Life experiences

That's what I feel like I've been doing lately, is feeling every emotion there is to feel...ever! For example, all in one day, I visit my dad's cemetary with the family and cry, then later that evening I find myself dancing at a concert with friends. I felt guilty that night, guilty having a good time when earlier that day, I was grieving over losing my dad. I then realized that this is what life is about. I suppose it never has to make sense, we live, experience it, and then we move on with our days. I know my dad wouldn't want me to miss out on "living my life". I can hear him saying, "why are you crying, this is life, now go on and enjoy yours!". I miss him.
Sophie randomly says "papa" and points up to the sky still when I ask her where grampa is. I know it's unlikely that she'll remember him when she gets older, so I know the only thing I can do is keep talking about him and what he meant to all of us. I'm hoping Katie will remember him. I thought I had a great memory, but Katie surprises me with things that she can recall. She sleeps with a little teddy bear that used to sit on my dad's computer desk, and she told me tonight that she was taking care of it for him.
Speaking of Katie, we are so proud of her. She was chosen as "knight of the week" at her school, which means that she had exceptional behavior, therefore had her picture taken to be in the school newspaper, received a "star student" pencil, and will be the teacher's helper this week. It's called "knight" because her school's mascot is the knight. She is making many friends, learning many things, and I am extremely proud of her. Now if only she and Sophie would stop shouting when they're together. Well, if Sophie would stop antagonizing Katie and stop pulling her hair and hitting her, it would be great. Sophie is a whole different story. I think it's the 2nd child syndrome, I should understand it really well since I was the 2nd child. Basically gets away with LOTS of things.
I took a 2 hour nap today so I'm still wide awake at 1am. I have to wake up early tomorrow to make Katie's lunch, get her backpack ready, and take her to school. That's our schedule M-F. I actually look forward to it. After I drop her off, I go straight to the gym 5 days a week in the morning, get my workout in for an hour, come home and go on about my day. I have been busy with work. I sold 10 shirts in one day which overwhelmed me at first, but it keeps me on my toes. The only downfall is that I haven't organized my time very well during the mornings with Sophie. I'd like to do more playdates with her, but my time is mostly spent at home working or running errands with her. That is on my "to do list". Spend my time more efficiently and get Sophie involved with other children her age. I plan to either join another mom's group or sign up for a mommy and me sort of class.
Another thing on my list of things to do is that I have to sign up for a course to get more continuing education hours for my certification. I need 3 hours of ethics, and the nice thing is that it is available online. I am proud that I am continuing it.
Need to wake up in less than 6 hours so I'd better go and wind down.
Goodnight!

Stu's Birthday

Stu's 39th birthday was spent having lunch at PF Chang's and then treating ourselves with italian gelato at Paciugo. Mom wanted to take Stu out for a nice birthday lunch at Watters Creek the weekend before his actual birthday, and we enjoyed it! He got his Wii and was a happy man. On his actual birthday, I made him shephards pie for dinner....tried making a traditional british dinner for him. For dessert, Katie and I made his favorite chocolate cake, and played Wii for the rest of the day. It was a relaxing day for daddy, and he enjoyed it!



Sophie peed in her carseat and she had to sit on Katie's art smock we had. Daddy trying to console her.

The consoling didn't work

At Pacuigo enjoying the gelato

Yummy!