Monday...

Going to pick up Sophie in an hour in Thousand Oaks- she has spent the last couple of days at her grammy's house. Our exchange spot is at a gorgeous and spacious library complete with enormous fish tank. Sophie loves to rip around in there - you would swear she thinks it is a playground. She pulls books from the shelves and flips through them- drops them on the floor and takes off to hug and sit with these giant stuffed animals they have on the floors- a big brown bear, a panda, etc. It is not often I am the picker upper there, it's usually geoff, but when I do I try to impart the library manners- shh, no running, please put the book back- to no avail really. We spend about 5 minutes in there until I feel we have had enough of a presence and bail out - back to the car for a sippy cup and some dry, processed snack food- goldfish, animal crackers, teddy grahams, toddler puffs- maybe some dried fruit...

It was a good weekend. On Saturday I took Sophie to Kindermusik and left Alex here with Geoff- a role reversal. It was fun- I do revel in those moments alone with Sophie- I think they are really good for both of us. She and her peers, Kaity and Amber careen around the foam padded dance studio- running to the beat of their own respective drums. The younger kids tend to toddle and move in smaller circles- while our almost three year olds speed around like moons rotating the planet, the teacher. I was told the teacher imparted that they are ready for the next level- where the parents only come in for the last fifteen minutes. They are really growing up. Afterward a part of the saturday morning ritual sophie shares with her dad is to go to starbucks and get a lightly flavored cold milk. This week she chose peppermint and we sat up at the coffee bar. It was fun- it is good to have the rituals- the regular things for the kids to look forward to.
I am pretty adamant about Sophie having a Saturday morning activity with her dad- special time with him-but it may make sense to take turns- that way Geoff gets some one on one with Alexander. On Sunday we went to a 'mommy and me' friend's son's baptism. The ceremony was really nice- and the reception was relaxing, as Sophie was out in Oxnard for the twins', Megan and Kimberly's, sixty birthday party. We ate and chatted with parent friends. Those opportunities are good and rare- to talk with both moms and dads together.

Alex has a mild case of pink eye- which I am treating with Vigamox- a prescription gotten during Sophie's younger days. It expired several months ago, but I am using it anyway as it was almost $60 when I bought it- and I am sure it is still fine. It seems to be helping. He also has a pretty bad cold and is fairly miserable- smuggy and irritated with life in general. Has not been enjoying the baby cereal- the pureed apples, peas and carrots seem to be okay - but he really does not like the cereal. Trick from a mommy pal- put some cereal to the back of the spoon, and fruit or veg to the front. Sneak it in. It seemed to kind've work today- but I think he just wants to nurse for the most part with feeling sick. He is napping now- I got to get in a bathroom cleaning and kitchen floor mopping- a load of laundry folded and a shower in about 45 minutes. Not bad- gotta act fast when the moment arrives. Something about a super clean kitchen floor just makes me feel so competent. Silly.



I am looking forward to sophie being home and heading back to work tomorrow, the balance I think helps my state of mind- though I do feel fairly scattered when I am working- I am sure that is common with moms of young kids. Geoff started taking an antidepressant yesterday- prozac. God I hope it helps him feel better about his life. Fingers crossed.