Running Chatter

Thursday nights are my favorite. It is the end of my work week–if you call working 2 days a week a work week.  On Thursday night, more than any other night, I allow my mind to slow down and linger over the week.  While Chad meets up with a friend I steal away and relish in the silence and solitude of my darkened room.  In the late night hours on Thursday I try not to rush past my thoughts, but to capture them.  I enjoy looking back at the things we did through the week just as much as I enjoy looking forward to the weekend ahead.  Tonight, as I look over the previous week, it seems like a blur.  Not the dangit-it-went-so-fast-I-missed-it kind of blur, but the wow-we-packed-a-lot-of-good-times-and-memories-in-a-few-short-days kind of blur.  You know, the good kind. 

Thus, a Friday Running Chatter.

1.  Ducks

Do you know that ducks fly south for the winter?  Yes?  So do my kids.  They have been insistent that we must go feed them one more time before they depart for the year.  When I looked at the weather and our calender, I knew we had to get this in soon.  Tuesday was the day.

I let the Charlie and Chanelle know that I had a lot to do that day so we couldn’t stay long.  They didn’t seem to mind and we loaded up and headed out the door. 

The ducks were crazed.  Apparently, the change in the weather means less people are feeding them so they attacked the food.  Stealing bread right from our hands, stepping on our feet, and resting their orange beaks on our laps.  It was quite comical, but Chanelle was less than thrilled about their change in behavior.

Charlie, on the other hand, had different plans for our rendezvous with the ducks.  With paper, pen, and crayons in hand, he was prepared to draw them.  Specifically, he wanted to draw their favorite duck whom they have named, “Furby”.

Our “Furby”

I think he really captured the essence of Furby’s hair.

I had plans to quickly feed the ducks and get back home in order to work through my list of things to do.  Once we got there, though, I was lost in the moments with the kids.  I watched as they explored, played, and discovered the nature around them. 

And I basked in the moments when they slowed down and sat and simply enjoyed the moment.

Two hours later we loaded back up into the car and headed home.  Sometimes, letting the to-do list go is worth it.

************************************

2.  Wood Floors

The recent addition of wood floors to our home has been more than aesthetically pleasing to our family.  The floors have become a playground for the adventurous.  In full gear the kids love to spin, slide, and flip around the floor as if they were on ice.

And by full gear I mean hats, gloves, mittens, and Mommy’s socks.  It’s quite the sight to see.

(And there may have been several occasions when I saw my husband join in this wood floor skating.)

************************************

3.  M & M’s

We had some leftover M&M’s from our candy apples last week and decided make M&M cookies for the very first time. 

I bake a lot and have been fairly successful to date.  Everything seemed to be going fine until I heard Charlie exclaim. . . OH WOW!!!  M&M Pancakes!!

We decided that I wouldn’t quit my day job. 

**************************************

4.  Work Site

Chanelle and I had a rare treat of seeing Chad in the middle of the day this week.  I picked her up from school and we stopped to see him where he was working. 

Chad leaves for work well before the sun comes up and gets home just as it is setting.   It is rare that we see him during the day so this was a special treat.

Thankfully, when we had a silly band emergency, Gramps was there to help.

I am so grateful for the hard work Chad puts in so that I get to be home with the kids on most days.  I am a blessed girl and I know it. 

*********************************************

5.  Wednesday Afternoons

We play Memory every Wednesday afternoon. . . Chanelle and I.  She always beats me.  Well,  almost always.  This week I was determined to beat her. . . my three year old daughter. . . and I told her so. 

I did beat her. . .  my three year old daughter.  Twice.

And, I’m kind of proud of it. 

Chanelle packs our Wednesday afternoons to the fullest.   From  baking to games and from walks to coloring, there is never a dull moment.  I will always cherish these days when it was just the two of us and I hope she will, too.

***************************************

6.  Keepin Up With The Jones’

I finally updated my blog header! 

Due to my technical “un”savviness this fact deserves its own number. 

*************************************

7.  October

October is tomorrow!  It’s hard to believe.  The cooler air is upon us and later this month Charlie will turn 6 and Chanelle 4.  Finally, we can say “next month” we will meet our newest family member.  So many good things to come. 

October is a good month.  Perhaps, my favorite.

***********************************

And this is why I love Thursday night.  Just a little bit of time to reflect and truly see how fortunate we really are.  As I kiss another week good-bye, I look forward to a weekend filled with good things.  Time with family, time with friends, little boys in shin guards kicking soccer balls and possibly turning the heat on for the first time this year. 

Sounds like perfection to me.  Have a great weekend!!

Chatter, Out.