We had a busy, busy weekend! On Saturday we decided to take the kids to the state fair. Mind you, we're not crowd people so we didn't think we'd last all but a couple hours. We're also not very patient, especially when it comes to standing in lines in the heat. Our kids don't wait well either... Anyways, we decided to go early before it got too hot (still in the mid 90's here in sunny AZ).
We had the BEST time and ended up staying from 11:00 - 6:30. Uncle Jim is coming to visit us, I told David I was going to take him with the kids. David said if I did he was going to try to meet up with us. Considering we couldn't get out of Disneyland or Lego Land quick enough because of all the people we figure this is HUGE. I don't think we saw even half of what the fair had to offer!
We got there and watched part of a monkey show then decided to walk around a little bit. We went and checked things out.. the kids did the little 'fishing game', they were both so happy to pick their dollar store quality prizes! They had so much fun that they played again later in the day. After fishing we decided to find the rides. The kids went on a bunch and had a blast! David tried to talk Laynie into going on a roller coaster but she refused (like mother, like daughter). We've come to the conclusion Nick will be his roller coaster buddy. Dominick LOVED the rides -- it was so amazing to watch him. He'd get off each one and RUN to me screaming "FUN FUN FUN". It was the best! Sometimes I treat him and expect him to act like a little baby.
After the rides we headed for the food, which we were surprised wasn't way overpriced. We had beef brisket and the kids had hot dogs for lunch then we all split a heaping mound of french fries and onion rings. YUM! YUM! YUM!
After lunch we headed into the exhibit building to see what was being sold. Laynie, my Food Network junkie and I got looped into sitting and watching a demonstration for Kitchen Craft "Waterless" Cooking system. With promises of the chance to win a free prize we stuck it out for the whole demonstration. The cookware was really nice and probably something I'd have "needed" if we were a two income family. David and Dominick wandered around through the building and found a water hose concept, vegemixer and I don't remember what else. OH.. he had a handwriting analysis done. In a nutshell it said he's a pretty good guy. We already knew that but in the spirit of the fair it was good fun!
After this we headed to the arts/crafts/baking exhibits. I might need to enter next year with some of my homemade jams!! I did say we were into the fair, right?!!! When this became too boring we headed for the 'animal' buildings. Both kids loved the livestock. Nick was especially fond of the cages.. you know anything with horizontal lines is a ladder in his world! After spending time here I decided I want to get the kids involved in 4H. How fun would THAT be for them?? HA HA Did I mention we LOVED the fair??
We finally met up with the cousins about 4:30. We took a small breather then decided to head for the kids areas. We spent the last couple hours in a building for kids.. David had a nice chance to catch up some while I chased our overactive son around. After this Vic & Mar wanted to head for the "Petting Zoo". We saw the crowd and decided it wasn't for us. That and all the germs.... ICK!
We got home about 7:30, had a quick dinner and put the kids to bed (it was a no nap day...). Then David and I had a piece of cheesecake with cherry topping my friend Joanna gave us. It was the PERFECT end to a perfect day!!!
On Sunday we planned to go to the zoo then a minor league hockey game. I fell asleep during the afternoon so David decided to let me sleep. I guess he sees the affects of 4 hours/night coming through and figured it best to let me rest. We headed for the game, thinking we'd be lucky to make it through the first period. We stayed the WHOLE game and ALL had a BLAST!! It was SOOO fun! We had tickets for a game in December but decided to buy for a few more games! Hopefully they'll all go like this. We talked to a guy that's really involved in the Peoria Hockey Club and he said we could start our kids at age 4. David told Laynie she could play and she said "NO THANKS". I could TOTALLY see little Nick all suited up and ready to go. I think hockey might be the ticket for him!!
Now that I'm thinking of all this I realize why I'm so exhausted today! With this time for me to get...
TTFN!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Back into the swing of things
We got back home late Friday night and have been adjusting and trying to get back into the swing of things. I have yet to grocery shop or cook a meal as some of my friends stocked my fridge and brought over a variety of meals. It's been nice, I didn't realize what a difference "meal support" makes. I declined when we had Nick because we had a steady stream of family here to help for the first couple months.
I have about enough energy to do the things I need to get done. The reality of my moms death hits in waves.. one minute I'm fine then the next I feel like my heart is in a giant vice grip. I'm still very thankful she didn't suffer but I sure miss her. I didn't realize how often in the course of the day I think of her... I just took for granted she'd always be there.
We were in the car yesterday and Laynie said "I love you, mommy". Nick followed her with "I love you, Laynie". It was sweet and the first time he's ever said it. He told me today "I love you mommy" and gave me a big kiss. I told him to say "I love you, grandma" and he did. Then I cried. He's a really sweet boy.
I'm trying really hard not to cry in front of the kids... Laynie caught me and told me "just don't think of her and you won't cry anymore". I didn't really know what to say to her as she's at the age where she's going to remember things. I don't want her to remember my mom as the woman that made her mom cry. I asked her what she liked best about Grandma Marilyn this weekend and she said "making eggs with her". That's a nice memory.
I find myself thinking weird things too.... Now that both my parents are gone do I lose my status of daughter?
