I got up with the kids about 7 this morning. DH could sleep in a little as he had a late appointment. I made breakfast and checked email and went back to bed. DH left about 9:30 and I got up.

I had goals of getting the kids’ rooms ready for school. I started in Erika’s room - organizing all her dresser drawers, going through all of her clothes, sorting out what is too small, etc. I pulled a box of clothes and shoes out of the top of the closet and went through that. Then I tackled the hanging clothes in the closet and went through the same process. I had a garbage bag of clothes to go to Goodwill when I was done - and I had accomplished a big chore. Except for the pants of hers that I still have to hem, she is all ready for school.

I didn’t know if I would get through all of Kyle’s but I decided to start on it. I went through his entire dresser and closet - sorting every piece of clothing. I got him to try on a few pair of pants for me, but he has quite a few more to do. I sorted through a box of clothes from his closet, too. And I had a garbage bag to take out of his room, too.

I can’t believe I got both kids’s rooms done. It took me a couple of hours - and they cooperated really well by playing nicely. Erika did come down and help me for awhile, and actually, she was a big help. I am so relieved to have that done.
I didn’t think I could get it all done in one day - with them home.

DH came home from work and I made supper and we ate. I had to cut Erika’s corn off of the cob again tonight but the kids ate good. We played with the kids and after I put them to bed, I sewed 3 pair of Erika’s pants. I also managed to get a couple loads of laundry done today.

I’m tired tonight. One of the big plans is to start my diet - AGAIN - after the holiday. It’s so much easier when the kids are at school and I don’t have to make breakfast and lunch. I’ve been looking into some diet pills to give me a little boost. I also know I have to incorporate some exercise. We have a treadmill and an exercise bike. The problem is - I don’t use them. I used to walk on the treadmill a lot, but then I started having problems with plantar fasciitis in both feet so I had to stay off of them as much as possible. That’s been about a year and a half ago so I’m thinking I can try the treadmill again.

DH and I are going down for a hot tub and I’m going to call it a night.

Kyle crawled in bed with me at 6:45 this morning. When he realized Dad had left his electric blanket on, he stayed on that side of the bed and fell back to sleep. When he awoke again he asked if he could go play computer and I told him he could. He has some sort of train simulator computer game and he loves it.

Erika came and crawled in with me about 7:30. We snuggled for a few minutes and she was so excited about the tooth fairy coming last night. She wanted breakfast so I got up and made something for both kids. I checked email and went back to bed. Kyle stayed on the computer and Erika watched TV with all of her stuffed animals.

I got up about 9 and started cleaning the downstairs level. I changed the kids’ beds and vacuumed and cleaned the bathroom. I figured I might as well do a good cleaning of DH’s office. I moved all of the office furniture
and did a thorough cleaning.

I took my shower and made an early lunch for the kids. They got playing with building blocks, lincoln logs and the Jenga pieces - and they built a city for their matchbox cars. They played quite awhile with that and then I made them get dressed and clean up. It was the middle of the afternoon by now.

We went to the florist first. I started this tradition when the kids started school. They get to buy their teacher a flower in a vase and take it to her. We were on our way up to school. Kyle picked a red rose with baby’s breath and Erika picked a yellow rose with baby’s breath. They were so excited. We went to school - I carried all of their school supplies and they carried their flowers. We went to Kyle’s teacher first. We spent about 35 minutes with her. I took a weighted blanket for him to help calm him if he is having a stressful day. I took a change of clothes and left it in his locker, just in case. And I put all of his school supplies and his glasses in his desk. He just wanted to play with the legos and dust the room.

We went down to Erika’s classroom and she gave her teacher the flower. She was excited to find her desk, put her school supplies away and see who is sitting by her. We went in the hall and found her locker and she visited with the teacher a few minutes and checked out the room. We were only in there for 15 minutes.

I got gas and stopped at the dollar store so they could spend Erika’s tooth fairy money. They each had $3 because she split her money with him. (She didn’t spend her money for the last 2 teeth.) She bought a doll & pony set for $3 and he bought a $5 dump truck. Okay, Mom chipped in. We came home and they played with their new toys.

DH had gone grocery shopping for me today as he was going to be right near the store with time to kill between appointments. When he got home we all went out to help unload the truck. There’s a few things he couldn’t find in the store, but overall I was pleased with how well he did. We got everything put away and had supper.

When I got the kitchen cleaned up I sewed 3 pair of pants for Erika. Only a bazillion to go. DH and I are watching the Brewers and waiting to go down for a hot tub.

