Sisters' Weekend

 

Wow!  I just had one of the most fun weekends in my life...and if that's too dramatic of a statement than we shall say one of the most fun weekends in a very long time.  We had kind of our first sisters' weekend ever...with a niece or 2 thrown in for good measure.  I am very tired now, as my sisters were nice enough to drive a late night drive to come to a 6 am spinning class with me on Friday.  We walked with my kids by the greenbelt.  Then we had a fun evening downtown, including the Pita Pit and seeing a guy on a bicycle with tons of CDs attached to it.  The next day we were able to do the Women's Fitness Celebration 5K with much sweating, panting and a few stories to tell.  Where did Megs disappear to for the last 10 minutes of the run?   We may never know, but at least she found her way to the finish eventually.  There was some fun sister shopping.  Leave it to us in the dressing room to tell each other the truth to the best of our abilities, and then we were able to enjoy some delicious pulled pork which The Husband worked on all day while watching the 3 amigos (who consequently thought there mom had abandoned them because she spent some time with her sisters instead of them).  Lastly, we stayed up way too late watching a Hitchcock and doing a couple of pedicures.  I had a great time and feel a lot closer to my sisters, which is just what I needed.  And my sisters did a lot of dishes and patiently waited for the sole shower in the house. Now, as long as I can cure my children's neuroses from the weekend, oh and probably the dog has some issues too, then I can mark it as a lovely historical event in my personal history.  May there be many more sisters' outings to come.  Thank you to all 3 of my sisters for being so helpful around my house amidst the chaos, being so fun and for being who they each are!!!

L's Big Day

Well, the day L has been waiting for finally arrived... yes, today was her birthday. It is hard to imagine that 7 years have gone by since L came into our lives, yet there we were, the five of us gathered around the table singing Happy Birthday (technically 4 of us were singing, L was holding in as much air as her lungs could hold in anticipation of blowing out candles).

As today was Sunday, we kept things rather low key, but we did take everyone to the YMCA yesterday to go swimming per the birthday girl's request. I think she had a pretty good day, all in all. She seemed to receive a cornucopia of presents from her loving family and got to talk to loving grandparents and aunts. Otherwise, she spent the day with M coloring and painting with her new art supplies and taking pictures with her camera.

Marianne made a fantastic rainbow cake decorated with a variety of frosting flowers... again per L's request. As the birthday boy or girl gets to pick their dinner on their special day, I was expecting something in the realm of pasta, but our ever growing 7 year old threw a change up and went for nachos; who would have guessed?

Other than the celebrating, it was a nice quiet day and we enjoyed hearing from all of the family. A couple of side stories that Marianne and I found rather humorous. While we we are the the YMCA swimming, L talked M into going down the curvy water slide, which he finally did. I couldn't see M as he went down the slide (keep in mind that Marianne was at the bottom to catch him), but the place was filled with his terrified and high-pitched screams. Apparently, he didn't like the turns. Perhaps that sounds cruel, but knowing he was safe the whole time, Marianne and I found the situation pretty funny.

Also, I finally had a change to cut M's hair tonight. It had been a while and his hair was starting to get pretty wild. M did fantastic and B was so interested in what was going on that he pushed a chair over to have a better inspection. As soon as I finished up with M and sent off in the direction of the bath tub, B climbed up into the chair and gave me the "my turn" look. It hadn't been my plan to cut his hair tonight (due to the aforementioned couch diving injury) but as he was there, I figure why not? B let me cut his hair with no problems and I sent him off to the tub for his bath as well. After he was all clean and dried off, he came downstairs and gave me a hug as if to say thanks. Not bad for a 1 1/2 year old!

Well, that said, good night and Happy 7th Birthday, L!

Wisdom 4-year-old Style

M, happily coloring in his new coloring book said, "Mom, Jesus sure made the world cool when he invented the Super Hero Squad coloring book."  His perspective on the world is pretty fabulous, and it's not blasphemy because he is innocent.  I think I'm feeling quite proud of him today because we did a well child visit for M and B, and I didn't think M would have immunizations but turns out he could have his pre-K ones if we wanted to.  Even with it sprung on him last minute, he just laid back and took it, just saying that it hurt once and 1 little whimper.  Now L, my very over the top girl, for those same shots was screaming and thrashing around and begging for mercy, seriously begging us to stop.  My guilt level was high. 

