The Whirlwind.....

That is the only way to describe these past few weeks.  I have pretty much decided that there is no way other than bullet points to update everything that has gone on.  So here it goes:

• The kids spent a week home from summer camps and daycare and we did various day trips.
• We went to the Splash Playground at South Germantown park.

• We went to the National Zoo 

(Orangutans crossing in the zoo!)

• We made several visits to the pool.
• We went to see Toy Story 3.
• There was a stabbing in my neighborhood.  
• I planned and had my youngest's 3rd birthday.

(Playing with new toys with Pop)

• We went to see fireworks with some friends. 

• My youngest turned 3!

• I dealt with stress stemming from this post.
• It was discovered that my oldest son was covered in poison ivy.
• The kids all had their annual physicals.
• I had another dentist appointment.
• I attended my first Hearts Apart meeting with a friend.  
• I argued with Concordia and my dentist over some charges. 
• I took a mid-term for school. 
• I've been missing my husband like crazy!
• I spent a day at the pool by myself relaxing.
• It appears my youngest is beginning to suffer from separation anxiety.
• We enjoyed the company of some friends for a friends birthday party.
• We spent some more family time at the pool.  (My youngest is turning into a fish!)
• I took my oldest son to be evaluated.

This is the basics of our whirlwind that has been our past 2 1/2 weeks.  I am so ready for things to slow down a little and try to enjoy some of what is left of the summer.  I really need to work or de-stressing and trying to regain some of my emotional stability. 

Next week, my daughter has another week off of summer camp and we'll be redecorating her room - stay turned for updates on that....  (reminder to self:  take pics of her room currently)

Whatdya Been Up To? Part 2

So what else did I do while being MIA?  Glad you asked....

My wonderful and hilarious friend Jess came for a visit and we took a day trip to Lancaster, PA.

(That's her in the side view mirror!)

 I honestly don't remember the last time I had so much fun in the car!  I laughed until I my face hurt and there were tears running down my cheeks!

At several points, I almost started a voice recording of her solo comedy act on the way up.  I'm really regretting it now that I didn't and can't remember half the crap that she said.  You'll just have to take my word that she's pretty freakin' funny!  And I promise next time, I'll start recording.

We did manage to take lots of pictures; however, her camera was used mostly during the beginning of our trip and she has yet to send me those pics.  As soon as I receive them, I'll update with another post because I know she has some really good ones.

These are all pictures that we took on our way home using my camera.

As I drove along, she would shout STOP, and it would scare the crap out of me as I came to a screeching halt and she'd say, "oh, I just wanted a picture of that!"  She seemed to scare me EVERY single time too.

One conversation I do remember about this shot as she was trying to get the cow to look at her:

Jess:  Hey, cow cow!  Look at me.

Cow: ........

Jess:  Whoopidty Woo!  Whoopidty Woo!

Cow: ........

Me:  What?

Jess:  What's a cow say?

Me:  Moo

Jess:  Oh yea that's right.  Moooooooo!

  All in all it was a fun and successful trip to Lancaster.  I spent my allotted amount of money on new decor and had a blast with a great friend all at the same time.  I'll be posting pictures of my new kitchen and dining room soon...

Whatdya Been Up To? Part 1

Lets see, where do I start?  My last day of work for the summer was last Wednesday.  I was able to skip out of work early, grab the kids, and hit the road.

We headed out to my parents second home in West Virginia.  (and yes, Dad, I am counting this one too.)  Over Memorial Day weekend we were out there (I just went to link to the post and realized, that I never posted about it...oops.) to spend the long weekend and I ended up buying a new dining room table.

It's beautiful!  I'm so in love!

 

 (And no, this is not my house.  It is the stock photo)

Only problem was they had to order it and my parents wouldn't be back to West Virginia until mid July.  And Little Miss Impatient (that's me) couldn't wait that long for them to bring it home.  So I went to get it myself.  I wish there was some entertaining story to go along with this, but it all went off without any problems.

The kids had a blast running amok in the woods

and through the paths.

I on the other hand had a blast taking pictures of flowers

and more flowers

and some wild life

and of course lots of the kids

There's still more to come from our time MIA .  I'll eventually get caught up.