For Posterity.

As I was editing photos tonight, I came across this one of Sam from earlier this week. I was taken back a bit because honestly, it's such an embarrassing rarity to see this kid without (a bunch of) crud on his face.

You always hear people joke about how different you raise your first child and then when you get to the third, fourth, fifth, etc... they just get progressively let off their "leashes." Did I just imply my child was a leashed animal? Never mind that. Anyway, but here I am, raising my third child and I'd be lying through my teeth if I told you I watched him every second and made sure his hands were clean before he ate. Folks, it just doesn't happen everyday.

I will say, for the record, I think I'm an organized person. I would also consider myself a bit of a neat freak. I have been known to file and stamp all my bills "paid" in a binder labeled by month, etc. I also likely have a file with your name on it if you've ever sent me a letter (with said letter in that folder), however, enter three children...and well, I'm just doing my best to kill the ants on the counter because I didn't get the dishes into the sink before the kids bedtime. Yes, that really did happen tonight.

Ah, big sigh. So, I keep hearing it's just a stage. That I'm in the "mom with small children" stage and that somehow magically when my youngest is enrolled in Kindergarten it will all fall back into place. Hmmm... but deep down, I'm thinking that's a big joke. I mean, really, do I really think that George is ever going to flush his own poops? No... probably not. Do I really think Francis is going to stop putting her dirty clothes BACK into her drawer of clean clothes? Hmm...maybe. And Sam...dear little filthy Sam, he's covered in dirt most of the time and I think he likes it. I would hate to make him change.

I think, life is evolving for me and ... even if my house is a disaster when you drop by, it's gonna be alright. As long as they keep smiling - everything will be just fine. Maybe even our own little version of perfect.

Oh, and since I'm editing photos...here's another one of Sam from this week... a more accurate window into his world. Playing on the deck in the rain... in his pajamas...around noon...

Is it just me?

Or do you heat up your coffee all morning? I remember being horrified going to restaurants with my mom when I was younger...who am I kidding? I'm STILL horrified going to restaurants with my mom because she always ALWAYS asks if their coffee is fresh and then insists, regardless of their answer, (no exaggeration) that they make her a fresh pot. She is totally obsessed with having a very hot cup of coffee.

I'm tempted to continue giving details and making fun, except... well... I think I'm turning into my mother.

I haven't crossed over into demanding a fresh pot at a restaurant, but I swear if I don't find myself reheating my cup of coffee 2 or 3 times a morning before i actually get the darn thing finished. I know, it's a little coo coo... I accept that... I'm just curious if I'm alone out there or if it's just me and Ma Carns?

It's a Rainy Day...scratch that... Week in Fort Worth, TX

This week has been a rare, wet treat for us folks in Texas. Never mind, my kitchen ceiling is leaking and will require professional attention (roof repair and ceiling drywall), it's been fun. It's so refreshing to have a break from the heat and admittedly, I have seriously neglected our lawn since moving in, so it's nice to know my grass is getting a much needed drink of water. Let's hope it's not too little too late.

The kids had a blast playing in the Sand and Water Table (sans sand) this afternoon. They were soaked to the bone and could not have been happier. Sometimes it's good to remember how much fun there is to be had in the little things...

And she's off...

My oldest niece headed off to college today. My sister and bro-in-law escorted her out of the country and up to Vancouver, where she'll be enrolled as a freshmen at UBC. MInd you, top 30 school in the WORLD. I won't even start at how impressed I am.

She's gonna be a wild...success.

Have fun Miss Kate - don't do anything I wouldn't do.
(That should leave you plenty of options.)

You can send a girl to Canada, but she'll always be a Texan.

Thrifting Today

The boys and I went thrifting this morning. I wanted to find some old sewing stuff - maybe some zippers or velcro, but had zero luck. Instead, we came home with a patchwork pillow (that looks quite nice with my other weird pillows) and three beany babies. George carefully picked one out for each kid. He chose a Koala (he later named "Mel") for himself, a hot pink bear for his big sis and a sneaky little fox for baby Sam. All three in great, tag-still-on, not creepy dirty condition. Overall, a successful trip. Total cost $5.

George has started Fort Worth PreK

Well folks, here he is: George William Finch Gulde headed to his first day of Fort Worth preK. Baby Tiger under one arm and Clash of the Titans lunchbox in the other. He. had. so. much. fun.

When I dropped him off, I expected some kind of hesitation - something-anything. He hadn't given me any indication that he was worried, but I just figured, hey... he's four and this is a new place...ya know, normal kid stuff. But what I'm realizing more and more is that George Gulde is no regular kid. This boy, much like his father, has never met a stranger. He just rolls with it and is a friend to all. Monday was no different. He just ran in, found his cubby, put away his backpack - taking special care to put Baby Tiger inside safely, put his daddy's old lunchbox on the shelf and ran to one of the tables and started playing. No hug, no kiss goodbye necessary... So I said, "George, I'm leaving... I love you, have a great day" and he said "Okay, momma - I love you too" without even looking up. Big sigh... he's growing up. They all are, damn it.

Just before noon, I talked to Matt and told him that I needed to wake Sam up to go pick up George. He offered to do it for me so he could get in on the first day fun which was great. He said George was the last one out - not because Matt was the last one there, he was just busy having fun.

When they arrived home he told me all about playing in the bike playground and how he liked playing with Max.

Cheers to your first day little man. I hope you are always this comfortable in your own skin, you inspire me.

Lemonade For Sale!

The neighbors were having an open house today. So I gave the kids their first lesson on marketing (foot traffic = sales) and finally followed through with my promise to have a lemonade stand. Two hours and sixteen dollars later, I'd call it a success. Let's hope we also helped sell the house next door.

