rainy kisses

• The lights on our deck bring me a ridiculous amount of joy.  I have them on a timer where they come on at dusk and turn off after a set amount of hours.  They're coming on around 3:45 these days.  So early.  I love the way our little deck looks from the outside of the building too...so much warmth and joy.  .
• Lila, you saw Jane's umbrella photos from yesterday and begged to do your own.  It was a totally different experience with you and George than with Jane.  You guys are so energetic.  
• George, I was concentrating on taking photos of Lila, and you kept bumping the umbrella.  I looked over to see what you were doing, and you were licking it.  Of course you were licking it.  You lick everything.  
• Jane, we went to an information meeting at the iHub School.  You're dying a slow death at "regular school."  You seemed excited by the prospect of this program.  Usually people enter iHub in grade 9, but we spoke to the principal and he said you could definitely enter in grade 11.  I hope something works out with this because it seems like just the thing to keep you interested and engaged in learning.  During the free time, we wandered around and looked at various projects different kids are working on.  You cruised by most of them with little interest until you got to a rock collection.  You stopped and studied everything and talked to the owner of the collection.  It was so cute.  You've always loved rocks and fossils.  Actually, the boy was pretty cute too, so daddy and I weren't 100% sure if you were interested in him or the rocks...or maybe both.  Lol.
• Katie, today was your first time babysitting the babies at night by yourself.  We came home and they were both snuggled into their beddies in fresh pajamas, fast asleep.  You did so good!  You said everything went really well and they were happy and you were happy.  I was proud of you.  It's no easy feat to get two little ones into bed happily at a decent hour, never mind when they're your little siblings and you're 13 years old.  Good work kid!
• I'm watching Outlander.  I want to watch it 24/7 until I'm all caught up, but I can't watch it around you guys, and it's killing me.  I'm trying to sneak in 20 minutes here and there around different obligations.  Sheesh.