Beantown Bugle: Adventure Chronicles: Staycation!

While we, or at least I, could desperately use a vacation, it's just not in the cards this summer. A paint-cation will come in October, but for now, we're just trying to get by and have a little fun when we can. I took it easy on Friday with a work at home morning followed by a half day afternoon where I looked after the final details for Rod's party (and had a pedicure, bought a pair of jeans, took myself out to lunch and read a book) Then I picked the kids up and took them to McDonalds (a rare occurrence, this is usually Matt's territory) Where they feasted on cheeseburgers and softserve.

Feel the love...

Once we were all sugared up, we got some balloons and headed home, where the spot that houses our driveway rink in the winter was in full on puddle mode... and since the kids already had their rain boots on, I said, go ahead, stomp in the puddles... as a mentor of mine once said, "if not you, who? if not now, when?" Tentative at first, ended up really getting into it - being kids that is!

Really Mom, you're sure this is ok?

You go first, "Nowah"

Suffice to say, they got into it. Yea, that's Roddie's pants around his ankles.

Since there was literally water spraying out of the top of their boots, that kind of clinched that baths would be that night and not the following morning. So I literally dragged Roddie kicking and screaming into the camper to get clean. Once he was clean, I called Norah in from the puddle for her turn. Roddie wanted her to clean him. and the next thing I knew, here's what was happening - yes, this is a teeny tiny camper tub!

Tubby Time - cleaner than your average puddle...

Saturday brought Rod's party, a swim and a nap followed by taco night and family movie night, in our newly expanded living and dining area (we really ought to get a big screen out there!!)

Despicable Me was a hit all around, although Roddie put himself to be before it was done!

Sunday, Matt had to put some more time in at work, as working towards a deadline in a week or so. The kids and I went to church and then to visit with a church friend of ours. She's an older lady, old enough to be my mom, but one of the first friends we made at the 7am mass, way back before Norah was born. We've stayed in touch even though the mass schedule has changed, and she's wanted me to meet her daughter and her family, who have moved in to her house, with a new in-law for her. We had a great time, 11mo old Avery was sweet and as taken with Roddie as he was with her. Avery's parents were a lot of fun also and we all got along really well, I hope to see them again.

By the time we left our visit, Matt had decided he had had enough and would be heading home shortly. So I tried to get the kids a nap so they'd have some time to spend with him in the afternoon - alas, no nap was had, but I did get a LOT of snuggles and stories read!

The day wrapped up with a trip to one of the local conservation areas - well, the day wrapped up with steak tips and laundry, but before that, we went out for a couple of hours. Matt had been wanting to take Roddie fishing for his birthday (and Roddie has been asking) and it was literally a picture perfect day. Norah also wanted to fish, but I took her off for a walk first to give the boys some guy-time. By the time we met up with them, Roddie had caught 4 or 5 fish (it's a little unclear, but isn't that the nature of fishing???) and Norah was able to do some fishing herself, with a few close calls and landing a cute little sunnie - that she even tried to pick up!