Now that I’m “connected,” anytime, anywhere, I am rather disconnected from my kids. I suspect the novelty of always having access to a space to write and read will grow weak and I’ll start playing with my children again. I hope.

Meanwhile, Max is working on his puzzle skills.

Bella is getting the hint, too, that she needs to be skilled at entertaining herself.

No, she didn't put together that puzzle. And I'm not even going to discuss the state of my house right now.

Max stayed home from school on Friday and today, Monday. He has some kind of tummy thing going on. Maybe, Hal and I suspect, from putting that gum he found in our yard between his teeth for a little closer look-see. I’m hoping all the threats of shots and worms will be enough to scare him into smelling stuff instead of using his taste buds to get a closer look. Knowing his eye-sight and mere touch alone won’t satisfy his curiosity, I had to give him another sensory option. So when you see my son pick up that pile of shit in your yard to take a closer look-see-smell, know that it is because I AM paying attention and doing my job as Mom.

I’ve booked our next vacation! We always rent a car because we drive this. And we are not little folk. Since having children, Hal and I have relegated our vacations to weekend getaways. We try to do this 2-3 times a year. Its quiet nice and it affords us the luxury of quality accommodations. The idea of being gone from the comforts and convenience of home for any longer than a few days is akin to a slow suicide. Kids are very dependable on routines. We have found it best to not push our limits with what they are up to doing. As a result, our vacations are typically (Please, don’t shoot me down Universe) quite fun.