Friday

FRI

My glorious Friday morning started with a wake up call from Hansome at 2:00 am......Who cares what time zone it was! What a way to start the day. He refused to return to the pack-n-play so I took him into bed with Sweet Pea and myself. Between the two of them, making sure niether would fall off and getting arms, heads and feet in all parts of my body.....I got little sleep.

The bonus of the morning was, they slept til 8:30 am.....but not me, I was laying there, staring at the ceiling from about 6:00 am. So, how does one keep their children quiet and occupied in a hotel room......TV of course! We threw on the TV and sound-blasted Daddy......couldn't say I was saddened by that......::evil grin:: No worries as Daddy fell right back a sleep! Not finding much on TV, I gave the kids a bath and then down to breakfast with Nana and Papa and Daddy. I was definitely hungry, but not hungry for the breakfast to last 2+ hours......YOU TRY AND ENTERTAIN TWO KIDS FOR THAT LONG!!!!!

By this time Handsome was ready for a nap......this is one of the things I dreaded......Husband said he'd stay with him and Sweet Pea and I left for a while, leaving a screaming baby as we closed the door. I was told he screamed for about 10 minutes, both Daddy and baby got a little rest. Sweet Pea and I walked around, got some pictures and spent some time at Nana and Papa's.





With the rest over, we needed to go to a store and get a few things, so we went shopping...we didn't get as far as the place my brother gave me directions, but we got what we needed.....Only to lose a piece of a toy of Sweet Peas.....OMG!!!! She was so tired at this point, nothing would make her happy......She has this little Aerial doll with a teeny, tiny shell bra....she lost the bra. I gave a minimal effort of scanning the parking lot, but that was it. I could've been ANYWHERE in that store. In her fit, Husband said that when they find it, they'll send it back to her. "how will they find it?" "How will they know where we live Daddy?" "I left them our address" . Yep, you got it, now he's got her mind set on receiving this thing, which the questions about it didn't stop until we got home and had to purchase another $11 duplicate toy, just for that dang bra!!!!!! What was sweet, and what he gets extra credit points for, is that Husband did write her a letter from her 'friends in Seattle', about how they found the bra, and please take care of your toys so you won't lose them and be sad. It was very sweet.


We had to be back at the hotel by 3:00 pm for the rehearsal for the weadding. The bride was delayed due to some law enforcement stopping her and congratulating her on her upcoming wedding. Although we waited, we zipped through the ceremony, although looking back, I'd have asked a few questions regarding a few things, but with me with Sweet Pea wandering and Husband with Handsome (who couldn't keep his eyes and body away from the lake front), there wasn't any time. I I knew is that people were going to start to get ready at 12:00, briday party pictures at 5:00 Pm....family at 6:00 pm....I can't even remember now......

(Did I mention that awesome Nana HAND MADE the flower girl baskets?!?!?!? Isn't she AWESOME?!?!?)

Reservations for dinner were across the street, I think at 4:30 pm, thank goodness Sister-In-Law had purchased some activity books for the kids, as, get this, dinner lasted 3.5 hours.........If this were a girls night out it'd be a different story, but trying to keep 5 kids entertained for that long was torture! The party pretty much had our own room, which was good to let the kids get down, but of course someone got her, which was Sweet Pea, when she smacked her head into the corner of a wooden table. She displayed a loevely red bump on her forehead, between her eyes, which luckily went away before the wedding.


After a short stroll along the lake front, it was time to go to bed! I think we watched Cinderella, but of course, at this time I passed out....It was about 10 pm.....

Reality Check

Quick update regarding work......I'm so sad the my pseudo"girlfriend", Alex, at work, is leaving. It's kind of like your younger brother leaving home. I trained him to perform part of the work we do when I was pregnant with Sweet Pea. He was one of the three worker bees in the department. He's the guy I can look to and have a mutual humorous understanding, biatch or whine. Now our department consists of one other full-time co-worker, two mid level bosses and one department head. The good news is that I get along with pretty much all of them. The sad news is, I don't have anyone to BS with. The good news is, that he's leaving for something he'd started pursuing 4 years ago, to be a fire fighter. I'll miss him a lot......sniffle.....weep.....SOOOOBBBBB!


I know, you're already asking, where's the biatch part about the wedding? Well, I thought it deserved it's beautiful description before I got into the details of our 'hardest vacation ever"!! ::wink:: Let me first say this, Handsome is still on a two - nap - a day schedule, Sweet Pea needs a nap on most days. They both wake up so early that they need them. I have to say, I wrote all this down in long hand and I felt better after it was all out, so hopefully, I can look back at this trip a little 'rosier'.


