An Iowa Mom

A Day Full Of Surprises!

Happy 7th Birthday Drew-Be-Doo!  I can't believe it's been that long since you've come into this world, yet I can barely imagine our life before you became a part of it.

Your day is going to be full of fun filled surprises, and I'll try to update this post with photos when I take them.  :)

When you woke up this morning you could hardly contain yourself as everyone shouted and sang Happy Birthday, I LOVED serving you birthday cake for breakfast ... and I know you LOVED eating it.

Mom and Dad are going to surprise you at school this afternoon and bring you McDonalds and eat lunch with you and all of your friends.  We don't get to do this nearly as often as we'd like and we know that you will be so happy.

Normally you have to endure the long bus ride home.  Today, we are going to surprise you and pick you up from school.  This is something you ask for almost every day and I am unable to do it since the girls are napping at this time, so I know you'll be in heaven.

When you walk in the door ... surprised will not be the word for what you'll be when you see your new Nintendo Wii.  Yes!!!  I found one!

Drewy, I am just as excited to give you all of these birthday surprises as you'll be to receive them.  You are the sweetest, most caring child I know and I love you!

Happy Birthday!

I Would Have Rethought The Whole Thing ...

When I made the decision to bargain with my almost 7 year old regarding his birthday, I never realized I would have had as much trouble as I did finding a Nintendo Wii.  When I counted the number of places I went ... I decided to participate in Thursday Thirteen ...

1.  Southside Target
2.  Southside Walmart
3.  Southside Video Games Etc.
4.  Game Stop
5.  Coralville Walmart
6.  Coralville Video Games Etc.
7.  Coralville Target
8.  Coralville Best Buy
9.  Northside Walmart
10.  Northside Target
11.  Sam's Club
12.  Northside Video Games Etc.
13.  Northside Best Buy

Did I find the Nintendo Wii?  Yes.
Where did I find the Nintendo Wii???  The last place I went!!

TOYS R US ... on the southside.  I passed it going to the very first place I tried on my list above.

No kidding.

 

But I have it in my grubby little hands, I'll be holding up to my end of the bargain!

I think having a birthday party for 12 seven year olds may have been a little easier ... and a lot less irritating.

WFMW: Potty Training Time

Do you know what time it is?  Yes, today is Day 1 of potty training our last child.  I have mixed feelings about this...

I am soooo not in the mood to train another child to use the potty.  Not up for following around a 2 year old in her daily endeavors, asking her if she needs to go "potty on the big girl potty".  Washing 10 pairs of panties today over and over again after each accident is not something I'm truly looking forward to.

But ...

Not having to stop 8 times a day to change a diaper sounds very appealing.  No longer having to purchase diapers, oh yeah, what will I do with the extra money.  (I know Green3, I could save it.)  Just the fact it will be the FIRST time in TEN years that we won't have a child in diapers is enough for me to do the happy dance and start throwing potty parties everytime Molly tinkles in the pot.

When it comes to potty training, I don't use pull ups.  I don't revert back to diapers.  When the decision has been made, by both me and in this case Molly, we go at it full force and we don't look back.  This is our process:

• The two of us together go to my favorite super store (Target). 
• I let Molly pick out her "big girl" underwear and she carries them to the register.
• The "big girl" underwear are the only thing we purchase and I make a really big deal about it.
• On the day we are to begin, we put the diapers away (to be used at night/nap).
• We stay in our "big girl" underwear from that day forward.
• When Molly goes on the potty, I jump up and down like a fool, clap my hands and hoot and hollar.
• If we go somewhere, I do not pack a pull up ... instead I pack extra clothes ... and don't forget socks.  Very important.

When I used the process above, my kids were trained within 2 to 3 days.  Drew only took 1 day and 1 accident in his big boy underwear to know that he didn't want that to happen again.

With Emily, I used Pull Ups because I trained her about a week after we moved into our new house and I was paranoid of her having an accident on the carpet.  (With Molly, I'm looking for accidents on the carpet as a great excuse to tear out the carpet and install hard wood throughout.)  Using the pull ups ... it took us about 2 weeks to fully train Emily, and it only worked when I broke down and used my process above.  I just don't think it's as uncomfortable as it needs to be in Pull Ups when they go in their undies.  I even tried the ones that are supposed to get really cold when the wet ... just didn't have the same effect as real panties.

