It's a 'Venti' sort of day.

You guessed it!  Both kids are down for naps. And here I am with time to post. My house is somewhat straight and cozy... and filled with the delicious aroma of a venti, caramel macchiatto. 

I'm sure, if you're anything like me, you would read this first sentence, roll your eyes and think "Man, she's got it made" ,as you imagine me in my comfy sweats, sipping the caramel coated foam. But, before you jump to any conclusions... let me explain.

I got desperate today. I mean really desperate... like, 'take both kids to Chick-fil-a for no apparent reason by myself' desperate.

Now... to most people this doesn't seem like a big deal. But if you know me well... you are either applauding right now... or just very concerned for my mental well-being. I'm not a big fast food fan and I really hate those closed in play places, but with Evangeline on her latest nap protest, I was determined to get her out of the house and wear her out. 

Anyway, it had been a rough morning. Nothing major, I've just been head-achy, hormonal and generally under the weather. So after Elliot woke up from his morning nap I began the 45 minute process of getting the kids out the door. I packed minimally since we were simply going to lunch and back... or so I thought.

As soon as I pulled into the Chick-fil-a parking lot I immediately chickened out (pardon the pun). There wasn't even one space available and the drive thru line was wrapped around the building. I went ahead and got some nuggets for Evangeline and promised her that we would find a new playground. So off we go to City View park with our lunch.

As I pull into the completely empty park I have to suppress the many complaints that were swirling around in my head. "Of course, the park is empty. Everyone and their brother is home NAPPING right now... but not us. We're desperately eating our nuggets by ourselves with no jackets in a completely empty and soggy park." (insert eye roll)... then repent.

It wasn't all bad. Evangeline and I had some meaningful conversations about birds and pine cones as she ate her nuggets and Elliot drank his bottle. After lunch, I pushed them on the swings because everything else was wet. With a greasy little nugget in one hand, Doodle kept yelling "Higher! Higher!" , then she would throw her head back, close her eyes and say... "Woah... that feels so good." That girl is really the cutest thing ever... (besides her brother, of course).

After chasing Doodle to the car and wrangling her into her car seat like we were at a rodeo... I let out a sigh of relief. The kids were tired and likely to take naps... and I was going to reward myself with a coffee from Starbucks. I had a free drink coupon... so I ordered a VENTI caramel macchiatto. Again, only those who know me well, know that I never get a venti... but this was clearly a 'venti sort of day'. I ordered it extra hot and decided not to indulge more than a sip before we got home. 

As soon as we get home, I get both kids ready for naps as my delicious coffee is calling my name from a very safe spot on the kitchen counter. Elliot is scooting around the kitchen, playing with an assortment of plastic bowls and Evangeline is bossing him around. "Oh Brotha, these no your toys." 

"Evangeline! He can play with those! Stop bossing him around! Come get you diaper changed!" I yell from the other room as I'm looking for her collection of pacifiers. She never goes to bed with less than three of them.

Then I hear her say... "Oh no! Pill... it pill!" 

As I try to make out what she's saying, she continues... "It's o.k., I clean... ALL better. O.K.?" 

As I make my way to the kitchen, I'm thinking to myself, "Please God... anything but my coffee." 

But my prayers were a bit late. There... all over the counter and now cascading over the bottom drawers and cabinets... my free, venti, half caf.,only one sip taken, caramel macchiatto. 

Doodle reassured me that it was yucky anyway... and "It's o.k... I no mean it." Apparently, as she took each bowl from Baby Brotha... she pushed them onto the counter and eventually knocked the coffee over. She's such a 'good helper'. I scooped her up and kissed her little, mischievous face. Then put her to bed immediately before she could 'help' some more.

Thankfully, both kids are sleeping and I have some down time. But, as for the delicious aroma haunting me from my kitchen... it's coming from the pile of sopping wet, macchiatto soaked towels in the sink.