Friday, when the girls came home from school, I told them that we needed to hurry and get our Friday afternoon housework done (ideally the house gets cleaned top to bottom on Friday afternoons) because we had a trip to take. I told them that we had to drive up to San Francisco to pick up our friend Rebecca's friend because Rebecca was having car troubles. To which Jane answered "well that's nice of us." We happily loaded in the car at 8 ish, put in a movie, stopped for gas, Tootsie Rolls- the giant ones I treat myself to when driving any sort of distance, and a Mt. Dew (Sawyer had a fever Thursday night after his vaccinations, I was up alot), and we were on our way. By the time we arrived Sadie was the only one awake. I called back to Jane to wake up and help me look for "Sarah" by the Southwest baggage claim. Suddenly a man in an orange jacket and blond hair started knocking at the back window. It startled everyone, the girls were completely confused.
He was cute and blond so I decided to offer him a ride home to our house for a four day weekend. Turns out that is just what he wanted to do. So Mike was home all weekend and what a weekend it was. Every day it was sunny and in the mid to upper 70s. Saturday, afternoon at the beach (truthfully not the smoothest beach trip, next time no dogs, no i-phone, eat lunch before and not at, less gear) followed by date night at a great Japanese restaurant- delish. Sunday, all afternoon at our Carmel Valley Community Park, picnic, swings, playing with the dogs, laying on the blanket, picnic, walks on the path, throwing balls. So beautiful and relaxing and perfect. Monday, another day at the beach. Perfect- again. Mike is way more brave than I am and let Ellyn get tossed around a bit while he was right there. She learned that she loved the shallow waves that lapped at her toes, loved running from the bigger waves, a little healthy respect, and a great Ellyn way for enjoying the water. Our little Ellie spent hours walking up and down the beach, chasing the waves and letting them chase her while Mike or I or both us followed. Sadie was our little wild child, an occasional tinge of panic from mom and dad as we urgently scanned the beach and spotted, way too far away, our little dancing and jumping blond sprite. Jane read and napped and tried out her boogie board. Weird having a kid moving into teenagehood. She played with us too. Sawyer got a little tumbled with dad's help (obviously Mike wants them to have a clear understanding of what they're getting into) and wanted only to dig in the sand and walk along the water's edge, holding onto someone's hand. He didn't even try to eat it after one mouthful Saturday afternoon. It was another amazing day. Just what every person needs mid January. On our way home Mike picked up rootbeer, shrimp, pork chops, ice cream and brownie mix. We grilled pork chops and tried our hand at making coconut shrimp, which turned out fabulously. It was a great night. We watched movies on our bed and fell asleep.
This morning we called Jane and Sadie into our room and watched the inauguration of Pres. Obama. I have to say I have high hopes. I loved his speech. I think he is a good man and I think he will work very, very hard for this country. It was a very moving experience, especially seeing what having an African American president meant for so many. You could just see it in their faces. Pure joy and pride and love. Aretha Franklin sang and I was explaining to the girls that she was a very famous singer and Sadie turned to me and asked "Was she on American Idol?" Within minutes after the inauguration speech ended we had all eaten a quick bowl of cereal, babes had their diapers changed and clothes put on, and we were driving Mike back to the airport. Back to D.C. and 20 degrees. Three more weeks.
I stopped at IKEA on the way home and picked up an island for my kitchen. I feel like I spend half my life with my back to the kids while I make meals so this way I can interact while I am doing some of the kitchen stuff. I also bought a low swivel, reclining chair thing, in red. I want a comfy chair for the kids to sit in and read. We spend so much time in the kitchen. I'm hoping this chair works. We all tried it and we all loved it. I've saved the receipt. The one I really wanted was a few hundred more but I decided the island was more important in the long run. I think I made the right choice. It is ridiculous how much we love IKEA. Have I ever mentioned how I got all teary the first time I went here in Cali because it reminded me so much of being in Germany? I probably have. My girls feel the same way.
Well we came home and my little bubble of happiness popped, just like I knew it would have to do eventually. Jane noticed water leaking from the garage, not actively right now, so the plumber will be here first thing in the morning. We ended up missing Enrichment, which I was actually okay with (I felt like I should go, I'm on the committee). Jane saw the water as she was loading Sawyer back in the car after way too short a sojourn at home. So... the kids drank hot chocolate while I spoke with Matt, our rental manager, and Armado, our faithful plumber. Did I mention our new heaters last week? I'm really ready for everything to work right.
