Home, homework, yoga. Seriously. The boys have been in yoga and as much as I'd like to report that they are 90% more thoughtful and reserved, basically I have paid $38 each for 12 weeks for them to horrify the other parents and test the teacher. The first class, Oscar and Arlo were the only boys in the class. They spent the entire time wrestling and gnawing on their toenails. Luckily, as the class has progressed, more boys have been added to the mix (including girl-girl-boy triplets) so the boy energy is not solely from my guys. But the yoga teacher, bless her. At the end of every class she says "They are active and don't pay attention. That means that they are healthy."
Have I mentioned how much I like California lately?
So anyhoo, I learned pretty early on that Oscar and Arlo's classes go better if Lucy and I make ourselves scarce. (I also insist that they set up their yoga mats on opposite ends of the classroom, otherwise they will spend the class wrassling.)
So The Goose and I take off to the awesome shaded playground in the Recreation complex.
Again, one of those things I love about California -- great, creative and modern playgrounds next to every library and rec center. I can't wait to take my mom on a tour in December. But the clouds were gathering, and we got some sprinkles. I shoved The Goose in the car to go home and shove the bounce house and a couple boxes in the garage, but traffic at 4:15 in the media section of Burbank is not kind. Luckily, everything was fine. We showed up to pick up the boys and I felt like I needed to apologize to the (pretty but always exhausted) mom of the triplets, since I take off and she stays to watch the class.
Me: My boys do better when I'm not on the scene. Even though they keep gnawing on their toenails.
Mom of triplets: She only had to tell Arlo to stop once. It's really great how much they love each other. Even though you put them on opposite ends of the classroom, they inevitably end up next to each other. The way your eldest takes care of the middle guy is great. You usually only see that with sisters.
Me: ... [dramatic pause] ... No, my kids are Oscar and Arlo. Those two wrassling over there when everyone else is doing the final meditation.
Mom of triplets, increasing looking like a (tired) saint: Oh yes, I know. It's really sweet how they are drawn to each other and take care of each other.
Hmm.
So the next day I wake up and you know what? My LA Times is not wet because of the sprinkler. It's wet because it's raining!
What to do? Make some pumpkin muffins, of course. (Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bread mix, made with a dash of oil, a 1/2 c of applesauce instead of 1/2 cup of oil). It's cold. Let's have a hot breakfast. A long time ago, I was at my friend J's house in the evening. I saw that she had a couple eggs in a pot of water on the stove. I asked her about it and she said that her husband liked having a hot breakfast. I have been entranced with dreams of their family setting around the kitchen table, sharing a hot breakfast, and chatting about their hopes and dreams for the upcoming day. So I make pumpkin muffins for my kids and throttle them into being grateful.
And then it rained. And it rained some more. And it was a rainy day.
And you know what?
I felt FANTASTIC.
I think I have the opposite of Seasonal affective disorder. It rained all day. Lucy and I ran some errands and then picked up Arlo. Some of the other parents griped about the weather and I was all like "This is AWESOME! I don't have to wear sunglasses! I'm wearing a sweater! My kids are in their rainboots and raincoats! Hoo-Hah!"
I don't know that I belong here in SoCal.
We picked up Oscar a few hours later, clad in rainboots and bumbershoots. I was in heaven. One of my friends asked me how I was doing and my response was "Fan-freakin-tastic." I love me some gray days and drizzly days. We went home and wrangled out the homework and then popped some popcorn, pulled out some M&Ms (sent from my folks) and watched The Lion King on our ridiculously comfy section under a blankie. (Except for poor Oscar B, who had "forgot" his reading homework for the 2nd time in a week.)
We bought Lucy a cheap trike a few days ago. Due to a Playhouse auction, we have an awesome bike for her, but she needs to have a trike to follow the boys on the trips around the block. We got her trike in the mail today and this is what happened.
Lucy on her trike.
And here I am, three hours later, making my mom's beef stew (it's the only night under 60 degrees, so I need to do it when I can. It's a classic beef stew that I have tweaked foodie style, but I can't bear to leave out the Campbell's Golden Mushroom.) Listening to the soundtrack of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and making the best beef stew and cheese biscuits.
Bring it on, rainy season. If this is what it takes to make me happy, then bring on the rain.
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