Good morning! Considering the fact that I wasn’t in my own bed, and considering that I was sharing my bed with one very wiggly baby and one very quiet big boy, I had a good night. The bed and pillow was comfortable, and I enjoyed having a good night’s sleep. Still, since it wasn’t home, Michael and I were both awake fairly early this morning. That’s ok. We aren’t complaining. It’s just how it is when you’re out of your regular routines. We have stayed at this Hampton Inn many times before, and it’s one of our favorites.

Michael brought me a fresh cup of coffee from the breakfast area downstairs. And then he took Miguel and Judah down for breakfast so I could take a hot shower and pamper myself just a bit. At home I usually have something else to hurry off and do, so having nothing more to do this morning than just primp is a luxury! I conditioned, tweased, polished and in general improved my appearance. Even if no one else notices, I feel more beautiful.

I don’t know what the day holds. I’ll be sure to let you know.

—————–

This morning I got my two grubby little boys bathed and dressed in clean clothes. Judah was so eager to get in the bathtub that he started climbing in fully dressed! I managed to catch him before he got more than one leg wet.

We went over to Grandma Jo’s house to spend the day with Grammy & Grandma Jo. (“Grammy” is Michael’s mother, Nancy, and Grandma Jo is Nancy’s mother. Nancy lives with her mother to care for her.) Amelia, Luke and Laura had spent the night there last night, so it was nice to be reunited as a family. Amelia had already “clicked” with Grandma Jo. Amelia’s middle name is Josephine after her great grandmother, and they’ve had a special bond ever since Amelia’s birth. Amelia isn’t the least bit intimidated by her sometimes-intimidating great-grandmother. Even when Grandma Jo retires to her room to escape all the craziness in the house, Amelia strides right into Grandma’s bedroom to ask a question or see what’s going on. The rest of us wait for Grandma to come back out on her own, but not Amelia Josephine!

By mid-morning I was getting a little frazzled with the children. They were loud and rowdy, and the house is not really child-proof. Judah was getting into everything, Isaac was talking too loud, and I was ready to retreat to the motel so I could stop chasing kids. It was then that my mother-in-law saved the day. She declared that we were going to the park. We hustled little ones to the potty, rounded up jackets and shoes, and off we went. The park was just the perfect solution to our day. Even though it was very cold, it was dry and sunny, and the kids were able to run and climb and shriek and swing and hang and in general, BE kids.

Once we were chilled sufficiently and a few kids had injured themselves, we declared an end to the playtime and we headed back “home” with Grammy. Once there, the children were much more subdued and were willing to wait while we got lunch ready. Hot soup and cheese bread were on the menu. It’s amazing how delicious hot soup is when you’ve been outside and cold.

After lunch, we gathered up some kids who needed quiet time and we left Laura and Miguel at Grammy’s house. Michael took a few kids to run errands while I went back to the motel room with Isaac and Judah. Judah and I needed to nap, and Isaac needed some down time to recharge his social batteries.

I slept so soundly. It was hard to wake up. But my son who is so eager to serve me was glad to run downstairs and get some coffee to help me wake up.

Once we collected ourselves, we headed back to Grandma Jo’s house for supper. Grammy was preparing the main dish and some corn muffins, and I put together a salad. We had such a nice meal together, enjoying good food and fellowship. Amelia sat next to Grandma Jo and kept an eye on her. It’s so funny to see those two interact. Grandma Jo bosses Amelia around if she needs to, and Amelia makes sure Grandma Jo stays on her toes. ☺

After supper we settled two very tired children (Miguel & Amelia) into their beds at Grandma Jo’s house. Then we socialized for a bit. Laura put on a viola concert for Grandma Jo & Grammy, while Michael and I cleaned up the dining room that looked like a tornado had just ripped through it. Then Michael and some kids watched some t.v. (a luxury we don’t have at home) while Luke and I played Uno with Grammy.

Finally we said goodnight and headed back to the motel with Luke, Isaac and Judah. Tomorrow night we’ll shuffle the kids one last time with half sleeping at the motel and the other half at Grammy’s house. We don’t have any firm plans for tomorrow. I want to get some “four-generation” photos in the morning while everyone is awake, clean and cheerful. We have a few ideas for lunch and supper. But one thing I know for sure… I want to go back to the park!

———

P.S. You can see some photos of our trip, if you like.