One of Those Days

It was one of those days... You know the kind whether you wonder if it is a full moon or if you are just PMS-ing.

We have just subscribed to cable after 9 months of opting out. We thought the price was outrageous for how much we really watched all those channels. Well, I hadn't gotten the 411 from Stephen on how to get anything turned on. We have the computer hooked up to the TV broadcasting on 2 different TVs and I justs couldn't figure out how to find the cable and I desparately needed PBS kids so that I could clean house. An hour later, I got the phone call.

At 10:20 we hopped in the car to go to the gym for my killer Pilates class. Halfway through the class I notice a nursery worker peeping in looking for someone. I thought, "Kendrick already pooped this morning, it can't be me." But it was. He had bitten a kid and broken the skin. I was embarassed, frustrated and miserable. It was one of those times, where you can't get out of the situation fast enough because if you don't you are going to burst into tears. And, by the time that I got in the car I did just that. Kendrick must have figured it out, because the whole way home he said, "Sorry, Mommy."

After a shower and lunch, things were looking better, except that Kendrick did try and bite Cavett at one point. Cavett and I had some fun times playing with Kendrick's birthday toys and took care of a few more chores. He was a really sweet kid today and went above and beyond in helping. It could have been that he was looking at a toy catalog and realized he needed more money in his piggy bank for such things. So, after emptying the dishwasher, washing the lunch dishes and helping with the laundry, he had earned a few more coins. He rushed to go get his piggy bank, but it slipped through his hands on the way back to see me. Tears from him ensued and I felt his pain.

Kendrick woke up and this meant we needed to run our final 2 errands of the day--the DMV for the truck registration and the grocery store. Dum, dum, dum, dum, dum!!!! Yes, these were two things I dreaded after the emotional morning that I had. I looked up the DMV address and got it figured out. I ended up where I thought I should be-the Collin County Court House. We march up the steps, go through security, up the escalator and I look at the map and numbers. The suite was 2302, but I was seeing numbers with 5 digits. I ask someone where I could find the office and they said to get in my car, go out of the parking lot to the right and up the hill to the next building. Ugh. Retrace steps, all the while Cavett is asking a million questions.

Building number two. Found the office, get in line. I have the insurance card, driver's liscence and a check book. Only problem is that my liscence doesn't have the right address and therefore, I cannot use my check. At this point, again I nearly burst into tears while wrangling two boys. She tells me that there is an ATM in the lobby. We exit, find the ATM, pay an extra $3 to withdraw and get back in line. Finally, mission accomplished, but I just can't get it together.

Grocery Store up next. We really didn't need to much and I made it out without too much of a scene. We did have to get the kiddie basket and luckily there was only one so they had to share which meant not so much corraling. Bright spot was the checkout guy, Matt. He must have known I needed a laugh. We ended up discussing Kendrick's biting and he said, "Yeah, I have that problem too. Sometimes I just have to bite someone and say I wanted that eliptical."

But, what really saved my day was the sweet note and article that my dear friend, Marion wrote to and about me. In her note she said that she was having writer's block on her newsletter article for the week, but after a Dove chocolate whose message said, "Send a friend flowers," she knew exactly what to write. She sent me the article which was about when I went to visit her in May and how much that meant to her as a friend. 3rd bawling of the day, but at least they were of good tears.

To finish the evening on a very sweet note, we took the bikes and headed down the street to Yogulution for a frozen yogurt dessert. It was perfect--the weather, the kids, my husband--everything.

I still don't know what is going on with me, whether it is new BC and hormones, or that I am almost 35 and I'm falling apart or that it is time for school to start, or that I haven't found a church, or that I miss my friends and neighbors, or that I miss making music. Maybe it is a combination of all of it. I will reasses in 2 weeks after I start BSF and the kids are in school. Whatever it is I know, "this too shall pass."

