Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! It's my Bday!

Today was Christmas morning, New Years Eve, my birthday and the 4th of July for me.

All THREE of my boys were in school today.

Johnny started today, and my two older ones started last week.

It was sheer bliss.

The house was quiet.

I did my grocery shopping without having to say one "No" or "Leave your brother ALONE!"

No one asked me for sugary cereal, which I ALWAYS say "no" to.

No one yelled "SHOT GUN" immediately after exiting the store.

Also...

NO ONE loaded my car up for me but... ME...

No one emptied the car for me... but ME...

So I do miss them for that.

LOL!

I am the WORST mother in the world...

AND I DON'T CARE!!!

I believe I lost 50 gray hairs today, and they were replaced with shiny black ones...

just from the sheer bliss of QUIET!!!

***

My kids go to school about 10 miles from home, and we take the freeway, and all that junk...

and after school, my two older boys have after school football practice, and I don't like to go back and forth making 4 trips a day to school, so Johnny and I had a little

"Back to school" celebratory sundae at Chili's near his school. Actually, he had the sundae, while I drank Iced Tea...still sticking like glue to my new way of eating... and loving it...

Johnny started his homework, {which he was soooooo excited to have... weirdo}

and we still had an hour to kill after the sundae, so instead of taking up a table our server could turn, I decided to head on over to the Redlands Bowl down the street. I LOVE IT THERE.

We sat under a shade tree, and Johnny finished his homework, and I listened contently to

a lone saxophone player practicing on stage.

It was fabulous.

He was really great.

After each song, Johnny and I enthusiatically clapped for him.

I felt badly that I didn't have any spare change or paper money on me to give a homeless

man that wandered by and asked for help.

Next time we go, I'll have a sandwich ready and some cash.

He decided to have a seat on a park bench nearby and talk with me a little.

So there we were, my 10 year old, me and a little homeless man, listening to a

lone sax player in the park.

I felt like I should have been writing poetry or something.

***

So we headed to the High School, to pick up Alex, he was done at 5. When we got home, all the soccer practices and games had been cancelled due to the poor air quality, because of all the fires around us. I didn't smell anything today, but last night was strong.

At 7, I had to head out, back to the High School to pick up my oldest from Football, and we saw the MOST spectacular sunset I have seen in a long time.

I hate fires... but they sure do make for a lovely sunset. The sun looked beet red, and there were deep purples and oranges, and salmon colors all over.

Gorgeous... but sad... that a tragedy was the reason for the loveliness.

I forgot my camera... it would have been a great one to catch.

***

It was a good day. Quiet, and serene.

When do they get out of school again???