These are a few of our favorite things! Here are the kids enjoying some of their favorite daily activities. Okay, it might be a stretch to say that Eleanor actually enjoys her tummy time, but she does tolerate it pretty well. And it nice to see Fraser and Hammie smiling, doing things they enjoy like reading, swinging and climbing on the furniture, instead of trying to beat the living crap out of each other (which they spend far more time doing than all other activities combined).

In case you couldn't tell, I'm pretty much at my wits end with the fighting in our house these days. What amazes me though is that after six or seven hours of constant screaming, hitting, pushing, biting, crying and more hitting, when I am about to absolutely snap, they will suddenly do something very sweet, like they are just the best of friends. Like yesterday, Hammie was not allowed to have a lollipop out of the trick or treat bag because he didn't eat his lunch. Fraser was allowed to have a lollipop. Instead of taunting his little brother with his good fortune Fraser actually shared the lollipop with Hammie for awhile and then gave it to him altogether. Yes, it is sweet, but it also makes no freaking sense. I swear, it is like if everyone in Israel and Palestine just decided to meet on the Gaza strip for a big group hug. Sure, the world would think, "Wow, that is wonderful!" but wouldn't you also be thinking "What the fuck?!"

So, after a totally exasperating morning of all the above mentioned activities (except sharing) I really should be packing for our trip to NY, but instead I am blogging and checking on my farm crops on facebook, and generally avoiding facing my life (if you overlook the fact that I am still holding Eleanor and typing with one hand). I need a vacation, badly. And not going to Maine with all the kids so I can attempt to entertain them while I myself go slowly insane from soul crushing boredom. No, I need a real vacation. This means white sandy beaches, excellent books, hours of uninterrupted quiet, no children (in light of the previous entry, that probably goes without saying), delicious meals prepared by someone else, maid service, preferably laundry service, enjoyable theater or even just movies with no animated characters, sleeping past 6 every single day for at least a week, and, of course, copious amounts of alcohol. Sigh. Well, for now a few minutes blogging and a five minute imaginary vacation will have to suffice to keep me off the edge for a few more hours (only 5 1/2 more hours until bedtime.) Now, it is time to stop procrastinating and go pack so I can drive three children and one dog 3 and half hours (not counting the 25 stops I know we will have to make) by myself. (find a happy place, find a happy place, find a happy place...)