Soapy Mongrel

Yes, my men were crazy enough to hop in the big pool today.  It was somehow 72 degrees, and it was a very sunny day (I have the sunburn to prove it), so Brian took the plunge and the boys played in their pool cars and took turns in Daddy's arms.  I got a few pictures of my handsome men, I don't know if we have any amount for a gallery, but we will see.  This morning we had yoga, and once again we were the only family in class-no complaining here.  Ryan is getting quite good at boat pose and rolling like a ball, and that means he is working on his core, go Ryan!!  Andy doesn't want to do much more than roll up in his mat like a banana.  After stretching they practiced kicking a ball back and forth and then into a little goal, and then catching and throwing.  The ball was absolutely perfect for Ryan practicing catching, once he caught it, he wasn't afraid because it was the perfect amount of soft.  :)

The boys picked a book about making cake to read at the end of class, because they are excited to be helping me make Daddy's birthday cake tomorrow.  It will be a chocolate cake with peanut butter icing, and vanilla ice cream on the side.  It is going to be difficult for them to wait once they see it finished, we are a cake family!  After class we met up with Aunt Beba and MomMom to look at a house in MomMom's neighborhood.  This thing is huge, 1500 square feet, an unfinished basement, a garage, and a 100 x 100 yard.  I was picturing myself making that basement my getaway, with a yoga room/meditation room, a craft room....it's easy to get carried away while house hunting!  We stopped to check out the yard of another house that doesn't go public until Monday, and then the boys and I headed home, and I think MomMom and Beba went to check out some yard sales.

On the way home, Andrew wet his pants in his car seat, so I got to take that out while Brian got him changed for me.  Second time this month, ew.  Ryan never had an accident in the car, I hope this was our last time.  The boys played in the little pool for a bit after Daddy emptied it and let Ryan use the hose to refill it, and We vaccuumed the big pool and got the ladder hooked up.  I made some baked tofu for lunch, and the boys had that before nap, then I mowed the back yard while they slept.  I used the  grass to mulch in the vegetable garden, after I added a hill for what I thought were cucumber plants...they are acorn squash.  Hopefully that will grow some yummy squash, and hopefully I will like it!  Yesterday I planted two little rows of string beans, and I'll do some more once I figure out the rest of the garden.  Today I got a few more tomato and pepper plants in the ground, moved some of my strawberry plants closer to the main patch to create a bit more space, and did a ton of weeding.  That is what led to my sunburn, I wasn't realizing how long I was out there.

The boys woke up from naps, and Ryan hopped back into the little pool while Andy chilled with his blankie on the couch.  Andy came outside to play on the swings, so Ryan dried off to join us.  We played until I couldn't push the swing any longer, and then they played on the slide and jungle gym.  Andy is working hard to learn to pump his legs and keep himself swinging, he doesn't want to be a baby!  We took the kids' lawnmowers out of the shed, and they used those for a few minutes, and then Ryan pulled Andy around the back yard in the wagon a few times.  Daddy came out after his work phone call and took the boys in the pool, and then it was time to dry off and have dinner.  Brian made pierogies and Gardein faux chicken tenders and sauteed kale, yummy!  After dinner he took the boys to WalMart for printer ink and snacks, and I cleaned in the sunroom, which is turning a pollen-resembling shade of yellow.  Andy chose Sour Patch Kids for his snack, and Ryan chose Sour Patch Watermelons, and shared one with me.  It was quite good!  Brian got me a Diet Pepsi, at my request, as I've had a soda craving today for some reason.  We got the boys into their pajamas and then into their beds, and Brian is with Ryan as Andrew has had all of his songs and kisses goodnight.

Tomorrow there is a stargazing party at Jake's Branch, so we will see if that happens, depending upon the weather.  There is an astronomy day for kids at the park during the afternoon, but it clashes with nap time, so we will see f that happens either.  For now I just want to fall asleep despite my ouchy arms, and for the kids to sleep through the night-no sheet changes or thunderstorms, please!