So, if and when you are ready to potty train.  Go for the big girl (or boy) underwear and don't look back.  If you do use my process, I'd like to know how it works for you.  It works for me.  I hope it works for Molly!

For other great tips, visit Rocks In My Dryer!

Wordless Wednesday: Apparently It Does Tricks Too!

Tackle It Tuesday: Time Management

Okay!  If I don't plan my day down to the minute I am just way off schedule and don't get anything accomplished.  Summer came and went, as did my schedule.  So, now that we are back in school, and Emily started preschool ... I needed to come up with a way to organize our days so that we actually get done what needs to be done.

Now, if I didn't have my hand in about 100 projects, this wouldn't be a huge issue for us.  However, I find the kids like knowing what's going to happen each day and their behavior is always much better when we are on a schedule.

Today, I put together ours for this school year.  I usually type it all out and print it, but this time I used The Cozi Calendar.  If you haven't used Cozi yet, you don't know what you're missing.  I suggest you go check it out.  Using Cozi, I have my schedule on my computer, accessible from any computer, AND I print it out week by week to keep on my fridge.  Since we have so many people to keep track of ... we are color coordinated making it easy to see what each person is supposed to be doing.

I follow our schedule to a T and get so much more accomplished ... I'm glad it's done.

This was a Tackle It Tuesday that couldn't afford to wait.  It's done now and we are ready to start tomorrow!!

Go see what other's are "tackling" today!

Wonder What The Neighbors Are Thinking?

Frankly, I wish I cared.  Actually, I'm glad I don't care.  The one thing I try to keep in mind when my kids want to do certain things is that they only have ONE childhood.  ONE set of childhood memories.  And I want them to be good ones.

If Drew wants to dress up as a Power Ranger on a hot August afternoon and then ride around on a tractor designed for a 3 year old ... who am I to stop him?  He's not hurting anything.  He's having a blast.  That's what a childhood is for, am I right?  Now, if he were 25 dressed up as a Power Ranger and riding around on a tractor, I may think a bit differently ... but for now, he's perfectly fine.

One of my kind and open minded neighbors walked by and made a comment to both me and Drew about his choice of clothing ... words that are not even worth repeating.  Why she had a problem with it, I don't know.  I don't think it's any of her business and I feel sorry for her children who are obviously not going to be able to have the kind of fun kids like to have ... because she'll be too worried about what people think.

It's a shame, really!

Perspective

I find my husband extremely sexy ...

when he's doing the things I want him to do!

Time To Make Some Changes

For those of you who subscribe to my blog via a feed reader (bloglines, google reader, etc ...) will you please update your link to:

www.aniowamom.com

And for those of you who are reading and don't subscribe to my blog, you SHOULD by adding the following link to your feed reader:

www.aniowamom.com

I dropped the typepad and want to make sure everyone gets changed over so you don't miss anything exciting.  Yeah ... like my life is THAT exciting, right?  Hey, kids are in school now ... you never know what I might come up with.

Thanks everyone!

Can Someone Let Me In?

"Everyone has them!!" is all I heard from my kids.  "I want some!".

I personally always thought they looked kinda goofy.  Never a big fan.  However, because my girls whined enough and I was going to pull all the hair out of my head, or theirs, I gave in and purchased two pairs of pink crocs.  Typing that ... I still can't believe I was weak enough to cave.  Dear heaven, help me!

Do you know how many times I've heard, "They are so ugly, BUT, they are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn." ?  Okay, 3 years later you finally got my attention.

Beyond thrilled, the girls slid them on their feet before we even left the store.  They skipped and squealed with delight out into the parking lot and all the way home. 

Within 2 hours, both girls were crying and limping in these silly things.  "BAND-AID" was all they could muster as they witnessed the huge sores on their feet with blood pouring from them.

Assuming as with any new shoes, blisters would have to form and their feet would eventually become accustomed to wearing them, I left them in the shoe cubby.  Everyday, pain or no pain ... blood or no blood ... they happily take them from their little home and place them on their little feet.

Okay people, we are OUT OF BAND-AIDES.  It's been almost 3 weeks and these shoes are tearing up my little girls feet!!!  Is this what we call comfort now?  Blisters the size of Mars?

Is there some secret I should know about?  Is there a "how to" manual that the sales clerk forgot to include in my bag?  Do the thousands of people I see daily running around in these things know something I don't?

