This desk has no drawers, which is a good thing ~ forcing me to get rid of “stuff.” I filled an entire garbage bag with random contents from my old desk. Simplify … that’s my motto here lately! There’s so much that we really don’t need, you know? It feels good to get rid of clutter and “lighten up.” My binders and frequently read books are within easy reach, and I also put up a “new” dry-erase and bulletin board (which used to be in the kitchen, but I took it down a while back and forgot about it). I can see the TV clearly from my desk now, too, and Jeff got me new computer speakers. I just love this new spot!

So, just out of curiosity, how do you have your home workspace organized? Do you decorate and personalize it? What’s on your desk right now? :)

Meredith went to a classmate’s birthday party there this summer and had a blast. Her face got so red from running around so much that I was kind of scared … but she was fine! :) They do pretty much everything for you, too. The kids do some tumbling first, play with the rings, balance beam, trampoline, etc. Then, they have something to drink. They also have huge inflatables that they can play inside. The instructors seemed good at leading the party and keeping things organized (and on time). They provide a helium balloon for each guest (and pizza, I think). Not sure about paper cups, plates, etc. But I know that Meredith would have a blast at a birthday party like that.

Another idea ~ and I’m expecting a call back soon ~ is a local apple orchard. It sounds so awesome: apple picking, a bonfire, picnic tables, apple cider, cider doughnuts, etc. We’ve been there before (on a class field trip and moms’ group outing), and it’s a wonderful place. The only drawback is the weather. On Halloween, our weather varies so much … it can be unseasonably warm or absolutely freezing (winter coats worn over Halloween costumes). And what if it rains? That would ruin it, basically. I’m anxious to hear more party details when they call me back.

I’m trying to think of some other place that might be fun for a birthday party. It would be nice to find something kind of unique. We’re thinking about having Meredith’s party on the 30th. Her favors are already done ~ can you believe that? Thank goodness for Oriental Trading! I found Dora paper cups to hold everything. We got pencils that are sparkly and have Spanish words on them, packages of Dora fruit snacks, fiesta-themed SillyBandz (sombreros, maracas, chili peppers, etc. ~ they’re really poor quality, though, unfortunately), and Dora stickers. And we’ll probably get everyone a balloon to take home.

Speaking of parties … Meredith and I are venturing over into Pennsylvania tomorrow to attend Miss Annabelle’s first birthday party! I hope that our drive goes just fine and that everything goes great for her first birthday!

So I have to say … I have a dentist appointment today, and I’m so proud of how well I’ve done at the dentist. Do you get scared/nervous when going to the dentist? I used to love it as a kid … bubble gum-flavored fluoride treatments, stickers, a brand-new sparkly toothbrush … but for some reason, after I got two cavities filled a long time ago, I just quit going. I developed a fear, and I don’t know why. I didn’t go for years and years, and now I have 15 cavities. :( I’ve had one root canal and crown put on, and the dentist has filled nine of those 15. My appointment today is to get a few more cavities taken care of. (I’ve also had my teeth cleaned, of course, which only took a few split seconds ~ unlike when I was a kid, and it seemed to take forever!) Over the summer, I’ve had to take Lucas and Meredith with me to my appointments, and thank goodness they have such great behavior. Last time, though, Meredith wanted to sit on my lap, and she kept shaking the chair while the dentist was filling a cavity! :(

I’m using this as a lesson to our kids, that you always have to take care of your choppers. :) But I haven’t felt nervous at all going to the dentist, miraculously. I think that when your tooth aches so badly like mine did, you just want the dentist to fix it ASAP ~ whatever it takes. I knew that I’d feel relieved afterward. And it really isn’t a big deal. My root canal wasn’t painful in the least bit. Most of my appointments have been so quick, too. The one part that I dislike is feeling the needle go into my gums when she numbs them. But past that, it’s cake. (Now, when I schedule the removal of one of my wisdom teeth, remind me that I said that! The thought of the dentist ripping out one of my teeth kind of scares me.)

Oh, and a big plus is that my dentist is located not too far away from a Starbucks. :) I just hope that I regain feeling in my mouth/face quickly today, because we’re meeting Lucas’s kindergarten teacher this evening! P.S. Our dentist’s name is Dr. Dong, which always makes me laugh because I think of Long Duk Dong in “Sixteen Candles”! “What’s happenin’, hot stuff?” LOL! :)