Once again, I haven't been writing.  I am a few hours early on my post though, the last few have been two weeks apart...this one is 13 days.  The boys have kept us busy and I will let you know of their escapades now.  Saturday the 5th I did not go to NYC, and will mention why later, but the boys kept Daddy busy and me too when I got home that afternoon.  Sunday I had yoga, and I don't recall what else we did that day, but I went to Starbucks afterwards and just sat for a few minutes.  Monday we had music class, and then went to Veteran's Park, but didn't last long because potty training isn't going as well as it could be.  Tuesday we had no plans that the calendar reminds me of, but Ryan and Andy got much needed haircuts from MomMom!  Wednesday it was nasty and rainy, and Poppy had the day off of work so he took MomMom to her appointment.  The boys had karate, then we picked up our co-op veggies, and came home to keep dry.  Thursday we had co-op in the morning, and the boys played with tinkertoys and magnetic blocks and mega bloks, and tried to ignore the Disney video that was on.  Thursday night I had a memorial service, so the boys stayed with Daddy and he did bedtimes.  Friday we had yoga, then ran to a surprise doctor's appointment due to a nasty tick chomping on Ryan (he is fine, just on an antibiotic so the bite doesn't get infected), and then headed to the library for Duplos.  That evening we had a co-op field trip, Andy's first trip on a boat!  We saw a great blue heron and an eagle, it was neat, and the kids were well-behaved on the boat-though they were ready for it to be over before it was.  After the trip we took the boys to Johnny Rockets in the Freehold Mall, and of course I ran to Starbucks before we left.  I took both Ryan and Andy on the carousel while poor Brian watched, he was not feeling well because dinner was sort of his first meal of the day.

On Saturday we opened the pool first thing in the morning, and we went to the shore house after naps so the boys could play with Grandma and Grandpa for a little bit.  Then we all went to the Seaside boardwalk, and spent tons of money on crane games.  We found one that was a play until you win, and Ryan was literally jumping and yelling when he won a prize.  Of course that is so cute, we had to let each of them play several more times.  Grandpa played a few other games, but they were all rigged.  We won some tickets and tokens at the last arcade and the boys traded them in for little prizes, and on the way back to the car, we stopped to play one of the games where you have a water gun race to fill balloons.  We played twice so that each of them won a big dog, and then piled back in the van with bags of prizes.  Grandpa cooked on the grill while Grandma cooked in the kitchen, and we had a nice dinner together to celebrate Mother's Day a little early.  Grandma had a beautiful plant for me, a mini rose in a cute pot that is shaped like a watering can, and the boys made her paintings and we had a frame for her (but no photo, because I am a slacker).  After dinner we walked to the ocean, and Brian took Ryan down to the ocean.  We all walked along the boardwalk for a little bit and then walked back along the roads.  It was nearly bedtime by the time we got back to the house, so we headed home shortly after our walk, and the boys didn't last long before falling asleep.

Sunday was Mother's Day, and Brian made it very nice for me.  I had my yoga class and Starbucks  first thing, and came home to a salad ready for lunch, and three handsome men waiting with cards and plants.  They gave me a balloon flower, which is already in the garden, and a pot of mixed bulbs,  including tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, which I haven't planted yet.  Brian filled up the little pool, and the boys were quite happy playing in the pool for much of the day.  We ran to MomMom's to give her the plant the boys picked out for her, and also her paintings they made her.  I hung out on their hammock as much as I could, I love it!  I saw baby birds in one of their bird houses, and we saw a hummingbird fly by.  We went home for naps, and them Brian had to take care of a pool filter problem,  so the boys kept me busy in the afternoon.  For dinner Brian made potato salad, corn on the cob, and we had our salad too.  The boys went for a quick trip to the park after dinner so I could sneak in a little gardening time.  Monday we had music, and then I think we came right home and played in the pool and yard again.  Tuesday we had no plans at all, and played at home in the morning.  In the afternoon/evening, we had a visit from Ken and Jayden, and our three little dudes played in the front room with Angry Birds, blocks, games, and all kinds of toys.  Just minutes after they headed home, our sprinkler guys arrived to fix many dead zones and get our poor yard hydrated once again.  They were here for a long time, and the boys had finished their dinner by the time Brian was able to come back inside.

