I finally got the Dream in Color Classy photographed:

It's a hard color to photograph – deep purples and reds, with black layered in for good measure. I bought six skeins because I am absolutely terrified of running out of yarn; Sarah may end up with another February Baby Sweater if there is enough left over. Although, would that be dorky? If we have matching sweaters? I seem to recall making fun of mother/daughter sets like that in a store recently…but those weren't handmade, so it doesn't count. I've been on a tear lately, wanting to start new projects – hence, this happened:

Nope, it's not just you – the picture is a bit blurry. Those would be the Crosshatch Lace pattern from More Senstational Knitted Socks! by Charlene Schurch, and the yarn is Knit Picks Essential Kettle Dyed in Wine.

As I draw closer to the end of the summer semester, I find myself losing steam in my classes. I remember this happening when I went through college the first time around; I set out with the best of intentions, studying diligently and making every effort to get that A that I so desperately want, but by the end…I find myself calculating just how little work I could do and still pull a B. I'm still shooting for that A, trust me, but it's crazy busy trying to keep track of two kids and school at the same time. No excuses, however; please, feel free to kick me in the ass if you pass me in the hallway.

Not really. You might lose a leg.

I have FRACKIN' FINISHED SOMETHING: 

Self striping socks simply aren't my thing, normally, but thanks to the fantastic dye job of one indie dyer, I can make self striping socks that I actually like. These only took three weeks to complete, which is virtually a miracle dropped down from the heavens. I cannot explain why, but it takes me forever to finish anything (hence the worry over the upcoming Knitting Olympics, and thoughts about my level of sanity for signing up for an entire sweater (I AM STUPID)). I have enough yarn to keep me knitting for the next five years at the rate that I knit, but lucky for yarn stores, that sure as hell doesn't keep me from buying more. Regardless, these socks are THE BOMB, the color combinations are obnoxious, and I couldn't be more pleased that they are finished and ready for public view.

It's late on a Monday, and my husband is working late (rather unexpectedly), leaving me home alone with the kids. Neither of whom are cooperating; my son is chunking toys at his sister's head, and my daughter is unhappy that I won't let her play with a plastic bag. I've got a 7 am meeting tomorrow that I'm presenting at, I need to prepare, and yet, I just can't bring myself to do it after wrangling these kids this evening.

Over the weekend, we made our first trip as a family: we drove to Houston to visit a friend of mine from the first time around in college. She has three children of her own, so we let the kids have the run of the house, along with some other families that were over, and it was relaxing. I can't believe a trip with my kids can be termed "relaxing", but so be it. We had a good time – everyone slept when they were supposed to sleep, played when they were supposed to play, and ate when they were directed to. We returned feeling happy and grateful that this is a possiblity in our lives; we can leave the city and not end up hating life by the time we return.

So right now, sitting here typing this, is a hard return to reality. Bryan did not nap at all at school today, so we're dealing with an overly tired preschooler and an almost-toddler (yay for standing up all by yourself!) who is constantly frustrated by her brother, who yanks toys out of her hand, tries to pull her away from things that she's interested in, and basically tries his best to boss her around as much as he can.  But this is the day to day stuff that you push through, that you deal with, in order to have the fun times. This is normal, even if it is hard to handle when I'm still tired from the traveling and from a day of work myself.  This is the true test of being Mom. 

I'm pretty sure that I've gone insane. In about four weeks, the Knitting Olypmics starts up again, and I'm actually signed up to make a sweater.

A SWEATER. I can barely knit a pair of socks in two weeks. 

But it's not just any sweater; it's the grown up version of the February Baby Sweater (aptly named the February Lady Sweater). I have some experience with the pattern, as I made one for my daughter a while back, but still. TWO WEEKS? Thank God it's seamless, because otherwise I'm positive that this project would be a giant FAIL. I ordered some Dream In Color Classy in Gothic Rose, but I'm rethinking the color selection; Happy Forest is such a fantastic color, and I really love it to peices. Still, I can make this one in the red and then go back and make one in green, I guess. It's not like the world will fall apart because *gasp* I CHOSE A DIFFERENT COLOR. And even then, someone else has already done it in the Gothic Rose, and dude. DUDE. Totally stunning. 

Now all I have to do is finish up these two damn classes and I'll be set. Cast on actually starts before the semester is officially over, but I am LIVING ON THE EDGE.