WED

The WED. before the trip was a late night, the kids were bathed, the bags packed, my bags packed......I fell into bed at 1:00 am. Not the greatest start, and I still had some work to do. I had done the on-line (24 hour ahead) pre-boarding passes and thought I was doing great with A51, A52 and A53.


THURS

We woke a little later than normal time, somewhere around 7:30 am, I showered, fed and dressed the kids and as I packed my last few items......Husband strolled out of bed......Nana called twice during the morning and I called her back once. Which, is awesome.......for us!


We arrived at the airport Park and Ride at 10:30 am (I would recommend this to anyone). They picked us right up and right away, Sweet Pea had to know his name (I don't recall his name, but know he was wearing a red shirt). When we arrived at the airport we still had to wait in line and check baggage and to re-do my boarding pass, as we had to prove Handsome was less than 2 years old. There turned out to be a 35 minute wait due to the plane being delayed, which actually gave us some time time sit back and relax. We grabbed a good 'ol Happy Meal for Sweet Pea to enjoy before the flight.


Just as we finished the meal, and some really horribly salty popcorn, we started to board. Although we were in Group A we boarded after many people(eye roll), you'd think they would have kids and families board first (I was told many other airlines do that, but for some reason, not Southwest). We boarded the plane and all 4 of us took up a row with Nana and Papa and an empty seat behind us. Handsome was terrified during take-off and was in Daddy's arms, whom, I really didn't see do anything to help sooth my baby. Handsome does not like when his stomach drops, which is probably why he hates elevators. I take Handsome half way along the 'climb' and sing the familiar Ariel song, during which he seems much more relaxed.


During the flight, we watched The Little Mermaid and some Dora. Sweet Pea popped back to Nana and Papa and colored in her new Princess coloring book. Handsome fell asleep just before landing.......more tummy drops and white-knuckling for my baby boy.


The luggage retrieval and car rental went pretty fast. Fast enough to arrive in rush hour. It wasn't terrible and the scenery was beautiful. The hotel was upscale and on a lake outside Seattle, Washington. Our room, well, our room did have a sliding glass door that opened, however there was no balcony. Our view was the busy intersection of the small, I guess you'd say, plaza, where many wedding occurred over a short period of time. So that meant a lot of traffic was coming and going past our window.........The decor was serene, the beds were lush and the bathroom was one that I want for my own! They had a pack-and play set up for Handsome and it had it's own sheet, blanket, and little towel with a miniature J&J lotion and head and body wash. After we got settled and unpacked DH accidentally ordered a "Dora" on demand......25 minutes and $2.99 later, we found the PBS channel. Grrrrr!

We called Nana and Papa who gave us Uncle D's number who I called to remind him to bring out the box of stuff I had mailed a week earlier. We ate dinner at the restaurant connected to the hotel. Great food, but dinner went too long....Little did I know that that would be a little forewarning to many of the meals we had that weekend. So a tired Mommy and Daddy and kids retired to the bedroom, later it would feel like our 'cell', where the kids stayed up until 10 pm Seattle time, midnight Chicago time. Uncle D had forgotten the box and made a round trip for us so we were ready to hit the ground running in the morning!

The Event

Wow! What an event it was!

The day started off with a beautiful clear-blue sky, a forecast for the rest of the day indeed! 7:00 pm rolled around and there we were, ready for the big event. The setting for the ceremony was a tent on the grounds of an up-scale hotel near Seattle, Washington. The chairs aligning the aisle each had an organza bow tied on the back. Several podium flower stands mirrored each other along the aisle (I think about 5 on each side), each bursting with white roses, pale pink roses, pink roses and orchids. The runner was set down the aisle and was bordered by sprinkled pink, light pink and white rose petals. Two large arrangements were situated at the 'front' location of the tent, the back drop of which was the Lake.

The groomsmen were waiting, my other two brothers (Groom's Twin D and Oldest Brother D) and Papa. The bridesmaids were beautiful and glided down the aisle in pink dresses somewhat lineny/shiny. If I could describe it better I would, but the dresses were A-line, knee length, tank style with a 'V' neckline and a bow tied in the back. Simple and beautiful.

I stood by the flower girls (3.5 years old and 4.5 years old) to assist in getting them down the aisle right before the Bride. I distinctly heard an 'AWWWWW!!!!' coming from the spectators as the flower girls stood ready for their debut. Slowly, they both walked down the aisle, not really together, but it was still awful cute in their white shoes, lacey socks, white dresses and rose wreaths neatly pinned a top of their heads. I was told Sweet Pea had a huge smile on her face after the "aww" I was also told that by the time she had about 3 handfuls left to throw, she was placing them decisively.