Wednesday we had karate in the morning and then went to ShopRite.  After naps the boys played in the pool and then in the yard, we had tacos for dinner once the bugs got too bad, and we did a good soapy bath to wash away bug spray.  We sat on the couch and read library books until bedtime.  Today, Thursday, we skipped co-op to go shopping with MomMom.  We ran to Michaels because I desperately need frames, and instead we got paints for the boys and a bag of rainbow Swedish Fish that they took care of in the car.  Next we went to PetsMart, and I dropped a hundred bucks on dog food and dog diapers.  We watched the kitties get their rooms cleaned, and watched the fish in their tanks.  There was the most beautiful silver koi in one tank, really striking, I had to point him out to MomMom.  There were also two adorable guinea pigs...how I wish they would take a stand and stop selling piggies.  They are good to not sell bunnies or ferrets, but haven't quite noticed the number of homeless guinea pigs on petfinder. com somehow.  Next we went to Bed Bath and Beyond, and I ordered a bridal shower gift.  Then we got to watch part of an arrest in the parking lot due to the aftermath of a minor car accident, and we were able to talk to Ryan about not touching strangers...not even tickley girls.  I ran into the health food store for tons of cheese and some ice cream, but the ice cream was ridiculous, so I got that next door at Stop and Shop.  I also got burgers and buns and root beer for Brian's birthday dinner on Sunday, but one root beer was consumed tonight already.  He isn't a good waiter.

Of course I forgot my purse again, and had to run to the van while MomMom and the boys stayed and had my stuff rung up.  I paid for our treats and then got myself a treat at Starbucks, of course, since it's been like three days, and then we headed to MomMom's house.  I let the boys play for a few minutes before heading home with our groceries, and they played ball with Chance and fed MomMom's pond fish.  We  took a quick minute to enjoy the hammock again, and Andy likes when you fold the sides over him and pretend he is a banana (you "peel" the sides back off of him, and he says, "Again!!").  We got home to let the puppies go potty, and the boys took their naps.  I did some laundry, ate some salad, and sneaked in a few minutes of gardening while they slept, and then Ryan was up and ready for his video.  Today was, "There Goes a Rescue Hero".  I hung the laundry on the line while he watched it, then Andy was up and ready to play.  Ryan got in his swim trunks and played in the pool for a few minutes, but Andy didn't want to.  He wanted to play on the swings, and Ryan changed after a few minutes and joined us.  They played on the slide, on the glider, and then Andy took off his shoe and tossed it in the pool, so it was time to go in.  It was past six, too late to make the tofu I had drained, so I tossed together English muffin pizzas.  We ate every single one, so I made up another half batch for Daddy when he came home.  After dinner the boys played in the sunroom for a few minutes, had animal crackers for dessert, and then it was time to brush teeth and get in pajamas.  I brought in the laundry from the line, Brian came home and had his pizza, and then he cleaned the stinky turtle tank.  One of the turtles tried to climb out of their container as we were getting them back in their nice clean tank, and I put up my foot to stop him (I won't put my hands too close, they are too small to actually pick them up).  Instead of blocking him, I knocked the poor thing on his back, and he was pissed, to say the least.  Brian said I was mean to kick my turtle over, just to make me feel bad, but they seem happy now swimming.  The dogs have headed to bed, at least half of them have, and I am not too far behind.  Tomorrow morning we have yoga, and then we're meeting Aunt Beba and MomMom to look at a house in MomMom's neighborhood.  Fingers are crossed!  This weekend there is a stargazing party at Jake's Branch, if weather cooperates, and Sunday is Brian's birthday.  He is good to me and doesn't mind that I want to go to my yoga class (and get a latte) that morning, I'm a lucky girl.  Sunday is starting to be my morning!

Just a quick note to refer to something I wrote earlier.  The memorial service I mentioned was for Danny Hess, a kind young man who I remember as being a cute five-year-old many moons ago when I first met Becky and her family.  He had an unexpected illness that damaged his body very quickly, and we lost him on May 7th.    Please please keep the family in your thoughts, any loss takes incredible time for hearts to heal, but to lose someone so young, so full of love and life, and so suddenly, is unbearable.  He leaves behind many broken hearted friends and family members.

