Going to a Meeting

Lucy put on all her jewels, her favorite skirt and had on her purse with the doggie in it, and asked me.... "Mama, can you babysit my baby while I go to my meeting?"

I guess that is the interesting part of my life as a stay at home mom. I go to the gym, but I bring them and they go to the childwatch. Other than that I NEVER leave. I am always here 24/7. The thing I tend to do on my own without the girls is go to meetings. Ruthie has colored me pictures and told me I could take them with me to my meetings. I tend to have to get sitters while I go to meetings if they are a lunch meeting, or if it is at night while Simon is traveling I have to get a sitter.

They know that daddy works and have been to his work, knows he does great stuff with the youth of today, has a beautiful campus, we even go to their church services and bike rides when the weather is nice. Yet, they can't seem to wrap their heads around my meetings.

While, I am sure that many of my groups would not mind having my girls come "visit". I am sure the girls would be bored and it wouldn't do it justice. So for the time being while they "play" meetings... I will try to not let it drive me crazy. I will just find comfort in the fact that alot of what I am involved in is making just as much of a difference as Simon, I just don't get paid for it. I really don't know why it does, maybe cuz it sounds like I am going to a 12 step program meeting. *** Which is great, if people attend and go, just not what I am doing.

* Junior League, and the board for the JL, social committee for the club, now this new giving circle which will be giving grants to non-profits in our area, and my Triathlon Training group.

TGIF

Been way to long since my last post. Having no computer really makes it hard to post.

Updates....

* We had an AMAZING camp weekend with old friends in NJ. We drove to Ohio dropped off the kids, then drove to NJ.

* We calculated almost 30 hours in the car over a 5 day period. While we needed to have a car to do all we did, that was obscene and I am just now starting to feel human after that trip.

* The consumption combined with all the driving... (NOT AT THE SAME TIME) could have something to do with the exhaustion too! Not alot of sleep occurred.

* The drive out Simon and I didn't listen to any music and talked over 8 hours. I love being married to my best friend. I guess it was good to talk in the car because once we were with all our old friends, I felt like I never even saw him the entire weekend.

* The weekend was all about my great roommate/friend Ken. I think he as surprised and had tons of fun.

* Mary Cay hosted all of us crazy cats and she once again proved why she totally is "Julie the cruise director". Simon and I both laughed we were so busy catching up with everyone, we kept laughing going....where did this food come from it would always just appear. We really felt like we were on vacation. Next time we promise to help a little.

* Our friends Vicki and Tony surprised at Mary Cay's. What a treat. Great as always to see them. I just don't think they had any idea all the camp faces they were going to see!

* Erin said the party was like "speed dating" and that was the best way to describe it. You wanted to catch up with everyone and yet you didn't have time to talk and it was loud and everyone was telling stories. I felt like I didn't get enough time to talk to everyone properly.

* Chris passed me a note through someone else that said... "meet me in the front yard at 7:30 BYOB" that pretty much sums it up. If you wanted to talk to someone you had to make an appointment.

* We got to meet Debi's little baby Adam. He is super cute. I was afraid to hold him cuz I thought maybe babies were contagious.

* I literally took 5 pictures of camp. I was so bummed. I really wished I had some great black and whites to hang in our house. Maybe next time.

* The five pictures I did take.....4 pictures of the Camp sign....... And 1 picture of Kens Butt. Some things never change.

Class of 2023

Ruthie had Kindergarten roundup the other night. She loved it. She has been ready for school since her 3rd birthday when we drove by a school bus and she said "turn around they are probably going to our house to pick me up since I am 3!"

The parents go to a parents meeting in the gym and the kids are sent to the different classrooms. They colored, and went and saw the bus (which after the motion sickness fiasco of Disney we will not be riding). The teacher's aide mentioned to me that "Ruthie was MORE than ready" for Kindergarten.

My hope for her is that she has fun, learns a thing or 2, and makes some good friends!

At the meeting one of the speakers gave a speech and welcomed the class of 2023. That gave me chills.

** Another thing about learning something new everyday about your husband. I told him that gave me chills and I was all sentimental. He was like what are you talking about? Apparently that is not something they do in England, refer to classes by their graduating year. The American school system is going to be a drastic change for Simon.

Our Luck

**As soon as I write something positive it changes.
Lucy was up ALL night coughing her head off! Then this morning her face was so flushed I was convinced she had a high fever. Just 100*. For now. Ruthie just woke up walked into the room crying that she can't breathe and her nose is stuffed!

** Simon has been out of town, so I am on overdrive trying to keep the girls occupied and not cying about daddy and guernsey all day so we go for a bike ride last night. About a mile into it Lucy wipes out. I thought for sure she was going to leave more skin on the sidewalk than on her body but just got her elbow. She was SO amazing, after some crying got back onto the bike and rides to my friends nearby to get bandaids. While there, Ruthie wipes out on a scooter and skins her knee really well. She is limping and complaining. GREAT. We get on our bikes and ride 1.25 miles home. And they both sob until they get into bed.

** We have playdates, picnics, trips to the park, trips to the mall, bike rides, trampoline jumping, school. I havn't slept all week with Simon gone and our watchdog gone and a crazy sleeper Ruthie in my bed. I am counting the minutes until Simon is home. I AM EXHAUSTED!

10 on Tuesday

My friend Erin updates her blog like this on Tuesday and since I have been horrible lately at blog posts thought this might help....

