park, puppy and presents!

it's friday night and Aaron and I had plans for a hot date at the bookstore. but when it came time to leave, we looked at each other and knew it was best to stay home. Aaron has been sick all week and needs some down time. I've had an extremely long day and sometimes all I want to do is nothing.

After jumping on the trampoline in their undies, I made my kids get dressed. We did some chores, made a few cupcakes and then headed to the park to meet our homeschooling friends, like we always do on fridays. Of course we brought our dog because big dogs are the most fun to play with outside.
I've learned a few things about being a pet owner in the last couple of weeks... I could do a post just on this subject alone, but I think I'll wait and make a top ten list.. Anyway, one thing I've learned in a major way is that dogs are people magnets. Maybe this is an obvious thing to you, but it never was to me because I was never personally drawn to them. The rest of the world is, apparently. EVERY time we take her out in public, we end up having lengthy conversations with strangers. I like having conversations, but pet conversations are different kind of conversations. I don't mind telling them about my dog (her name, how old she is, how well she behaves with our kids, etc.) but I don't want to hear about their dog or it's life history. I should wear a button that says, "You can pet my dog, but please don't tell me about yours." I hear so many random stories and odd facts about how often their dog poops and which doggie kindergarten classes are the best, and which nursing home their dog ended up in. I have been opened up to a whole new world and I am not sure I like it. Most of the time it's not too bad, but some people don't understand that I have a dog AND four kids. They completely ignore the fact that my kids are crying or have to go to the bathroom or are running across the busy parking lot while we casually chat. Anyway, this is not why I am writing this post. I will save the rest for another day....
We brought cupcakes to the park so we could sing to Zack and share them with our friends. It wasn't a party-- just a cupcake fest. While I was dishing out the cupcakes and trying to get the candles to light (which never happened) Simon and the puppy took off. They are great little playmates, but sometimes they get into trouble. Sunny ran across the grass to play in the sprinklers and Simon happily joined. He came back SOPPING wet... we had been at the park for a total of ten minutes. I really didn't want to leave because my older boys love (and need) the outside time with their friends and I love (and need) the great conversations I have with the other homeschooling moms, but I didn't have anything for Simon to wear. We stripped him down, put on a new diaper and took a coat from a girl who wasn't wearing it. His shoes were still wet, but we put them back on and he pranced around the park in a pink coat and air walks. It was a funny sight... and I tried to pretend like he wasn't mine.
I am so grateful we don't live in a freezing place... because he was warm and happy in his pink coat. We were able to stay for a couple of hours and Simon remained happy and busy...
problem was, we had to give the coat back when we left the park, and I needed to stop at the store to get some milk. I thought about going home, getting him dressed and then coming back to the store, but I just couldn't do it. My reputation wasn't worth the wasted 20 minutes and Simon was happy to be naked. That's right. I took him into the store with only a diaper on. I got a few weird looks from people who wondered why I was allowed to have 4 kids, but I didn't give a tiny turd. If I would have brought the puppy into the store with me, no one would have even noticed my naked baby. I am telling you, dogs are attention-suckers.

(wish I had a picture of Simon in his skivvies... didn't think to stop and take one... bummer.)

While in the store, Luke and Zack were really acting up. They were hyper from the park and Luke kept touching Zack where he didn't want to be touched (his shoulders). While in the check out lane, Luke poked Zack's shoulder and Zack turned around and pushed him into the cart. As if having a naked baby wasn't drawing enough attention to me and my four kids. But I didn't lose my cool. My new year's resolution is still fresh in my mind, so I remained calm and quietly told my fighting boys that they had to HUG each other until we were out of the store. They were both not happy about the punishment but quickly gave each other a big hug and giggled while squeezing as hard as they could. The checker complimented me on my well-behaved boys and said to the bagger, "Look at those darling boys, they can't stop hugging each other. They seem like such great friends!" I smiled and said, "I know. They are just the sweetest boys ever." and then I smacked them out in the parking lot..

We arrived home to a BIG box on our doorstep! It was a Christmas package that got delivered when we were in Utah, and then taken to the wrong post office. We've been trying to track it down for a couple of weeks now and it finally came! Oh boy... it was worth the wait. It was like Christmas morning all over again. Simon's Godmother (more details HERE) sent the most thoughtful and wonderful presents for the entire family. The boys each received new pajamas (Simon got four darling, soft pairs!) And the toys are just perfect... she must know what little boys like! Dominoes, tinkertoys, art supplies, a cuddly teddy bear and a jack-in-the-box for Simon Patrick.
She was also inspired to send me a binder of family favorite recipes! I am so thrilled about this and feel privileged to make some of these delicious meals for my family. (is the coloring messed up in this picture or do I look deathly white in person?)
Simon is sleeping with his teddy tonight. The presents couldn't have been more thoughtful.. Having a Godmother is awesome!!!! Why didn't we have one for our other boys? jk.
And lastly, this picture is for Aaron's mom. The boys play EVERYDAY with their lego set you bought them for Christmas. Ben took this picture (and a video I will upload later) just for you. He wants you to know that they've built everything and they love it! Thank you!
Here's to a happy, healthy weekend.