Happy Star Wars Day!  And I see that Brian beat me to a post, it's only been two full weeks again.  Grandma is probably ready to string me up.  I will see what I can remember about the past two weeks, I will start with today though...Holy Butterflies, Batman!  There was a "blooming" of admiral butterflies, the first to happen in the area in over 12 years, and the only that anyone in my family has ever seen.  I noticed many in the yard, but until MomMom called to tell me that they were floating down the road by the thousands did I go out to see for myself.  I took my two monsters, who didn't last long before I had to toss them back in the van, and we sat in a garden at the library watching them fly over the building and all around us.  While driving, I was actually ducking, like that would keep us from colliding, but the butterflies flew up and over the van, like they were used to doing so.  It was beautiful and amazing, I wish the boys had been more into watching them so we could have enjoyed more.

This morning we had yoga, and the boys did fine, they were the only ones in class, actually.  Brian helped my drain most of the water out of my pond this afternoon while the boys destroyed the living room, and I worked on the algae on the bottom and sides of the pond, and cleaned up the filter several times.  The fish were happy to have their water returned, cleaner water too, and a nice lunch, and it is a bit easier to see them this evening.  We took a stroll to the water after dinner, and Ryan whined and yelled at us for most of the walk.  I saw a few more butterflies, but this lovely, clear day made for a spectacular view of LBI from the end of our main street.  I love to walk down and look out at the lighthouse, and today was perfect.  I even got a glimpse of one of the swans who hides out in a marshy area of the bay, and the boys enjoyed watching some boats and the waves.

Yesterday we had our homeschool co-op, and the theme was volcanoes.  I didn't have a lesson to teach or a volcano to erupt, but the boys needed prodding anyway, so it was fine for me to be behind them, making them behave a bit better during their lessons.  After our activities, we went to Gille Park to watch the three completed volcanoes erupt, and then we ran to WalMart for Shannan's birthday gifts, a slew of Mother's Day cards, and some soymilk.  In line, with my items on the checkout thing and the man about to start ringing me up, I realized I didn't have my purse.  I packed up our cart, left it by the registers, and the boys and I ran to the car for my purse.  We got back in, got back in line, and this time I was able to pay.  We got home in time for naps.  The afternoon was a combination of muggy and gross, so we played inside.  My boys wanted to paint, so we have some lovely Mother's Day gifts in the making!  Ryan requested the indoor ball house with all of the tunnels and tents attatched, so that is currently inhabiting the front room.  We made smoothies after dinner, and they took a soapy bath and went to bed.

Wednesday was karate day, and then we headed to Becky's for playtime with Ben.  The boys played their best as we were getting ready to leave, of course.  Becky and I were trying to plan our day out, which is tomorrow!!!!  We are going to NYC to visit all kinds of vegan food places and to see Anything Goes on Broadway.  I will also have an excuse to go to Starbucks, since they have about ten billion locations in the city, and in the rest stops along our way.  :)  Becky introduced my to a vanilla soy latte two weekends ago, and I've since stopped twice and wanted to every other day.  They are awesome!!  Becky made the boys macaroni and cheese for lunch, Ryan's request once again, and he devoured three bowls of it while Andy and Ben had to be encouraged to finish one.  We had tofu scramble and salad, yummy!  It is so fun to have a vegan friend, especially one who is a great cook!!  After playing, we headed home for naps, and then it was play-doh time.  Ryan made ice cream and Andy made cookies, and they both made me all kinds of delicious things to eat.  The soggy day kept us inside, so we spent our time reading, playing with trucks, and making messes.