Apologies for the lame photo... there was way too much happening to pull out the big daddy camera.

Things That Make Me Smile.

For some reason, while I was watching this today, I found myself wondering who this reminded me of... who was it...(scratching head)...hmm. I continued watching, giggling and smiling. I know! It's my best friend's daughter... Rosa Jane! Why, who knows? I think it must be because it makes she makes me smile and giggle.

**Here's hoping that only a best friend can handle her BFF comparing her daughter to a snail shell with shoes. ;) Enjoy KBR... I love you two more than life itself. Can't wait to see you at Squam!

Finding Friends in a new place is hard.

It's hard to say I'm lonely when I'm surrounded by my favorite people all day, but here I am, in a new place, looking for a kindred spirit. Making new friends as an adult with small children can be such a hilariously awkward and painful experience. You have so little time between naps, snacks and pickup times. And assuming you do find that precious few minutes, you'll be lucky not to be interrupted by a polite little request to help wipe your sweet little one's booty. It's a wonderful thing, really, when they poop in the actual pot, but wiping the booty, well... oh, who I am kidding? I'll miss wiping their little butts when they're all grown up.

It's just one of those grass is always greener things, I think. While their young, you wish you had more time and when they grow up and you do have more time, you miss them. So, maybe the lesson is just to live in the now and not worry about the friends part. They will come... like in Field of Dreams, I'll build my happy little Fort Worth version of home and the pals will come. Right?

And in the meantime, being alone isn't so bad. There's more time for introspection and catching up on laundry.

With "transitional" neighborhoods come "transitional" schools.

This week has been exhausting, but rewarding. Our awesome new home is zoned for not-so-awesome schools. Enter, the task of getting into a magnet school or getting transferred. We moved here in June, after the application deadline for magnet schools so, not surprisingly, we were denied. So the next option was to transfer to another school, that actually, our home was zoned for as little as 10 years ago. It's a cute 90 year old beloved school called Lily B Clayton Elementary in the Berkley neighborhood next to us.

After being 2nd in line for a 30 hour marathon campout, we met a lot of new friends and managed to walk away with the second to last transfer spot. We were lucky and we couldn't be happier.

Yes, we could have stayed at our zoned school and don't get me wrong, I've thought A LOT about it. I mean, it's not gonna get any better if folks move into the neighborhood and transfer out. Maybe it's my duty to stick it out and do my part in making it a better school? I don't know. I really don't, but for now, Lily B seems like the best answer for my daughter. It's still plenty diverse and it's got a great reputation. I'm thrilled for her and sad that my sweet girl is starting school. I'm gonna miss that sweet face around here.

Our move. Our house.

As some of you already know, we recently moved from Amarillo (1.5 years), to lovely Fort Worth, Texas. Previous to Amarillo, we lived in Chicago for 8 years. Well, 12 years if you count the four my husband spent at Notre Dame (an hour away) and I spent at Wheaton (about 30 min. away). But who's counting? My point is, Chicago is the closest thing to home. There have been adjustments, some good, some...a wee harder, but finally I feel like we have landed in a home and a neighborhood I think we'll call home for a long time... hopefully forever. For this army brat, that's saying something.

We bought a 100 year old home in a neighborhood just south of downtown called Fairmount. Some folks might say it's a bit rough around the edges, and I can't hardly argue with that, but prefer to describe it as "up and coming." In fact, Southern Living featured it as one of the "South's Top 10 Come Back Neighborhoods" in the nation, just this past January. So there. It's official.

We are not new to owning an old house. We had a 96 year old brick four square in Oak Park, just outside of the city (across the street from Chicago city limits.) We did quite a bit of work, the biggest project being a kitchen that I'm certain decreased my lifespan by a few years. But thankfully, our new home in Fairmount has very little to do in the way of major remodel. Paint and tile are the main issues and even that... at least the tile isn't falling off the wall, it's just personal style differences. I am very thankful for that. With three small children, I will be lucky to get even that done.

As far as the transitional aspects of our neighborhood, well, that's not new to us either and honestly, it's not for everyone. Our previous neighborhood had it's quirks but the upside was diversity and that's something we really wanted our kids to experience and be shaped by. Truthfully, that's something I need to experience and be shaped by as well. So, we lock our doors and don't leave our bikes in the yard.

So, here it is. Home Sweet Home. I couldn't be happier and more ready to get started with this new chapter.

American Girl

Francis and I met up with some friends for brunch at the American Girl store on Michigan last week. You apparently have to make reservations at least a month in advance and if you want a window seat, overlooking Michigan Ave, you have to hold your breathe for 6 months. Insane. Nevermind, that we arrived moments after the doors opened at 10am and the store was already packed, nevermind that it was a whooping $20 a head for said brunch, nevermind that they sell doll eye glasses for as much as my husband just paid for his real glasses - it was still awesome. A madhouse of memories I will never forget. Francis loved it and I loved her loving it.

What will they think of next?

I was just surfing around trying to compile a Christmas list for Francis and came across this, Barbie Baby Photographer. She can play "baby photographer" just like mommy - except momma ain't playin'. ;)

Creativity Is...

Present for Matty

One thing I love to do and never seem to have the time to do anymore is wrap presents. I love to collect old scraps of paper, patterns, tape, letters, etc. and use them to make cards, wrap presents, etc. Today while Francis was napping I finally sat down and wrapped this little gift for Matt. I wanted to give him something to remember the birth of his son who is yet to be named. I can't wait to give it to him...he's going to love it.