Amazing Weekend

Had what I have to say was one of the best weekends that I've had in a really long time... and the most ironic part about that is that Joe missed most of it....

The weekend really started Thursday night when it dawned on me that we have started our summer schedule at work (4 ten-hour days). Don't know why this was such a surprise to me, as I had more than worked 10 hours every single day prior to Friday... but anyway... slept in Friday morning until a small boy came crawling into my bed- just for a 'snuggle'. Colin was blessed with the "I wake up chipper first thing in the morning gene." which no one else in our family seems to have. After about 10 minutes of 'snuggling', which equated to Colin chatting non-stop about his stuffed frog- it was time for the day to begin.

Took kids to their 'Summer Movie'- which was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles this week. Colin was SO excited... Julia was tolerant. Needless to say, movie was actually quite good (a bit scary in the beginning) but overall a good show. I frequently sleep through the summer movies and this one actually kept me awake!

After the movie we headed to lunch... which was exciting for me since we were meeting an old friend, Andrew, as well as Joe for lunch. Hadn't seen Andrew in 6 months or so, and it was so great to reconnect. Drew was here to go to the Cure concert with Joe. Lunch was so-so and overpriced, but the company was excellent.

Dropped the kids off to spend the night with their Aunt Paige, Uncle Jason and cousins Asher and Gundry... then hit Andrew's mom's house for dinner and games. Best part of the night was the three or four hours that we spent just sitting around with Andrew shooting the shit. God, I miss having friends who know both Joe and I, and can relate to both of us equally. How do you get those friendships later in life??

Saturday morning, Joe headed out for the Grand Canyon (doing North to South Rim on Sunday) and I went to Jason and Paige's house. Spent the ENTIRE day- yep- until kids' bedtime- hanging out, swimming, eating, talking and generally having fun. Paige and I both acknowledged that this would not have been possible five years ago... and talked about how motherhood (and my general rebooting as a human being) has made us friends.

Sunday was more swimming at Nana and Papa's house, followed by a trip to the grocery store, dinner at IHOP (Julia's request), and a laid back evening at home.

My house is not clean, the laundry is not done, and I haven't done my work that I should do before tomorrow morning. But... my husband is safely out of the Grand Canyon and on his way home (albeit a bit queasy and not feeling great), and I just tucked my exhausted happy kids into bed... both of whom, despite showers, still smell sweetly of chlorine and suntan lotion. As I tucked Colin in he said, "I had the best weekend ever Mommy. I love you." So, screw the laundry, the house, the chores.... this is what life is really about- having the best weekend ever. Night all.