I am a month behind in my blog! I am going to surprise everyone (even myself) and catch up this week by keeping it brief! ha!
Rewind to Monday, March 9th. It was actually a day we'd probably all love to forget because we went to the dentist twice in a day. The kids and I dropped Calla off at school and as we headed to the dentist for Kelsey's 9am appointment I thought there has to be nothing more Mondayish than going to the dentist two times on a Monday!
Kelsey had to get a cavity filled, which she found to be no big deal. I had to entertain Jay and Parker in the waiting room, which wasn't too bad either. It least there were puzzles and books.
After the dentist we headed over to Kelsey's tap class, which meant more waiting with the boys! Parker took a nap in his infant seat - he must be a pretty deep sleeper, because he can still fall asleep in the car and then stay snoozing as I transport him into the stroller and then into whatever noisy environment I'm headed to (case in point - a noisy park district building, where the tap class is held).
We went home for some lunch and Jay took a nap and Kelsey and I made chocolate chip cookies. Kelsey doesn't tire of baking and I don't tire of eating cookie dough.
Calla was not thrilled to learn, when we picked her up at school at 3:30, that we headed straight to the dentist. Yippee! Ha. The appointment was pretty brief, and Kelsey assured her that it would be no big deal. Considering Kelsey can be kind of dramatic sometimes, she really has no bones to pick at the dentist. She gave Calla quite the inspirational talk.
We got home in time to make Daddy some dinner. We were excited to see him once he got home from work to hear all about his ski trip! He got immersed right back into daddy duty with our Monday evening bath night. Hooray!
Tuesday mornings we drop Cal-Cal, I do a quick run at the gym, and then we have Molly and Ben over. We love our Tuesday mornings with Molly and Ben (well, it's just about an hour and a half...not the entire morning).
below: playing wedding of course. Kelsey was the bride, Jay was the groom, Molly was a bridesmaid and I am not sure who the baby was. Ben was the "photographer." Ha! He used a sword to take the pictures. of course.
below: getting ready to head down the aisle. Ben the photographer was being pushy about getting some up-close shots I guess. If my college pal Gretchen is reading this, she may recognize the flower bouquet (I used it as a bridesmaid in her wedding).
Tuesday afternoon Molls came over to play. Jay is still taking naps every day, so it is nice for Kelsey to have a playmate in the afternoons. Parker's naps are a little more erratic - he switches off and on between one nap a day and two naps. He is a very unpredictable fella.
Tuesday evening we were just at home. I love our simple Tuesday evenings. Jonathan is rarely out for work so he is almost always home on Tuesdays.
Wednesday morning we had Bible study. I took this picture of Parker eating his breakfast during the "large group" video time. Sometimes we don't get to breakfast until we arrive (well, in Parker's case). ha! He likes having some time with the mommies.
below: it's hard to eat your food when it is eye level.
I would write you about what we did that Wednesday afternoon but I have no earthly idea. Do you remember what you were doing six weeks ago on a Wed. afternoon? See?
I do have this picture of Parker cashed out on my lap after Awana that evening. Parker loves going to sleep on mommy's lap. It is how he falls asleep 90% of the time. We have logged a lot of hours on the green rocking chair Jonathan's Mom-Mom gave us.
Thursday we had BSF. Jay always complains on the drive to BSF that it is "boring" but he always loves it when I pick him up. His teacher told me this particularly Thursday that Jay is her best listener and that she thinks he is "special." I am not sure how to take "special" but she said it with a smile so I guess she meant it as a compliment. His teachers are so sweet!
Parker must think BSF is boring too because he gives the nursery staff a terrible time in there. They called me out that particular morning but it was just as well because I hung out with him in the hallway during the lecture. I really don't mind hanging out with him!
We got home from BSF and had a quick lunch and then a baby-sitter came over (I actually don't remember who) so I could go with Calla and her first grade class on a field trip to a nursing home.
The first grade class was going to perform their "spring concert" for the nursing home residents. They did such a good job! I got to drive over with Calla and three of her friends. It was cute to hear them interact (although the nursing home was really just a two-minute drive from school, so the interactions were brief! ha!)
below: all of first grade (this is not just Calla's class)
After the kids performed, their teachers asked the chaperones to take the kids around to the different residents to chat. I ended up seeing a lady from my BSF group there with her dad! Calla and her friends and I sat and talked with him for awhile and discovered he was born and raised in Lancaster! Ha! What are the chances? I told his daughter (the one I know from BSF) that I'd like to take the kids to go visit him again sometime. (My kids, that is.)