Birthday Festivus

It was a 4 day celebration of birthdays! We began with opening one of Kendrick's presents on Thursday evening, the day before his actual birthday. We got him a Geotracks train set and he was in heaven! The look on his face says it all. This kid loves trains. If only Dadoo were here to play with him....

We were headed to Houston the next morning because we were invited to Isabela's birthday party. Since all of our dear friends were there anyway, we decided to go ahead and celebrate Kendrick's birthday in Houston as well. We arrived by noon and met Isabela and Brenda at Collina's for lunch. Seeing as how this was his actual birthday, we went ahead and ordered a brownie for dessert. Topped with ice cream and chocolate syrup, we enjoyed watching the sweet sharing of the kids.

That evening, we celebrated my birthday. We did dinner at Benji's in the Village with the Alexanders and Falcones and then met up with all my Houston friends afterwards. It was so good to see everyone again and felt so good being back in our old stopping grounds. We tried out the new Gallant Knight hoping for an R & B band, but were sorely disappointed when we realized it was a 70's cover band. We made the best of it and ended the night at a karaoke joint a hop, skip and a jump away from Anna's house. Of course, we had to have 4th meal at Taco Bell.

Saturday morning was Isabela's birthday party at the Children's Museum. The museum had really had a complete overhaul since we had last been. It was very impressive and a ton of fun. The Power Tower, Water Works, and Tot Spot were highlights. Thank you, Brenda for a great party and inviting us and we were so happy to be able to spend time with Isabela! Happy 5th birthday!

After naps, we had Kendrick's birthday party. Graciously, Anna, Mark and Walker opened up their pool for us and we had a small (in number), but large (in fun) party. The Falcones and Buckners joined us for BerryHill fish tacos and tamales and of course the rice crispy treat birthday cake. Brenda hooked us up with a customized, quality "Dori" fish pinata. Now when I say quality, I mean even after two rounds of adults hitting, we couldn't crack it! After all the excitement and entertainment, we put the worn out kids to be and the adults hit the hot tub.

We are blessed to have such wonderful friends to share in such meaningful times in our lives. Thank you for your friendship and support. We love you all.

P.S.--For more pictures, check out my facebook page.

Happy 2nd Birthday Kendrick

It was 2 years ago today that we were blessed with our second son, Kendrick. No longer a baby, he has turned into quite a little boy since that day.

Kendrick is silly and funny--all smiles and quite the charmer. He loves his brother dearly and wants to copy every move he makes, but is really Cavett's yen/yang. He is a mountain climber, a ball of energy and tough as nails. Kendrick can hear an airplane, motorcyle, train, or helicopter from miles away and anything with wheels is definitely a favorite. He is a button pusher and a color-er. He is a picky eater, a thumb sucker and requires little sleep. He loves deeply and is sensitive and concerned for others.

I look forward to what the next year will hold for him. I love you, baby boy!

Cake Wrecks

I feel I absolutely MUST share with you what my husband shared with me last night. I guess all this talk of cakes and birthdays got him looking at designs on the web as well. Through his high school buddy, Morgan's blog, Stephen found a hilarious blog. It's called Cake Wrecks. I haven't laughed that long and hard in a very looooong time. So, if you are in the need of a good laugh, check it out....

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

The comments the blogger makes are just as funny and true as the actual cake. Sometimes, more so.

Definitely scroll down to check out the "Some Fan Favorites" on the right side bar. Classic!

Kendrick's 2nd Birthday Cake

Growing up, my Mom and Aunt Minette were queens at making birthday cakes. They made all kinds--helicopters, easter eggs, trains--you name it, they could create it. I don't ever remember having a store bought cake, unless it was a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake. I vowed that when I had kids, I would make theirs as well. So far my track record is 4 out of 5. I just couldn't get Cavett's 3rd done since Kendrick was still a wee one.

I have done a dog, a monkey, Spiderman, and a tiered elephant. Oh, and I also made a spider cake for my brother Jonny since he was in town for his birthday when Cavett was having his Spiderman birthday.