Tuesday we went house hunting with Aunt Beba and MomMom, and the boys sat in the car for the first house, roamed the yard of the second, entered the third and were pain in the butts, and waited in the car again for the fourth.  Nothing that stole her heart, so the search continues.  Ryan walked into the side mirror on my mom's car and cracked his head pretty good, so he was in need of an ice pack, and watched tv to feel better.  They enjoyed Lay's potato chips (as did I also, too many of them), and some chocolate milk and juice.  Aunt Beba had souveniers for us, and the boys are in love with their little Mickey dolls.  Both are sleeping hugging them at night, and Andy took his for show and tell at Co-op on Thursday.  Very, very sweet.  :)  I ran to the library during nap time to pick up stuff on hold, and also because I had the dates wrong for the book sale, duh to me.  We took the boys to Subway to pick up dinner, and ate it at a picnic table in Enos Park.  The boys played on the playground, we took a walk on the trails, and then we stopped to pick and blow away lots of dandelions.  I didn't realize how long it had been since I'd really paid attention when doing that, it was like blowing bubbles.

Monday we had music class, and a special treat...Becky and Ben joined the class too!  After class we stopped to watch three geese in the river, but with our three boys, open access to a river is not a grand idea, so we only stayed a few minutes.  I took my men to Veteran's Park, and we stayed and played for an hour and a half!  Ryan tried to throw pine cones into basketball hoops, and I was proud of how high he threw the pine cones.  Both of them played great on the playground.  We stopped at Wendy's for a treat on the way home, and they were so excited that they still had fries left when we got home, and could have some ketchup for them.  Then it was nap time, and we played out back until dinner, which was tacos.

Sunday Brian painted my bedroom!!  It is such a nice color!  It's a very bright shade of purple, the paint color is called Whispering Wisteria of something close to that.  My poor man did both coats, and we moved our very heavy furniture around more than once (obviously).  I ran to yoga in the morning, and then I kept the boys busy in the yard and in the house while Brian painted.  After dinner, Brian took Ryan to the park, and Andy stayed at home with me for spitting out his dinner-three times.  We read books to keep him from screaming that he wanted to be good now and go to the park.  At least he hasn't spit any more this week.

Saturday was a crazy day!  We had a busy morning, and Brian took the boys to The Home Depot to buy our paint while I got some sanity time before the fun started.  We had Ella's 6th birthday party at 1, and they had a bounce  house and tons of great food, plus a bunch of our friends!  We were able to stay till almost 3, and then had to head up north to Devynn's 1st birthday party in West Orange.  It was so good to see everyone, especially to see Genevieve happy and healthy, and to give her mommy a hug after all they've been through!  Ryan tried to bring a young lady home (quite young for him, she was 23), and was told by her grandfather that she was high maintenance.  At least he's prepared!  My boys played nicely with the other kids, and we split up at present time because Andy was having fun outside with Luke, while Ryan wanted to be in the middle of everything at present time.  Brian is so good to me...he let me stay with Andy and hang out with Dorene's family, while he watched Ryan be...Ryan.  Thank you honey!!  We didn't get home until 9, and our poor puppies had to pee.

Friday morning we had yoga and a detox day, literally just vegging out at home.  Brian and I worked on the pond to battle the algae, which obviously didn't do what I needed it to, because we did it again today.  Thursday we stayed home instead of co-op, because the boys were off the wall with rudeness and arguing.  Those two days my men really just played with toys together, and I think they needed to unwind from all of the time we've spent on the road and in activities.  It was nice on Thursday to not get up and go anywhere, it had been awhile since we'd done that!  Wednesday we had karate, picked up our co-op produce, and I headed to Manahawkin for some things at Target, but really for a Starbucks soy latte.  We picked up MomMom from her appointment, and went to Vic's Greenhouses in Bayville.I was so excited, I bought a big beautiful lilac for outside of my bedroom window, and a bunch of vegetable plants.  Unfortunately, we had an odd freeze and I lost at least one of my basil plants shortly after planting them.  :(  We took MomMom home, played there for a bit and had a snack, and then came home for naps.  I don't recall the rest of the day.  Tuesday we had Andy's library class, and then we ran out to Aunt Beba's to play with Dixie and Phoebe.  It was our last day there, and we spent some time giving the pets extra love because we will miss them!  Monday was a music class, and then we ran to Aunt Beba's to check the pets.  It was a rainy day again, so the boys played with cars a bit, had some snacks, and we ran home for naps.