We got a new camera so I'll post some pictures I took as soon as I download them.
TTFN
I have about enough energy to do the things I need to get done. The reality of my moms death hits in waves.. one minute I'm fine then the next I feel like my heart is in a giant vice grip. I'm still very thankful she didn't suffer but I sure miss her. I didn't realize how often in the course of the day I think of her... I just took for granted she'd always be there.
We were in the car yesterday and Laynie said "I love you, mommy". Nick followed her with "I love you, Laynie". It was sweet and the first time he's ever said it. He told me today "I love you mommy" and gave me a big kiss. I told him to say "I love you, grandma" and he did. Then I cried. He's a really sweet boy.
I'm trying really hard not to cry in front of the kids... Laynie caught me and told me "just don't think of her and you won't cry anymore". I didn't really know what to say to her as she's at the age where she's going to remember things. I don't want her to remember my mom as the woman that made her mom cry. I asked her what she liked best about Grandma Marilyn this weekend and she said "making eggs with her". That's a nice memory.
I find myself thinking weird things too.... Now that both my parents are gone do I lose my status of daughter?
We got a new camera so I'll post some pictures I took as soon as I download them.
TTFN
Sunday, October 05, 2008
MN
The kids and I are still here and all is... Minnesota. My moms memorial service was last Monday. She didn't want anything big so a small graveside service was planned. She didn't want a big visitation or funeral. She's always been horrified that people go through that.. she use to say it just prolongs the pain. The prior priest at our church, Father Reiser, made the trip over to do the service. It was really nice as he knew her and my dad since they joined Epiphany Church in 1964. He's retired now so it was really special, to me, that he took the time to participate. At the end of the service we released balloons. Each balloon represented us kids and grandkids.
Last week went by so quickly. One Tuesday I took David to Fort Snelling Cemetary to where my dad is buried. Laynie was a little confused about what we were doing there. I told her we were going to see where Grandpa Tom is and she said "WAIT, I didn't know heaven is in the ground?!" hmmmm.... I guess we need to talk about that a little more. Her and Dominick pulled grass and made a little 'bird nest' on top of my dads headstone. I try to visit Fort Snelling each time I'm in Minnesota and this was the first time I've felt completely at peace being there... We left the cemetary then went to visit my friend Kelly at her store in the Burnsville mall. Then we went to visit Uncle Bill then Antie Jeanie. It was a long but nice day.
Wednesday we went to the Mall of America with the kids then met my friends at Fudruckers for dinner. Thursday we met Kelly's mom and sisters at McDonalds for coffee and let the kids play. Then we headed to Como Zoo for the afternoon. Kelly's sister came along then my sisters & niece met us. It was fun. David headed back home on Friday morning so the kids and I went and met Tricia for lunch then went and took naps and took it easy for the evening.
Nick was up most of the night Friday/Saturday coughing so I took him to urgent care. He has a respiratory infection... I guess a trip wouldn't be complete without him getting sick! Today we went to baby Isabella's shower. She's a doll baby. My mom and I talked about getting a gift together so I went ahead and got her what we talked about. I also told Cindy I'm going to get something else that I know my mom would have bought her.... Now I just need to follow through!
I'm hoping to get the kiddos to an apple orchard and a pumpkin patch while we're here. The weather isn't suppose to be ideal though so we'll just take it as it comes. I was looking forward to the cooler weather but now I'm looking forward to getting back to the heat... I'm just not a winter person.. or a fall person.. or a spring person...
Last week went by so quickly. One Tuesday I took David to Fort Snelling Cemetary to where my dad is buried. Laynie was a little confused about what we were doing there. I told her we were going to see where Grandpa Tom is and she said "WAIT, I didn't know heaven is in the ground?!" hmmmm.... I guess we need to talk about that a little more. Her and Dominick pulled grass and made a little 'bird nest' on top of my dads headstone. I try to visit Fort Snelling each time I'm in Minnesota and this was the first time I've felt completely at peace being there... We left the cemetary then went to visit my friend Kelly at her store in the Burnsville mall. Then we went to visit Uncle Bill then Antie Jeanie. It was a long but nice day.
Wednesday we went to the Mall of America with the kids then met my friends at Fudruckers for dinner. Thursday we met Kelly's mom and sisters at McDonalds for coffee and let the kids play. Then we headed to Como Zoo for the afternoon. Kelly's sister came along then my sisters & niece met us. It was fun. David headed back home on Friday morning so the kids and I went and met Tricia for lunch then went and took naps and took it easy for the evening.
Nick was up most of the night Friday/Saturday coughing so I took him to urgent care. He has a respiratory infection... I guess a trip wouldn't be complete without him getting sick! Today we went to baby Isabella's shower. She's a doll baby. My mom and I talked about getting a gift together so I went ahead and got her what we talked about. I also told Cindy I'm going to get something else that I know my mom would have bought her.... Now I just need to follow through!
I'm hoping to get the kiddos to an apple orchard and a pumpkin patch while we're here. The weather isn't suppose to be ideal though so we'll just take it as it comes. I was looking forward to the cooler weather but now I'm looking forward to getting back to the heat... I'm just not a winter person.. or a fall person.. or a spring person...