Hooray!

Flynn's new expression is "Hooray!"  It all started two weeks ago with, "There's Lowe's.  Hooray!"  Here are some other gems.

It fit.  Hooray!
I did it.  Hooray!
Kit Kat.  Hooray!

I wish I could still get so excited about the small things in life.  I should take a lesson from my 2 year old.

Meta NaNo- Days 3 &4

Day 3 was a difficult day dealing with the boy.  I only wrote 133 words.  I was able to hand write the direction of the story.  Oh, and I am sick.  Again.  Yippie.

Day 4 was much better (writing-wise).  I was able to further the plot with not too much blather.  I really need to go to bed now.  The meds are kicking in.  :)

WCU: 8
Words today: 2578

Meta NaNo- Day 2

I was only able to write at the end of the day, after the boys went to sleep.  I am exhausted from the long day, and I am drinking a Mike's Hard Black Cherry Lemonade.  Not the best decision (drinking and writing), but that's life.

Word Count Updates: 3
Words written today: 593 (Yes, I am getting behind, but I am childless for most of the day tomorrow.  Once I finish my work-work, I can write.)
Content:  Still some stream of consciousness, but with a point.  I started writing questions of plot, possibilities, twists and turn.  Still trying to get the creative muscles warmed up.

Meta NaNo- Day 1

Today began my return swim up the NaNoWriMo River.  (Yes, I am comparing myself to a salmon.  This is the PNW, after all.)  I thought it would be interesting to write about the writing experience this time.  I also want to track my habits and see what works for me and what needs to be changed.

Word count for the day: 1698
Number of word count updates: 6
Writing location: Starbucks on Pearl
Content for the day: Began writing first scene.  Got stuck three paragraphs in.  Wrote some stream of consciousness filler to get the creative juices going.  Created back story for main characters and made notes on setting.  Settled on a title.
Note to self: Bring headphones.  The music was awful and I keep eavesdropping on random conversations.
Observed: Old man fell asleep in one of the leather chairs.  When he woke, he was quite embarrassed and asked me if he snored.  I assured him that he did not.  :)

On Halloween

When I taught in the public school, we teachers were told very explicitly that we were not to show in any way, shape, or form that we approved or supported Halloween.  Today, when I dropped off my King Piggy at school, I was pleasantly surprised to see faculty and staff dressed up for the holiday.  Pre-K and K kids were allowed to wear their costumes all day.  The rest of the grades will change into costumes during their respective parties.  I find it funny that the Catholic schools celebrate Halloween and public schools don't/can't.

I always enjoyed the creativity of the holiday.  This year, making costumes was out of the question (which is why my kids are Angry Birds).  Next year, I will try to return to homemade costumes.  When I was a kid, store-bought costumes were the small percentage and homemade costumes were the norm.  Now, it seems to be the opposite.  There's nothing wrong with store-bought costumes, but the fun of the holiday is using imagination to create a look.  Plus, your costume won't match anyone else's.  I saw lots of super heroes and princesses this morning.  Only one King Piggy was present in the sea of students.  Lots of older kids pointed and smiled at Drake's costume.  I think he was uncomfortable being the object of attention, but such is life.

Blogging absence

I have been away from blogging for a while.  It's not because I no longer wish to write.  Quite the contrary.  I have so many thoughts and opinions and stories floating in my head that need to be set free.  On my To Do List, I have "Blog Freedom Fair" and "Blog Chelan Trip".  I want to tell about how Drake is getting the hang of school, how Flynn is evolving his sense of "style", how I am more socially awkward at 37 than I was at 17, how I attacked Camp NaNoWriMo.  I have to let it go and face forward.  It's almost October.  I need to not feel guilty for not completing tasks I am under no obligation to complete.  Time to cut myself some slack and move on to the next writing topic.  But, I will leave you with this: my deranged beauty queen.

Now, picture him wearing pants and waving a small American flag,
and that's how we went to the store last week.

Firsts

One of the great joys of having children is watching them experience something new.  To them, it is exciting and daunting and sometimes scary.  Here are some of the "firsts" experienced by this household as of late:

First family vacation to Chelan
First time back to Chelan since our honeymoon 13 years ago
First time on a motor boat (Drake and Flynn)
First time napping on a motor boat (Flynn)
First time fishing (Drake and Flynn)
First wasp sting (Drake)
First kayak ride (Drake and Flynn)
First model rocket building and launching (Drake and Flynn)
First kite flying (Drake and Flynn)
First model (Drake)
First Brussels sprout (Drake, Flynn, and I... seriously, I don't know how I made it to 37 before eating one)
First day of school (Drake)
First sob-fest watching big brother go off to class and leave you behind (Flynn)
First day at the new daycare (Flynn)


Here's to many more.  :)