Week of Fun

Last week all three kids were at home with me all day, every day and it was…CRAZY!!!  I have to admit though, not as crazy as I thought it would be.  Ever since Palmer’s been born I've been terrified to get out of the house with all three by myself but I knew this week was my week to hurdle that fear.  And I came out with a blue ribbon and a bottle of wine.  I planned a fun week for all of us and each day had it’s own activity.  Monday came and went and I swore I’d never leave the house again with all three, but by the time Friday came it felt normal and natural and I no longer am scared to parade around town with these three…

Before the week of fun started we had to say goodbye to the 3’s Preschool class.  They had their class party at beach bowl and had the time of their lives.  Isla even bowled a 101 on her second game (bumpers were down) but I still don’t think I could bowl that.  Isla also had to say goodbye to her best friend, Riley.  They were born 4 days apart and have the exact same personality.   They’ve been in the same class for the past two years but will be in different ones next year.  But not to worry, we’ll still have play dates together. 

We also celebrated Coach’s birthday at the Pier for lunch.  Leo and Coach are best buddies! 

That weekend  John and I also celebrated another year of marriage.  7 wonderful years with “my prince”, as Isla would say.  We have built such a beautiful life together and to think it all started over a beer at a keg party 11 years ago.  I love you, babe and the 7 year itch ain’t got nothing on us. 

(August 14, 2004)

And so Monday came and I woke up excited and terrified at the same time.  I probably shouldn’t have scheduled such a hard outing for our first day but I thought hey why not dive in head first.  So we drove to the Avenues mall to go to “Build a Bear.”  Okay it was around 99 degrees outside, I’m unloading the double stroller out of the Tahoe while Palmer is screaming and Isla and Leo are bouncing off the walls with excitement.  I’m already sweating and completely stressed out.  We finally get out of the car and head inside but Palmer continues to scream.  I thought he may be hungry so I make the kids go back outside and get into the car so I could nurse him.  I was so stressed that he wouldn’t even eat so we unload again and head back inside.  We make it to the store and Isla and Leo were in heaven.  They were having a blast so I tried to ignore the fact that I had a screaming 3 month old in tow.  Isla picked out a purple cat and Leo picked out a gator (good choice, buddy).  The bears were stuffed and then they were allowed to pick out an outfit and a pair of shoes.  They were running in different directions and I was bouncing a crying baby and thinking to myself I have lost my mind.  Somehow we got the bears dressed and their birth certificates printed when John walked into the store to meet us for lunch.  I was so relieved to see him.  However, we had to skip the lunch date because I had to get Palmer home to feed him.  Oh boy, it was a tough morning and note to myself…never go to the Avenues by yourself with 3 kids.  After naps I was recharged and decided to take Isla and Leo to the Hanna Park Splash park while my mom watched Palmer.  I had so much fun running around with them and splashing in the ice cold sprinklers.  We even played on a 4 person see-saw.  Monday turned out to be not so bad after all and the rest of the week was a breeze.

Tuesday we went to the Ponte Vedra pool with my dad and then to Sierra Grille for lunch.  In the afternoon we stayed at home and played many games of hide-n-seek.  Wednesday, I took them to Planet Pottery.  Isla picked out a little angel fairy box to paint and Leo of course picked out a truck.  Palmer fell asleep on the way so they had my total attention.  For an entire hour they sat there and painted their art concentrating so hard and making sure to not let a speck of white show through, well Isla did at least. 

That afternoon we posted up at Books A Million and read a ton of books and then they got to pick out a couple to buy.  I think we came home with some “Cars” musical books, a Barbie book, and a Little Bear book.  We went out to eat at Culhanes to end the day. 

Thursday I took them to story time at the Library and we also read and checked out books.  That afternoon we had art time in the driveway.  Isla and Leo finger painted and played with glitter while Palmer hung out on the porch and had some tummy time in the yard.  Leo wasn’t that into getting his fingers dirty but he tried it out for a bit. 

Friday came and I was sad.  I was sad that our week together was over.  We went to the pool again and relaxed in the afternoon.  Although the week was a lot of work, it was also a lot of fun and I know how fast these little ones grow.  I made sure to soak up every second and I’ll always remember this special week together.  Thank you Isla, Leo, and Palmer for our week of fun and for every day we spend together.  I’m so lucky to be your mama!  Muah, muah, muah, hug, hug, hug!!!