I used to be smart

When I was in school, I got good grades. So that made me think I was smart. I've learned this week, that it was all a lie. For some reason, I cannot remember anything! I am blaming prenatal hormones and some other excitement here at the Fardanesh house this week, but you never know.

Here is a small list of examples to support my new theory:

1. I forgot to pick up Drew and our neighbor girl from school 2 days in a row! I took a nap and slept through pick-up time the first day, woke up in a panic and yelled down to Pie in his office to "PLEASE GO GET DREW NOW!" (I hope he always works at home, just for moments like this) The following day, I was checking the clock every few minutes starting at about 1:00 (pick-up is 2:30). A little before 2:00, the school calls to remind me it was a mini-day and to please come get my kid. How embarassing! Pie went to get them that day, too.

2. The third day, Dean and I went to the grocery store specifically for 2 things (cream cheese and Cool Whip). You would think I could remember 2 things. But no. As I was leaving the store, I realized I didn't have Cool Whip. I went back for it, stood in line again, paid for it, and left it at the check-out. A guy came running after me with it as I was walking out the door. But the story doesn't end there. I put the groceries and Dean in the car, left my purse in the shopping cart, and drove home. A half an hour later, I realized my mistake, and went back to the store. Thankfully, someone had turned it in for me, money and all.

3. I cannot remember what my kids want to drink. I ask them each about 10 times per meal "Do you want milk or water?" This isn't a hard question. Why can't I remember their answers? This is not as dramatic example of my mush-brain as the other 2, but it is the most annoying to my kids.

I thought there was a #4, but I can't remember it.

The Graduate

Here he is, Ladies and Gentlemen! The latest preschool graduate from the Fardanesh household!

The last day of preschool was yesterday. We're all sad about it. Dean will miss all of his friends, and I will miss my trips to the grocery store with only 1 child in tow.

The teachers put on a very nice little ceremony. Dean was in charge of the introduction: "We'd like to welcome you to our preschool graduation." As a mother, I was very proud! The kids sang some songs and then they handed out dipolmas. The best part, according to Dean, was the cake at the end!

Dean now considers himself a kindergartener. Only 3 months of summer to get through, first!

These are not my children

OK, maybe Dean is. At least he has gloves on. Yesterday we went to our friend Ryan's birthday party. It was crazy! (In a very fun way) There were about 20 kids there when a lady in crazy safari clothes and 2 big coolers came in to the living room. She spread out a big blanket, that all the kids sat around, and then proceeded to show all those wild kids her animal friends. She brought out all kinds of animals and at the end of an hour, she let each kid hold their favorite animal for a picture.

Drew totally surprised me by holding the snake. He told me last night and again this morning how I'm scared of snakes, but he held one! Dean needed a little convincing. The animal lady finally had the idea to give Dean the gloves. He thought that was great and held the little tortise . Edie's favorite was the little parrot, but she would only pet her head, not hold her.

It was a really fun birthday party, and educational, too. And Drew and Dean are so proud of themselves and of these pictures.

My B-day

I still have no new pictures to post. But it's because we aren't doing anything new and different. We do baseball. That's it. All the time. Don't get me wrong. It's fun, but all the pictures would look the same. So we're pictureless another week.

Yesterday was my birthday. I'm 29. I feel almost old enough to be a mother.

Everyone made it such a great day. Katie woke up with my kids and made them breakfast so I could sleep in. At noon, Mary (Pay's wife) took me to get a pedicure (where I practically kicked the lady because I'm so ticklish-- it's not as relaxing for me as for most people, but now I have the most beautiful feet in the world!) While we were gone, Katie took the 3 little ones (Dean, Edie & Tyler) to the store to buy a cake mix and balloons, etc. They made the cake. My visiting teachers came over with flowers, and Pie brought me more flowers and chocolate cheesecake, too! Katie picked up Drew from school for me, and then she and the kids decorated the cake and the house. After dinner we had birthday cake. I did no cleaning and no laundry! I finished my current book. I talked to Mom, Jill, Karin, Elizabeth, Grandma Stewart and Grandma Nielson on the phone, and I got a great illustrated email from Emily. It was the best birthday I've had in years!

the Blahs

I have no new pictures to post. The kids have been a little under the weather. Nothing major, Edie had a fever for a couple of days, then Dean, now Drew. Drew has come home from school sick today with fever and barfing (or squirting as Heather's PJ says. I love that!) Maybe next week I'll have something good to post...