Playing hooky, the honest way.

So my request for Thursdays off hasn't panned out quite yet but I have been given a green light to leave whenever I want on said Thursdays as long as my area is quiet so with my manager gone and my desire to hit the beach with my kids left me with 2 choices.
1. Ask to go home because you are not feeling good.
2. Tell team lead that you have 'special' permission and be honest about going to the beach. 

Needless to say as the title hints at, I was honest and I was then the most hated person in the office. ; )  I rushed home to pack up the beach essentials, rushed to my Mom's to pack up my two little ones and then we rushed to the beach to meet up with Leah Bean and her Mommy! 

When I got to my Mom's I could hear Riley crying from the driveway so I ran around back and saw that he had a glass sliver in his foot.  Poor kid, his feet have been doomed lately with stepping on a carpet staple and actually bleeding (his first site of his very own blood totally freaked him out!) and then stubbing them numerous times while running around like a madman.  He wanted no part of the tweezer removal my Mom had planned for him so after trying to talk him into it unsuccesfully I held him in my lap, my mom held his foot and voila...it was out and the crying ceased to exist.  The anticipation is always the worst, isn't it!?

We surveyed the beach and decided to walk all the way around to find a few umbrella's that were single family occupated and voila we ran right into my dear friend Tiff's sister with her 3-yr-old twin girls and 5 year old boy...perfect!

The sand was hot, like burn your feet hot and the water was warm, like bathwater warm but Leah and Riley had a blast 'swimming' and splashing and the expression on Leah's face the whole time was hilarious.  She had a permagrin the entire day and Lyssa Lu just hung around-literally from the Bjorn.  She is so chill. 

Here's that tongue sticking out again!  : )

Her hair is too cute and crazy!

Half way through our afternoon there was an emergency evacuation of the swim pond because a child was missing so all adults were asked to hold hands and 'sweep' the pond.  I had the kids and watched Rach go out to help.  It was scary.  Like shaking, tears welling up, surreal scary.  Thankfully he was found, perfectly fine and probably swimming again in minutes.  I was shaken and ready to go.  After Riley's scare in the lake a few weekends ago I have had a recurring nightmare and this was kinda too similar.  Did I mention that scare?  He was wearing a life jacket and playing in the lake with his cousins, walking out to his waist in the water.  Eventually he got a bit braver and started walking out farther with his big cousin Joe and while all the adults were talking on the dock he tipped over forward and the life jacket which is normally a lifesaver was keeping his head under the water because he couldn't touch the bottom and he wasn't strong/big enough to flip his body over so he was stuck under water.  D said he looked down at him and that he wasn't thrashing or anything so he had to jump in.  He had swallowed alot of water and was really scared, they were both really scared.  Just a serious reminder that it only takes minutes for something horrible to possibly occur.

But I digress.

We had fun, lots of it.  It was the perfect way to spend an afternoon.  We love Elm Creek so much that we went back to play at the park on Sunday before going out to Costco, just for lunch.  Yep, we love 2 pieces of pizza, a dog and a pop for $5.85 that much!  My mom took the kids again on Tuesday to meet up with Owen and Sandy for their weekly summer playdates *sigh*  while annie and me tirelessly worked. ; )  Lucky kids those 3 are to have such young and fun G'ma's!  Even luckier that Owen announced he is going to be a big brother!!!  Riley will have lots of advice for you big guy!  Melt me now at all the gorgeous pics this new babe will have taken by his/her pretty picture taking Mama! 

I gave both kids baths last night, at the same time, in the big tub together...whew, lots of work but I managed to sneak in a few quick (like super quick, green box of death mode) pics.  They are so cute together.  Alyssa just adores him and he just dotes on her telling her how cute she is while patting her on the head and leaning in to give her kisses.  He did ask quite randomly if "wyssa's weiner fell off?" 

This is currently one of two of his favorite picture faces...the other is his tongue sticking out in deep concentration

She adores him.

like can't get enough of him, adores him!

I am rounding out the week on a shoot scout with Annie for an upcoming wedding, a sweet lunch with my parents and babies (yay for coming to eat lunch with Mommy!) and a fun date night with just my hubs Saturday! Oh the possibilities, dinner and movie, dinner and the comedy club, dinner and the casino, dinner and HP #4 on DVD?

Loving this week and already dreaming of Saturday morning in pj's laying in bed with the littles.

What's Riley reading?  The Plano tackle box book containing and showcasing all things tackle box but of course!

