A crazy day today. Kids home from school by themselves. Me at work in meetings to discuss a new reporting structure. I now have a couple of direct reports. Tomorrow, we leave for Catalina and somehow between now and then I need to work a half day, do laundry, pack and get this house clean enough to return to.

In my last post I spent some time kvetching about my children. When I went to look for a photo to accompany this post--lo and behold--the perfect solution (and yes--did you notice, she is still touching him).

Nostalgia for the good old days. Honestly, my children provide more humor and joy in my life than I can possibly express. Joke of the day from Michaela: What is the opposite of Catalina? Answer: Dogalina. Okay it's not funny but it's just weird enough to make one smile.

Enough for now...love to all.

We just got back tonight from the first of two mini vacations. Friday night we drove to San Diego. I had some Marriott points to blow so we spent two nights at a luxurious Courtyard. On Saturday, we went to Legoland. The first time for the Tates. The kids loved it and Doug and I survived it. We were really under the impression that our two youngest could handle the "thrill rides." No dice. Later that evening, we went to see "Meet the Robinsons." Michaela later remarked that it was her best day ever.

I took my sewing to the park in a little baggie and while they were building with Legos, I finished a pair of Bitty Booties for Amy Rowbothom's little boy Karson. Okay, so I am ninety years old. Next it will be a pull cart with knitting. How cute are these!!

Today, we rented these little two man carts and tooled around San Diego. The carts were only about 8 inches off the ground so you could feel every pothole but it was really fun to tour downtown in these little go-carts. I wish I had a photo. They were similar to a wave runner on land. No pedals, the brakes and gas were on the handlebars.

Something not worth mentioning but still on my mind is the incredible ability my children have to bug each other. They could be the poster children for the "he's bugging me" campaign. All day long it was, he pushed me--she touched me--she got ahead of me--he is taking my space on the seat. I know this is hardly worth mentioning because every parent with more than one child in American deals with this. So I openly acknowledge--we are nothing special. And I know within a couple of years when puberty hits it is predicted to escalate to more personal attacks on character and physical attributes. So I guess for now, he's touching me is tolerable.

On Tuesday, we head off to Catalina for 4 days. Maybe the trick is to keep them so busy that have no time to contemplate their strategy.

Enough for now....love to all.