1. We finally have gotten every one's allergies under control! We have the girls on 2 daily medications, have not had to use the neubelizer lately, and I am the only one starting to feel congested so a little worried about that.

2. Lucy is crazy lately, so funny, LOVING school, she learned to snap and not only has been singing and dancing all over but snapping too. I am loving her great mood.

3. Went for a killer bike ride last night (killer as in, hard as heck, I need to get out more) I am sore and ready for more. Have been missing the gym but have enjoyed exercising in the great weather. Still trying to get used to my new wheels.

4. Simon has been crazy busy with work. He is 2 weeks away from finishing his second to last class. I can so see the light at the end of this Master's tunnel! I just hope he can.

5. Ruthie has Kindergarten roundup this week. I can't believe we are registering her for Kindergarten. She is more than ready and super excited.

6. We are still working through missing our Guernsey. Our Kennel (which Guernsey LOVED) sent us a sympathy card with a picture of a Chocolate lab on it and I just sobbed. They said how awesome he was and how much he will be missed. He really was a great dog. And everyone knew it. He would let kids sit on him, let the girls walk him, slept on their bed, so protective.

7. He just got sick, real quick was only 9 and it was his time. Diabetes, lost 20+ pounds and was really distant and wanted to be outside. It was his time. Still doesn't make it any easier to come home to a house where he isn't barking and running to greet us.

8. I have already come to terms with a new puppy in our near future. Not till the fall, but my Ruthie is just lost without her dog. I am just praying I don't end up with a Marley dog.

9. I owe Ruthie a mani/pedi this weekend. She said that might make her feel better.

10. I am finally coming to grips with no more snow. With the Midwest you never know. I think this weekend we are going to pack away the snowpants, snowboots and coats. Spring Cleaning is officially on for our house this weekend. (you know it is going to snow once we pack our stuff away)

10. *** Nothing makes Simon more happy than to hear #10.

Guernsey - Good Bye Old Friend

I Had to send Guernsey to Heaven last night......

It was awful.......

We hit the road to get away from the sadness....

We are all taking it hard, but Ruthie is taking it the hardest.

American Girls

Walking to the store

We took the girls to AG in Chicago for their birthdays. They had an amazing time! We asked them if they wanted to go for breakfast, lunch or dinner and they chose breakfast. We took them for shopping and fun and FUN was had by ALL.

They were so excited looking at everything and enjoying everything. Ruthie chose a trundle bed and outfit for her doll and Lucy chose a backpack and a ballerina outfit for her doll.

They were so funny begging to make this our team birthday tradition, and having so much fun with all they could experience.

Simon and I kept looking at each other the entire time with huge smiles on our faces.

Look at that dad with his cute kids toting his treasures from AG. TOO CUTE!

Chicago!

We took the girls to Chicago for their birthdays. To American Girl and to see Grammy Ruthie.

We had an AMAZING time. We first went to see my Grammy, the girls Great Grandma - Grammy Ruthie. (Obviously Ruthie's namesake) Ruthie is AMAZING She was so loving and understanding at the nursing home. Telling Grammy how much she loved her and not afraid at all. She loved playing in the wheelchairs and hanging out in Grammy's room.

We also loved playing at our cousin/Aunt's house in Highland Park. The girls loved playing with Kelly's dogs and cousin Kelly is great with kids!

When we finally made it to Chicago in the mid-afternoon on Easter the girls were thrilled that the Voigts were still at their condo. We hung out with them and went to dinner at Gino's East. Pizza and writing on the wall was tons O fun for everyone!

Only thing......Why does it ALWAYS rain whenever we go anywhere!



Walking to dinner on Sunday night.

Seriously, it is getting kinda old!

Happy Birthday Lucy

Happy Birthday Lucy. Wow 4 years old! We no longer have any babies at our house. Nothing but big kids.

Lucy's birthday request was a princess party! She had specific requests for the cake - a castle with princesses on it, the decor - wall hangings to make the inside of our house to look like a castle, a costume party, a castle pinata, and a tea party.

Pinata

Well, she received it all! Nothing was left out. When I brought the cake home before her party and took it out of the box, she was speechless. Took a huge gasp and had the BIGGEST smile on her face you ever did see!

We humored the boys that attended and let them dress up as Pirate's full with foam swords. And even let them do a pirate craft instead of princess.

Her party was just a few hours before Ruthie's so we had a very full day of activity! But I know that she was SOO happy with the way her party turned out!

Ryan the pirate

Happy Birthday Ruthie

Who is having fun!!!

cupcake

obstacle course

throwing confetti

Happy Birthday Ruthie!!!! I just can't get over the fact that we have a 5 year old. It really seems like it was just yesterday we were at the hospital with our brand new baby girl!

We had tons of family and friends stay at our house for the weekend so that we could all enjoy the festivities. And enjoy we did. The girls LOVED celebrating in Michigan and unfortunately for some this may be a new tradition. But we have tons of room and love visitors!

Ruthie shared her birthday with her great buddy Ryan from school. His mom, is the photographer that took our awesome pictures and is my wonderful new friend. Their birthdays are only a few days apart and they both wanted to have their parties at Jungle Joes (The indoor bounce place)

Their were lots of school friends and family friends and tons of bouncing, food, and fun. I am a firm believer in parties away from home now! There was something awesome about seeing the mess and walking away from it!

Uncle Marty - he is literally about 2 stories up on a bounce castle.

Ruthie, Ellie and David

Gammy and Lucy

Harper and Lucy