Let me hold you longer: Karen Kingsbury

For Christmas Riley's sweet and adorable 2nd (or so) cousin gifted him with a very nice book, hence the title of this post.  I read said book after the Christmas festivities and cried my eyes out.  I was pregnant so I blamed it on hormones or whatever and tucked it away to read again later.  Riley pulled it out this last week and begged me to read it to him before bed.  I didn't really remember it and thought it looked perfect for a Mommy to read to her son just from the front cover so we opened it up and I made it to page 8 before I couldn't hold back the waterworks any longer.  Riley was utterly confused and wanting to keep reading but Daddy whisked him away before I absolutely lost my marbles and started bawling like a big baby.

Long ago you came to me,

a miracle of firsts:

First smiles and teeth and baby steps,

a sunbeam on the burst.

But one day you will move away

and leave me to your past,

and I will be left thinking of 

a lifetime of your lasts.

The last time I held a bottle

to you baby lips.

The last time that I lifed you

and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying 

needing to be walked.

When last you crawled up with your blanket,

wanting to be rocked.

Our last adventure to the park,

your final midday nap.

The last time when you wore your favorite

faded baseball cap.

I never said goodbye to all

your yesterdays long passed.

So what about tomorrow-

will I recognize your lasts?

Silly scattered images 

will represent your past.

I keep on taking pictures,

never quite sure of your lasts...  

And this is when the tears started but I continued.

The last time I comb your hair,

or stop a pillow fight.

The last time I pray with you 

and tuck you in at night.

The last time when we cuddle

with a book, just me and you.

The last time you jump in our bed

and sleep between us too.

One last hug, one last good-bye,

one quick and hurried kiss.

One last time to understand 

just how much you'll be missed.

I'll watch you leave and think how fast

our time together passed.

Let me hold on longer God

to every precious last.

...and then I lost it and just abbreviated the book for you.  

It's a book that will slay you.  Especially after you opened the mail earlier to find your first babies preschool enrollment papers with reminders on school supplies, tuition and orientation.  

I believe that when Riley was an infant I had the "I just can't waits."  

I just can't wait for him to sit up.

I just can't wait for him to hold his own bottle.

I just can't wait for him to crawl, walk and be able to run around with me.

I just can't wait for him to sleep through the night.

I just can't wait for him to start talking.

I can't wait for him to be potty trained.

I just can't wait for him to play ball and be able to go fishing.

How silly to look back and realize I wished away his babyhood, his toddlerhood because I was anxious to see the next step, because I was uncertain of the future.  I feel very sad to realize my beautiful baby boy is now 3 and that it has taken his sister to really realize what I have carelessly taken for granted.  Obviously, I enjoyed Riley as a newborn, as an infant, as a toddler but I seriously can't say enough how fast it has all gone.  

When I read this book it made me mourn all the lasts that we have already experienced with him and all the lasts that are coming up so quickly.  I can't even hold back the tears now as they spill effortlessly as I type away.  That is why I obsess over pictures and had to buy a nice camera just so I could obsess over them some more.  That is why I write everything down in his baby book and record nearly everything in "Mom, tell me one more story."  That is why I blog even when I am tired or busy because it's the details that I never want to forget.  It's the seemingly mundane that makes this life so spectacular and I am thankful that right now, in this very moment I am no longer wishing for anything.  I am no longer using the phrase "I can't wait" when it comes to my children.  I am taking the good with the bad, tiring, and everything in between and placing it in my heart, in that special spot that was overtaken by you Riley and you Alyssa.  

I promise to never bring work home with me so that it interferes with my mood.  I promise to let the dishes go once in awhile so we can stay outside longer, build boats out of playdough once more and catch one last imaginary fish out of our backyard.  I promise to scratch your back every night and say prayers with you and for you.  I promise to be the obnoxious camera Mom who even pulls out her camera in Coldstone just so she can remember you ordering your first ice cream.  I promise to hold your hand and be there with you and for you.  I promise to thank God every night for you and for all the joy and love you have brought to my life.  I promise (however unfortunately) that I will be that Mom weeping over your kindergarten graduation, your first homerun, your every birthday and almost everything in between because that is how God made me.  

I know I was made to be your Mom and of that I am 100% certain.  

This does not in anyway mean that I didn't love and cherish my Riley as a baby/toddler but rather that it went by too fast, in a sleepless blurry time warp that has robbed me of memories that D has to sometimes remind me of.  Thank goodness God gave me a chance to learn and live again with Lyssa Lu so that I can appreciate both of our children in a new light.  

