Without Aba

Nahum is in Colorado this weekend for our good friend Paul Mags' wedding to Adriana and having lots of fun visiting with old friends.  Surprisingly, I'm doing quite well without him, but I just got lucky.    I've got to spend lots of time with my good friend Lynn (the kids surrogate Grandmother).   I had a just-grownups tea date with Lynn Friday morning (experienced the miracle of complete conversations).  After getting the kids from school for our Friday-cheese-burger-in-the-park weekly picnic, we met our friends Anne, Addison (Shayna's bff), and little Izzy at the park.  It's so fun to watch the kids run, play, be goofy, and misbehave together, especially now that all four kids are walking.  I've been interviewing new sitters (for date nights) and the young lady who came by Friday after nap was a great success.  I got some time to myself Friday afternoon and she's back again this morning so I can be at a coffee shop typing this.

Lynn and I took the kids to the Farmers' Market early Saturday morning for some treats (grapes and a cookie) and play (wall walking and running in the grass plus they just seem to enjoy people watching and looking around).  Who should happen to be there but Addison and Izzy with dad Luke.  Shayna and Addison always seem soooooo happy to see each other and always great and part with big hugs.  After that, Shayna's favorite 12-year-old down the street Ashley came over for a couple hours to play with the kids while I did some uninterrupted house work.  After nap, we explored a little wood in our neighborhood that has a play set and a tree swing in the middle of it.  Shayna made us hike down to the creek from there.  I even dared to experiment at bedtime and put both kids in the same room.  There was minimal protest (screams on Elijah's part at being put in a different bed that usual) but within 15 minutes both kids were asleep.  On the other hand, I had a lot more trouble getting to sleep.  Despite going to be early in the hopes that the nights interruptions (there were two) wouldn't cause too much sleep loss, I just couldn't get to sleep.  I'm so used to hearing Elijah breath or bump around his crib that the silence was too much.  I'm thinking of trying again tonight as it would be night to have my room back again and the kids do go to be at pretty much the same time since Shayna gave up her afternoon nap.

Pictures of the weekend:

Playing fetch with Anne, little Izzy, and Elijah.  Yes, that's a stick in my daughter's mouth, but I'm going to blame it on Anne whose daughter Addison instigated the game.

Playing on a poison ivy hill.  Luckily for me, Anne noticed the poison ivy so we were able to wash our kids afterward instead of me being surprised by itchy kids later that day.

Addison and Shayna show off their balancing prowess.

Elijah surprised all of us by charging after the big girls who wall-walk reliably.

He is not so reliable.

Lynn expressing her great relief that Elijah fell in and not out.

Patiently waiting for Elijah to climb up.

Sitting with my daughter at the playground in the woods while she enjoys dinner.

She's finally learned how to belly swing.

Climbing and stickering in the woods. (Elijah has a sticker)

Enjoying dinner.