I finished Kendrick's 2 year old birthday cake tonight. I must say, I am very proud of this one. It is my first time to work with this product and it was fantastic! Drum roll please......

I actually haven't quite finish, as I will write "Happy 2nd Birthday, Kendrick" on the lily pad and give the fish eyes. Now here's the story on how it came to be. I tend to be inspired by the invitations that I find. I have been using Vista Print for cheap, cute ones and this year was no different. I found a cute card with blue and green fish on it and since this was to be a pool party, I thought fish were appropriate. From here I found a web site with a picture of the cake I wanted to copy.

The problem was that I needed a cake that would transport and icing that would not melt since we were heading back to Houston for the party. I thought back to the Food Network cake decorating challenge that I watched while I was in San Francisco and they used rice crispy treats as the actual cake. Bingo! Who doesn't like rice crispy treats and I don't have to worry about it losing shape or tiers sliding off.

As for icing, I here you. You are saying, "Ugh, fondant. Looks pretty, tastes like cardboard." I know. I looked online for recipes and the first one that came up was for marshmallow fondant. Of course, the perfect solution! It would stick to the rice crispies and still taste good, in fact it compliments the flavor of the cake!

The actual marshmallow fondant was not terribly easy to make, (it is melted marshmallow, you know) but the recipe made a ton. I made 2 batches to be on the safe side and I still have tons left over. Fondant is way easy to decorate with. I was so amazed. I can only imagine that the real thing is even easier.

So, here's to Kendrick and his 2 year's of life. He is really growing into his personality and I can't wait to see what the next year holds for him. What a sweetie!

Friends and Forklifts

Yesterday we had a blind playdate. Allison and I have been connecting through our blog for , hmmmm, not quite a year now. She has two kids fairly close to Cavett and Kendrick and she lives in Plano. When we made the move north, we decided that we definitely needed to meet and get the kids together. After such a busy, crazy summer, we finally made it happen and met at a park in Plano yesterday. Cavett and Max hit it off and it was so easy with Allison and me. Kendrick had great fun with the rocks and copying the older boys and her little girl, Cate is just too precious! We look forward to our next date and maybe getting the husbands together too! After they left I asked Cavett if he liked his new friend, Max and he stretched his arms out and said, "I like him thiiiiiiiiiis much!"

When we got home from our playdate, our friend Joe and a forklift were at our house. The pavers and coping for the pool were to be delivered and Stephen was going to do the actual unloading because we didn't buy the stone through our pool company. (We saved $10G's doing it this way!) Stephen is also going to do the actual laying of the stone. I know, it sounds crazy. But, remember, this is the guy who put together the entire swing set by himself, practically. He's an eagle scout, superman; he can do anything!

Anyway, the boys had great fun watching him drive back and forth and after it was all said and done, the boys got to play on it and move all the gears and levers. Who knew that at age 34, I would know all the technical terms of so many machines!

My Friend From 2nd Grade

This is how we have described each other for 28 years now. Ok, well, Sarah Grace says "grade 2". Either way, we have known each other a very long time. Her family came down to Shreveport from Prince Edward Island, Canada for a year and we became best friends. We were pen pals for 7 years after that when my grandparents were gracious enough to buy me a plane ticket to go visit her. It was my first time to ever fly and I was going by myself. We had a great time and PEI is gorgeous! We saw Anne of Green Gables and called ourselves "kindred spirits" just as Anne did with her friends.

My second year in college Sarah Grace came down to visit me. That next fall she was enrolled at Centenary as well and we enjoyed being in the choir together as well as Chi Omega. Sadly, after graduation, she moved back to Canada, married and had two beautiful little girls. During those 12 years, I have only seen her twice.

