and now ... four days after I started,..

It should be noted--- I started this post on Monday night. And now its Thursday night. Just getting around to finishing!

So we'd been for ice cream, and then an impromptu stop at the park.  Eileen had had the perfect 3year old afternoon.  We're pulling out of the parking lot, and Josh said something to her.  I don't remember what. And she smarted-off to him. And I whipped my head around and said 'You better watch that tone lady or I'll pop you."  And she looked at me and furrowed up her face and said "I was TALKING to Daddy!'  And as much as I wanted to discipline her, I completely cracked up.  I could not even muster that Mom Look.  It was just hilarious.

She knows when she's being naughty. And she will not hesitate to stand her ground.  It should make for some really fun tween and teen years.

We went to Boomsday yesterday.. Boomsday is a massive Labor Day fireworks celebration here. Roughly 400,000 people show up every year.  And as much as I knock Knoxville sometimes, I will say.. the fireworks on Boomsday are pretty darn amazing. Of course, Eileen is terrified of fireworks... so we didn't stay this year for that. But we did go down in the afternoon and wander around the Family Friendly part.  There was Euro-Bungee jumping. AndI did it. And OMG it was so hilariously fun.  It was me and all these kids!  i was on this trampoline thing and hooked to a harness with Bungee cords. And I could jump and jump. All the kids were doing back flips.. but I didn't.  I'd be that one person that lands on her head. I thought Eileen would get a kick out of watching me jump.. but she didn't really seem phased.  I'm not entirely sure what that means?  She's used to seeing me bounce about like a loon? Perhaps.

Anyway. They had a whole Kid Zone part with boucnce-houses and bounce slides and bungee running and all SORTS of things that Mommy wanted to do.  So she saw that and was convinced it was Mickey's club house. And was sooo sure she wanted to go in.  But then was terrified. So we left the area. And then she was mad we'd left. So we went back. And she was terrified. We went throuhg this about 3 times before she finally decided she was going to buck up and master the Bounce House.

And then we could not get her out.  She refused to try any of the other bounce houses or bounce slides or bounce caterpillars or what have you.  But hey, she was having fun. And burning loads of energy.

She's so much like me its frightening. She'll be so shy, or scared, or quiet at first. And then she'll be the star of the show and never shut up. (and no, I am not implying I am ever the star of the show.. but I am generally quiet in new situations, and then most people tend to want to muzzle me). 

Its been a hectic week. And I know next week will be hectic. And it will also be Eileen's bday. So in the middle of a project that has taken over my life, I will be also trying to sort out the house bday party and some sort of school party.

And yes, I know, certainly Eileen is far more important than work  - but this is one of those times when I realize that I do enjoy working and want to have a successful end to a project, and I also enjoy playing with and making my daughter a happy girl.  Balancing the two.. not always easy.  Guilt sways back and forth.. guilt for leaving work a tad early to get to daycare in time to guilt for not being there to see Eileen kick the soccer ball in her little class with all her buddies.

I guess thats about it for now. I'm watching football (shocker) and working and blogging and facebooking. And whitening my teeth. If that's not talent, well.. I don't know what is. :)