I woke up this morning when Kyle crawled in between Dad and I.  I must have dozed off again and when I woke up I could hear Erika talking.  I looked around the room and didn’t see her so I thought I must have been dreaming.  I closed my eyes again and heard Erika’s voice again.  She was in bed with us too, on the other side of Dad.  I got up and got the kids breakfast, put on a show and checked email.  I went back to bed.  I have no idea when DH got out of bed but I woke up at 10:30.  I got up and took my shower and had breakfast.  The kids were playing a new computer game - and actually playing nice together and sharing.  DH was watching TV.  I got on the computer a bit and watched some TV. 

I made lunch and got ready for work early.  DH and I watched another show and I kissed the kids good-bye.  I ran to the library to drop off books and to Subway for a sandwich for supper. 

When I got to work it was hectic.  The hotel was full last night so the laundry is stacked to the ceiling.  Plus the inspector is coming later this week so there is extra pressure to get everything done.  All of the housekeeping staff and the managers were still there when I got there at 3 - very unusual.  They all left about 4:30 and I was left with this mound of laundry.

DH brought the kids in to swim, which was nice.  They went for ice cream afterward and brought me a shake back.  I worked on laundry steady - and had my Subway sandwich at 6:30.  It wasn’t too long after that I began to have stomach cramps and was feeling sick.  I vomited first - and then came the diarrhea.  Here I am at work - supposed to be manning the front desk, answering the phone, etc., and I’m sitting on the toilet - sick.  I kept trying to do laundry and run back and forth to the bathroom hoping it would pass.  Finally, I called the gal that comes in at 11:00 and asked if she would come in early and she said yes.  She couldn’t get there fast enough for me - but in reality it only took her about 15 minutes.  I punched out early and came home.  After a spell in the bathroom I took a shower. 

I realized I had brought my work keys home with me.  Crap.  DH had to run the keys back to my work or the gal working couldn’t even get in the desk. 

I still feel sick.  I am going to bed.

Donna was here at 8 and worked with Kyle until 1:00.  It started out a little rough - he wouldn’t answer the door when she knocked , but he did okay after they got started.

DH came home a little early so he ran an errand and picked up his lawnmower part.  He came home and got that fixed.

The contractor we are dealing with on our new house - should we sell this one - called and wanted to stop and see us.  We made an appointment for 5 and he stopped at the house.  He wanted to tell us that the moduclar home we have chosen is being discontinued.  Oh, crap!  I have had that house in my mind now for 6 months - I love that house!  He dropped off a few modular home books and we need to pick another one.  The only other option is to order the modular house now - which of course we are in no position to do.  I am so disappointed.  After he left I sat with the books and poured over them.  I have found I few that I maybe could re-do for my liking, but I just have the old layout in mind.  None of the new floor plans have everything the other one did.  I stayed up late trying to rearrange rooms on some of these plans, but I’m not sure if I can do it.  I really need rice paper and graph paper to really draw them well.  I haven’t used it since highschool.  Do they even make it anymore?

Kyle was up first as usual.  I got up and got him breakfast and put on the Cars movie.  I went back to bed.  DH got up with them about 9 and I slept until 10.  We lounged around for a few hours watching TV.  We decided to go to town for lunch and swimming at the hotel. 

We got ready for swimming, but went to the drive in first.  The kids all ordered popcorn chicken and ate well.  We went to the hotel and went swimming for a few hours and the kids had a blast.  Kyle wore his floaty suit but the girls wanted to wear their regular suits.  Vanessa and Erika were doing quite well swimming and showing off.  Alex played basketball at the pool and Kyle was swimming all over the place. 

After swimming we stopped for an ice cream cone and came home.  DH took the kids down to the lake and they fished.  Erika and Vanessa played on the playgroud swings and Kyle and Alex fished.  I wasn’t feeling so well so I rested on the couch.

DH came in and made supper - roast beef that I had in the oven and potatos and gravy.  The kids argued over green beans and corn so he made both.  I went to bed early.  DH took care of all the kids and put them to bed. 

Sara had a late day at work and got here really late - 11:30 p.m.  I got up and visited with her and DH for an hour or so and I went back to bed.  I think I’m sick.

When Kyle crawled in with us this morning I told him he had therapy with Donna today and he asked if he could watch a cartoon.  He watched 2 and then I got up and went down to get Erika.  She was still adamant that she did not want to go to Park & Rec today and I crawled in bed and snuggled her and we talked about it.  Basically she was nervous and scared she wouldn’t know anybody.  I told her we had to go down to Park & Rec and tell the Leader, Anna, that she had decided not to come.  I helped the kids get ready and gave them breakfast and went to get ready myself. 

