We drove Nonnie to the airport today, and it was a sad goodbye for Pippi.
Pippi called out goodbye several times, and flashed the “I Love You” sign several times as Nonnie flashed it back.
Meanwhile, Dash was bouncing all over the place - per his usual - and could barely get a goodbye out to Nonnie, before we drove off. As we drove off, Pippi was saying, “I’m really gonna miss her”, and then as we literally drove two feet out of the airport, Dash yelled…”I have to go to the bathroom!!!”
I always wonder why he doesn’t think to say those words when there is a bathroom 15 feet away!
Unfortunately, his usual potty bouncing around, and his excess-of-energy bouncing around has morphed into the same “bouncing”. So I didn’t read the signs correctly…but have become a pro at finding dry spots that need moisture.
Each Wednesday, when I teach Dash’s P.E. class, Pippi is with me. Today, I did a timed obstacle course through their playground, and was really surprised at how many first graders couldn’t get across the two different sets of monkey bars. Out of 30 kids, I bet half couldn’t get across.
When it was Pippi’s turn, the whole class was in shock over her skills. She literally schooled most of the kids. I think there were only a handful better than she was. She made the finals with the best of the class, and ended up in the top seven of the class.
When we got home, she wanted me to take a picture to send Dad of the girl who dominated.
I also told her she looked the cutest on the course!
Navy and I were dying over her sunset view tonight. She has had night after night of these insane beautiful sunsets…and I love my girl, who appreciates the beauty of nature. Whether it is wild flowers, rainbows, bright white clouds, rustling leaves on trees, or fiery sunsets, this girl is always pointing out mother nature’s incredible ways.
I woke up perfectly happy this morning.
And after Scout not wanting his hand to touch Navy’s hand, Pippi making Dash cry, Navy stuffing everything she owned under her bed, Dash jumping on Scout’s back which caused a raucous…and about eight other things, I had HAD IT! Then after getting everyone ready for church, and getting in the car to arguing and fighting kids, I had HAD IT! Then as I tried to lighten the mood with “car school”, and everyone fought over who got to pick the subject, and then the olders would answer the littles out loud to make them mad, I had HAD IT!
So I declared on 1-07-2019 at 12:45 pm, “Kids…Today I quit!”
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Like usual, I had a much softer heart when I was getting out of church, so I got in the car with a new found determination. But the arguing and fighting on the way home got me right back to quitting status. So I pulled into the driveway, let them out, then drove off to listen to Dr. Laura in a parking lot for a few hours. Again, I was renewed. I was driving back home when I called my mom. She was laughing about my hard day, and said, “Well….I have to be honest…I don’t think the kids miss you that much. They are having a good old time in the next room!”
I quit again, and drove down to Megan’s house for the rest of the day.
It was amazing how welcomed I was at Megan’s. They had a hot dinner for me, they raved about me as a mother, they laughed at my frustrations, and they let me stay until 10pm. It was perfect. On my way back, I was so excited that everyone would be asleep, so I could sneak in and go to bed myself.
This day just needed to be over!
And this is what I came home to…
A perfectly cleaned house.
All of the laundry done and put away.
Four sleeping kids, and a sleeping husband.
And:
Love notes all over the place!
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I declare I am reinstated as of 1-07-2019 at 10:45 pm.
I’ll have to admit…those 10 mom free hours were quite refreshing.
We headed down to Crystal Cove for breakfast, but had a few minutes to wait.
We headed to the shoreline, and we went from hanging out to a full-fledged photo shoot of action shots.
Here are each kid’s best:
Here is the best group shot according to the kids:
They love how it looks like Navy is kicking Scout.
Here is my favorite shot:
It is our version of a Beatle’s album cover!
And…..
This was voted best fake-out shot!
(Voted by Dash!)
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After all of the action, we sat down to a yummy breakfast by the sea, where the kids played cards, and Micah and I sat happy to have these four.
(Except when Scout was complaining that picture taking was lame, and he wasn’t going to do it. But then he heard us ooh and aah over the results, and then became the ring leader of it all!)
Pippi has been strolling around her five babies all day. I told her it must have been a brutal pregnancy. She said, “They were very small, so it didn’t hurt!” I thought that was pretty insightful. More so than she even knows.
There really is no explanation as to why Dash went into his room, and decided to put every article of clothing he owns on. Navy thinks she pulled off over 40 things he was wearing.
Then the little copy cat followed his lead, with her own 25 articles. (She didn’t layer as many pairs of unders.)
This all happened unbeknownst to me. Had I known, it wouldn’t have happened.
When I came out…I just gasped at all of the clean and folded laundry I had put away just hours before.
You’ll never guess who came to those dead-in-my-eyes kid’s rescue.
My perfect child.
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(Update: Apparently Micah was behind this all somehow. Enter another gasp. So Navy and I ask — where was he during the clean up?)
Having Ka back is the biggest treat! It is like a constant love fest between all of my kids and Ka. But when Pippi has been told for the last 18 months that she is just like Ka…I think Pippi has taken a very special liking to her!
All four kids playing cards together, is like Micah’s and my dream…before we ever even had kids!
Navy had Ka’s name for Christmas. She was so excited to give her a day of fun. So Navy earned all of the money for Ka’s portion ($50), and I matched her earnings for Navy’s portion. Then today…they hit the town!
Obviously as matching cousins!
How stinking cute are they!
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They started by going to L.A. for an appointment Ka had. Then they went to sushi. Ultimately, they went to get pedicures - of course, they perused the mall, and they drove all over town singing at the top of their lungs, talking about everything and anything, and giggling non stop! When Navy came back, it was like she grew up three years. Ka said it was absolutely the perfect day of bonding for them together…after a year and a half of being apart!
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