The chaperones and I drove the kids back to school right before the end of the schoolday but I couldn't take Calla home with me because she was staying for Girl Scouts! Busy day!
I went home and paid the sitter and an hour or so later Kelsey, Jay, Parker and I headed back to the school to pick up Calla from Girl Scouts. Then we came home and I just made a simple dinner (Jonathan was gone for work that evening).
I noticed at one point that when Jonathan is not home and I am feeding the kids the kitchen looks like this. (I have no one to close the cabinet doors behind me.)
Thursday evening I was busy cleaning and getting ready to leave! That weekend I was headed to Pennsylvania for the CEFC Women's Retreat! I couldn't wait!
Friday morning was a little hectic getting out the door! We drove Calla to school and I said goodbye to her, and then the younger kids and I headed back home where I met Jenny. Bless her heart, Jenny was going to take Kelsey and Jaybird for me for the ENTIRE DAY until Jonathan picked them up at 3. Good grief. That is just a long time to lug two extra kids around when you already have three at home. To make matters more complicated, Jenny had to go back to Wheaton Christian to take Norah to a doctor's appointment at 10am and that ended up taking two hours (the doctor's appointment!). I honestly wouldn't wish two hours in a doctor's office with Jaybird on my worst enemy. There is something about the doctor's office that brings out the wild in Jaybird.
I was so grateful for Jenny though because I really could not find a babysitter for the life of me. She was so sweet to do that.
In the meantime, Parker and I headed to the airport. My flight was at 12:30 or so and we had about two hours to park my car and then take the shuttle to the airport and wait to board.
below: Parker hated to get in the stroller (lots of back arching) but he always made peace with it once I started going.
below: hanging out, and waiting to board
below: it seems he was too tall for the overhead bin
below: It was a great flight! Parker slept for over an hour where he likes to sleep best - on mommy's lap.
Pops picked Parker and I up at the airport. Then we went back to Mimi's and I quickly changed and then left Parker with Pops and Uncle Caleb while I went to the first evening of the retreat.
Kelly, Kimberly and Mimi had saved me a seat. We got to hear Nancy Guthrie talk about "When God Says No." It was amazing!
Afterwards, I got in some cuddle time with sweet Charlotte!
Saturday morning we were back at the conference early. Pops had to work so I had Parker with me most of the day and it actually went fine! He hung out with me in the lobby during the first session.
And Parker ended up taking a long nap during the second session. After lunch, I drove him over to Bulltown and he helped sit in the model with Pops for the afternoon!
below: Kim, Mimi, Kelly and Grandma and I (and Charlotte) all sat at a table together. It was amazing to spend some time with family and hearing Nancy Guthrie was icing on the cake! She was such a dynamic speaker.
below: Kim, Dorothy Bradshaw, Mimi and Kel
below: Nancy and I. We are on a first name basis now. jk
The retreat ended with some social time in the evening! I went home real quick to put Parker down for the night and then went back for the socializing! we had pizza and talked and talked. It was the most fun I've had in a long time!
Sunday morning I was up early and out the door with Pops! He drove Parker and I to the airport early so we could catch our 10am flight.
below: waiting for the plane! It was delayed of course
below: Parker loves sleeping on planes. He was awake for about 30 minutes and then slept the rest of it.
below: everyone was afraid to sit with us. Ha!
Sunday afternoon once I got home, Jonathan went to the Big Ten basketball tournament in the city with his dad. The kids and I drove Calla to a birthday party. While she was partying, the boys took naps. Then after we picked her up we played at the park because it was beautiful outside! It was in the 70s for the first time in 2015. It felt fabulous.
below: group hug!
Sunday evening Jonathan got home and we all got to spend some family time after my weekend away! We had family worship and then put the kiddos to bed!
Callaism~
~ Calla was out of library books to read so I gave her this textbook. HA! She logged hours of reading in it! haha
below: Jayism
We never know how Jay is really feeling. NOT.
Parkerism~
~ I took this pic of a pic of me when I was one. I think Parker sorta looks like me?