Or ... maybe my girls just have messed up feet!   Which could be entirely possible.  Just sayin'.

Enough Already!!

Dear Mother Nature,

Okay.  You can stop!  The grass and trees have had plenty to drink.  Even my flowers are saying they're done sipping the fresh rain water you provide ... and that's like a miracle.

The streets are flooding, the creek is rising, and I'm tired.  Why does this matter?  Because when you rain so hard and throw thunder and lightening into the mix ... Molly doesn't sleep!  She wants to be with me.  While that's fine, I love to cuddle ... I also enjoy the television so I can catch up on the news and what not, while she drifts in and out of dreamland.  Ya know, when you pour the drops down on us so hard, our satellite dish goes out, so Fox News is not an option for me right now.

Neither is sleep.

Please stop!  Soon!

Thanks in Advance! 
Good Night,
An Iowa Mom

Iowa Geek Says "Something's A Foot"

Jodi, over at Iowa Geek is holding her monthly contest.  Hop on over to her place to enter.  If you are the one to win these adornment stickers, magnet and mini-album, it will be worth your while.

Even if you don't win ... you'll enjoy reading through Jodi's blog (if you don't already).  She's become a favorite of mine to read and I'm honored to be able to share her with you.

Enough procrastinating already ... get over there!

Wordless Wednesday: Leaving Mom In The Dust ... And In Tears!

WFMW: Birthday Party Bribery

Now I know some of you will immediately think I'm the meanest mother on the planet when I explain this to you, however, given my circumstances at the moment, with all I have on my plate to do, this works for me.

Drew will be turning 7 next week.  SEVEN!  I just can't believe it.  Hoping I could get away from having a party for each of the four kids every single year, I was willing him away from that answer when I asked what he wanted to do for his birthday.  To no avail.  He replied without hesitation, "I want a party at Chuck E Cheese!!" 

Okay.  Drew is very young for his grade, so most of the kids from his class he wants to invite are or almost are 8 years old, and I can pretty much guess from experience, that they won't want to go to Chuck E Cheese.  Sparing my little boy a lot of ridiculing, I offered ... okay ... I BRIBED him to go in another direction.

Me:  Drew, if you give up a big party at Chuck E Cheese for your birthday ... I'll make a special deal with you.

Drew:  No way.  I'm going to Chuck E Cheese.  I want to ride the Jet Ski game.

Me:  How about you pick 2 friends to go to Chuck E Cheese?

Drew:  No.  I want a big party.

Me:  How about you pick 2 friends to go to Chuck E Cheese AND I'll buy you a Nintendo Wii.

Drew:  A WII???  A WII??  I'm getting a Wii???  You've got a deal.  I'm getting a Wii?  Really!

I'm actually getting off cheaper than a party ... Plus, no planning, no invites, no 10 kids running wild through Chuck E Cheese ... next time you are sitting in the middle of several kids, screaming and running around, with cake and ice cream all over their faces ... think of me and this post.

Bribery!

Works For Me!

At least this year.  Next year will be a whole other story, I'm sure!

For some great tips and hints (I'm sure more informational that this one) head on over to Rocks In My Dryer!

Bunch of Lazy Asses!

In a society where we all claim to be fit and health conscious and many people who make regular visits to the gym to exercise ... I couldn't believe what I witnessed the other day at Target.

Emily and Molly were behaved so well as I shopped, looked, strolled, gawked, drooled, and gazed through Target.  What?  Isn't that what everyone does when they visit the super store of all super stores???

Anyway, the girls trailed behind me, keeping their little fingers to themselves so perfectly that I decided to reward them.  When they get "treated" at the store, that translates to "splitting a Peppermint Patty".  So, after we paid our bill, for several things we didn't need, and waved goodbye to the checker we've come to know by name ... we took a seat on a bench next to the doors, so I could people watch and the girls could enjoy their well deserved candy.  Call us crazy, but the kids aren't allowed to eat and drink in the car, so any food they have has to be eaten before they climb into the Suburban.

So, I'm sitting there while the girls take the tiniest bites to make their peppermint treat last as long as possible, causing their hands to become a huge chocolate disaster, and I start to notice how lazy people are. 