Sunday the only thing I recall is that all four of us went to Aunt Beba's to take care of the pets, but it was too yucky out for the kids to play and they spent a little while playing with cars and trucks in John's room.  Saturday we went to Storybook Land with Grandma and Grandpa!  The park was so quiet, we literally hopped out of one car and into the next on the classic car ride, which nearly always has a line.  Andy really wanted to ride the tram, and Ryan was able to sit in the front seat on the train!  Andy was next to him at first, but wanted to move.  Poor Andy asked to do a few things but was not yet tall enough, by next year he should be able to do everything but the Beanstalk Bounce, and Ryan can probably do that next year.  Grandma and Grandpa bought them presents in the gift shop, toy trains!  They passed out on the way home, and as usual we were in for a very long evening once Grandma and Grandpa headed back to the shore house.  Thank goodness a Storybook Land day is so fun that the evenings go by quickly, because those days typically mean little to no naps and a light or no dinner after all of the popcorn and the snacks they have with lunch.

So, our weekend looks to be quite fun for me!  Maybe not so much for Brian tomorrow.  Becky and I will head out for our day early, I'll leave here by 8:15, and no clue as to when we'll get back to town, not crazy late, but no rush.  Then Sunday we have Shannan's birthday party (she will be 12 on Monday, that is just crazy), and my boys manage to keep very busy at parties at MomMom's house.  Then Monday starts our week off again, with music class.  I will try to post sooner than later, I hope my memory always stays this good for when I forget to keep up on the posting.  :)  Goodnight!!

Andy was eating corn on the cob at lunch today, and complained "My corn is too corny!"

Once again, it's been like two weeks since I've posted, we've kept busy.  I left off on Easter, so that puts us at Monday the 9th.  We went to the library for Ryan to have his class, and then most likely went to a park or played outside.  We haven't had much rain in a few weeks, so it was more likely than not an outside day.  Tuesday was Andy's library class, and Becky and Ben joined us!  Wednesday we had our karate class, then picked up co-op veggies, another awesome bounty.  We ran to the mall for an errand, to Petsmart for dog food and diapers, turtle food and pond fish food, and then picked up MomMom from her appointment.  We stayed at her house for a little while and Aunt Beba joined us for a little bit.  Thursday we had our co-op with our homeschool group, and I did my first lesson.  The theme was little critters, and I had the kids do a turtle craft after I read Emma's Turtle, one of Andy's favorite library books.  The boys made peanut-butter-pinecone bird feeders at another station, made Little Critters characters from the series of books, and put in order pictures of the life cycle of frogs.  We didn't join the group for a trip to the park because I had to go to Lacey Recreation to sign them up for yoga.  Unfortunately, the rec people were at lunch, so we couldn't sign up, but it started drizzling, so we didn't miss a good trip to the park either.  Thursday after naps, Heather, Ken and Jayden came over with bubble toys, and the boys played outside for quite a while.  Inside Jayden set up his Hexbug Nanos, and the kids were thrilled.  I liked them too, so much so that I ordered the boys a little setup, which arrived yesterday!  Haven't set it up yet, they don't know about it at all.

Friday we went on a class trip to Manasquan Reservoir.  It was a great place, huge compared to the nature centers at Cattus Island and Jakes' Branch, even though we do love those ones too.  We watched birds at the feeders outside, saw turtles and koi swimming in indoor ponds, made a craft, and then the boys watched a show about some of the animals who make their home at the reservoir.  There were turtles and frogs, a tadpole, a snake, and shells and bones for the kids to look at.  I was a bit upset that my guys were so nowhere near where the others were behaviorally.  Every single child sat on the bench in the front row, with their parents in the back of the room, and they interacted with the presenters.  My boys whined and had fits until I let them sit with me in the next row, and they didn't interact, try to answer any questions, and they begged to leave most of the presentation.  During the nature walk Andrew wandered away several times, but at least would listen when the presenter called to him.  After the walk, we met the group at the reservoir for lunch.  That was uneventful, happily, and we left very tired, and the boys were angry that the park was too crowded.  The ride home was filled with moaning and complaining, and they crashed when we got home.  They were both up from naps in time to have a quick pierogie dinner with me and Daddy before I raced out the door to my weekend of enlightenment.

