Catch-up

Wow, where have the days gone? Here's a short recap of the last two weeks:

• The kids went back to school after spring break. Happy day.
• We planted a garden (tomatoes and strawberries). Sam wants to know when there will be strawberries to eat. If not today, tomorrow?
• Olivia tweaked her knee at practice on Tuesday (24th). Mom ignored her complaints.
• Dan started District Honor Orchestra practices. Thank goodness for carpools.
• Julia started synchro again. Yeah!
• Went to a RS take and bake. Still trying to work up the courage to serve it to my family. I'm not anxious to hear "what's that green stuff?"
• Olivia apparently really hurt her knee. Darn. Spent Friday at the doctor office and X-rays, then trying to find crutches (or as Sam wanted to call them: crotches).
• Brandon helped a couple of people move. Good man.
• We went out to dinner and a movie on Saturday. Ran into friends at Friday's, that was fun!
• Went to physical therapy with Olivia. Still trying to figure out the extent of injury and if she'll be able to swim at State (2 1/2 weeks away. Pray.)
• Sam has been home from school sick for a couple of days. Sad. But he likes to cuddle when he's sick. Happy.
• Been trying to get some sewing done, but it slow going with everything else that has happened.

I'm sure that there is more that has happened, but I can't recall. I think my brain is fuzzy. Or asleep. Or I've watched too many animated movies with Sam in the last couple of days. Or something...

Spring Break

Spring Break...

We had great plans.

Scheduled out the week full of fun things to do...

...and didn't do any of them.

We did:

Climb to the Hole in the Rock at Papago Park

Doesn't Dan look so excited to be with his family? It was lots of fun to have him with us. Julia took lots of pictures of herself. Some were actually quite good. Some were a tad bit disturbing.

What else we did (but have no photographic proof of):

Swimming in the freezing cold pool (not me, of course)

Lots friends over lots of days.

Visited the library and checked out 1 book for every 5 movies (or something like that)

Played trains (thanks Travis!)

Extra synchro practices

Went to the movies (Bolt) Oh yeah, and Dan saw Knowing

Tried to go bowling, but too many senior citizens were present (no lanes available)

Played at the park

Slept in (at least I did, Sam and Julia still got up at 6:30)

We are all ready for school to start again tomorrow. At least, that's what I keep telling the kids. You know, subliminal messages: You love school, you want to go to school, you will not miss mom, you don't want to sleep in, you love school, you can't wait to have homework again, you love school.

I'm pretty sure it's working.

But I'll let you know tomorrow.

Silly Sudsy Siblings

Sometimes I forget that Sam and Julia are still little kids. They love to play together and usually come up with some pretty elaborate make-believe or some pretty amazing creative endeavors. Sometimes, though, they are just plain silly, as they were tonight. This was supposed to be a quick bath before bed, but turned into a heyday of bubbles and giggles. I even got a picture of their little bottoms (due to their insistence), but I'll hang onto that picture for future blackmail.

Thanks for reminding me that laughter is a GOOD thing!

Bragging

I just have to brag about my oldest for a moment. Yesterday, he auditioned for District Honor Orchestra. He did this last year also, and made it in. So he was pretty sure he would make it in this year. Not only did he make it, but he is 1st chair bass! He was pretty excited when he found out, and I think he should be. As he so *humbly* put it, "that means I'm the best bass player in the whole school district!" Way to go, Dan!

P.S. He even let me hug him!

Jrnimy

Brandon arrived home safe and sound from Germany earlier this week. He is still a little weird, though. He actually gets up at 4:00 in the morning and goes to work because he is awake. Hasn't he ever heard of rolling back over and going back to sleep? I guess he's getting stuff done at work, but the downside is that he is ready for bed at 8:30 at night. I hope his body figures this out soon.

Three of the four kids made posters for him (Dan chose not to participate). Sam's poster was quite entertaining. (I'm kicking myself that I didn't get a picture of it). He made sure that Dad knew he had been in "Jrnimy" and he also drew lots of noses. I'm not sure why. One was REALLY big, one had "blud" coming out of it, and their were lots of smaller ones as well. What's with the nose obsession? Who knows how the brain of Sam works, anyway?

Brandon had a good time, and managed to do a little sightseeing. And he brought home REAL German chocolate, yummy! Here's a few pictures (but I have no idea what they are for the most part, so just enjoy the European-ness of them!)

Ordering breakfast: apparently the woman didn't speak English and Brandon doesn't speak German.

The office. Worldwide headquarters of M+W Zander.

$160,000 watch. Who would pay that?!?

Ridiculously Disappointed

Brandon was supposed to come home late tonight. A couple of hours ago, the airline called to inform me that his flight from Washington D.C. to Phoenix was cancelled because of the weather. He will be coming home around noon tomorrow instead of tonight. I know it's only a half of a day longer, but I am ridiculously disappointed that I won't see him tonight. And the kids will be, too.Then again, am I sure I want this crazy guy around? Yeah, I guess I do. He is an amazing man, and having him gone has made me realize what I really have. I love him so much (craziness and all)I missed him.

It just wasn't the same without him here.

But it seems that I have missed him even more than I thought I did.

Otherwise, I would be taking this delay better. It feels like my already crappy day just got crappier. I think I need chocolate...