Camping!

We just got back from camping in the mountains with some close friends. It was great getting away and while we "camped" in cabins (with AC) that was roughing it enough with preschool kids. We did water balloons, bingo (which Audrey won), S'mores (the thing Ryan was most excited about), camp fires, walks, lots of outdoor playing and so much more. While sleep was a rare commodity the company was excellent and the time out from our daily schedule nice. 

A Day at the Lake

Yesterday naps were all but skipped, apparently we didn't get enough energy out in the morning so they just stayed up. Today my goal was to wear them out, so we went to the lake to walk and play. It's possible I did too good of a job because now they are both a mess and we have at least 45 minutes until they are supposed to go to bed and I'm not sure they are going to be able to make it. It was a fun day out, the weather has changed to not as hot which should be perfect for camping this weekend! 

Just Because Cuteness

Packing for Camping

The kids and I are going camping with friends this weekend. I have started packing and when I pulled out the sleeping  bags the kids got really excited. They have decided to test them out to make sure they are working properly. I hope they have as much fun actually camping as they do pretend camping!

Chicago

I went to Chicago over the weekend (Thur-Monday), and when I say "I" I mean a trip alone! I know, what a concept... It was very relaxing. I stayed with my brother who lives right downtown. I used to live in Chicago so I have been to a lot of the touristy things already therefore, when he asked what I wanted to do while there I told him I wanted to walk around the city and I wanted to eat good food. The whole time I was there we literally walked around the city (think miles every day) and ate at all different types of restaurants. It was a re-charge kind of vacation. I even went out to dinner with two of my friends from law school.  For the most part the weather was perfect and it was great spending time alone with my brother.

While the trip there was excellent, the return trip was a disaster. First of all I went to the wrong airport.... I flew into Midway and I assumed I was flying out of there.... but I wasn't. It wasn't until I got THROUGH security that I realized my error. Luckily I went to the airport hours early so my brother could go to work- so I just made it to O'Hare (Yes I took the Train all the way from one airport to the next- it is not a short trek). So I finally get on the plane- sweaty and cranky... and we get stuck on the tarmac for an hour because of tornados. This delay made me miss my connection- literally I made it to the next gate 2 minutes after they closed the door I got to watch the plane taxi away. I had called the airline 2x from the plane and they told me that the only other flight home that night was booked solid so I would have to wait until the next day. I like Detroit as much as the next person (which is to say not at all) but I was ready to go home. Luckily 1) I found a great gate agent who had some special code to type in to release a seat for me 2) I met a woman on the first plane who also missed the same connection as me and she was a member of the airport club so for the 4+ hour layover I was able to live in luxury. I ended up getting in at midnight instead of 7 but my mom picked me up from the airport and I was able to sleep in my bed instead of the Detroit airport. I'm like 75% sure that even with the disaster trip home the trip as a whole was worth it!

Playing in the Rain

Home Alone Projects Week 2

Don traveled again this week- I was substantially less productive for most of it then I was the last work trip. I did manage to hang my picture wall (or at least most of it), it turned out better then I expected, I like the different textures- Different color/ style frames- canvases, metal stars and the painted wooden M. I also cleaned out the garage, I am now mere inches away from fitting two cars! I figure that I did pretty good considering I also took both kids to the dentist and survived Audrey's first week of school (including dropping off and picking up on time with lunches/ extra clothes packed for both kids).

First Day of Preschool

Audrey had her first day of preschool today! She had a great day- drop off was good, she didn't cry because she found a big pile of baby dolls and had a tea party with them and the teacher. She was really excited to go to Ryan's school. I hope that tomorrow goes okay now that she knows that I am leaving her for as long as I did. I can't believe I have two kids in preschool now! I even went to the gym with my free time which I haven't been able to do since Don got sick the first time. I think I might have to re-join the gym!

First Dentist Appointment

Audrey had her first dentist appointment today. She was freaked out but Ryan turned out to be a lifesaver. He had his appointment first which meant that she got to see him calmly go through it, and she could see he didn't get hurt. When it was her turn to get in the chair she was... unhappy. She started crying and generally freaking out. Ryan climbed up into her chair and laid over her to make her feel safe and he soothingly told her that she was doing a really good job. It actually worked- she calmed down and opened up her mouth for the doctor. I'm so proud of him as a big brother.

Fire Station Tour

We went back to our old neighborhood to take a tour of the fire station with some friends. The kids of course loved it. I hope that the more tours we do like this, the more comfortable the kids will be with firefighters in case they ever get into an emergency situation.