Back to the new "normal"

Day 2 of the adventure and things are beginning to return to "normal"; whatever that is. No sense of dread of what may or may not happen; only the "calmness" of everyday life.

Everyday life that was running behind schedule as the day got off to a later than normal start. I'd like to blame that on my previously mentioned late night trip to SuperWalmart with KK but even that wasn't too bad. It was the dragging of feet over the blog post that I feel kept me up too late. Whatever the reason breakfast was on a compressed schedule but KK and Nana did a great job of getting things running. We were delighted to find an email from Kathleen/Chili/Mama awaiting us this am. This was read to the delight of all. It was followed of course by another hand written letter of encouragement from Mama to the little peppers. Breakfast was eaten hardily by all and soon KK launched into Circle Time with the kids.

After Circle Time the kids scattered to complete the unfinished morning chores before heading outside to play in the leaves. One last day of warmth before the forecasted rain from Tropical Storm Ida.

We all reassemble back in the kitchen on time for lunch. I sprang a surprise on the children as I brought home a whole order of cheese fries from Outback last night. Cheese fries from Outback are a source of no little joy in our house. I even called an audible on main course when I picked Veggie burgers for everyone also while at SuperWalmart. Ellie consumed the veggie burger with almost as much gusto as she did the cheese fries!

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During lunch there was a public reading of the world famous Art's Chili blog. Crowd control had to be called in to keep the poor reader from being trampled as the kids all swarmed to see the photos.

After lunch it was naps and work and school. Mostly that is. With all the buzz about I.M. I had to forbid Brianna from her school work until she completed her blog post I had advertised. I just couldn't let my good name be ruined as a false advertiser.

Side note: Brianna completely set up my entire blog. All I do is type the story. And for those of you wondering what happened to the youngest two cats on the side bar (that's you Di) all I will say is see the above note.

After naps and work and school (I think we should rotate who does what some day) Sam and Ellie and I had to run a quick errand to the Post Office to get stamps to mail my folks anniversary card. Can you actually believe I not only remembered my folks anniversary but also took time to get a card and to actually mail it. What is up with me lately?

Dinner was wonderful Borscht prepared and frozen by Kathleen. Following dinner we all had a small bowl of Edy's Lite Cookie Dough ice cream. Another spoil of my trip to SuperWalmart. The kids were completely amazed that I actually shared. Sometimes I even surprise myself...

After Dinner it was stories and play in Sam's room. And after Ellie went to bed we all retreated to the basement for a competitive game of air hockey. Too much fun for words but I will say Brianna was the referee for a while and she has a real whistle in her mouth in the picture below.

Next to be herded to bed were the boys. This gave me a few moment to work on Emma's doll house with her. We set up a few things and got our bearing on what needs to be done next. Hopefully tomorrow's picture will show some progress.

Thats about all that happened around here today my bride. It seemed a fairly slow day until I listed it all out. Tomorrow is my marathon day of travel through Southern Va so Pop Pop and Nana (Mrs Pop Pop and not Nana; ask Kathleen about the names some day) are coming over to help. God Bless them.

Ciao.

Chili's Art