This past weekend brought her to Dallas for a relative's wedding and lucky me, I got to spend a good deal of time with her. She came over for dinner on Friday where Cavett realized just how silly SG was and I gave her a "stinky cheese" book that I had run across at Half Price Books. We had lunch on Saturday with Anna and then it was off to get our nails done and her hair. The really sad part is that I never pulled out my camera during this time. I guess we were having too much fun re-connecting. I vowed that Saturday night after the wedding we would get some pics, but we were never able to meet up. And, Monday it was the same story. But, it doesn't really matter. What matters is that no matter how much time passes between visits, phone calls, or emails we are still "kindred spirits". Love you, Sarah Grace!

The End of an Era

The end of an era has come. This summer Cavett has decided that he prefers showers and he mainly prefers to take them alone. Since he was a baby, he has been taking showers. I would put him in the shower with me when just so that I could take one. But now, he no longer wants to take a bath. He scrubs, washes his hair and rinses all by himself.

As a result, Kendrick wants only showers as well. Anything big brother does, Kendrick wants to do. It is a little bit harder to get him scrubbed with the water coming down on me, but oh well.

They are growing up...

A New Friend

Yesterday we had our second playdate with a family who lives very near to us. We were hooked up with the Jensen's through the very last friend whom I met in Sugar Land, Tara. Tara used to live in the north Dallas area and told me that Elyse and I should meet. We have kids close to the same age.

Our first meeting was at McDonald's and I am a little embarassed to admit that this was my kids first visit there. They had a blast and Cavett really enjoyed playing with Sam. He kept asking when Sam was going to play with us again.

We had the Jensen's over to our house yesterday and we had a great time pulling out all the toys and chatting it up. I have really needed this. My kids have really needed this. It has been a long summer with out neighborhood friends, school friends, or church friends. So thank you Elyse for being my first "Allen Mommy/Kids Friend"!

Lucky for us, we have another playdate on Monday. This one is also a blind date. Allison and I met over our blogs. She found mine and then we have been reading and commenting back and forth. She has kids close to the ages of mine as well. Unfortunately, our schedule has been so busy that we haven't until now been able to coordinate anything. However, she has been so very helpful and kind and I know we will hit it off as well!

Strange thing about both of these ladies--both are pregnant with their third. It has put thoughts in my head, but Stephen quickly shut those out last night when I mentioned it.

Looking forward to our next meeting, girls!!!

Birthday Pre-Cake

Kendrick's birthday is coming up in a little less than 2 weeks. We will be on the road for his birthday, so I need a cake that will transport and keep. I found just that. I am not giving out the recipe just yet, or showing/telling you what it is made out of. You will be so surprised!

This afternoon Cavett and I whipped up the cake and the icing. I put the icing on tonight and we dug in for a taste. It was fabulous and simple, (the icing wasn't terribly easy ((for as you know if you saw Julie and Julia simple and easy are different)) to make, but could be fun)! Oh, I can't wait to do the real thing with color and layers and everything!!!!! And yes, it is a fish themed birthday.

We are having our first playdate at the house with new friends here in Allen tomorrow and another is scheduled for Monday. We can't wait to share our treat!

Playing Catch

Since Cavett's Sports Camp last week, he has been all about baseball. It was his favorite sport. This past Saturday I took him to buy new cleats for soccer and we ended up with a baseball glove as well. We watched him during camp and decided we needed to foster this desire.

He played catch with Kendrick in the house this morning. Only, I wouldn't let Cavett throw the ball. He had to roll it back to Kendrick and catch Kendrick's throws. Then Jonny came back by for lunch after his Millman interview and played a bit outside with him. Then this evening Stephn took him outside after Kendrick went to bed and threw a few balls. At times, Stephen couldn't decide whether he was watching a budding Nolan Ryan or a bad re-enacting of Bugs Bunny playing baseball with the wind up. It is a little hard since he is deciding which hand to use. He currently seems to throw better with his left, but only time and practice will tell. Catching is just as much of a struggle, especially since his hand is still a bit small for the glove. It was still tons of fun and Stephen even taught him "baseball banter."