At our Target store, there are two doors.  One is an automatic opening door and the other one, right beside it, has a handle so you have to manually open it.  As I sat for at least 10 minutes, I didn't see one person go through the manual door.  Heaven forbid they have to use their freakin' arms and push the door open to enter the store.  I watched the majority of the people coming from the right side of the parking lot walk PAST the manual door, taking an additional 10 steps or so, just to go through the automatic doors.

I understand using the automatic doors when you are leaving and have a cart full of things.  But entering the store ... I don't get it.

Don't you find that a bit disturbing?  10 minutes and about 50 to 60 people and every single stinkin' one of them went out of their way to go through the automatic doors.  I was baffled.  I really was.  I know it's not that big of a deal, but it really bothered me.

We left, and went through the manual door, just to make sure it still worked.  And from now on, that's the only one we'll use when we enter our favorite super store.

Great Timing ...

The hurricane is bearing down on Mexico and it looks as thought the eye of the storm is going to crash down on the resort where we stayed just 2 short weeks ago.  I'm saddened every time I hear the coverage of the hurricane because we so loved where we visited. 

The same employees worked every single day at the same places, so you came to know and become familiar with them.  They were all so nice and their main concern was our comfort and happiness.  It hurts my heart to think those sweet people are in quite a pickle right now.  Most are dirt poor and have no means to evacuate.  Even if they did go inland, the hurricane will still hit them.  I'm just beside myself about it.

Because I hadn't done so yet, I took time this afternoon to upload some of our Mexico photos to flickr to share with all of you.  Out of over 1,000 photos, I randomly chose very few to share.  I'll add some of our good ones once they are scanned in.

I don't even want to think about when this storm will do to this area and it's people, so I choose to be in denial and remember it the way I saw it ... not the way it will look after tomorrow.

A Special Place In Heaven

School is back in session for our children here in Iowa, and you know that it's been an emotional roller coaster for me.  However, two days in, and we are settling into our routine.

One of the things that I will continue to be apprehensive about through the year (I'm going on past experience here) is the bus ride to and from school.  I have such an appreciation for the the bus drivers who safely get my child from home to school and then back home again. I don't know how they do it.

Over the past 5 years that I've had a child on the school bus, I've been greeted in the afternoon with stories you would not believe.  At least where we live, the bus ride takes on an education experience of it's own, if you know what I mean.

When I discovered Jennifer's blog, The Life Of A School Bus Driver, I was immediately intrigued.  Though her school year hasn't quite started yet, I look forward to reading about her adventures on the school bus, and then those she has at home raising her family.  I've only recently been reading her blog, but I did add it to my bloglines so I can continue to follow her through her journey.

I must say, I hope to read some stories that will put my own child/bus experiences to shame.  I'm hoping the assigned seats and the one time suspension are nothing compared to the big picture.

Tune into The Life Of A School Bus Driver! to find out what's it's really like transporting tons of kids to school each day.  Like I said in my title, there's a special place in heaven for people like Jennifer.  I know I couldn't do it!

Kids Don't Have First Impressions, Right?

A slight oversight on my part ... and my boys arrived for the first day of school wearing these:

Today, the second day of school, they will be wearing these:

I was informed by Jake that he was the only child in his class that wasn't wearing new, "back to school" shoes.  If only I was as on top of things as Green3. 

Damn, I just couldn't pull it off.

My Emotional Roller Coaster

The days leading up to the first day of school, and the actual day itself is full of so many emotions.  I feel like I'm back at Adventureland and thrown on the ride full of loopdy loops and steeps hills. 

One moment I feel on top of world, and the next I've plummeted to the bottom of my existence.  I thought I'd share the rainbow of emotions I've experienced in the past 48 hours.

Exhaustion - As the end of summer rolls around, after several vacations and thousands of miles traveled, I was just down right tired.  I was so tired that the mere thought of the boys beginning school was like watching a bunny run through a meadow full of wild flowers with birds chirping overhead. 

Overwhelmed - Once I had snapped into reality, I realized that registration forms needed to be filled out and fees paid, not to mention a bazillion dollars worth of school supplies to be purchased.  Trying to accomplish all of this with 4 small children (which equals 8 little hands) (which then equals 40 curious fingers) was down right wrong.  As I entered the aisle at the local super-mart with the big "Back To School" sign hanging from the ceiling just overhead, I felt as though I'd been thrown into a huge patch of quick sand, amongst millions of mothers and crying children ...  and I was sinking ... fast!