We left the house about 7:40.  We got to Park & Rec and spoke to Anna.  Erika insisted she wasn’t coming to Park & Rec and started to tear up.  This is the same thing Erika did last year and she loved Park & Rec after the first 1/2 hour.  Anna told the kids they could go jump in the Bounce House so we headed over to do that.  They played in there awhile and then started to play on the playground equipment.  They were beginning to see some their friends arrive.  It was time for me to leave to get Kyle home for therapy.  My friend, Sally, was there with her kids as well as the Leader that Erika had last year - Stephanie.  They both tried talking Erika into staying.  FInally they told me to just leave and they would deal with Erika’s tantrum.  Kyle and I started walking to the car and Erika was crying and trying to run after me.  They were holding her back until I drove away.   I was almost crying myself.  I felt like the worst puke parent out there.  I called DH and told him how upset Erika was.  He assured me she would be fine in 10 minutes and I knew he was right, but it was hard.

When we got home, Donna was at the house to start therapy.  Kyle had a very rough day with her.  I put him in 2 time outs myself during therapy.  His behavior was not good.  He was upset because he wanted to stay at Park & Rec and couldn’t.  Donna decided to call it a day an hour early.  I fed Kyle lunch and then we went down to the beach where the Park & Rec kids were for the afternoon. 

I waited for Erika to get off the bus and she hugged me.  I asked if she was mad at me and she said no.  I asked if he was having fun and she said yes.  I helped her and Kyle get into their swimsuits and we joined all the other kids on the beach for the afternoon.  It was a hot day.  Erika played with various water toys and had a great afternoon.  Kyle pretty much played alone.  Erika tried to play with him and another little boy tried to play with him but he wouldn’t.  He never got more than his toes wet so I don’t think he liked the beach much.  He has always gone swimming in a pool so maybe that was part of it.  And maybe he was just in an “off” mood today.  He just wanted to play alone.  After their afternoon snack, I brought them home.

On the way home we stopped at our old neighbors house for about a half hour visit.  They asked all about our vacation and how the kids did.  The kids were anxious to get home so we didn’t stay long.  She and I made plans to go to lunch tomorrow so I’ll be able to visit with her more then.

We came home and I bathed the kids and washed up their clothes swimsuits and towels.  Dad came home from work and we had supper together and they watched a couple of movies.  Dad took them down and read their story tonight.

On a side note, the doctor called today and the kids are not anemic.  Yay!  I was already worried about having to give them crappy medicine and all that.  Now I don’t have to worry about it anymore. 

DH worked from home today so he got up with the kids.  I slept until 9:00 - so nice.  We have a lot to do today.  We’re packing for our trip and cleaning the house so it’s in “show” condition….just in case the realtor shows it while we are gone.  I changed all the beds, vacuumed, scrubbed floors, dusted, ran the dishwasher, did laundry, took out the garbage, cleaned bathrooms, and put everything away.

DHgot the yard work done so that looks good.  The kids played outside and rode their bikes while he was doing that.  We showered up both kids, did toenails and fingernails, etc.

DH took Kyle to town with him while he got his hair cut.  When they got home we went out for Kyle’s birthday dinner.  In DH’s family - when he was a kid - you got to pick where the family went for your birthday dinner.  With us leaving on vacation tomorrow, Kyle would not get to go to his favorite place.  So - we just told him his birthday was today.  We celebrated the day as if this was it….and everyone cooperated by making sure his birthday cards were here by today.  After Dad’s haircut we went to his favorite place for  dinner… an old fashioned drive in with a gameroom.  The kids both had chicken-o’s, deep fried cheese curds and ice cream.  The played some of the games in the gameroom and the owner gave them some lollipops since it was Kyle’s birthday.

On the way home we stopped at my favorite watering hole and I had a Bloody Mary.  I was so full from supper, I only had one, but it was nice to visit with the owner and his Mom.

Once home the kids played on the computer and DH and I got last minute things done - I unloaded the dishwasher, folded the last load of laundry, got the cat set up with food, water, a clean box, organized my fanny pack so I don’t have to carry my big purse, and did my nails.

The kids are excited about the trip.  The forecast for Chicago is for rain the whole time we are gone, so I hope that doesn’t happen. 

One thing is for sure, it will be nice coming home on Sunday and knowing the house is clean.  I always clean the house before we go away for a day or two - so I can come home to a clean house.  But this was a little different since it had to be “extra clean” in case the realtor comes in.  That will be a good feeling…

I’m ashamed to admit how lazy our day was.  The kids were in their pajamas all day.  I took my shower at noon, but put on clean pajamas.  The kids played indoors all day - board games, card games, computer games, watched a little TV. 

We did all go down for a hot tub after supper, but other than that we did nothing today. 

Sometimes you need a lazy day, right?

Back to the routine of therapy in the morning. 

