Why were my kids out of school again? I really don't know. I've stopped asking.
But since they had another free day, we took another fun daytrip.
This time tagging along with Brad on a client visit to DC.
It was truly a memorable day.
I just hope my kids remember...
cherry blossoms,
snow cones,
stopping at an old favorite in Chevy Chase,
and exploring Air and Space at the Smithsonian.
And I hope they DON'T remember spilling in the restaurant, fighting in the backseat, crying because their feet hurt and whining because we didn't buy t-shirts.
When the sun starts to shine in April, I suddenly remember what a happy person I am. I didn't recognize how cold and dark things had been all winter. But once the rays come out and I can pull off the parka, I realize that all I needed was a little light and warmth and some vitamin D.
The natural sunlight, and all the springtime business that goes along with it, has pulled me away from the artificial light of my computer screen. I have much to catch up on...
Batter Up
Base/soft/t-ball has basically taken over our lives. Practices, pictures, games, keeping track of everyone's gloves and uniforms. It's a full-time job. So far so good. Jake is a strong lefty, Luke and Em are righties, like me. Sam still doesn't know if he's a left-handed player or a right-handed player...but we love him ambidextrously.
Can you believe it was warm enough to head to the beach last week?
Have I mentioned the weather is glorious? It's been park-hopping and eating on the back patio for us. Mother Nature is kindly helping us keep our house clean.
Two of us freckle, two of us brown like butter and two of us just turn pink. We are all shades of happy around here.
Want to buy our house?
The realtors have been knocking this week. Lots of foot traffic. Lots of good feedback. I spend an awful lot of time wiping out sinks, running up/down stairs to turn on every single light in the house. My home has never been this clean for so many consecutive days.
The youngest "old man" I know
Brad has been around a little bit more lately. It's so nice. Like sunshine, I don't realize how much I miss him until he comes back and lights up my life.
Here is what we do after dinner. The picture is a little shaky, but Emmie's commentary makes me smile.
Thankfully, the twinks can play on the same team. So we only have three fields, three games and three practice schedules to juggle. Four would be suicide.
Am looking forward to a killer farmer's tan and a lot of hot dogs.
As of yesterday, our house is officially on the market. The sign's up and the phone has started to ring. Happily, the closets are clean and all the rooms are freshly painted. My floors are gleaming and the carpets have been shampooed. Now, if I can just teach the kids to levitate, we'll all be ok.
I'm settling in for months of walking backwards out of every room to make sure things look just right. No unflushed toilets, no toys on the stairs and no unmade beds. Yikes.
Our realtor's name is Maxine. We interviewed a whole gaggle of realtors before signing on with her. It is nerve wracking to take cold-hearted strangers through your home. Like a really intense Parent Teacher Conference. Here is my child, my heart and soul. I know her handwriting leaves a lot to be desired, but have you seen her whiz through her math facts? Have you heard her British accent? Does her smile take your breath away?
Except with the realtors, I'm thinking, Here is my house, it's where my heart lives. I know the floors squeak and the corner cupboard sticks, but you should see it all lit up for Christmas. And how about the big shade tree in the backyard with the swing? And doesn't the yellow dining room just make you happy?
Maxine is like the kindergarten teacher who doesn't just love all children. She's the one who loves my child. She totally gets our house. She likes it. She LOVES it. So, hopefully, she can sell it.
I know with a big house on today's market, it might be a long wait. But am still keeping my fingers crossed.
Because it's kinda prickly living on pins and needles.
Spring Break--Day Two: An Educational Trip into Philly. The kids were good tourists and enjoyed a taste of history.
I'm not kidding myself, though. I know what rings their bell.
Seriously, which Liberty Bell would YOU prefer?
And, would you prefer a trip to the Mint (where, apparently, they are not making coins due to the recession and the fact that casinos use tickets these days) ...
...or a mint shake at Franklin Square?
Sam was the only one to accidentally whack someone with his club. Unfortunately, she was not a member of this family. Oops.
Still, we had a lot of traditional Philly brotherly and sisterly love.
Monday's destination: Gettysburg.
Thank goodness our Spring Break was cut short to make up snow days.
Spring Break--Day One: I decided to take the kids to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
We're always up for an educational outing and the weather has been gorgeous.
Apparently, everyone else had the same idea.
We stood in line for over two and a half hours just to get on the ferry. I actually started to feel like an immigrant mother shepherding my little aliens through the crowd, surrounded by people of every culture and religion. Just how DID those greenhorn mommas do it without CapriSun, antibacterial wipes and PacMan on the cell phone?
Leaving three different hometowns, five wonderfully supportive husbands, and one dozen darling children behind, my sisters and mom and I met for a weekend in Vegas. It was sublime.
Why so celestial?
Well. It could've been the supernal suite, the glorious weather, the heavenly food or the supreme shopping. Could've been the bubble baths or dressing up for dinner or sleeping in. Could've been the sensational sights or the masseuse with the fingers of gold.
Could've been any of those things. But it wasn't.
The truth is, any place with these four is heaven on earth to me.
Thanks for a great trip, girls! You are truly my angels.
Right now the entire contents of my kitchen and laundry room are stacked precariously in the dining room. There is a dumpster in my driveway and a jackhammer blasting away somewhere downstairs. I have a major case of early-morning-fatigue-syndrome. My husband's out of town, yet my kids still want dinner every night and clean clothes every morning.
I have a purple bathroom and an unfortunate new haircut.
Suffice it to say, the thought that I will soon be boarding a plane and sitting poolside with you is serving as my own personal drug-free mood stabilizer. I cannot wait.
Don't forget to bring: photos of your kids, your latest book recommendations, cast-off jewelry you think I will like, some really cheesy chick flix, self-tanner, nail polish and a big old Ziploc of Muddy Buddies.
Topics for group discussion: millennial mothering, spring fashion trends, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, improving spirituality, technology-pros, cons & how-to's, what to do with a purple bathroom & bad haircut.
