update

it seems like every weekend should have an additional day, or every day should have additional minutes. we are just not fitting in all the things we want to do and need to do in the time we have. maybe i should write to my representative about this.

until we can adjust the calendar and societal expectations to fit my social calendar and entertainment needs, we will have to just keep squeezing too much stuff into too little time. in these last few weeks, we've done lots of fun (and not so fun) stuff. we've also gone to work, school, the grocery store, cleaned the house, and collapsed into bed every night.

in addition to letting the kids run around the streets of madison with their little buddies, peering into windows like dickensian street urchins, 

we cozied up at the fireplace in the memorial union rathskellar, 

and did some jumping around with bucky.

the kids "ran" in their first "race" last weekend at the zoo. i ran in the 10k despite a little fever, illness, and poor sleep. the kids ran in the 1/4 mile race despite serious pre-race jitters, fear, tears and outright refusals.

 pre-race feelings and animal costume cheer,

and post race turtle-riding medal-flaunting. so happy. so glad they ran the race. 

the kids got their first real haircuts (as opposed to the fake haircuts i give them occasionally, with mixed and largely negative results). there was SO MUCH anticipation of the haircut, with some fear and excitement during the watchful waiting. (yep. they're both wearing tights.)


ramona thoroughly enjoyed the haircut (she's clearly my daughter. haircuts are the best.)


james had an emotional release of tears and heart breaking sobs about halfway through the haircut. i did the most reassuring kind and tender mom thing i could think of: i took a picture of him crying.


the kids and i took a mid-week trip to a local apple, berry and pumpkin farm. mid week visits are the best. we had the place to ourselves, and james spent the whole morning eating berries straight off the bush. 


 
 

 and of course, the kids are fun (most of the time) and awesome company (usually), but we are always finding ways to have our own kind of fun. david's parents came for a super fun visit, and we had an adult day at an art museum, the terrace, and a lunch date with them. it was really great. they also watched the kids 2 nights in a row, and david and i went to a concert 2 nights in a row.  first it was spoon (amazing), and next it was the head and the heart. it was kind of epic.

my pre-concert roof-top drink date.


check out this crowd at the outdoor concert for the head and heart.

here is what they sound like when they make a music video with a studio recording. this is a good band.