Heading back...

and driving really slow, so we don't run out of battery power, and I'm staying/playing in the car with Scout and Huck as the others go get dinner (Popeyes!) while Bluey the E-Tron charges.

Why do electric cars cost so much? Why aren't there more EV charging stations? Why does it feel like it's more difficult when you're trying to do the right thing?






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"And then, mama..."

"Doing an after-dinner Huckleberry"

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One Night in Lansing

 Nu looks so lovely dressed up for Navaratri visits. even their severe hair looks very model-like, I think.

I slept over with the three babies last night and this morning Scout and Huck seemed the same, but when I went to give Nu a goodmorning kiss, they seemed taller? Like they had grown in the night?

Big A said I was still taller by a hair; S, U, and E--our Navaratri hosts said Nu was already taller.

Nu is technically still eleven until Friday, so I should get used to being the shortest human in the family and to being addressed as "little mama" by my tall pre-teen. I'm sure I'll grow into it. Get it? Ha.




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In solidarity

I unintentionally fell asleep downstairs last night...

And when I woke up, I saw that three of my loves had decided to sleep right there with me.

#LivingRoomCampOut!









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Accidental Portrait #2

Huckie, too, is horrified by CNN.

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Hustlers, Sitters, Us

This is Huckie modeling how I felt after watching Hustlers. Super down and bewildered.

IDK why, but I was expecting more Robin Hood, more lighthearted women's camaraderie and sisterhood, more of Adam McKay's socialist take on the 2008 crash, and less... pole dancing and poisoning?

Big A and I had booked a babysitter for four-hours via a local agency, but he knew I just wanted to come home, so we did--an hour and a half early. The sitter was great, came with planned activities, was cool with the puppies, and generally cool. The next time, I hope Big A and I pick a more fun activity for ourselves!




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"Portrait of the Puppy as a Naughty Dog"

Huck isn't allowed up to the library without a human, but she always finds a way to get up there for the sunbathing and getting a little closer to where her dada is napping...
















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"All dressed up with nowhere to go"

Somehow, someone had a bit too much time on their hands after grading and class prep early this morning.

I chuckled as I wrote the title, because when we "translate" puppy talk, we call their harness a "dress."

But now I've reminded myself of how Koko used to call her collar a "necklace" and am sad...

And clearly the puppies don't like this game either.



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I can't live with or without you...

"cuddling"

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Mood

Sometimes you need a cuddle from someone who knows they're a good boy to get through mucky weather, a cruddy cold, mom delayed at work meetings, and Friday the 13th...











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While I was sleeping...

three members of my family went out at midnight for drive-thru nachos...
these photos (shared to family chat) tell that story:

       

Saturday!!

Woke up this morning, peacefully, sans alarm, after slumbering with the three babies in the rumpus room. (I can spy the human baby on the landing.)

I had been waking up with dread and a ready-made headache in the early morning dark most days this week, so this was a welcome change of pace.







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Labor Day/Boss Day

We had no plans for Labor Day, so armed with a hardcore DSA poster, an excellent batch of biriyani, an ironic floral/pastel mug meant for someone's grandma, and all the baby sibs, (who address him as "Nana" in the one word of Telugu they do know), we made the trip up to Alma for At's Boss Day. I love my babies. The babies will save us.

Big A and Bebes

Our new term-time normal, I guess.


The show-off-y corn behind Big A is his too. 









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Tiny tomato

School starts this week, and this tiny tomato in my planter box is the culmination of some of the best moments of the summer: The outside; children's laughter, water-fights, reading; sunshine; Huckie content in the sun; Scout instigating me to chase him...

Hello school year!






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Coping

We were on our way to Harry Potter Night at the Lugnuts game (A A-D-S's birthday celebration)...

Nu cried twice before we even left the garage. At was packing for college. Nu sprinted upstairs for more hugs and came back to the car feeling a bit better.

I had a headache all evening, was crying as we pulled into our street, and full-out bawling by the time we rounded the bend in the driveway and his car was gone... He was supposed to leave in the afternoon, but kept getting delayed, and I think I kinda hoped he'd still be there...

Big A is in YS for LH's funeral service, so Nu and I had a sleepover with the puppies in the rumpus room.

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Getting Stuff Done

Puppies are groomed; Nu's broken glasses are replaced (super cheap and super quick at L.O.); Nu's Doc Martens are bought; the random and weirdly suggestive license plate (0690) has been exchanged; the syllabuses are coming along...

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Pic-nic Pics

                   

Summer gardens

Earlier this summer, Big A built these planters--one for each of us--to grow veggies. We're all not that outdoorsy, so I didn't know how it would take... but the kids love it.

I have never heard them watch or discuss the weather so much or show so much solicitude for things in their care. It has been so affirming all around.

Today I spent hours pulling weeds and trimming while At and Nu watered and giggled and did some solid work putting some ornamental fencing up so the puppies won't wander in.

My chore-averse kids claim it's more fun than work... And they say:
"From the genius who brought you "Boss Day" comes another fun family idea."
 Me. They're talking about me.

#GardenAsTherapy #EscapeThe News
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I Did This! (2)

The groomers couldn't get them in until late August (how is it almost August, anyway?!), so Nu and I headed to Target for some clippers and... Now the puppy babies look less like lion-bearcubs. 

My first time using clippers (if you forget that time 19 years ago when I tried to cut At's hair; please do forget that time!).

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