Still learning

One of these days, I will be able to write a full-fledged, reflective, and thought-out post again.  But until then, here is what I have recently learned...

• That you don't have to spend money on kids to make some great memories.  We went to the local fair, with free admission, and my kids were just as entertained by the cows and horses and sheep and goats and tractors and exhibits as they are at the zoo when we go.  And the marching band that plays on opening night (the same band that I marched with so many years ago) was awe-inspiring to them and cause for even Everly to sit still and pay attention.
• That a big guy with a big white beard can be a little creepy to encounter when standing in line for a funnel cake (ok, so I did spend a few dollars), especially when he starts asking Cortlan if he has been a good boy.  But when he shows a picture of he and his wife dressed in their perfect red holiday clothes, and starts mentioning that Rudolph would like some cereal this year since he was getting so many carrots last year, and starts telling Cortlan that he has to make sure he keeps being a good boy, I just have to play along.  Cort was mesmerized and the experience was simply enchanting.  Yes, we will be leaving chocolate chip cookies for Santa this year, as per request.
• That I just cannot get anywhere between the hours of 1 and 4 if I am expected to have my children with me.  As much as I try, it just never happens.  We live by the laws of nap time, and I think there is some sort of time warp that happens in my house at around 3 o'clock, too.
• That I hate hate hate being late.  And that the weirdest (could probably choose a more fitting word there) things happen when I am in the moment of hating being late and trying to be less late than is possible at that moment.  Like Cortlan peeing in the garbage can.  Yes, that's right.  He peed in the bathroom garbage can when we were already an hour late to a party that started at the time warp hour. What?!
• That I love love love a gorgeous blue sky with a few puffs of white clouds and crisp air coming through the windows, especially right on the heels of a hot summer.
• That a Van Halen tribute band playing at some unknown location somewhere within audible distance of my house can be really, really annoying when I am trying to go to sleep (last year) but isn't all that bad when sitting around a fire in my backyard with some friends (this year).  I mean, it is a Van Halen tribute band.  But it is also free live entertainment at just the right decibel level for the occasion.
• That I am not a gambler.  It took only $10 in the slots machine for our first time at the casino and I was done.  I work WAY too hard for that money to only be able to press a button a few times before it disappears.  Yeah, it would have been cool to win.  But I didn't.  And I had no reason to believe that another $10 would have led that to happen.
• That I can now run 8.15 miles in a row.
• That Everly can now say "sorry."
• That Cortlan will play right along when the pre-teen neighborhood girl babies him.  She isn't aware of what he is capable.  He loves the attention and is suddenly 22 months old again. 
• That Everly will not sit still for dinner unless she is strapped in.  Or perhaps unless she is sitting on her Uncle Jimmy's lap.  She sat there for an hour with never so much as a squirm the other day.
• That three day weekends are the new summer.  I love them.