Life has been busy.. for sure. 

Last week my brothers were both coming up from Florida.  I don’t think they have ever been up here at the same time.  We decided to have a cookout on Sunday so we could all spend some time together.  However, David was working all week and Angel had courses to do for work.. so that meant I had to mow the lawn.. Seriously??  I think I mowed a part once in the 9 years we lived here.. there was no way..

But I did it.. I seriously did it.. wow.  It took all day.. and it was hot.. but I did it.  I am proud of myself.  I did have a problem with the side yard, which is like a swamp.  The mower clogged and got stuck.  Angel managed to finish that part for me. 

Chicken Pox…

I mentioned a while back that I thought Anna had the chicken pox.. nope.. she had these dots ..with clear puss filled tops.. but they never got cloudy or even scabbed over.. they just got smaller.  It was the weirdest thing.  They did not even spread after a warm bath.. she did get maybe 2 or 3 more the next day.. but that was it.  She probably had a total of 23 spots.  So odd. 

We bought a smaller pool for this summer.. it is only 3 ft high but Anna and Ethan have been having a blast in it daily.  However it is cold today.. so it is not happening today.  Here are a few pics though.

 Here there is a bug crawling on Ethan’s hands.. he was fascinated!

I am not a huge fan of bugs.  Not at all.  When Anna was younger she loved bugs.  All kinds.  This is no longer true these days. 

I feel so bad because she is really terrified most times.  But then you can’t help but laugh.  I have no clue how to help her through this fear.  The day after the video, a huge Lunar Moth came into our home and chilled for the day.  After her freaking out a bit.. by the end of the day, she was more comfortable.  We spent a lot of time learning about them.  It was fun. 

Let’s see.. about 2 weeks ago, Anna had a slight fever, headache and running nose.  Last week her cheek swelled up and we thought, sinuses.  So I put her on Clariton.  When she got back from my mom’s on Sunday I noticed what appeared to be a few pimples on her arm.  Yesterday, there were about 16 and they looked more like Chicken Pox.  I went all over the web.. and yes, that is what it looks like.  However, there are so few of them.  Today she has 25 that we can see.  She hasn’t been very itchy til this morning (I forgot to give her the Clariton). 

David was about 9 when he got them.  But he was completely covered.. all down his back.  If this is what Anna has.. it is a very mild case I guess.  wow. 

Guess our plans for the day are not happening. 

Once a year, my daughter goes to her Mimi’s house (my mom) and I get to refresh myself.  I really love this time because I literally never send Anna away.  By this time I am usually totally spent.  Ok, way before this time actually!   I love how the convention helps inspire and motivate me to keep on going.  This year one of the speakers was Carol Barnier. She was there a few years ago and I loved her. 

During our lunch break yesterday, we headed on over to a Thai Restaurant nearby.  The food as usual, was pretty good. 

I had the Coconut Chicken soup

and Pineapple chicken with rice

Hubby had the Hot spicy squid

On the way home we stopped at McD’s for a burger and then Dairy for a chocolate dipped ice cream cone.  Oh my word those things are huge! 

Then we came home and took a 3 hour nap!  Totally unusual for me. 

I did not attempt to do any major cleaning sadly.  However that is ok.  I hope to start tomorrow off nice and early with some motivation.  Monday is usually ‘recover from the weekend’ day.. in which we are easy on schooling and focus a bit on cleaning. 

We are about to leave to go get Anna in a few minutes.  I will try to do better with blogging.  I really need to start recording precious moments more often. 

Oh yes, today is company day. You see.. being a homeschooling stay at home mom.. I don’t see adults personally much. One day a week another homeschooling mom comes to visit. She used to be a SAHM also.. but she has been a working mom now for the last couple of years. However, our visits do not change. They just get harder to find the time for sometimes.

She sees our visits as relaxation time. Just a few hours where she does not have to rush about.. worrying about this or that. I want her to be able to come and just relax and enjoy her time here. I love to be able to cook up something nice for us. The kids are easy.. they like Ramen, hot dogs, or mac and cheese.. oh and tuna also. Sometimes I like to try new things on my friend. I need to get back to that because I have been slacking. Although last week was polish sausages and potato salad (my salad was um.. undercooked..)..

For me, her visits means.. There is an adult in the room!! Other than my husband that is.. who works from home.. or my son who is technically an adult now. But honestly.. another mom, a homeschooling one at that. A wife and mom who understands my frustrations, goals and worries. Another mom who enjoys spending time with me. Someone I have known and cared about for 9 years! I met her at La leche when I was pregnant for Anna.. and we have grown close ever since.

So today, I am thankful for my friend Stephanie. Who has always stuck by me and never gave up on our friendship.

What are you thankful for this Thursday?

It’s time for “Get Your Vlog on” with Lizzie B.  Today I decided to talk about Anna’s favorite item in the entire world.  Please share your stories or even suggestions.  I can’t imagine her taking this thing along with her when she enters college!
Want to join in?  Click on the icon above and meet Lizzie B.