Thursday, August 11, 2011

[I loved this summer because]



Jackson has been going to the gym with me.  I suckered him into going to my spinning class a few weeks ago. 

He has explicitly refused to go back to that class.  

So on Tuesdays and Thursdays we treadmill-ed, StairMaster-ed, did the elliptical machines, played around on the weight machines, and generally meandered around the gym.  


Yesterday, on her last day of unencumbered liberation, (school started today),  I introduced Caroline to my sacred sanctum--Pizzeria Bianco.   

Marc and I had our first date there in 1997 when they were located in the Town and Country Mall on Camelback Road.  We haven't been back thanks to Oprah's endorsement as Pizzeria Bianco being one of the best pizzerias in the country.

No food, I repeat, no food, is worth a two hour wait.

Since they have recently decided to open for lunch, I've decided to brave it again.  I went once by myself in April, and I plan on lunching there more often when I'm downtown (which is never). 


I've been counting the days until one of my children could have some modicum of appreciation for fine pizza.  (Take a flying leap, Hot-N-Ready).   She genuinely appreciated our handmade mozzerella, fresh basil, fennel sausage, ricotta cheese, and arugula pizza. 


I tell you, this girl has a sophisticated palate for a ten year old. 


Then we blew over $100 on "required" school supplies which made me mad as spit.    


Yesterday morning (at around 9:00, a grand sleep-in to celebrate the last day of summer), Ellison came into bed with me and we hugged and gabbed and lazed around together and my heart was full of gratitude that all was just about perfect with me and my girl. 


Until an hour later when she screamed at me that I should teach a class on "How to be a Horrible Mother".   

[offered MWF from 2-3pm].

Charlotte remarked today when I was doing her hair in my bathroom: "You never have any fun, mom.  You never play with stuff and you just drive around." 

Pretty much.

She obviously thinks I'm a pitiful sack.   So we colored in her circus coloring book.  And did some puzzles. [Proof positive that I'm not always driving around]. 

I hereby recommit to playing with my darling girl.

We've been working on Summer Goals again. Caroline is close to finishing hers. We tried to pick goals that were deep, meaningful, and that would ultimately improve our lives and/or the lives of others. 

Like being able to name all 19 of the Duggar kids. 








Ellison "lost" her list of goals (and her motivation), and Jackson blatantly refused to do his. {He is, however, working hard on his Scouting stuff}.   I shouldn't talk--I haven't even completed one out of my five goals.  I think I'll extend the date until August 31st... 


Our friends who we knew in Iowa, the Graffs, my cousins Jeff and Laura Fuller and their kids, who were visiting from Alabama, and a good measure of the 85201 zip code {yes, the Wright Family Dynasty}, came over last night for a "Farewell to Summer" pool and pizza party.      

3 comments:

Kristi Smith said...

So glad she liked bianco! I love a kid with good taste buds. I am proud to say that i have never, ever have seen one single episode of the 29 and counting giant family show! keep writing kare~ i love reading your blog!! Other mormon family blogs are sooo boring compared to yours ;)

Janet said...

If you're a horrible mother than I really need some help! Sign me up for your classes ASAP.

Chelle said...

The school supply thing raised my blood pressure as well. Then I was annoyed to find out that Leah's teacher provided all the supplies anyway. Poor communication can cost a lot of money.

Love the summer goal idea. That's an impressive amount of "stuff" to accomplish over the summer! Forcing goals on my kids is a proven crash and burn - maybe I should involve them in the planning next time, huh?