Sarah went to school today so I was left alone again, back to those sad weird feelings of motherhood with nobody around because they are all at school.  I left a note for Jacob and headed out.  I had a doctor’s appointment at 10 so I went to the Bookstore until it was time and then after the appointment I had my oil changed and light replaced in my car.  Then to Kohl’s to use my Kohl’s cash.  I bought a Scarlet fiesta mug for 2.77.  After that I went to Target to fill a prescription and use my coupons.  I had Chickfila drive through for lunch and came home and watched part of a movie.

It’s actually raining!!!!!!!  Soooooo happy.  (Grace and I love to say that just like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday).

David came home from school and threw a pink paper at me that has the schedule for open house tonight.  It’s not something I’m looking forward to, but I’m going to do it because it’s my motherly duty.  As an introvert, it is not fun for me to go to any school functions whatsoever.

David said that he told the assistant principal today about the girl who has been bullying him for almost 2 years.  She’s been calling him a terrorist because he sometimes wears a black hooded zip up jacket.  She is now accompanying her remarks with stabbing him in the neck with a pencil.  Hmmmmm, wonder who the little terrorist is???  Dave wasn’t planning on this being the day he told someone about his woes with the girl, but as he was called down to the office he began to stare at a paper that said, “Have a problem?  We will help you.”  The assistant principal was meeting with all the students one by one to ask how they were enjoying seventh grade so far and noticed David’s fascination with the paper offering help, so she conscientiously talked to him.

“She said she was going to talk to the girl.” Dave told me.  “I just hope when the girl finds out she doesn’t scream at me.”

“You do hate loud noises,” I agreed.

“Especially when they come from girls.” he said.

***

So after the family picnic Rich and I went to the mall with the kids.  It was the very mall we went to all through our growing up years, teenage years, and early marriage and parenthood years.  I hadn’t been there in a long time and the thing that struck me the most was the smell of cinnabons.  It took me right back.  Sarah had two dollars so I took her to the Hallmark store with Grace while the boys went off on their own.  While we looked at the things Sarah said, “I need to go the bathroom!!”  And when Sarah says she needs to go to the bathroom, you better listen…..so I grabbed her hand and took off running for JC Penny with Grace close behind.  As we ran past the Verizon store, we saw James and Janice and the boys.  (our dear dear friends)  I couldn’t stop so Grace stayed behind and I called, “We’ll be right back!”

Eventually we all decided to eat at Ruby Tuesdays together and it was such fun, such a nice gift, especially since that very morning I had told Rich that I was thinking about Janice a lot.

Sunday morning we had a very lazy morning.  Rich took the kids to breakfast and then to the pool.  I had a hard time getting out of bed.

See the photo above Dave’s bed?  That’s the building my Mom works in every day.

I asked the hotel if they had any copies of the picture but they didn’t.  I would have loved one for my house.

Jacob was snoring so loud I asked E, “Doesn’t that bother you?” but he said “no”.

I met Rich and the kids downstairs and they said, “Didn’t you notice that this is fiestaware?” to me.  And I hadn’t!

The hotel had cereal bowls, luncheon plates, and mugs, all in white.

Rich threatened to drive us all home that morning so I pushed aside my exhaustion and said that he just needed fresh air and exercise.  So we went to the bookstore where Dave found some things that he would like for his birthday.

Jacob and Ethan went to my parent’s house.  It was such a thrill for them to drive there all on their own, for the first time.

And the rest of us went to the park.

Grace did some sketching.

Rich and I rested on a blanket while the kids played on the big playground.

They threw things at a squirrel way up in a tree, and made up games with other children…….

Gracie

Grace took this one of the treetop.

After his nap, Rich went for a long run and then he felt much better about things.  This is a man who needs to move around.

When he came back I was still in the same place.  🙂

Then I asked him if he would please please take me to Boscov’s and he agreed.  This was another store that I remember my mom taking me to when I was a little girl.  I just love going back home, we both do (Rich is from the same place).

I bought an egg plate what was on clearance, some silicone trivets, two bowls in lapis blue, and a poppy java mug.

AND THEN….we went to Humdingers ice cream for cones and slushies.

I had this ice cream sundae.

We got up early Monday morning and left for home.  It was a very nice weekend even if Sarah did get sick that very night and was sick for the next two days, poor thing.  She’s better now and will be getting home from school soon, along with Caleb and Seth.  I have to leave in an hour and a half to take the boys to practice, pick up Grace, and go to the Middle school open house.