L is bouncing around and desperate to know the exact number of presents she will be getting for her birthday.  I can only imagine what she'd be like if I was actually spoiling her rotten.  Feelings of entitlement seem to come naturally.  She has had to be a brave girl herself this week, having some kind of toe problem that we have been treating home medicine style.  L can't wait for her debut as a flower girl and Aunt Sam and almost Uncle Jon's wedding.  Big stuff to a 6/7 year old's world.

B has actually pulled off more cuddling this week than bodily harm, so he is on the good list.  Yes, he is only being sweet because he has a cold and is feeling pathetic, but I'm still counting it.  At the ripe old age of 19 months he can move our heavy dining room chairs to the counter, the sink, the fridge or the pantry.  One pauses to contemplate life's deeper meanings when one finds a stuffed Winnie the Pooh and some magnets in the sink, toothbrushes in the pantry, etc.  

Big L, that's his DJing name apparently, stayed the longest he probably ever has at work last night, but he got a lot done and thankfully didn't get trapped in his parking garage, which he thought was a possibility for a minute as he was leaving. 

And Big M, that's me but I don't like the sound of that, is getting very excited for her sisters to come later this month.  It'll be fast but fun.  I just signed up for a super cheap gym membership that is a quick walk from my house, mostly so I can do spin classes.  Also, both The Husband and I are hoping for some home improvements to happen really soon, preferably by magic, but if not that, we hope to learn some new skills or find cheap labor (haha).   Well, peace out for now.

Evil Knievil Returns

Hello all!  Yesterday was not my favorite day.  B, for anyone who doesn't know, is a danger to himself and others.  He likes to try anything that gives him a thrill, even if it could kill him.  He climbed over the top of our couch, hung down the other side and then dropped, bouncing off the couch and banging the back of his head into our metal railing.  He got a nice little split.  Fortunately, Mom, who is better at dealing with blood than me apparently, helped clean it up, and we decided we SHOULD be able to get away with no urgent care/ER visit.  It started bleeding a little at bedtime last night and this morning there is what I would call a little weeping.  Meanwhile, B continues to run around crazy, and I cringe, hoping he won't hit his injury on the table or a corner, etc.  I seriously want to wrap his whole body (except breathing orifices) in pillows tied on with ropes and call it good.  I am thankful it wasn't worse, though.  With B terrifying me, L and M seem quite sane.  L is LOVING school.  She comes home happy and full of information to share.  She is big on the social aspect as well, so we have to talk about who chased her, who yelled at her, etc.  She also lost the first 1st grade tooth of the year.  That's number 8 for her.  The tooth fairy forgot to come last night, which really made her sad.  She decided that probably the tooth fairy was scared to come in our house because I was up late sewing.  I think she was right, and I will be sure to go to bed early tonight.  I do NOT want a repeat.  M lays low all day long, seriously low.  He colors.  He watches a little TV, plays some games and talks with me a little or plays with Enzo, or rarely B.  I have realized after 3 days of this that he is saving up every particle of energy in his body to greet L when she comes home each day.  When The L arrives, all 3 kids go crazy...pretty much until bedtime.  Picture a Calvin and Hobbes scene where Calvin is walking in the door after school.  L is Calvin and M is Hobbes...you get the idea.  I'm, uh, working on a solution for my sanity's sake but haven't got one figured out yet.  In fact, B's injury yesterday was when he got all hypered up because L was home.  Some kind of supernatural force must connect these 3. 

I've had a fun week, got 2 spend some time with a good friend, and I'm learning some new crafty skills so that is always cheerful.  I learned also that I have the funniest dentist on earth, but I think he is cruel because he says all this silly stuff while there is a bunch of stuff in my mouth, so I'm sure I look ridiculous trying to laugh but unable to. 

The Husband, well, he has his usual end of month stuff at work, so we shall call him Zombie Man until next week.  He continues to be ever helpful to me even though he is exhausted by the time he gets home, so he is allowed to be Zombie Man for just this week.