Baby It's HOT!

The kids and I are up north of Seattle for the week while Kelton attends day camp with his cousin and while Dakota is at home stressing out and studying herself crazy getting ready for the bar which starts tomorrow. The other things Dakota is home doing is enjoying the air conditioning...and I could not possible be more jealous. IT IS HOT! I heard on the news this morning, at 5:30 when the outside temp was sitting at 70, that there will be a heat wave all week. All. Week.

UGH.

I'm sitting on my sister's deck, in the shade, as sweat rolls down my neck. I don't do heat well and I'm in the land of no a/c. I've talked with a few people since arriving here on Friday and I hear the same thing I used to say when I lived here: "Why spend the money on a/c (or even a window unit) for the handful of days that you need it?" And to them I say "Because of the handful of days you need it." I used to say the same thing too - in fact, the first car Dakota and I owned together did not have a/c (it wasn't standard back in those days) because "It gets hot like what? Six days a year?" That, my friends, is the mid set of Pacific Northwesterners. :)

It's been a whirlwind since we arrived on Friday. We got to my brother's house and unloaded our weekend bags and then headed back into town to meet a friend I have not seen since my teen years. It was awesome! She brought pictures of "back in the day" and it was surreal to see photos of myself, her family, my family, etc. Very cool. She also brought a long a really great album of her oldest son who died five years ago from ALM Leukemia. I was so impressed with her strength and gratitude for the time between his diagnosis and (6 months later) death. She is an amazing woman and I am so proud to call her my friend.

Saturday we came to my sister's house for a BBQ that they were hosting. It was a fun times catching up with people but I think one the best part was when the rains came and cooled it down from the overly warm temperatures. :) The kids, of course, loved playing with their cousins.

Sunday we said goodbye to my brother and drove down to my sisters where we will stay for the remainder of our time. Saturday is my brother's wedding and both kids are in the wedding party - it's sure to be a good time...and hot. Yes hot. It's an outside wedding and the temps are predicted to be quite warm. Personally speaking - I love the sunshine. I love warm temps but when the creeps past 82...I'm done.

This morning we took Kelton to the bus pick up for day camp and after headed out to visit a friend I haven't seen in a very long time. We sat trying to figure out exactly how long it's been but neither could recall exactly. It was so easy to just sit and talk for hours and then Kaylen started to get restless so it was time to go. I was sad to say goodbye and I hope we can get together again the next time we are up. With her work schedule and out weekend visiting schedule it's tough to work it out but she would really like to see Dakota again and to finally meet Kelton.

On the way back to my sister's house I stopped at the store today to buy a few things. While there I found Kaylen a toddler sized splash mat so she can keep cool - she played in it for a nice long time and I'm sure she will be back with it soon - after I play Barbies with her (UGH UGH UGH!). Tomorrow she and I are headed out to a local beach with my niece and her almost 4 year old son. That should make the princess of "There isn't anyone for ME to play with!" happy for a bit. :)

Ok - time to play Barbies. Wish me luck.

PS - I have photos to post but I can't find a way to change the dpi so that they will upload. The good part of that is my brother fixed Dakota's laptop so at least I have a laptop to use. :) If I ever figure out the photo stuff - I'll get some posted. I know I know - the anticipation is killing you. :)