Random stuff on a really nice fall day

For the time being, Summer, has decided to cool down a bit and let Fall come in and tempt us with nice, cool breezes....cool evenings and mornings...and very low humidity/great laundry-drying days. Oh...I know that Summer is a bit of a bitch with a wicked sense of humor and she will be back...but for the time being, I am appreciating the heck out of this time of year. We haven't used the air conditioner for about 4 days, so my bank book is also appreciating it!!!

This is on a bag that I will proudly carry...one that finally supports one of my philosophies of life!!! Pack Rats of the World....unite!!! (and carry a very cool bag!!) And yes, I know what I'm reading it as and what I'm sure the company is wanting people to read it as are different...but...it's my interpretation and I'm sticking with it!!! :-D

Yesterday, after dance class...I had some time to spare so did some "gosh I wish I could buy that/don't you think I can make that for much cheaper" kind of shopping. My favorite department of any store is the stationary area. I can always find a pen or brush or letter set or memo pads or you name it that I positively must buy and can't live without!!!

At the big shopping mall-type place next to the community center, as I was meandering around the school supplies, trying to ignore the obnoxious sounds coming from the kids game center that was next to it.....my eye was caught by a game....not just any game...really no skill is needed...just put in the money and the (1) push a button to make a scoop go down into the goodies and then (2) push another button to make the scoop drop whatever goodies that are picked up in the scoop onto a shelf....that has an arm moving back and forth pushing the lucky goodies off the shelf and into the bottom....if you're lucky!

Normally....I pass on this kind of game...."Total waste of 100 yen.", is what I tell the boys. But....really...this particular one, (that had my eye and wouldn't let go) was too cute.

I "played" two times....and this is the 'bounty' for the day....three Croc-wannabe key-chains and about 15 different accessories for those Crocs!!! The boys and I each have one (the K-man wasn't too terribly hurt he was left out.) and we all have some new fun stuff to put on our own real Crocs!!! In case you're wondering...mine is the pink one, Koji...blue, and Issei...the orange!

With the new school year starting for most of you, I have been reading many blogs about moms sending their little ones off in that bright new world we call the "education system". The first time of putting their little one on the bus and watching it drive away....or having to write their names in and on everything....or going to the store and buying things on the incredibly long list of "things you need for ~insert grade here~."...all made me smile and even sometimes brought a tear to my eye.

And then....it hit me.

Koji....is going to First Grade in April. This is his last year of daycare. From now on, everything he does will be "the last time to do that".....the summer festival they have every year (which was last weekend and so much fun!), the Christmas Pageant, ice skating, .....

Soon....we will also be "too big" to do this.....

.....and that kind of makes me sad. When Issei got too big to do the 'sit on my lap and snuggle' thing, it was okay, because by that time, Koji was here and he was a baby and well....it was okay....still sad, but...okay. Oh, we still snuggle, but....it's a sit-on-the-couch kind of snuggle or a let's-read-this-book kind of snuggle...a "big boy snuggle". Koji and I have our own special time in the morning...after Issei has gone to school, before we eat our breakfast and start our day. I'm making a point of really savoring these moments....because I know that, like with all other things involved in the whole growing up process...this will soon end. Now...when I talk to my students about "mixed emotions", I have a new working definition!!! And yes...I know...in the process of many things going by the wayside, there will also be many new and exciting things happening for my little man...but...still......


Now...since I'm feeling a bit blue, even though the weather is still nice...what this little girl needs is some quality time looking around one of my favorite internet shops....Indigo Wild ("any more natural and you'd be naked") is a great place to find some really good deals....and I'm in need of some new soap...they have a 'vanila sugar' scented soap I'm thinking I need to try...plus, a bundle or two of small pieces is great to find new scents I like...and ones I don't really care for (of which, sadly, there are a few)!!