The past few weeks have been pretty hard for Miss M. I have been working extra hours at my job, J has been crazy busy with some new projects at work as well as finishing up financial aid for school, last set of applications, and working on our taxes {must be done for the financial aid}; needless to say we have all been a little stressed at our household. With my new schedule I hardly see the little Miss on the days I work and that has really impacted her. The other day it broke my heart to see her sobbing in the car the ENTIRE way to gymnastics because "I hardly see you anymore Mom". I was literally in tears as we arrived at her gymnastics, wanting so hard to take the pain away from her and make it all better. Then she proceeded to ask me "why do other Mommy's get to stay home with their kids and you have to work?", which was followed by yet another discussion on Mommy working so that we can live in our house, have food, buy clothes, etc....
So when this weekend came I knew that it had to be the perfect family bonding, playing, laughing, togetherness type of weekend. On Friday I worked yet again, but luckily I found another lady to come cover part of my shift from 5pm to 9pm so that I could come to Miss M's little gymnastics intersquad. She was SO EXCITED that I could come watch you and I will never forget the look she gave me when I walked into her gym. She ran right over and gave me the biggest hug saying again and again "you came!" It was so much fun to watch her do her tricks, and other than forgetting part of her new floor routine, she actually did really well and got 1st place in her level. The best part was that I got off a little earlier than expected {like 4:40pm} so I was able to meet up first with the boys at the mall and ride the carousel with them before heading to her gymnastics. The intersquad ended up finishing around 7:30pm and then we all met over at my Mom's house and played together for another hour before I had to go back to work. I LOVED spending time with my kids in the middle of my shift :)
On Saturday we had another fun-filled, schedule packed day. First, Miss M and Robby got up and played in their fort they built in the playroom until it was time to go to cousin Kaylin's birthday party. We all {me and the three kids} headed over to Aunt Lori's house and had fun at her "Mickey and Minnie" themed party. Once that was done, it was off to Hobby Lobby for a few fun crafty supplies and then back home. At 2pm, Maddie went across the street to Abby's cute "Girls Only" birthday party {that is what Miss M told Robby it was}. Although Robby was a little sad that he didn't get to go, he had fun playing with his Monster Trucks while the little E slept. When Maddie was done with the party, we did a few chores and then I took all the kids on a "kid date night" to the movies. We went over to San Tan Mall, played in the kiddie play area for awhile, stopped in the Children's Place for a few things, ate some Panda's Express at the food court, and then watched "Gnomeo and Juliet 3D" at the movie theatres. I loved how Eli oohed and aahed at the big tv screen :) The kids were really well behaved in the theatre and all seemed to enjoy the show. After the movie was over, it was on to Target for some "lace up" shoes for Miss M and then back home for bed. And for the icing on the cake, I even let Robby and Maddie sleep in their fort in the playroom last night. Am I Super Mom or what?! {j/k} Let's just say they went to bed WAY TOO LATE and still got up around 7:30am. I think it might be quite awhile until I let them sleep in the fort again ;)
I am sure that this weekend will quickly fade from their minds, but I hope they never forget how much their Mommy loves them! I know that I will never forget how much fun I had with them. They are truly so much fun to hang out with and I always remind them that they are "pretty cool kids".
Rob at Kaylin's Mickey Mouse party sporting his ears
Miss M with Minnie Mouse ears
Eli is a total lover of the sweets and is always game for any opportunity to have treats
