Catch up

Okay, so I did go out at midnight to get the book. It was very exciting and I didn't even get to start reading it until 12noon on Saturday. I took me until Wed. to finish...that part I was sad about. I am however very pleased with it. That's all I am going to write about it. If you would like to talk about specifics....call!!

I received wonderful wishes and great presents for my birthday. It was a very happy day and one filled with reminders that I am loved ( and liked!) So I was (and am ) grateful for all I have.

Mary has hit those "terrible" twos...She is quite the contrary one now. It is very funny but quite annoying all the same. She has started singing. She just decided this morning to bust out "twinkle, twinkle, little star" The WHOLE song too!! We were quite impressed. At dinner, she started counting all of the glasses...albeit only up to number 3, but seeing as we never really discussed the order and all, she got it right!!!

Grandma babysat last night (Sat.) so that Paul and I could enjoy dinner with his colleagues for the "passers" dinner. (YEA!!) It was a nice time for us and we are looking forward to the trip to Chicago in Nov. I believe I have accomplished my goal of having 3 dates with my husband this summer. I am also excited because we have another date coming up next weekend when we go to Tucson!!

I am having a dilemma. When should I get the new Harry Potter book? At 12:01 saturday or wait until later in the morning? I see the benefits of getting it at midnight...having it for when I wake up...but I will be tempted to stay up and read....then there is the decision to stay up until mid-night. Since I am usually ready for bed by 9pm this could pose a problem. Well, getting up early might seem to be the simple answer, ya know,early to bed etc etc. The only problem there is ....I can sleep. I don't think there is a simple answer....I will probably just wait and see how I feel Fri. evening.

Swim...

We spent this past weekend in Tucson...I have to say it was just a taste for our vacation coming up where we'll get to spend more time.....cannot wait!!

The reason we were there was because Houghton had a swim meet there. It was really nice and we got to use our canopy/tent thingy. I worked out great and kept us out of the sun...a great investment.

Houghton did really well...probably his best meet to date!! I am soooo proud of him! He even got going early ....warm-ups started at 6am both days!! By Sunday, he was dragging!!

He swam the 100m breast, 100m free, 50m free, 50m breast, 50m back, & 50m fly

He got DQ'd on the 100m breast because when he dove in, his first stroke was freestyle but other than that once he switched to breast he swam 100m of breaststroke "legally" it was awesome...he has struggled with that .....he really worked hard! He also got DQ'd on the 50m backstroke because on the start his feet were up too high on the edge of the pool (something his coaches never addressed) and I thought the ref's should have excused but oh well.

He gained time on some of his events but those were on Sunday when he was just pooped!!

He was soo excited that Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Julia and Tio Rene were all there....and Mary too! She's a good cheerleader (Just like her Nina!)

I was also exhausted...Mary didn't sleep well in the hotel and I still had to be up to get Houghton to warm-ups and to get a good spot for the canopy! On Sunday I also had to drive back...fortunately we got done way earlier than I expected!

Well, we survived the 4th. I worked most of the day while the kids played with grandma! We went to watch fireworks and some neighbors were having some of their own (illegal) fun...which scared Mary. I was not hopeful for the big show but she did really well and even enjoyed them (much to my relief)

She (and Houghton) spent their first 2 days at Ulli's house (the sitter) Mary jumped right in like she's been there from the get go. I do think having her older brother there helps. She even watched "Mary Poppins" today...something that wasn't "Finding Nemo" She then decided that we'll all be "____ Poppins" ie: bubbie poppins, mommy poppins it was quite cute!

This time tomorrow....Paul will be home. I cannot wait....I was not cut out to be a single mom!!! I don't think I will allow him to be apart from us for that long again!!!

A conversation...

Grandma: "We're gonna go shopping"

Mary:"Shopping, Shopping, shopping..."

Houghton: "Huh, why"

Grandma: "No, not really"

Mary: "No shopping, no shopping, no shopping..."