Over the course of the weekend, Grandma and I took part in a small group looking for relaxation and answers.  Each person who came to the weekend retreat had an issue they were hoping to resolve, and the intention of the weekend was to be able to get enough quiet to hear the answers we already have in ourselves.  The interesting part is that the presenter didn't feel that it was intuition, or that we just needed to debate within our own minds, but that we had to ask spirit for the answers, and they would give us the answers.  After every few activities, typically a meditation, we were asked to draw cards from special decks, some were Angel cards, some had affirmations, and it was insane how closely many of the cards tied to how people were feeling and what they were debating.  While I received some "teachings" that I accept are how the presenter feels and what she believes is the way the universe works, for the most part, it was a wonderful weekend.  Any chance to meditate is therapeutic, the time together with Grandma was so much fun, the place was beautiful and the food was good.  I had an energy treatment done, and while I don't really know what in the hell it was, it was the most relaxing sleep I've ever had-yeah, I passed out cold during it.  When I came to, I felt as if I had melted into the bed, it was crazy.  We took a quick walk to the ocean after that, then the bay, and just enjoyed the calm quiet and the lovely view.  When we met up with the boys the next day, they were all over Grandma and couldn't give a crap that I'd been gone for over 40 hours.  Now I won't feel so guilty when I do it again, little beasts!

The boys kept their Grandpa busy while Grandma and I sat on a couch and meditated.  They went to a park, played with sand toys and got soaked at the bay, went to Charlie Brown's for lunch, and by the time they left, poor Grandpa was done.  He was still hurting the next morning when they got there, and when we got to the house, we took it easy and ordered pizza for lunch, then took the boys to the beach with Grandma while Grandpa cleaned up the disaster the boys had made of the toy kitchen.  Ryan loved the beach, and he and Daddy played at the shore line, getting just wet enough as the waves crashed in.  Andy didn't last long, and wanted to go back to the shore house, so he and Grandma walked back to see Grandpa.  We stayed for about 20 minutes, I think, and then headed back to the house too, where Andy was leading his grandparents around the yard, and checking out the outdoor shower, while he found to be awesome.  We gave our hugs and kisses and headed home.  None of us were hungry for dinner, and Brian and I were both exhausted from our weekends.  Who knew that relaxing could wear one out so much!

Monday we started our new music class, and we know most of the kids and parents in the class.  There is one family we hadn't already met, a little girl who was born in China and her mom.  They are lovely, the class was fun, and the new CD has all kinds of songs that the boys love.  Please keep our teacher in your thoughts, we just found out that not only had her husband lost his job a few months ago, but three weeks ago he suffered a heart attack.  They are struggling and worried about the procedures he still needs, positive vibes for them are appreciated.  We also found out that poor baby Genevieve spent a few days in the hospital last week.  After working to keep her blood sugar in check, the doctors diagnosed her as having diabetes, and after an entire weekend in the hospital, and then training in administering blood sugar checks and insulin monitoring, she was finally able to go home on Monday.  Prayers for the Byler family please as they adjust to their new normal, and hopefully have seen all of the inside of a hospital that they need to.

Monday after music class, we met up with Becky and Ben at Vetaran's Park for a picnic lunch and playground time.  It was a brutally hot day, in the 80s, and there was little to no shade in the playground area, so we lasted an hour before heading home for naps and a break from the sun.  After naps we finished the day outside, and then took a bath to clean up the sweat and sand.  Tuesday we went to Andy's library class, and Becky and Ben were there, too!  The craft was an inch worm on a flower, it was cute, and the kids did good popping bubbles and listening to the stories.  Becky and Ben came over for a little bit after class, but not too long, because poor Ben's allergies were abusing his eyes, and our house was wide open to get fresh air in to clear out my nasty old germs.  The boys played with Toy Story toys for most of their time together.  After dinner, because Daddy was home, we took a walk together and he pulled our handsome men in their wagon.  Wednesday we had karate first thing, and then went to the Manchester Library for free play.  We didn't get there until like 10:45, and they had to clean up at 11:15 because they had another activity in the room shortly, so I was not thrilled to make that drive for such a short period of time.  I let the boys play on the computers, then we went to the health food store on the way home, and I pointed out my yoga school to them.  After naps we played outside yet again!