Well, I am falling asleep. Mike called and he is home and safe and so I can now go to sleep in peace. Hopefully I will be able to shower tomorrow and hopefully that water leaking is from the hot water heater (I think it is) and not a toilet. Ahhh! Sleep tight.
He was cute and blond so I decided to offer him a ride home to our house for a four day weekend. Turns out that is just what he wanted to do. So Mike was home all weekend and what a weekend it was. Every day it was sunny and in the mid to upper 70s. Saturday, afternoon at the beach (truthfully not the smoothest beach trip, next time no dogs, no i-phone, eat lunch before and not at, less gear) followed by date night at a great Japanese restaurant- delish. Sunday, all afternoon at our Carmel Valley Community Park, picnic, swings, playing with the dogs, laying on the blanket, picnic, walks on the path, throwing balls. So beautiful and relaxing and perfect. Monday, another day at the beach. Perfect- again. Mike is way more brave than I am and let Ellyn get tossed around a bit while he was right there. She learned that she loved the shallow waves that lapped at her toes, loved running from the bigger waves, a little healthy respect, and a great Ellyn way for enjoying the water. Our little Ellie spent hours walking up and down the beach, chasing the waves and letting them chase her while Mike or I or both us followed. Sadie was our little wild child, an occasional tinge of panic from mom and dad as we urgently scanned the beach and spotted, way too far away, our little dancing and jumping blond sprite. Jane read and napped and tried out her boogie board. Weird having a kid moving into teenagehood. She played with us too. Sawyer got a little tumbled with dad's help (obviously Mike wants them to have a clear understanding of what they're getting into) and wanted only to dig in the sand and walk along the water's edge, holding onto someone's hand. He didn't even try to eat it after one mouthful Saturday afternoon. It was another amazing day. Just what every person needs mid January. On our way home Mike picked up rootbeer, shrimp, pork chops, ice cream and brownie mix. We grilled pork chops and tried our hand at making coconut shrimp, which turned out fabulously. It was a great night. We watched movies on our bed and fell asleep.
This morning we called Jane and Sadie into our room and watched the inauguration of Pres. Obama. I have to say I have high hopes. I loved his speech. I think he is a good man and I think he will work very, very hard for this country. It was a very moving experience, especially seeing what having an African American president meant for so many. You could just see it in their faces. Pure joy and pride and love. Aretha Franklin sang and I was explaining to the girls that she was a very famous singer and Sadie turned to me and asked "Was she on American Idol?" Within minutes after the inauguration speech ended we had all eaten a quick bowl of cereal, babes had their diapers changed and clothes put on, and we were driving Mike back to the airport. Back to D.C. and 20 degrees. Three more weeks.
I stopped at IKEA on the way home and picked up an island for my kitchen. I feel like I spend half my life with my back to the kids while I make meals so this way I can interact while I am doing some of the kitchen stuff. I also bought a low swivel, reclining chair thing, in red. I want a comfy chair for the kids to sit in and read. We spend so much time in the kitchen. I'm hoping this chair works. We all tried it and we all loved it. I've saved the receipt. The one I really wanted was a few hundred more but I decided the island was more important in the long run. I think I made the right choice. It is ridiculous how much we love IKEA. Have I ever mentioned how I got all teary the first time I went here in Cali because it reminded me so much of being in Germany? I probably have. My girls feel the same way.
Well we came home and my little bubble of happiness popped, just like I knew it would have to do eventually. Jane noticed water leaking from the garage, not actively right now, so the plumber will be here first thing in the morning. We ended up missing Enrichment, which I was actually okay with (I felt like I should go, I'm on the committee). Jane saw the water as she was loading Sawyer back in the car after way too short a sojourn at home. So... the kids drank hot chocolate while I spoke with Matt, our rental manager, and Armado, our faithful plumber. Did I mention our new heaters last week? I'm really ready for everything to work right.
Well, I am falling asleep. Mike called and he is home and safe and so I can now go to sleep in peace. Hopefully I will be able to shower tomorrow and hopefully that water leaking is from the hot water heater (I think it is) and not a toilet. Ahhh! Sleep tight.
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