Anticipation - Once the inconceivable feat had been accomplished, there was nothing left to do except sit back and await the day.  The beautiful day which called itself August 16.  This day was not significant only because it was the anniversary of Elvis Presley's death ... it was much more important.  August 16th marked the very first day of school for my boys.  The day, which was "tomorrow" at this point, felt as though it would never arrive.

Excitement - I woke up this morning full of excitement.  I whistled in the kitchen as I prepared breakfast, even though it was a hour and a half earlier than I had gotten into the habit of rising for the day.  I kissed each one of my children on the top of their little heads with a smile, despite their moans, groans and cries about having to go to school.  The big day was here ... WHOOO HOOOO!

Apprehension - Once it was a known fact my boy's attitudes were not going to improve I quickly became very nervous about them leaving me and being under the supervision of their new teachers.  I silently prayed they would behave the way I expected them to.  Even though I expect it, it's never a guarantee. 

 

Sad - Watching them board the big yellow bus, my heart fluttered a bit.  It drove past the house, as I stood in the driveway waving, but my goodbyes were not returned, as neither boy was paying one bit of attention to me.  They were already focused on their friends and discussing something inappropriate, I'm sure.  That's all that the bus rides usually consist of.  A small lump formed in my throat as I fought back a few tears.  Tears made up of sadness and pride.

Lonely - I entered the house and the two girls were still in position, eyes glued to Dora the Explorer.  As I began to climb the stairs to take my shower, I realized the boys weren't here to keep an eye on the girls as I bathed.  I felt very alone ... and I didn't like it.

Anxious - The girls and I filled our day with a trip to the mall, which included some time in the little indoor play area as well lunch in the cafe court.  From the moment we returned home, I felt a little anxious waiting for the clock to display the number 4:22, informing me the boys would be dropped off at any time.  I couldn't wait to see them and hear all about their first day of school.

Relief - The girls and I waited and I watched intently as they stepped off the bus.  Their smiles reassured me that they were okay.  Of course they were.  My boys are in 2nd and 4th grade and have attended the same school since the very beginning, with all the same children.  Why wouldn't they have been okay?  However, I was honestly happy they were now home with me.

 

Pure Contentment - As we finished our after school snack and I tried every trick in the book to get them to share some small portion of their day with me, to no avail.  However, I was honestly happy they were now home with me.

Thankful - The dishes were being put away, and I began to start dinner.  Both boys complained about what we would be eating once hubby arrived home.  I shooed them away to leave me in the kitchen to prepare the meal.  They fought all the way down the stairs over who would be player 1 on the Game Cube and I smiled ... so very thankful that they would be going to school again tomorrow!

What's Cookin?

All four of my kids complained at what I am preparing for dinner tonight.  You would think I'm serving them Liver and Onions, but I am really making roast, homemade mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberries and corn muffins. 

Sounded pretty good to me since our temperatures actually dropped into the low 70's today.

It got me wondering though ... what are you all having for dinner tonight (or what did you have)?  Did you kids complain about it?  Are we all in the same boat, or are my kids just rotten brats?

Last Day Of Summer Party

Today is our last day of summer vacation.  Tomorrow at this time Jake and Drew will be at school and the house will have two less children.  Does that mean that it will be half as loud?  Half as hectic?  Probably not.  Will I miss them?  Probably.

Normally I try to make this day as fun as possible.  We awoke this morning to rain and thunder, so all the plans of sprinklers, volleyball in the pool, outdoor picnics and popsicles need to be revised.  And quick.

Because I have got some strange eating habits in the morning, you have to know that I've more than likely passed that gene down to my children, right?  Today ... it was their choice for breakfast.  Anything they'd like and as much of it as they can eat.  It's an all day party after all, right?

Yeah, that's popcorn.  And the bowl was full when he started.  What you don't see is the gatorade he drank with it.

Really, what did you expect????

School MUST Start! For My Own Sanity!

You know that it's about time for school to start when I ask the boys to fetch some clean clothes and go down to take their shower and they both look at me as though I just broke the news that I signed them up for Extreme Fear Factor.  And they leave in a hour.

Drew immediately fell to the floor with his mouth flung wide open and let out a bellow like I've never heard before, just after he enlightened me, "But we just went swimming yesterday!!!"

Yeah Drew, I'll occasionally allow swimming to count as a bath IN THE SUMMER, but sorry buddy, those days are over.  School is starting, and now a shower must consist of both soap and a scrubby.