The Bride, what can I say about the Bride. The Bride was just beautiful! The dress was fantastic her makeup and hair were impeccable. The dress was somewhat of a spaghetti strap mermaid style with an organza overlay that was beautifully sequined and beaded. The back of the dress had an opening in which four or five strands of beading delicately hung across her back. The Bride was escorted down the aisle by her mother. It really was pretty sweet.

Mom handed the Bride over to the Groom, who himself was devilishly handsome along with his groomsmen......o'kay, so I'm a little bias......::smirk:: The suits were a dark grey with an ever-so slight light pinstripe. The groomsmen wore pink vests to match the ladies.

The ceremony started and other than Sweet Pea being excused from standing with the bridesmaids throughout the ceremony, and Handsome refusing to sit still, went off smoothly. The Bride was beautiful and elated, the Groom was beautiful and filled with emotion.

Sweet Pea decided to finish her job and walk back down the aisle with the other flower girl.

After the wedding, while guests mingled on the flower garden lawn, entertained by a magician, the tent was turned for dinner. The flower arrangements were used atop of the tables, at this point I was told the arrangements were to be reminiscent of the Space Needle, and I believed it was true. Guests were then moved to find their assigned seats. A main table held cards for families, couples and guests and their dates. The tables were not numbered, but each had it's own animated movie. Ours was "The Little Mermaid", each place setting had name cards with a character indicating food preference, I had selected fish, so mine was Nemo, Husband had selected the beef and had some cow character, Sweet Pea had a chicken dish and, I don't recall the name, but it was the Looney Toons chicken/rooster. Dinner was fabulous, a salad before the main course, and was followed by a lovely sundae desert.

The guests and Bride and Groom mingled for a while and it was announced that the Bride had a special surprise for the Groom. Guests were encouraged to walk out the the lakefront, where a barge was passing and as music played .....a two-song fire works display entertained EVERYONE, everyone in the wedding, hotel and Lake!!!!! (Wonderful comments were heard from guests and employees at the hotel regarding the fireworks). It was totally cool and over the top!!!!!!

More you say?!?!?! Guests were then urged to return into the hotel ball room for sweets (chocolate fountain and all), cake cutting and dancing. Four speeches were given, each one awesome!!! Although, Papas was a little short as he cut himself off before he got too choked up! Way to go PaPa! Dancing was a total blast!!!! The Bride and Groom had taken lessons and danced wonderfully to a great tune that I will ask the name of! I don't recall the order, but there was a Mother and Son dance, a Bride's family dance and then everybody danced! (Two weekends of dancing for me!!!! Holy Cow!!!!) The night ended with remaining guests (and there were many!!!) returning to the Lake where a large pier was located. A tunnel of sorts was formed, which was filled with bubbles, where the Bride and Groom continued their marital walk onto a refurbished wooden boat for a tour around the Lake!!!!

Now, I ask you.....TOP THAT!!!!

Dutiful Wife

Last night, I was the dutiful wife. Alright, is your mind out of the gutter now?!?! Husband is the President of the custodial group at his school district and their contracts were renewed this year. He gets no advantages or privileges for this, other than knowing whats going on and doing what'd best, for what he hopes is everyone........So, what that means is, he's been stressed about this for the past 3 months. My wonderful neighbor helped him out while I was away a couple months ago and I've done the last couple type-ups for proposed changes to the contract. I did get a thank-you last night so that was nice.

After 45 minutes of typing for him, I ran through my typical sites and hit the hay at 11:00 pm to be woken up at 12:30 am and 2:30 am by Handsome....I had to come back into work today, as we're leaving in 2 days!!!! ACK!!!!!!

Did I mention that when we went out on Friday to the reception Husband gave me a nice, sweet compliment. Do men have no idea what it means to hear something beautiful and sincere come out of their mouths?!?!!??!? I mean seriously, I can't tell you the last time he said something like that to me without me telling him to do so. Boys are stupid...... The amount of ego stroking we women do is off the charts compared to what we receive in return!!!! It's a good thing I love him! Of all things he makes me laugh......it's good to laugh.

It's good to laugh and get compliments!

I can't imagine I'll receive many happy comments from Mr. Delightful this coming weekend, but I'm hopeful I'll hear a few. There's always hope!

I've got pictures coming, but I only just downloaded them this morning. Bear with me!

Busy, Busy Weekend

Well, it's been a busy few days and I'm starting to get a little stressed about the trip. I know this because when I wake up in the morning my teeth are sore from the grinding that I've been doing all night. No, not 'bump & grinding' ::wink::, just teeth grinding.

