things I'm gonna miss

- On a drink break during tonight's soccer practice, Little E runs over, grabs the Gatorade, flops in my lap, and says, "Geez Mom I sure haven't spent much time with you today. Let's talk."

- At bedtime, when I ask what she's thankful for, Abbey is still thankful for me.

- On the way to soccer practice, when I ask Colton how 5th grade was, I get a cool story about a Secret Society game he and his buddies play during recess, and how it's top secret, and he knows I have a big mouth, but he's gonna tell me anyway because he's gonna trust me to not tell everybody I know. (NOTE: I didn't tell you anything except that it exists, and he said that was cool.)

- Sneaking the kids brownies when Tim told them to eat bananas before soccer practice, then acting all innocent when he gives me the shocked "Why did you do that" face.

IMAGE 1: Ab and I helping Liv make her first batch of chocolate chip cookies. Only a little mess!

IMAGE 2: Me and the kids plus Liv at some nature center in Illinois. When Moll and I announced where we'd be going that day, Little E said, "What's nature?" So yeah, I pretty much suck as a parent. But Tim makes up for it.