Up to TWO

kids that is.  Katie returned to us Friday afternoon. She was tired, but a very happy girl. She had a great time. She loved all of it, except canoeing (they're tippy and she's not a great swimmer).

Drew spent the weekend with Tim's parents, so it was just us and Katie. Which was fun for her return.  They came yesterday to drop Drew off and have dinner with us. Quite a lovely visit.

Salvation Army called Thursday morning, I got bumped to Saturday morning. No problem. Just meant more stuff for them to take. The playroom is done, girls room 2/3 done.   This is just toys. I still have to do clothes. Which I must start asap (today?) as we leave soon for our vacation to visit my Grandmother. My Beth and Tori met her 8 years ago. I can't wait for her to meet the rest of my crew.

 

I'm off. I will get more work done. oh yeah, and PACK

Where I've been

Tim and I went away last weekend to celebrate our anniversary. We headed to Solvang, just north of Santa Barbara. We went to several wine tastings, wandered the town, shopped in the funnest little shops, and just hung out together. It was wonderful. We stayed at the Peterson Inn, which is a really lovely hotel, with an amazing dining room! Dinners were to die for.

We got home Sunday around 7pm, and got the 3girls packed and ready to leave for Camp Monday morning. Safely on the bus, Katie looked a little nervous, but Smiled HUGE when they were pulling out. She returns Friday, I cannot wait to hear her adventures. Tori and Beth will return the following Wednesday.

It's been odd, but very fun having only one child. Yesterday Drew and I had brunch with Nana Kay,  played legos, then played with the Thomas set he has, then hotwheels cars, then watched a movie.  After dinner he took a bath, and then watched another movie with Dad before crashing.  Today he went to a half day, day camp at the gymnastics gym, he loved it, and behaved superiorly well. So the rest of the week, behavior appropriate he goes all day, and gets to do the extra activities. Tomorrow after lunch they'll walk to the park to play on the equipment there, and play ball. Friday they'll go swimming at the nearby HS. I'm going to meet them there to supervise him. Not withstanding the abilities of the coaches and staff. My son is fearless, and a rock in water. He sinks. I'll go and swim with him.

He is now watching Lady and the Tramp II while I finish up here. I'll go throw dinner together for us in a minute. DH is out tonight, so I'm just cooking for two. ;oD   Early to bed, for a fun day tomorrow.

 

While Drew was playing today I cleaned out the playroom, I called Salvation Army, they are coming Thursday to pick up my stuff. YAY! I've already got 3 big bags filled up. The play room is half done. After the playroom, I'm attacking the girls' room, then Drew and Beth's room. Clean house here I come!

 

A few photos from recent events.

      One elephant ride for 5 please.  We rode Kitty at the County Fair. Her skin was much softer than I expected, but her hair prickled.                 

 Here the kids are watching Circus performers during the preshow "show".                                                

  Baby Jack  with Mom, Dad, Me, Tim, and A and N the other two God-parents. :o) A magical day!!!!

 

Another "typical" weekend.

Friday I ended up going with Tim and the kids to the museum. TIm, Beth, and I wandered about. It was fun to lead Tim around to the places he wanted to see. He was amazed at my knowledge of the layout of the museum. hehe. We had lunch at the Science Centers food court, then wandered inside, Beth, Katie, and I saw chicks hatch from eggs, and played with some other cool stuff in the life works room. The littles, Tim and I watched the show for Tess a 50-foot body simulator. Ok, I confess, I slept through it. But I've seen it at least 2x's every week for the last 8 summers.

Home after that, a quick nap, and off to dinner and the circus with my parents. I took Katie around for pictures with clowns, as that's her favorite thing. After the show we, the 6 of us, had a photo taken with a tiger (model). It's a cool picture, I need to get a frame for it so I can put it on our wall.

Saturday Tim and I went to the gym again, and then we left for his company's summer party. A harbor cruise. It was lovely. We had a blast!!!!!!! I got to meet a few people that weren't at the Holiday party, and actually visit with people. Which is harder to do at the bigger parties. We went out with a smaller group after the cruise to a couple of pubs near the harbor. Had a great time, but we were up way too late.

