Marty is out of town this weekend, which means that the kids and I are on our own for much of this weekend.  Normally that wouldn't be a big deal, but with bedtime dragging into eternity lately, I've really been dreading both naptime and bedtime.  It seems like when Marty is away from home, the kids take that as their cue to stay awake like they've been shotgunning JOLT and popping No-Doz.  To avoid getting desperate to the point of tears or shouting, I've been loading them up in the car and taking them for a drive to try to lull them to sleep.

Highway 7 through Hutchinson is under construction which is good if you're looking for a drive to take you the long way around town, which is exactly what we needed.  For Sophie, this route is the perfect length to make her fall asleep hard enough for her Nuk to fall on the floor.  Martin isn't quite as predictable, but he did fall asleep on this route during naptime.

Tonight we hit a pocket of good songs on XM's XM Cafe.  A few were new to me, and others reminded me of songs from the past.  After the kids went to sleep, I downloaded from iTunes and a new mix is in the works.  Here's what's on the list so far:
Hitch a Ride - Funky Nashville
Busting Up a Starbucks - Mike Doughty
Thought It Would Be Easier - Shelby Lynne
She Isn't Mine - Blues Traveler
Black Eyed Susan - Paul Westerburg
Cast a Long Shadow - Jonah Smith
Sweet Emotion - Leo Kottke & Mike Gordon
Gina - Freedy Johnston
Long Way Down - Guster
I Hoped You Would - Megan Slankard
Broken Arrow - Robbie Robertson
Ooh Child - Beth Orton

Tomorrow my friend Molly Loomis is coming out to spend the day and night with The Nelson's.  I hope she doesn't mind going for a few drives.

On the table tomorrow:  Kathy's Grilled Shrimp, grilled vegetables & pineapple, coconut ice cream

Today's Laundry Status: