Smile, and the world smiles with you.

Sigh. A contented happy sigh. Then a whompin' YAHOO! And then another sigh. Why? It was an eventful day, one I can't fully explain without saying I'm satisfied.

First, my children woke at 6 AM (What? They're awake? My sleep til 8:30-ers are awake? Why? It's dark out, it's quiet...WHY?) Anyhow, they were awake, and Chayce offered to carry me down the stairs if I was too tired to walk. She's only 2, so I declined her offer, but realized that she meant business about getting up and getting started. She actually put both hands under me on the bed and tried to lift. Hee hee, I couldn't help but smile, even at 6 AM. I actually should backtrack a little and add that Zachary came storming into our bedroom at 4AM stating that his eye patch was not in his bedroom, and he wanted it found right away. It wasn't even patch day, so we sent him back to rest a little longer, and I really wonder if he slept much. At least I did!!

Anyhow, down to breakfast. I'm trying to figure out how my children ended up so much more amazing than I'll ever be, even as young as they are. My 2-year old requests a grapefruit to start her morning, followed by either an egg and whole wheat toast, or a bowl of cereal--and opts to eat Total, or GrapeNuts over the fun "Little Einstein Fruity Stars" I snagged as a treat for them. Zachary also opts for Total, with a banana. I scan the kitchen for breakfast and think, "Gee, I wish we still had some of those cinnamon rolls I made the other day." Of course, they were whole wheat, so I shan't be flogged, but my taste buds still have to get whipped into shape every morning so that I'll take care of myself. My brain knows what is good for me, so does my body, but my tongue...that horrid little member that most people have to control for bad language, sets me up for bad nutrition if I let it, and my kids seem like masters of eating well. I should just follow their lead. Keep in mind, I'm the one at the store tossing in ice cream, while my son, who doesn't pay attention much to what I hide in the cart, is busy telling me that he saw a man carrying a box of discount candy corn, and if that man is a daddy, he's setting his kids up for a tummy ache (this has been learned from experience). I, of course, immediately feel guilty for the icecream, and put it back. Sadly, it's been months since the stuff has entered our home. BUT, that was another day, and I'm talking about today (tangents from the pregnant mind...they tend not to end).

Anyhow, today we went to the library for story time. The children enjoyed singing along with Jim Gill's "I Took A Bath in the Washing Machine" song, although Chayce sings it "Washing sheep sheep" Zach keeps correcting her, poor kid. Anyhow, because we got there a little early (because of my early risers...this better be a onetime thing!) I was able to make the deal of a lifetime (OK, marrying Stephen has been the best one thus far, but after marrying him, having two...er three awesome kids, this comes close). Our library was cleaning out their old reference material, and had set the entire "WORLD BOOK Encyclopedia" Set out on the children's withdrawn hardback books for sale shelf. All books on this shelf are $0.50, and I usually get some great ones, because the library is often getting rid of things they have multiple copies of that don't get checked out very often, to make room for new items. Shelves only hold so much, you know. Anyhow, I went and checked with a librarian that they were serious, and was told, "Yes, the entire set was being sold." I paid $11. I feel like a thief, considering I just went online and found that the cheapest 2006 set of World Book encyclopedias I could find were just below $500. If I hadn't wanted to get a set of encyclopedias for my home anyway, I'd be selling them for full price online and making a hefty profit of $480, considering I spent maybe 10 minutes checking to make sure they were serious. That's what...a wage of $2880/hour if I sell them. Not bad for a stay at home mom. Of course, I value the knowledge inside, and the accessibility for my children much more than the money. If I valued money more than my children, I wouldn't be staying home and homeschooling. I have a degree in HR and management for heaven's sake! Often people ask me if I plan on going back to work once I've got all my children in school...here's my answer in public, open forum, so I don't have to say it so often: NO. We are homeschooling. And even if we found a school that was something we felt was suitable for our children, you'd have to find me a job that got me home before they were...I'm not having latchkey children, and I have about 500 reasons why. I'll list them if you ask, but be prepared, I can get really into it. I do think about what I'll do when they move out, which is why I often keep up with current business trends, and I have my list of things I'll do when the very youngest turns 18. For now, my children will know where to find me.

Then, dinner this evening. We often have squabbles about finishing dinner, or what is a bite when mom says "take 2 bites", not chewing with your mouth open, or pushing your sibling off their chair. But tonight...was...FABULOUS!

It started with letting the kids make the egg drop soup (with Stephen's supervision, of course) while I made a salad to go with it. They did a great job, and even set the table for me (where were my kids? Had aliens come in and taken over?) and then, they ATE. Then left the table satisfied, played for awhile, and went to bed. So, maybe the old adage about positive thinking is true...Smile, and the world smiles with you!