So, if you are headed our direction anytime soon, get ready to throw a few baseballs. Everyone is fair game.

Sunday Shout Out

Today's shout out go to St. Luke's UMC in Houston and Tom Pace. We miss it/them him mucho! We have been asked countless times if we have found a church yet. And frankly, this is one of the hardest things to do. In the past 2 1/2 months, we haven't really been in town or available (guests in home) to go to church much. Sunday comes around only once a week, you know. We have visited three in the area--Suncreek UMC, Creekwood UMC and Custer Road UMC. Next week, we will try Stonebridge UMC. The amazing thing is that at everyone of these we have randomly seen and talked to an alumni of the Centenary College Choir (where Stephen and I met.) BTW, Yes that is Stephen in the top left hand corner of the picture.

Stephen and I both grew up Methodist and went to a Methodist based college, thus the draw to the UMC churches. It's a natural place to start, but maybe we are growing in our faith. Maybe we need to branch out and try something different--not necessarily a different denomination (but maybe), but I speak more of the traditional worship experience vs. the contemporary. We want to stay near where we live and work. We don't want to travel more than 20 minutes which severly limits the possibilities. We want a dynamic preacher with a message we can carry on our hearts and be challenged the week through. We want an educational, nurturing children's program with a fantastic, supportive youth program to follow. We want a worship experience in which we feel close to God and yet feel fulfilled musically and spiritually. And, we need community, a small group/bible study to be a part of. It seems we can't have it all--or haven't found it yet.

In addressing the traditional music worship service with the contemporary, I understand that everyone has their own tastes. But, with a classically trained musical background with much emphasis on choral experience, contemporary music is a VERY difficult thing for me to swallow. I like reading music, I like singing hymns, I like organ and choral music. Improvization, chord reading and learning music aurally doesn't come naturally for me. I need this musical outlet, but at the same time, does my spirit need to be fed the Word of God more? It seems I am leaning more toward the latter.

It's been hard to judge these churches due to their summer schedules. We have only seen one senior minister and haven't seen/heard a chanel choir yet. Cavett has only come out of one Sunday School wanting to go back. Creekwood seems to be the closest so far. We felt very welcome at that church; they went out of their way to come by the house with homemade bread and information about them. The music was tolerable in that they were a contemporary band but still did hymn arrangements that were acceptable and not cheesy and seemed to be a spirit led worship experience, not forced.

Like I said next week we will try Stonebridge next, but I hear it is very contemporary as well. We also went to lunch today and saw a group of young adults in T-shirts. After closer examination, they were members of the Allen Bible Church. I went home and researched them and read their Doctrine. Might have to go visit them as well, but they meet in a school, ugh! Then we will have to drive down to St. Andrew's UMC because Sid sent a raving email to the music minister there. It's more of a drive than we'd like, but it may be worth it.

All in all, I trust that God will lead us to the place where we will grow in His love and our needs will be met as a family.

Quote of the Day

"It's fun to be different!"

A Hole in the Ground

Pool building began yesterday. I really love my husband for all his creativity and attention to detail, but these pool guys most definitely do not. They began digging yesterday at 3 and finished around 8. The boys had a FANTASTIC time watching all the "diggers." It ended up smaller than we had hoped for becuase we had to add piers 12 feet down. Evidentally, when the house bulider graded the yard, they added up to 3 feet of dirt in the backyard and to support the weight of the pool and keep it under warranty, we had to add piers. Oh well, at least we won't ever have to pay for any cracks, ever!

Today is re-bar and plumbing. Electrical and inspections tomorrow. Gunite is Thursday and then we wait for two weeks for it to cure.

We hope that the actual pool portion is done by my birthday. Stephen wants to lay the deck himself so that will take some time. And the landscaping, well, we will hope for next spring!

