I'm trying mo-blogging.

Supposedly this will post itself, without me being at my computer.
Gotta love technology. And my iPod rocks. Seriously. Maybe this will "encourage" me to post more. Maybe not!

An amazing two compliment day.

This morning my son's teacher (who was also his teacher in kindergarten, and was younger son's teacher in kindergarten) told me how much she still loved the shawl I knit for her when DS was in her class. She said she loves to wear it and that I had such good taste. If you're not on Ravelry, it was a Clapotis, and I gave it away so that I would "have permission" to knit another. Not that I'd never keep two of the same pattern for myself, but sometimes it is more fun to give something to someone when you know it will be appreciated and worn.

Then later in the day one of the girls in ds's class told me that her brother was of late carrying around the blanket I made for him when he was born, calling it his "blankey." Hmm, blankey never made the Ravelry project page. I have so many missing items!

All in all not a bad day. A day of two knitting compliements.

Mommio Frogs.

I considered many names for this blog. My friends ask me why I don't blog about my knitting since I am equally or more addicted to the activity than many knitting bloggers out there. I always respond that I can't think of a name for a blog. I still don't know if I have it right, since a name can put you in a box. Categorize you as a knitting blogger, or a mom blogger. I am all those things. But not solely one or the other.

These days, my knitting seems to be more about perfection, and getting things right. I am both a process and a product knitter, enjoying trying out new techniques as much as wearing a new garment. But perfection means frogging. I ripped out a washcloth for the second time tonight because after knitting a few rows, I realized it wasn't exactly the way I wanted it to be. A washcloth! Seems silly in retrospect.

I have several garments from previous years waiting to be ripped and reknit into something new and desired. The old knits failed for many reasons, fit and wearability being the top issues. But the lesson has been learned. I am knitting smarter these days, though occasionally knitting longer on each garment! It is a good lesson and I find myself happy with the things I produce.

But I do wonder if I should call it Mommio Frogs on days like today.

Just a little bit of heartache.

The class lists came out yesterday and younger son has been separated from the two friends with whom he spent most of the summer having play dates. Last night he was very upset, didn't want to go sleep, didn't want to start school, and wanted to quit his soccer team. In other words, his disappointment, his fear, his sadness and anger are spreading to all of his activities. There are only two classes, so it was a 50-50 chance that he would be in a different classroom but to be separated from both friends is a blow. He has other friends, though not the BFF variety, and seems to get along with most of his classmates, so I am putting the positive spin on things and trying to be strong. He doesn't know how upset I am too. But I worry that in not showing I am upset about this thing that is hurting him, he won't be able to express his sadness. Heavy sigh.

We went to the beach today for an end-of-summer day of fun. Now to get the backpacks and lunchboxes at the ready for tomorrow. Wish us luck!

Smoke free at last!

Today is the first morning that we've opened our doors in the morning and haven't had to shut them quickly to the lingering odor of smoke. I talked to my friend in Boony Doon last week and the smoke is much worse there, but everyone is home, and their house is safe.

School starts this week and I am trying to plan a festive last-day-of-summer outing for the boys. Something with a little bit of fun for everyone. None of us are looking forward to being back on a schedule and I am hoping for a great year of school. We were good this summer and kept up the reading—en dos idiomas—and hope it will serve them well for the start of the new year.

Quite the view.

We are not close enough to be in harm's way of this fire, but we are close enough to watch the dramatic smokey display. At one point there was so much smoke it threatened to block out the sunlight, but this afternoon the wind shifted. Unfortunately that wind shift caused the evacuation of the whole town of Bonny Doon. It is going to be a worrisome night tonight for all of us.

Simple things.

Remember when you were a little kid and going to the airport meant standing, nose pressed to glass, watching the airplanes taking off and landing? I do. Maybe I'm dating myself, or maybe I was fascinated by simple things. But going to the airport to pick up or drop off a relative always signaled an exciting event.

My kids—post 9/11 kids—have never known that activity. The few times we've taken someone to the airport have meant rushed curbside drop-offs, or waiting in a stuffy, interior corridor—windows occasionally showing bus traffic—for our passenger to arrive.

This past Saturday we dropped off my dh's sister. It was one of those curbside affairs and going to the airport seemed completely disconnected from anything involving aircraft. But on the way out of the airport, we spotted a business park parking lot where someone was sitting watching planes land and take off. We had packed a lunch as we were planning on doing errands after the drop-off, so we pulled in, opened the back of the car, and had an impromptu picnic.

Another parent with a toddler pulled in while we were having our lunch and I realized that kids still like the excitement of watching the planes taking off and landing. You just can't do it at the airport.

My kids watched the commercial and small planes, and cheered while watching them speed down the tarmac. They speculated about the people on the planes and where they could be going. We talked about the president's plane. We marveled at the speed and the noise. In short, it was the nose pressed to the glass experience that I remember. But without the glass. A rare, completely, unexpected, yet successful outing. I am grateful.

Ode to summer.

When you were little, was there one house in the neighborhood where all the kids gathered? One house where your parents would likely call when it was time for dinner, one house where everyone felt welcome? I think my house is that house. Right now, 4 boys of varying ages are trading Pokemon cards, playing Monopoly, playing various ball games, snacking, rolling on the couch. Did I mention lemonade and cookies? You get the picture. I am that house. I'm not complaining. I'm blessed to have them all here and I know it. But I do wonder. We don't have the biggest yard, or the best or most toys, a pool, or even a pool table. The Monopoly board game mentioned above is an old version from my childhood. It has wooden houses and hotels and it was old when I was young. There must be an undefinable something. It reminds me that I love summer, having the kids home, having all their friends here.

Birthday yarn crawl.

Tabula Rasa.

Hello world!