I think it's trying to get it all done and together.....I've still got to make reservations at the airport parking place, go shopping for a comforter (Husband doesn't want our house-sitter to be without a comforter). We don't have one, I really don't see why THEY need one! I think husband thinks its a bit 'red-neck', which wasn't his view when we went to the zoo this weekend and he wore the WORST jeans shorts possible!!!!!! Thank God they weren't cut offs, but they were extremely frayed and his zipper kept falling down (which co-workers pointed out to me.......great) Besides, the house sitter can use Sweet Pea's bed! I'll even remove the Dora sheets and replace them with normal ones! I also have to get shower curtain liners and new pillows......you'd think we were purchasing a new home!?!?!? Oh, speaking of money, I'm over drawn on my checking........we'll be broke after the wedding, but spending will at least be done.....

Friday we went to a wedding. Sweet Pea and I went to the ceremony while Husband was at work and Handsome was taking an afternoon nap, being 'watched' by his favorite cousin....He's so enamored by her!!!!! Although I'm not sure if it's him to her or her to him! = ) The wedding was beautiful and the bride's grandfather, a deacon, performed the ceremony. Very teary! = *)

Sweet Pea and I talked about the pretty dresses (the princess bride and her beautiful white gown and the bridesmaids and their hot pink gowns). I asked her who she wanted to marry and she told me "I want to marry Daddy!". I asked her if she was sure and she very diligently told me that, yes, indeed she'll be marrying Daddy. We got home from the ceremony and I ran upstairs to get ready for the reception. Sweet Pea was over joyed to play with her favorite cousin all by herself as Handsome was still sleeping! Husband and I got ready (both of us looking fantastic I might add!!!) and we were off! Beautiful country club house reception, where my brother had his reception 10 years ago! I knew t was time for me to have fun, as the wedding next week I'd have to be more reserved......they didn't know me here.....most of the people anyhow. I danced a lot!!!!! All men over 50 were happy to dance with me! ::wink:: Such a 'hottie' I am!!! Ha! I'll post pictures later.....if and when I have some time! I'm shocked I'm writing this!

Sat. is sort of a blur. I had plans, but no idea why I got sort of nothing done........oh wait....I was super tired from the night before and all I wanted to do is lay down, but mustered myself up around 11:00 am.....up from the couch, as my children decided this was a great day to get up EARLIER than normal! Aauuugghhhhh! The shower revived me and I managed to do something before it was off to my Brother's for a BBQ at 4:00 pm. No major events occurred at his house which was GREAT! We left his residence without bumps, scratches, bruises or mosquito bites!

Sunday was a work gathering at Brookfield Zoo. That was pretty awesome, although I'm a zoo member, the company paid for free parking, admission for the family and a lunch under some brand-new pavilions. It was really nice and had a good time. Sweet Pea and Handsome got a free beanie baby Frog (Ponder) and Sweet Pea got to ride the big carousel! Next visit we'll see the dolphin show and some of the indoor attractions!

My Parents

I thought of my parents when I read this. Nothing sums it up better!

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

A message every adult should read because children
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each
other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should
give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn' t
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and
wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.'

Should've Updated Sooner!!!

Turns out, Mickey did not make it through the evening night before last. After ripping some hair off, he proceeded his way into the family room to be terminated via a quick death trap from DH! Whoop, whoop hooray! I felt a little bad.....but to know that thing isn't pooping or peeing on my carpet is good enough for me! We will set out the traps one more night or two to catch any others......

Ummmm, one is NOTHING COMPARED TO THE 36, YES 36, that were in my folks' crawl space. I'm sure they were in more than just the crawl space, but I choose not to think about it!!!!

Hey, did I mention that I had a fantastic time at Girls Night Out? We played this game that was like password and mine was 'Betty Davis Eyes'. All I could think of was somewhat slurring the words, and later it came to me that I was remembering Eddie Murphy from SNL.......

http://www.broadcaster.com/clip/9247

Handsome weighed in at a glorious >0% weight check, 11% height and 25% head circumference.....

Poor little petite man!

Guest Update

Well, Mickey paid a visit last night and lost some hair.......I felt bad, but at least he didn't die of suffocation on a sticky trap. If only he'd have learned to never come back........I think I'd feel better if it was just the evil quick death trap.........either way, don't want 'em in my house!!!!!! I think it'll be tougher to get him now! Grrrrr!

Going in for Handsome's 15-month check-up. He only HAS a 15 month check-up because he's underweight (just as his sister was). I'll update after the appointment. I do think he's going to follow afterme though. Short legs and long torso......

More rain tonight.....I'm ready Mickey! So watch out!