"Masking" My True Feelings--get it?

Waaaaaah! Did I say I was OK with it? I lied.

But, the number one most important ingredient for learning is enthusiasm, right? And we have plenty of that around here. So I'm keeping my thoughts to myself and cheering them on.

Speaking of masks, lookit the cool splatter art that Dudeman made! You should see the clothes he was wearing at the time--let's just say they match the mask!

A visitor

I love dragonflies--they are so beautiful. This guy is HUGE. Can you see how tattered his wings are? The poor thing found his way into the house and beat himself against the windows until we were able to catch him. We put him outside but I don't know if he was able to fly away or if he was a bird snack.

Warning: Political Rant Ahead

It's un-American! It's un-American to question the President! We should get behind him and support all his efforts...

Oh, wait, that was last year. This year, it's just fine to question the President.

Feel free to question ANYTHING now! Question his motives! Question his morality! Accuse him of any outlandish plot you can think of! He wants to deny medical care for your poor old grandmother! He wants to deliberately bankrupt the country! Go ahead--come up with the craziest bullhockey you can! Question his country of origin for God's sake!

Remember when protesting a war-for-no-reason was unpatriotic and anyone who questioned Bush's reasoning was a traitor? Remember when we were supposed to fall in line and shut up because THE PRESIDENT KNOWS BEST?

Those days are over, people. The rules have changed and now, not only is it just fine to express dissent, but it's also fine to disrupt, disrespect, and completely disengage from reality. Because when you're on the losing side, and you have nothing successful to show for the past 10 years, the only option is to tear down and criticize.

So, let me see if I understand correctly... Everything was perfect during Bush's years. Everyone had lots of money in the bank, all the healthcare options they needed, great job and education opportunities, and an unassailable sense of complete security. Our soldiers were on an indefinite spa-vacation in the Middle East, and we made sure they had everything they needed once they came home. Then, Obama showed up from Kenya, ruined the country, forced us all to convert to Islam, and tried to kill our grandparents.

So, folks, is there any doubt where I stand on this issue? You want to quit reading this blog, go ahead (all three of you.)

Don't Stop Believin'

Just a few things that make me happy...

The sound of sprinklers early on a summer morning.

The sound of crickets on a summer evening.

When my mom visits and we can talk all day long, instead of a half-hour conversation on the phone.

Introducing my kids to the music I loved when I was a teenager. (Even if you aren't a child of the '80's, you have to admit the Go-Go's were fun, Aerosmith was rockin' and Steve Perry was the dreamiest...)

Etsy. A double-edged sword.

When Dudeman comes into the kitchen with his eyes still puffy from sleep and serious bed head and wants to sit in my lap (even though he's almost big enough for me to sit in his lap now.)

When Supersim gives me that certain twinkly-eyed smile that reminds me of her sweet wittle baby face.

My new computer!

Finally!!!!

I got my new computer! I'm so happy!

How do I even begin to fill in the blanks? Summer is/was super busy--we visited relatives in Texas and Oklahoma, and we went to Yellowstone National Park. Entertained lots of visitors: great friends from Washington, D.C. and Texas. We read a few good books (kids and grownups.) We did NO school whatsoever, unless you count the French classes I taught.

Supersim and I started a fun project of making our own hairclips. She worked in as many riding lessons as possible, between our various trips. Dudeman is training to be a sprinter and looking forward to soccer in the fall. He finished his book challenge and keeps reminding me that I owe him his prize: a giant Lego set. Oh, and BOTH kids have decided to attend school.

Yup, that's right. School. I'm OK with it. Whatever makes them happy. They're excited about it, wishing school would hurry up and start. And they know that if it doesn't work out, if they aren't happy or need more challenging work, they will always have the option of attending the Super Awesome School of Super Awesomeness.

Anyway, it's not like SASSA ever closes--even though we didn't do official schoolwork over the summer, we still had all kinds of amazing experiences, including visiting some great museums, enjoying lots of picnics in several states, listening to cicadas and tree frogs at Caddo Lake, having a three-day-long playdate/sleepover with cousins, lying outside and watching the Perseids, and seeing geysers, two wolves, lots of bison, and a GRIZZLY BEAR in Yellowstone.

We've had a wonderful summer...Hope you did, too!