What is a "weekend"?

You have to read that in the voice of Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, on Downton Abbey. She has no concept of the five day work week and soon Sean will feel the same. This weekend he actually worked the day shift both days so this was not a relaxing break, not that a weekend with kids usually is. Soon he will be working seven days (nights) on, then seven off, I think Wednesday to Wednesday, something like that, so obviously every other weekend will be a sleep/work weekend. Alternating with ND football weekends I guess. Congratulations to Sean on his out-of-army gift, season tickets to ND! Get ready for some long drives. He won't be making it to all games so anyone who is interested in going to a game, we can hook you up.

Now to review iPhone photos so I can remember what we've been up to...

 Ah yes, probably their last trip to post, this was school physical day a few weeks ago. They love this train across from the hospital. I at least convinced them that it was too hot to play on the playground. Just gave them a few minutes on the train and took their photo as instructed.

 Just hanging on the train...

 This reminds me of a senior photo... what kind of weird place can we pose you in a dress...

 Well, if this neat closet with only school uniforms doesn't convince you to send your kids to the Catholic school then you just aren't as OCD as I am. I met yet another new family today who refused to consider the Catholic school because they didn't like the one in the town they moved from. Well, that's a sound decision to make for a chain restaurant but for a school with different leadership and different teachers? I was kind and didn't tell this prejudiced mom that she just sent her precious daughter to the worst elementary school in town. Good luck!!

If we have the Apple TV hookup in my room then I tend to find the kids like this.

 Someone was pretty angry at her siblings and had to make a sign for her door. Too angry to remember how to spell their names...

 Doesn't look like someone who'd have a sh*t list, but you'd be wrong. This is why she is going to afternoon preschool. Princess likes to sleep in.

 Looks like a fun first day of school!

 Keeping Nana warm in the sweltering heat.

 Sean had to turn in all the army gear he's been issued over the years (and most of it was never worn, notice the tag on this alluring jumpsuit). This was the only thing that they no longer give out so at least the rest will be put to use. We can all hope that this was just destroyed...

 They insisted on "helping" with balling the watermelon. Didn't take long until the straws came out for watermelon juice. Pretty much threw it all away after that... at least it kept them busy for a while.

 To everyone who "shares" a photo on Facebook about how they wish we had prayer in schools, LOOK, we do! Every morning this whole crowd starts with one, followed by the pledge of allegiance.

 Second house where we have had to play the "where does this drain hose come from?" game. Good times!! Had to take some photos of the heinous job these guys had to do in the heat this week so when the bill comes we don't grumble when we pay it.

 Yes, poor guys were out there digging a trench to extend the drainage tubes from the side yard that was getting pretty nasty from everything dumping there. My favorite part of this project was when they discovered the pool drained under the landscaping. I have walked on those floating rocks and weed barrier, very odd. Problem solved now we think.

 Taking a swim break

 Challah bread from Radina's Bakeshop, now I can make the best French toast! Happy morning. New week starts in 8 hours...

Here you go, back to school photo

Megan only wears her uniform on Fridays and Emily starts school tomorrow. She was sleeping when I took this which is why she is going to afternoon preschool. The kids were rather crabby when I picked them up from their half day and I was quite concerned that they didn't like their teachers or classes or something but no, it was hunger related. I guess not having access to the pantry all day is an adjustment. Full day tomorrow, whoo-hoo!

Other topics and photos, (a most vague title)

 Must be Sean took them to get shaved ice. Blue, Megan?

 Don't stain the dress, ugh.

 Patrick has decided that he loves going for walks with me in the morning. He is angry if he catches me coming back from having gone by myself. I made the mistake of mentioning that there is a tunnel that we drive over to go to golf so then it became his goal to go see it. Wow, so exciting, but it did tire him out a bit so that was good.

 Megan and two good friends having fun at the almost empty pool a few weeks ago. Of course the pool has been closed for a week and a half already even though we're back to the heat but that's okay, kids were sick of it anyway. Not that they are ready for school but they will go tomorrow regardless.

Not much in the way of summer tans here, mission accomplished.

Getting some use out of old dance costumes, I find it funny but I suppose some people driving by just think we are crazy.

 Took the kids to Radina's Bake Shop for some European style pastries and were joined by some European styled men in sharp black suits. That's a trend I would like to see spread.

 Patrick is also my big helper in the yard. He loves to help pull weeds and is so proud of it.

 Ah, Fever Tree tonic water... had to order from Amazon  to try it out. Well worth the free shipping, although the UPS driver might disagree.

Combined with our favorite new gin, Leopold's, it was a good way to celebrate Sean's last day of working in the hospital (over a week and a half ago, I'm so behind but did post this on instagram in a timely manner). Another random post soon.... just catching up here before chaos of back to school begins...

Cousins Week!