Today Kyle came in at 6:30 and I got up and got him breakfast and put on a cartoon. I tried to go back to bed until 8:00 but my mind was going a mile a minute.  I got up and snuggled with Kyle under a blanket on the couch.  When Erika got up I made her breakfast and checked email.  I got in the shower and when I got out I helped Erika get ready.  We wet her hair and I braided it and helped her get her dress on.  Then I helped Kyle get dressed.  DH got in the shower and I went to get myself ready.  When DH was ready he made each kid a plate of bacon and they ate that before we left.  I packed snacks for the kids to eat at Grandma’s.  Hopefully, they’ll be fine until supper.

We got ready and went to my Mother’s at noon but she was already gone to the funeral home.  My sister was there, and my nephew was going to babysit my kids, so we all went to the funeral home, too.  There weren’t a lot of people there when we got there.  I always enjoy seeing people I don’t get to see very often - although I hate the circumstances that brought us all together.  I visited with aunts and uncles, and lots and lots of cousins and extended family. 

I finally went up to the casket…it didn’t look at all like my aunt Kay to me, but I hadn’t seen Kay during the last few months as her health deteriorated.  I guess I prefer to try to remember her as the smiling, happy lady in the pictures.  The lady with the same sense of humor and outspoken attitude as my Mother.  I spoke to her husband, my uncle, and all of her kids and offered my condolences.  They all seemed to be doing pretty well, I thought.  They did tell me what a wonderful support my Mother has been to them.  I’m not surprised, but it’s still nice to hear.

The funeral was pretty packed and it was nice.  There were moments of laughter and moments of tears - all remembering this wonderful woman who lost a child in an automobile accident when he was 11, raised one disabled child, a couple of rebellious step-children and a few rambunctious kids of her own.  She was a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, Mom and Grandma.  There was a great celebration of her life today and she will be sorely missed.

Following the funeral we went back to my Mother’s and picked up the kids and went to the dinner.  Erika got an early birthday present from her Godfather and part of it was a Disney princesses puzzle so she brought that in and worked on it at one of the back tables.  We all worked on it.  We ate lunch, visited with relatives and got ready to go about 5:30. 

We got home about 6:30 and the kids got ready for bed.  One of Erika’s other presents was the board game “Sorry” and she wanted to play that.  I read the directions and then we all sat around the kitchen table and played.  Long game - really too long to hold their attention.  Kyle finally won - with a little help from Mom & Dad.  He got to pick the last show before bed and then I took them down to bed. 

DH and I watched a little TV and it’s raining again.  We’ve had a lot of rain in the last week.  I’m so glad this last week is over - it’s been hard on everybody.  I know Kay’s family now has to try to forge a new normal and go on without her.  I pray for them as I know it will be so hard. 

This morning was no different than any other.  Kyle was up first at 5:30.  He came and crawled in bed by us for a minute.  I sent him potty and told him he could watch a cartoon.  He left for a moment and came back that he couldn’t find the cartoon he wanted so I got up to help him.  I offered him breakfast but he just wanted a drink of apple juice.  I went back to bed and a few minutes later he was back in the bedroom.  He wanted to play on the computer and needed Dad’s help.  Dad got up and got him situated on the computer and came back to bed.  About 7:30 Erika came and snuggled by me.  She talked with me and hugged and cuddled and tickled….just a precious 10 minutes.  She was hungry so I got up and made her breakfast and offered Kyle breakfast again.  He took me up on a peanut butter sandwich so I made that.  I checked email and news highlights and went back to bed.  Around 9 or so DH got up and let me sleep a little longer. 

Erika came in at 10 and wanted to know if I would get up now so they could go outside and ride their bikes.  DH went out to cut the grass and I got clothes out for the kids so they could get dressed.  I got in the shower and then we all went out to ride bikes.  When DH got done with the yardwork he wanted to run to the dump so I gathered everything together that had to go.  We all rode along to the dump, then ran for an ice cream cone and picked up a newspaper so I could have a copy of my aunts obituary.

When we got home DH suggested we go back to town with the bikes so the kids could ride in the parking lot.  I switched them into long pants and sleeves and we packed a cooler and went back.  The kids rode bikes for about an hour and DH and sat on lawchairs and watched.  We thought Erika might be ready to try riding without training wheels, but she didn’t want any part of it so we didn’t push it. 

When we got home we played games with the kids and made supper.  Then I gave Erika a shower and Dad gave Kyle one.  I did everybody’s toenails and fingernails and ears, etc.  I ironed Kyle’s dress pants and shirt for tomorrow and Erika picked out a dress.  She chose nail polish and I did her fingernails and toenails.  She thinks she is so grown up with that on.  DH and I watched a little TV and then we had unexpected company.  My former sister-in-law stopped to visit and offer her condolences.  Since she arrived at about bedtime, DH took the kids down while she and I were visiting.  She stayed for about 2 hours and then left close to 10.

I still had to make a pan of bars for the luncheon tomorrow so I did that right away.  Now I am going to polish my own nails and get ready for bed.  Tomorrow will be a hard day with the funeral and all.