had a very entertaining Independence Day.

Unfortunately, we lost someone very dear to us that day. Our blender, Blendy. He was a good blender. He made excellent smoothies and fantastic cocktails. I will always remember the time when he and I first attempted a Hollandaise sauce. What a mess! *sniff* He would not have wanted us to be sad, though. He went out on his own terms, with a cocktail in his pitcher and a fire in his base. We will miss you, Blendy.

"Until your haircut looks its best"

Ryleigh finally got the haircut she has been waiting for.

She has been telling everyone that she had it cut by a professional.

As opposed to my amateur status, I guess.

"Inevitably, the first day of school came"

Wednesday was the first day of school for Ryleigh and Zack. Ryleigh started 4th grade.
Zack started Kindergarten.

After our orientation morning, I asked him if he wanted me to stay for a while. He said, "Why?" I said, "Well, I don't know. I just thought that I would stay if you wanted me too." Pause. "Mom. I need for you to go so that I can teach all my new kids how to behave."