Andrea made the long boring drive out here all on her own with the kids. They aren't back in school yet either so it was the perfect way to end the summer. I hate when the last week of summer is just more of the same old same old except everyone is crabby and stressed about starting school. Sean was off work all week to help divide and conquer. With the big girls off hiking and exploring in Utah with Nana and Pops, we had plenty of room for everyone to sleep and hang out. I also had the perfect opportunity to clean out and organize the girls' rooms before guests arrived. Good luck finding your treasures, girls, ha ha!! And now for the photos, of which we didn't take nearly enough.

 Sean took Charlie, Patrick and Emily putt-putt golfing one day. I don't remember what the rest of us were doing. What a blur.

 I promise that the blur wasn't due to massive amounts of alcohol though. The world's most patient parents have no use for all this (someone used to get his bonuses paid in liquor) so Andrea brought me about 30 bottles. I guess it's time for some parties. Now for those of you who doubt I could be an introvert and at the same time love to throw big parties, let me explain how having a party is a great way to keep attention off yourself. I can just putter around keeping the party going and I know and enjoy every single person there. No awkward small talk when everyone is a good friend already! It's other people's parties that can be a real pain. Anyway, I think I might make up some liquor goodie baskets for the school auction with some of these. October 11th, mark your calendars. Oh and these were all sitting in the back of Andrea's van the night that some suspicious activity was going on in the neighborhood. We suspect they started getting into the van but then gave up when they figured it was just filled with kid junk. Suckers!! Okay, back to the visit...

 In no particular order, this is Patrick climbing a tree at the park. We tried to get out and do one activity each day before heading back for pool time and kid food.

 Ellie at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. It was pretty empty since most kids were back in school. She looks so much like Andrea did as a child, in my opinion. Sorry Ryan, this one is a clone.

 Charlie kept very busy with the big light bright toy.

 Ah, Julia. Doesn't she just look like the sweetest, most innocent child ever?? Well, she most certainly is but she also knows how to work her mother. She gave her a pretty hard time in the car when we were driving to drop Andrea off for a hair cut. Andrea seemed worried about how she would be for me and I was a little worried too until Andrea walked into the place and snap, Julia was fine. Smiling, singing along with the radio... seriously, what a joker!! One thing about a child like Julia, her chromosome thing (condition? syndrome?) is that her markers are things like heavy eyelashes, full dark lips, rosy cheeks. Oh, beautiful child syndrome? She is very smart, reads at and above her grade level, knows every word to every song on the radio, but when she is tired or hungry and in an unfamiliar environment, she sometimes acts like a toddler. I guess this is what puts her on the autism spectrum. This was confusing to my kids, especially now that she is no longer a toddler. At the end of the week Patrick started treating her like Emily, realized that she acts younger than him sometimes. They all enjoyed playing in the pool together though and it wore them all out. I am so glad we got this house, the perfect set up for Andrea and me to relax with the kids. I know they will really enjoy their own pool starting next summer!

 Ellie and Emily. Just need Erin to totally confuse the grandma!!

 Swinging at the zoo playground. Seriously, we took so few photos, I was so distracted.

 Ellie at the park. Hated wearing her shoes in the rocks and I don't blame her.

 Julia on lookout at the park.

 Going through the tunnel. I don't know why kids love it. I think it's disgusting smelling.

The old school style merry-go-round. No one threw up. All in all a very successful and busy week with the kids and I finally had enough time to catch up with Andrea in person. On the phone and computer is just not the same. Now that we have ND season tickets we hope to be seeing them even more. At least Sean will for sure! We need to sit down and really look at our fall calendar with the kids... I've been in denial about all the stuff we have planned but with school finally starting on Wednesday, it's time to get down to business.

The rules are about to change....

I caught Patrick throwing a little ball around the house yesterday and I reminded him once again that we don't throw anything in the house. He whispered dramatically, "the rules are about to change". What?! Yeah, starting with a new rule about no more watching action movies.

Today is Sean's last day in clinic, I am receiving hourly texts with the current countdown. There was a request for him to do a barium enema yesterday and thought for sure someone was pranking him. He at least convinced the provider that the proper study to order was just a CT.  Patients rarely show up for their barium enemas anyway and do you blame them? No procedures in teleradiology, he is delighted to have those days behind him now. He also had his last meeting canceled today, so all in all, it's shaping up to be a good last day.

Now if we could get some rain and bring our yard back to green that would be nice. I spend far too much time pondering the state of my yard, all the while knowing IT DOESN'T MATTER. Just grass. I hate wasting too much water on maintaining it, just seems wrong. But, I also can't let it just burn up, I'm trying to make nice with the neighbors who have been so complimentary about the small amount that we do to keep the landscaping looking decent. I guess this is the year I need to go all in with Christmas lights too. Just realized I forgot to stock up on lights after Christmas last year, I must have had another plan in mind, maybe those bliss lights. Well, this post is ALL over the place. I need to go wake the girls up, we're going to have some hard mornings once school starts....

Out of army award

Been waiting a long time for this one:

 Receiving the award from the new hospital commander

Thirteen years and four kids later they are finally letting him out. A few more days in office, then a couple weeks of out processing and then terminal leave.... guess I will wait until it's totally official to have the big party. Getting close now though!