12ish hours to go!

The last couple days were better than the previous ones.  Tuesday we went to an open house playdate at a friend’s house and the kids showed just how starved they were for interaction with peers and with different toys.  I broke my sickness semi-fast with pepperoni pizza – not the best idea straight out the gates but I couldn’t resist.  I absolutely loved sitting in a comfy patio chair under the warm (but not hot) sun, talking and laughing with friends while watching Kenzi splash in the pool and Kevey scoop wood chips with a toy tractor.  That night we went to the softball game.  A few people were surprised to see us there since Bern wasn’t playing – I guess they didn’t realize that I go to the games to see my friends almost more than I go to see Bern.  I may be a textbook introvert but I was sorely in need of that time out and about.

Wednesday we went to the beach with two of the pastors’ wives and a couple other ladies.  I was the only one with little bitty ones, and it was an interesting glimpse into the green grass on the other side.  The other ladies went for a long relaxing walk along the water.  While they were gone the kids and I got out our pails, shovels, toy trucks, bananas, and fruit snacks.  After they returned, they got out their beach chairs, their history novels, their sketchbooks, their high-powered cameras, their salads and grilled chicken and homemade guacamole.   It’s like some weird parallel universe where going to the beach is play, not work.  Don’t get me wrong, despite my jealousy I had a fabulous time.  It was fun talking with some of the women that I don’t usually spend much time with, and the kids really did entertain themselves well, digging in the sand and exploring.  I won’t go into the major meltdown that occurred when it was time to leave and we couldn’t find one of the trucks…

Today we went to the park and Mcdonald’s with the Carbos.  I love seeing how the four stinkers make each other laugh and egg each other on (usually in a good way).  If those Carbos end up moving, so help me I will buy a private plane so our little monkeys can stay supertight as they grow up.  When we got home I decided to let the kids skip nap and play in the pool while I met with one of the college girls.  It’s worked before but today it was a complete failure – they’re so sick of each other and I’m not sure why I thought the little mortal enemies would get along better in the water than they do on dry ground.  Though I was contemplating telling my guest, “Surprise!  You’re not here for discipleship – you’re actually here to babysit!  I’ll be back in the morning; help yourself to anything in my empty fridge,” I decided to put on a video for the kids in the hopes of getting a half hour of meaningful conversation.  To my happy surprise, the kids giggled and chatted through the video, then turned it off and played nicely together for another hour.  But I’ve still learned my lesson about having meetings with kids.

Tomorrow we have our neighborhood playdate at the park and by the time that’s done, Bern should be ready for us to come pick him up from church.  I know he has stuff to prepare for Sunday so I’ll try not to just run out on him the second he steps on our property.  I’ll save my escape for Saturday afternoon when Nana gets here.  Can’t wait!