On the back side of the weekend

Ok, now that we're on the back side of the weekend, it doesn't seem quite as bad as it felt going through it. Eli & Cole were a total handful; I mean an out-of-control wild and crazy handful. And I'm not exaggerating! I don't even remember Friday night but I know it wasn't that bad. Saturday started early......like before 6am early. I took the boys to the Y and my workout was interrupted by the child care folks coming to find me because Eli had an accident. Lovely. Once we got home, we started baking cookies and doing some things in the kitchen waiting for Tim to get back from his bike ride. The boys took short naps and then we headed out to two of our three possible social engagements for the night.

Stop 1 - We went to Brad, Tia and Maya's their annual Harvest Moon Festival. I was so excited to see them because we don't get together often. Fortunately we were able say hi when we first got there because we had to make a quick exit after about an hour. Sorry guys that we didn't get to say goodbye. The boys were out of control, not listening and just all over. Cole was not happy for anything. I felt bad because Tim didn't even get to eat any bbq. Brad & Tia did a great job getting ready for their shin dig. There were lots of games for the kids to play and a swingset to play on (our boys loved that of course!). We didn't even get to hear the Kudzu Ramblers this year. Tim & I were both bummed but what can you do? Oh well, next year.....

Stop 2 - Our friend Dave, his wife and daughters have a HUGE annual Halloween Bash. Last year we didn't make it but this year wanted to at least pop in and say hi. The boys were pretty good on the drive over and ok at the start but then they wanted to be all over running with the big kids. They weren't happy with the confines we put on them (you know keeping them from getting hurt!). So they got rowdy again. To which we packed them up and headed home - we didn't even last an hour at this stop. The party looked awesome with lots of food, games, bonfire and even a haunted trail around their property. We completely missed that this was a dress up party so I imagine had the boys been in costume, they might have enjoyed it and let us stay a little longer. Oh well, next year.....

Once we got them home, Eli ate dinner and Cole just went to bed. We were pooped and happy for some quiet. Fortunately, we were able to sleep in until 6:30am - woo hoo, how sad is it that 6:30 makes me happy - Sunday morning. Pumpkin pancakes and some play time later, we headed to the grocery store. The boys were pretty well behaved there, thankfully, but fell apart as we were leaving. Home for snacks and outside play time and then we ran to Moe's for lunch and REI to get Tim new shoes. That was a quick trip. I have learned that if you don't want to do something, you just whine and fuss and cause a scene until whomever is with you gives in. That's what children do. We did manage to get good naps out of them (too bad I had to spend it working) and by the time they got up, we had missed our window to go bike riding. Instead we did a long walk around the neighborhood, ate dinner, had baths and happily put them to bed.

I posted on Facebook this weekend that "parenting is not for the weak" and I truly believe that. I know our weekend doesn't sound THAT bad to some of you but trust me, it was tough in this house. Thankfully we survived and should be stronger for it.

Slightly grumpy Buzz Lightyear

Cole was all smiles practicing his spoon skills with yogurt.

He did really well, even though it was messy.

Silly Mommy & Eli.

On Maya's swingset.

Cole loved the little car hanging from a tree limb. It wasn't just a one-directional swing, it went in all directions.

So fun!

The swing has a great wooden glider.

Eli had fun on the monkey bar. He'd come off the slide, run around, grab the handle and swing. Then he'd declare "oh gosh!". It was pretty entertaining.