I cannot however change that I am so excited for tomorrow but only because I loved everything about today, with you three.  My loves, my life, my family.

How time flies when you are having fun.

and I am done with the pictures for now...I promise!

Taking back the weekend.

To say we have been busy is an understatment, who isn't right!?  But still the thought of leaving home again this last weekend made me a bit melancholy so when we heard the forecast for heat indexes into the 100's we decided that the little lady and I would stay cool and hibernate indoors while the boys headed up north for GG'ma Carol's 80th birthday bash.  I didn't need much convincing but after thinking about it D was rather adamant that it would be safer for our Lu and that I really deserved some R&R.  So off they went Friday morning while I worked.  I am so weak, as soon as I got to my parents to pick up Alyssa Lu I missed Riley.  Us girls ordered pizza though and just relaxed with bad TV and cuddle time.  Poor baby girl couldn't keep her eyes open past 6:45 though and was in bed too early.  This made for a quiet, empty feeling house and I missed the boys big time.  I actually bargained with myself that if we got enough sleep we could just get outta bed and run up north for the day...HA...enough sleep and a clear head was all I needed to know that I was right where I should be!  My sweet girl slept from 6:50-6:48, got up for a quick 6 ozs and then slept in bed with me until 10:18!  She loves me!  I earn every minute of sleep I get so this was nirvana.  I 'survived' the night without the boys, slept until I couldn't anymore, stepped outside to feel the heat and was so happy we stayed back!  We turned the music up and cleaned the house from top to bottom.  It was in need of a major overhaul and some deep cleaning so it was nice to strap Lyssa Lu into the Bjorn and really get to it-taking numerous breaks along the way for crappy TV, left over pizza and a quick nap or two : )  She just hung out all chill while I vacuumed, dusted and I couldn't resist grabbing the camera to catch the cuteness!

She has the cutest conversations with the 'baby in the mirror'!

I gave her a bath and once again couldn't resist her cuteness and had to grab the camera.  She just loves baths and she looks all serious kicking up water as she figures out that she can in fact put those chubbers to use.  She is the best little baby and I just cherish her happy little baby soul all content and ready for anything. 

What is she doing?

Oh, taking a picture of that cute baby in the mirror : )

We were so excited when the boys finally made it home and the reunion between the two littles was priceless!  After a quick potty break Riley couldn't stop hugging her as she hung in the Bjorn.  I was on my knees and they just smiled at eachother, touched eachothers cheeks and giggled in excitment.  It.was.the.cutest.reunion.eva!  She seriously missed him and when we got in the car she just stared at his seat wondering where he was.  She also kept looking around Saturday morning like "where's my Daddy?"  Sweet girl. 

We helped my parents move out the remaining 'old' cabinets and appliances Sunday as their new kitchen is finallly being put into production.  My mom is a mess and I can imagine having everything in boxes and disarray can make one a bit dizzy!  D had an appt Sunday afternoon (who schedules adjustors to come out on a Sunday at 4:30? Can't say I appreciate that lady very much!)  so I took the kids to ColdStone for National Ice Cream Day...like I need an excuse for ice cream!  Riley was shocked that he got to pick his "tweats" and he ended up with sprinkles (classic) and gummi bears (ewe). 

This weekend was perfect.  I say it every Sunday that I am so filled up with weekend goodness that I am almost ready to go back to work....

And then comes Monday morning and I sit at my desk and miss my kids so bad it hurts.  I wonder how just 8 hours ago I could have been so satisfied and so happy, ready to attack the week and suddenly be a mess, fighting back tears and staring at pictures that make me want to run home.  Happens every week.  I don't think it will change.  The good news is: My workday is extraordinarily quick. 

My boss came back with a counter offer for my Thursdays off request with working 6-10 on Thursday instead.  I said "No Deal."  It makes no sense to still get up really early and drive 27 miles one way for 4 hours only to get back to my kids by 10:40 or so get home by 11:00 or so, just to feed them lunch and put them down for a nap.  It killed me to say no but I knew even before discussing it with D that it just didn't make sense.  I asked her to re-evaluate the end of July and I am guessing I will have to bring it up again.  Still holding onto hope, kinda, I think. 

Here's to many more messy Mondays that remind me how much I love this life I lead, these kids I have been entrusted with, this husband who is my truly my other half and the excitment that there is only 4 more days until the weekend!

Just a few more of our fun girls weekend from the phone so sorry for the blur!

And a few post nap...how we love getting her up from nappy poos!  Such a happy girl!