Separated

Cavett is in a sports camp this week at the Joe Farmer Recreation Center in Allen. Yesterday was his first day and I wasn't impressed....with Cavett. I got there when they were wrapping things up and summarizing. This was what I captured. He thought he knew everything and was arguing about the best way to dribble a soccer ball. (He was wrong.) Oh, what we will learn the next few years.

On the other hand, I have had some great quality time with Kendrick. It's the first time all summer. He needs this. I need this. Today we caught some time at the park feeding the ducks. I feel like I am missing out on so much of the "good, fun" of him, because either Cavett is constantly talking or drawing my attention away. Poor second children.

Julie/Julia

Since I saw the trailer for the movie, Julie & Julia, I have been interested in this movie/book. I guess it was the cooking aspect and the intrigue of French food--that stuff that some of it seems so plain, but is so difficult to cook right. Biographies of people are also becoming interesting to me as I get older as well, so this one seemed right up my alley. I mean, if I were to do it all over again, I might have gone to culinary school and actually, I may even take some serious cooking classes later in life. So, on our trip to California I picked up the book and began some light reading. Something I never get to do otherwise.

The premise is that this nearly 30 year old Austin-turned-New York-Democrat was feeling lost in her life and decided she needed a project. (Right there I should have had some kind of flashing warning light.) Julie went back home to visit Mom and rediscovered Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." Julie decides to cook all 500+ recipes from this book within a year and blog about it. (Another hook that drew me in-she's a blogger and still has her site.) Besides the profanity, it was very funny and interesting to hear her take on cooking many of these recipes.

It all ended well and Julie finished all 500+ recipes in a year and became somewhat "famous." As she closes the book, she tells of the moment when her Mom calls to tell her Julia Child died the eve of her 92nd birthday. Julia had heard of Julie and didn't have anything truly "nice" to say to her, but Julie didn't care. She had her own Julia in her head and that is how Julia Child would live on in eternity. Not in heaven "eating sole meuniere with her husband, Paul." Julie even goes so far as to say that she doesn't "believe in heaven." What a disappointment and the true reason why in the first place she felt like she was lost and in a dead end job. Julie claims that Julia is the one who pulled her out of the ocean as she was nearly drowning.

Sad. Instead of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, it should have been the Bible. Instead of Julia Child, it should have been Jesus. I was just disappointed in the ending. Had she just left it as "I finished all the recipes and made a pilgrimage to Julia Child's exhibit at the Smithsonian and left a pound of butter." I would have been fine. Cute, funny and entertaining.

I still want to go see the movie tomorrow, just to see how they end it. I'll add an addendum and you can decide if you want to go see it yourself.

Addendum: I loved the movie. It ended just the way it should. Meryl Streep was fantastic and there were many more added scenes of her.

Cavett's First Soccer Game

Tonight was Cavett's first ever professional soccer game--FC Dallas. He and Stephen went as a "boy's only night" and I think they really had fun. Cavett had a jumbo hot dog and was asking for more. Evidently, he also had Sprite which gave him a sugar "high," and as a result I received this pic.

We gave Cavett the decision of which sport he could play this fall. He could only choose one--soccer or baseball (T-ball) and he chose soccer. We asked him several times, "Are you sure?" Same answer, every time. He begins practice the last week of August and the first game is Sept. 12. He should have a leg up against his other team mates in that he has played an entire year. Age 4 is the starting age in Allen.

The Music Returns

Today was a day. It was one of those days where you ask yourself, "What am I doing?, Why can I not get it together?, etc." I needed a Mommy Time Out--literally, I needed a punishment for my behavior.

After lunch we went out to fly Cavett's new kite (check his blog tomorrow) and the peacefulness of that nearly got me back on track, but as soon as we went back in the house, "it" re-entered me. I put Kendrick down for a nap and Cavett was playing with his battleship (again, thanks John--the gift that keeps on giving!) I took a shower, got dressed and read a devotional. Isn't it amazing how the one you need to hear was the next in line? I read two--1) about re-claiming your identity other than mother and wife and, 2) about enjoying the music and not loosing yourself.

