Slugs and Stuff

Last night, the kids went on a slug hunt. I know. GROSS. I kept telling Julia not to touch the darn things, but she, in her Julia way, would just look up at me and say,"Shhh. Don't talk." Little bugger. Liam would hold the flashlight in search of the slimy creatures, and when coming across one, would announce, "I got on! I got one!" That's when big sister would walk right over, pluck the thing off the ground and drop it into her slug bucket.

I didn't want any part of it, except to watch. I do love seeing them play like that—my kids, the slug hunters.

Okay, so I am pretty stressed about watching so many kids this summer and losing so much of my quiet time. I'll just . . . have to adjust. In many ways it will be good for me. Sometimes a little distraction can often spur creative thought, as Cro said last week. Once I get past the initial, OMG I'm exhausted stage, I'm hoping to find a flow of words that won't hide behind stress or time or situation. And if I can get the kids to play together for long periods of time, I'll have it made. If you know me, you know I'm determined.

My list of survival items: music, notebooks and pens, lipgloss, water, green tea, carrots, Dr Pepper, Emergen-c (acai berry flavor), sunglasses, calm attitude, love.

If I sneak in a stray cigarette here or there, don't be mad. I haven't smoked in years, but the thought of so many kids has me a little stressed. Don't judge.