Another Manic Weekend!

How in the world did we manage to pack so much into two and half days? Talk about trying to squeeze the last bit out of summer - WOW!

Saturday Dakota arrived home from studying around lunch time. By then, the kids and I had already gone to the grocery store to pick up stuff that we needed for the week, put stuff away, done two and a half loads of laundry and had lunch. I had to run out and pick up another mattress pad for Kaylen's bed as hers completely fell apart in the wash so Dakota and the kids settled in with a big bowl of popcorn to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas. Kelton has been chomping at the bit to watch it and actually did enjoy it (it took two days to get through it though).

After I got back we hung around playing for a bit and then decided to take the kids to the park to play. They had a great time showing Dakota all around one of their favorite park and we ended up staying a couple hours. Since it was hot we decided to take the kids to Red Robin for a special treat of milkshakes. We all had a really good time.






It wasn't long before it was bath and bedtime (with some real food snuck in there somewhere). They fell into bed completely exhausted and very happy. Even better, they went to bed knowing that Dakota would be home in the morning and it would be a family day! We all live for family days.

Yesterday morning we got up and I hit upon the idea of going to to a local lake/water sprinkler park that has been very popular among my MOMS Club members this summer. The kids had a blast!! We got there early enough that there wasn't too many people around. By the time we left, it was starting to get quite busy and I was glad we weren't just arriving. The kids had so much fun splashing around in the lake, running through the sprinklers and playing on the playground - it was hard to convince them it was time to go.



On the way back home we stopped and picked up (among other things) the water filter I blogged about earlier, then we hit McDonalds and went home for lunch. Then we decided to make pretzels. I have a very easy recipe for soft pretzels that we used to make at camp when I was a counselor (about a million years ago). It was always fun to do with the campers so I thought the kids would love it....and love it they did! We had three big trays of creations.





After that adventure, we settled in and watched the rest of Kelton's movie and then it was bath and bedtime. Without a doubt, the day flew!

Today we had a friend stop by with her son. Declan and Kelton have been friends since well..before they were born and they are both starting school tomorrow. They had a good time hanging out together and M and I had a good time talking all about schools, M's new job, etc.

After they left we had lunch and then decided to go to a local fish hatchery. It's the same one Kelton went to on his day camp field trip so he had a good time telling us everything he had learned. It was cute and really sweet. We romped around there for awhile and then headed back home, with a stop at the grocery store for eggs, flour and Popsicles. After playing a game of baseball in the yard with Kelton it was time to make the giant chocolate chip cookie he has been dreaming about for days. They are just now finishing up that project and Kelton is beside himself waiting for the pizza pan sized cookie to finish baking. Four more minutes, is the official countdown.








It's been a wild, busy crazy weekend. I think it's fair to say we sent this summer out with a bang. And now - it's school time. You know I'll have photos to share of that big event. Well - providing I can focus the camera through my tears.

(And yes, I notice that Kelton seems to wear the orange tie-dyed shirt he made in day camp in every photo. It's because it's his favorite shirt *ever*. I wash it A LOT. At this rate, that poor thing will fade before we know it.)

(PS...Thanks to everyone for your comments to my "mommy on the edge" post about his open house. I feel a bit better but we've also spent some time looking at our options for "just in case". Having options is always a good thing. :) )