I can't wait to see what happens when I inform them that Open House at their school is tonight and we have to actually put shoes on to attend. 

Good times I tell ya!  Good times!

An Iowa Mom's Home Makeover - #1 Boys Bedroom

We've been on vacation a lot this summer.  And when we weren't away, we had company staying with us.  While I enjoyed both immensely, we are back now, and our "house" isn't feeling as much like a "home" as I'd like.

Over the past 2 months, we'd come in, empty our suitcases, do laundry, pack back up and hit the road again.  Some things, or should I say A LOT of things never found their way back to where they belong, and it's driving me CRAZY!

The day before yesterday, I was putting away some clean laundry and when I opened the boy's closet doors, I had a small panic attack.  Our home is always neat and picked up, but Lord help you if you open a cabinet or closet ... because most everything is probably shoved in there.  Well, not for much longer.  I want some organization.  I want it all to be neat.  I want everything to have a place ... yes, I WANT IT ALL, I know!

At that very moment the decision was made that every nook and cranny of this house would be cleaned out.  And the many things I've been wanting to do along the way in the lines of decorating and such, would no longer be pushed down on my to do list.  I'd tackle it all, step by step until it is complete. 

Then, I thought it would be fun to bring you all along for the ride.  I welcome all comments and advice and any tips you have.  I'm NOT a decorator.  So, as I travel through this home makeover journey, tell me if you have an idea on a certain space, as I need all the help I can get.  I'm going to start with organizing ... then decorating!  Let's clear the clutter first! 

Because the boy's room is where the panic attack and decision to change all this took place, I will start there.  There isn't really much that can be done in their room along the lines of decorating, but I sure cleaned the joint up.  Now it's Jake and Drew's job to keep it that way.  I think they will, as they are VERY excited about the minor transformation (otherwise known as a clean up).

Before

After

I actually had one full bin and a black garbage bag full of stuff I threw away in this room.  This is quite amazing since the boys (and girl's) don't really keep toys in their room.  Only a couple special things.  Otherwise, all toys belong in the toy room.

I need to freshen up the chore chart and put it back to good use.  The kids LOVED that.

Do I see carpeting on that closet floor??  It's the small things, people, that make me so happy!




Before



After

The boys have a small TV with a VCR in it in their room to watch right before bedtime.  It's not hooked up to the satellite, so they can only watch movies.   Their movies were always all over the place, now they are contained.

Before



After



Before



After

This is not technically complete, as I have the fabric cut to make the boys quilts for their beds, but it will be a couple weeks before I have those finished.




A Few More After's

I want to get them a real desk, but until I find a small one that I like, this will have to do.

The boys read a lot, so their books have to be organized and easy to find.

I just bought this  3 - 2 - 1 shelf yesterday.  I figured each boy could have 2 cubes and a basket.  Their "special" toys belong here.  Perfect place for the Game Boy and DS and such so the girls won't get to them.

That's about it for the boy's room.  Stay tuned for my next project ... the kid's bathroom.

A Little On The Strange Side? Or No?

Be honest, am I the only wacko in Bloggyville that eats grilled hot dogs and chips for breakfast?

Time Really Does Fly!

How long has it been?  It feels like an eternity, then at the same time ... it doesn't seem like it is even remotely possibly that it could have been almost 2 and a half weeks since I've posted. 

Anyway, I'm back and not planning to go anywhere anytime soon.  My kids are though ... SCHOOL!  Yaaahhhoooo!

The answers to my last post, as to where we've been all this time are:

#1 - Nashville, Tennessee visiting hubby's father and step-mother.
#2 - Moline, Illinois to see my "man" in concert - Keith Urban
#3 - Indianapolis, Indiana to visit with hubby's sister and family AND to drop off the kids with them while we went to ...
#4 - Heaven Tulum, Mexico at the Dreams Tulum Spa and Resort for 8 days.

Kerrie, yes, the concert was fabulous, as always.  We had really good seats and he was very into the show.  I already can't wait for the next one.  Here is one of the photos from the show.  I'll have an entire post dedicated to the concert soon. 

But for now, I'm off to unpack suitcases, start putting my washing machine back to work, restocking the refrigerator, buying school supplies, and of course ... I need to catch up on reading all my favorite blogs.

Fun is over, it's back to the old, everyday grind.  Honestly, I'm actually looking forward to it.