Thursday was a very long day indeed.  I was up at 6 am, so I took advantage of the early time, and went to a 7 am yoga class.  The class was tough, really tough, and my thighs still hurt a bit from it, but it's good because it shows me how much I need to do, and how badly I need to practice more.  I stopped at MomMom's on the way home to pick up keys for Aunt Beba's house, and then went home and showered.  We got dressed, inhaled breakfast, I made up lunches, and we headed to co-op.  I taught a lesson again, this time an owl craft because our theme was birds, and Andy spent the entire time crying hysterically.  He was able to do my activity and two others, and Ryan did three others.  They couldn't do the food activity because it used butter, but they didn't even realize it.  After lunch with the group, we headed out to Aunt Beba's house to check on the pets.  Everyone was fine, and happy to have people around, and the boys were so excited to pet a cat who was in a great mood, and be kissed by this big, sweet baby of a dog.  Beba made them each a gift, sand toys and matchbox cars, and the boys kept busy in John's sand box and loving the pets.  She also left us drinks and snacks, so they had potato chips, oreos, juice and milk.  They absolutely loved the afternoon, and were really excited when they found out we would be going back the next day.  On the way home we stopped to see Poppy and give him his birthday card and gift, and to play with MomMom too.  MomMom made them pasta and chocolate milk, they played on the swings and with the wagon, and Ryan played tennis with Chance.  Poppy had a cake he hadn't cut yet that Aunt Beba and John had given him before they left, and Ryan wanted Poppy to blow out his candle.  He did, and we sang Happy Birthday, and then it was time to go.  We got home around 8, our normal bed time, and they took a bath with the dinosaurs that MomMom sent home with us.  When Brian got home at 9:15, I had just started bed time, and was happy to hand the duty over to him after a long, long day.

This morning was another bright and early, but at least I had an extra two plus hours before heading out.  The boys had their first yoga class, but there is only one other student, and they need four to hold class, so unless another child signs up, it will be cancelled :(  They could use some breathing exercises!  They had a nice time and the teacher is lovely, I hope another person signs up.  Class is 9:30-10:15 on Fridays, just five more sessions, and you don't have to be a Lacey resident to take their classes, if anyone is interested.  After class we went to the Lacey Library for Duplo play, and my beasts kept busy with blocks until noon.  Then Andy pooped in his pants, and I cleaned him up, we checked out our books, and headed to Aunt Beba's again.  Thankfully that was the only mess of the day in anyone's pants.  Today the boys had more chips and oreos, and also pretzels and animal crackers (I think their Aunt Beba loves them!).  Ryan dumped his cup of milk on the floor, so after I cleaned that up, I was happy to toss them outside.  They played in the sandbox with their new toys and some of John's things that are out there, I fed the pond fish and admired the beautiful plants, and then we went in to escape the sun and heat for a bit.  The boys checked out the plethora of Matchbox cars in John's closet, we got through two boxes and a bag worth of trucks, cars, and some train cars, and we went back out for a little bit.  We spent about two hours there again, and then headed home after locking up and kissing Dixie and Phoebe goodbye until Sunday.  MomMom and Poppy will go out to check on them tomorrow.  The boys both slept from Rt. 70 to our driveway, and then had small fits until dinner time.  Then they had small fits about dinner, cheered up for another bath with the dinosaurs, read some library books, and went to bed.  And I am not too far behind them tonight!

This weekend we hope to go to Storybook Land with Gramdma and Grandpa, and Sunday we will go to Aunt Beba and John's again to hang with the pets.  Then it will be Monday, and it starts all over again!!  B and John come home on Wednesday, and we hope to see them soon.  They are having an awesome time, and did the Magic Kingdom yesterday and EPCOT today.  EPCOT has the garden show right now, and there is a huge butterfly exhibit, which is right up their alley, so I expect they had a wonderful day.  Fingers crossed that the rain holds off and the rest of their time is as fun as these past two days!!