Since moving to Allen, my identity has been a bit lost. What career I have had is extremely non-existent. I am not saying I want to teach or make music professionally right now, but it is beginning to be missed from my soul. And, since I have been a professional musician and seem surrounded by sound all the time, especially the teacher side of me, I really like silence. Typically, I only have music on for parties. But, the second devotional I read talked about how this woman had suppressed some of her love of music--you know that 70's/80's boogie and she quit dancing. She decided to pull it back it out and introduce her children. Everyday at 5 while she was making dinner, she turned on the oldies and they dance and sang into the spatula microphone.

I decided that was a great idea and just what I needed to get out of the funk. Now, I am not a whiz at the new fangled ipods, in fact I just don't understand how people have the time to load them and organize their music, etc. But, I have discovered Pandora. LOVE IT and it makes listening so much easier and enjoyable. I plugged my iphone up to the stereo and typed in Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. We were given a barrage of Beach Boys, Four Seasons, early Beetles, Monkees and the like. We danced, we sang, we had smiles on our faces when Dad walked though the door. It worked and it just may be our new daily ritual.

I shouldn't wonder who I am, because I know. I am still Stephen's wife, mom of Cavett and Kendrick. I am a child of God, and He has given me the gift of music to share with my children as well as the joy that goes with it.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

Managing

I would say that today was not as good as yesterday, but ended well. Last night was a bit rough. I didn't get to bed until midnight and at 12:30, Z woke up and went back to bed after a little soothing. At 1:15 C crawled in bed with me. At 2:00 I realized C really needed to be back in his bed because K wakes up way too early and would wake C up. I put him back in his bed and took some Benedryl for myself.

6:15 K is up. We try to cuddle in bed hoping he would fall back asleep. Sort of worked until Z joined us at 6:45 and then I had to start a Little Einsteins. Everyone was grumpy this morning. Everyone except AG. She was my ray of sunshine through the day and she knew exactly why! She's got the sleep idea down! Don't let her fool you, sister!

We headed to Target first thing, because on Thursday at the grocery store I forgotten one of the things most needed--bread. We were also out of jelly. This was the task that I dreaded most, only because I know how my children behave in this situation. However, it was awesome! The herd mentality can really work for you. We all held hands and made a train. The two little ones buckled into the cart and the biggers either walked along or rode in the big part. It was a short trip, but by the time we checked out it was pouring. I had my handy iphone and checked the radar to see when it would pass and it only took a minute of waiting. We then ran out and got buckled in record speed.

On to Wiggly Play Center in Frisco. So, I found this place in a magazine and it was our first time to go. Yet another reson for doubt, ok, that and that it was themed for the "Wiggles." I wasn't really impressed. Kids were tired, hungry and cranky. The pancakes for breakfast didn't hold very long. The place was jammed with birthday parties and the playground area was a little too much for Z who got stuck at the top and would come down. We left after and hour and a half.

Lunch was mac 'n cheese and I just couldn't get it made fast enough! All four waited at the table the entire time it was cooking. Naps followed and AG and C watched "Snoopy Come Home" as I caught an hour nap as well. Z woke screaming, which made K wake screaming. After much holding and coddling, we ended up playing in the game room and then on to the dress up clothes.

The most endearing moment was when AG insisted that I needed to wear her tiara. How did she know I needed that reassurance? No shower, greasy hair, no make-up and all. Sweet heart that kid has.

We ended the day at Chick-Fil-A. I get some really weird looks with 4 kids and only 2 ages. We managed though eating very well. We even had one dropped ice cream cone and had 3 different potty incidences and I had to let the big kids go alone after having the "going to the restroom alone" speech/rules. Good thing we were pretty much the only ones there.

They were all in bed by 7:30 and didn't hear a peep after that. Better get to bed quick. Whew!