Sunday we were up and out the door to be at my brother, and sis-in-law's church for a 9am service. It was time to baptize my nephew. Much to my delight and honor, Tim and I were asked to be Godparents. A brunch, pool party following, made for a fun time!  We came home about 3:30 and all crashed. I slept til 6pm. Nope not tired at all. We had dinner and crazily enough got ready for bed, as everyone was still tired! :o)

My van had a problem so it's went to the "car doctor" Sunday night. It'll hopefully be ready today. Due to that and a sadly thin looking piggy bank The trips I  planned  for San Diego zoo, etc. are postponed. Thankfully I didn't tell the kids about anything. :o)  We're just hanging out instead.

It's turning in to a weekly thing

One week later.  Beth has returned from her camp, she too had a grand time. thursday night, I went to the Harp Inn with my mom to see who was playing, nice jazz/blues band. REALLY didn't want to leave at 11pm. Friday night I went to the Irish Mist with Tim and Mom to see the Whooligans. MUCH Fun! We were good kids and left at midnight. Tim was um, giggly. Saturday after doing house stuff, we went to (repetative aren't we) the Harp Inn, where the knights were dueling for championship. This event was all-ages, so we took the munchkins with us. What a blast. Almost all furniture is removed, and the knights, in full armor, battle in the center of the room. The swords are dull, but the hits are real. It was amazing, cool, and LOUD. The kids loved it, Drew was awestruck, Tori thought it was COOL, and Katie wanted to check on each knight after battle to ensure they weren't hurt. Saturday night, I returned to the Harp to meet my mom, brother and sis-in-law (and friends) to hear the Fenians. I left later than I wanted, but was still in bed by midnight. Sang Sunday at both services. A Lovely duet with my friend. Then the girls and I went to (snicker) the Harp for Gypsys Kiss, an almost all female Irish group that plays more folk than rock. We love them, and I am thrilled that our friendship is blossoming.

Monday started Museum classes, and the littles are having a blast. Drew is doing well in class without me!!! I'm thoroughly enjoying reading in the rose garden, wandering the museum without anyone needing me to hurry up. Tomorrow is MY last day as Friday Tim will take the kids. We'll celebrate with a picnic with friends after our class.

I'm off, all these fun things have left me little time for necessary chores, like laundry.

hormonal, why yes I am..

Thankfully I know I'm not pregnant.  I couldn't find the checkbook.  I was running late getting Katie and Drew to camp, Tori was picked up to go to a free 1/2 day gymnastics camp.  Katie got sunblock in her eye.  I rinse the eye. She's fine. We leave. Drop Drew off, get Katie to the sign in and she says she doesn't want to stay.  I convinced her to stay (stooopid me).. no sooner than I get home (to find the checkbook) they call, she's in tears. I go get Katie. Come home flush her eye again, she really is OK now. I think a good deal of today was more overly tired than the eye, though I don't deny it hurt.

Found the checkbook, went and picked up Tori (my Mom got Drew) stopped and got dinner food, milk and snacks. and came home to oh yeah, EAT.. I hadn't eaten anything yet that day. Not even a glass of water. No wonder I was cranky. But the nearly falling to tears driving to get Katie was hormones. I'll be fine, PMS is over. I'm not liking my cycle as I'm getting older. It's taking more of a toll on me.

Pass the cookie dough please~

crazy busy

Yes we are.  We've sent Tori to camp, had her return, she had a blast! Cannot wait for next year. While she was gone Katie and Drew attended VBS, Beth and I were staffers.  Beth left for camp sunday. Katie is in surf camp, Drew is in sports clinic, and Tori is vegetating with me. HA, we're driving a lot. Shopping some, and napping daily.

today is Wednesday, the week is gloriously half over. hehe, No next week is not a rest week. It's classes at the Museum, the bonus there is that I get to meander the museum sans kids while they are in classes, I can read each and every single placard I want to.  I am really quite excited by this. My only goal will be to never be late picking up my babes. hehe.

Time to go again, Tori has Gymnastics today. :o)