I've tried writing this post several times, but I'm having trouble finding the words to talk about what happened this weekend. We knew this day was coming for a long time, but it didn't make it any easier: Mama Jo has left Montreal and now lives in Tunisia. Though she was on the other side of the country, it is hard knowing she is now that much further away. At the same time, she has an amazing bond with Anissa and Elianne, and that is something distance cannot take away. We will webcam and send photos and videos and visit as often as we can, and our girls will always have special times with her to look forward to and cherish. She is a phenomenal grandma, and we are grateful we had her near us for so long. Merci beaucoup, Jo, pour tout. On t'aime.

Once again, it's been well over a month since I've last written, but it's not for lack of motivation. I have plenty to write about, so many sweet photos to share, but so little time to do it. I know there are plenty of Moms out there who have more kids to take care of than I do, much cleaner houses, and even manage to put on eyeliner every morning, but I feel like I'm barely scraping by these days. I'm loving this stay-at-home gig as always, but can't seem to find any time for Me (like this blog) between the cooking, rocking, cleaning, rocking, story reading, craft making, rocking, etc. etc. etc. Every few weeks I get close enough in the mirror to see my eyebrows and nearly fall over from shock at what I have let them become.

If anyone has the secret to finding some of that elusive Me time, do tell. (And I'm not willing to give up my sleep to get it. I'm not getting any to give up. My once good sleeper is now waking up 5 times a night. More teeth? I sure hope so, because there better be a good excuse.) I would love this blog to be what I had hoped it be: a place to record all those little moments, those things said and done that I will want to remember one day but will likely fade away, not the once-a-month summary it has become. So this is my promise (to myself): I do want to learn the art of the slideshow and display all the fun we've had the last half of this summer, and I will tackle that soon (maybe at 4 in the morning), but until then I will let myself write brief blog entries, just take a minute or two to record those little moments that mean so much.

That was all about me, I know. So now one thing each about my girls, and someday a slideshow.

Sometimes Anissa seems way too grown-up. Last week, she asked me, "Mommy, what's at the end of space?" I was comforted, though, when later the same day she was happily showing off her dalmation rain coat to anyone we met while out on a stroll.

Elianne seems to have inherited Mehdi's soccer fever. She discovered one of Anissa's balls a few days ago, and now whenever she sees it from a distance she shrieks with impatience until you take her closer to it. Holding it does not satisfy her - the only way to make her happy is to hold her up so she kick it.

Goodnight all you patient people. (Anyone still out there?)