We're trying to find a new normal. The first half of the week was tough. I lost my temper a lot. I almost lost my voice from screaming. We moved rooms around. Phil and I took apart the bunkbed and moved it to the playroom, which is now Ellie and Marly's room. Abby is happy to have her own room. I threw away lots of pieces of toys. Abby's swim team practice has begun. So every morning we go to her practice after Ellie and Marly's practice. Pool hopping has begun! Ellie and I are reading the first Harry Potter book. This is the series that began my love for reading. I hope Ellie likes it as much as I did! Monday we did a river play date with cousin, Alex. I blew up all the floats and just let them play in the backyard. That afternoon we got fancy and took the skyway to the library for the Fancy Nancy party at the library. I got confrontational with one of the librarians, which is not like me. She wasn't very supportive of the fact that I have 3 children who were into Fancy Nancy and one who was not. Tuesday and Thursday we started piano lessons. The teacher says we have good attention spans. Ellie is already playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on her own. I got the recall done in the minivan along with an oil change. I also got confrontational with the service guy at the dealership (twice in one week!) because we were there for almost 2 hours. An evening at TCC for dinner helped calm me down. Friday we major pool hopped from FYC, TCC, we paddleboated to the Hollands. I picked up my race packet then went to the Suters for a pizza pool party. I went home early to get rest for the tri the following morning. My brother, Matt picked me up and we did the Jax Sprint tri downtown. This year we swam in the river! It was quick with the current. Vanessa Holland was so sweet to let us borrow their bikes! The bike was 15 miles along the MLK parkway on a closed course, which was great. Then the run was on the riverwalk. That's always the tough part for me. But I didn't walk and it was fairly shady. A great race! Happy it's over- ha! Turns out I placed 3rd in the athena category! We didn't stay for the awards ceremony, though. We went to FYC to catch the end of the girl's swim meet. Team lunch at Tijauanas. I did a shopping trip to Walmart then headed to St. Augustine for a quick girls trip for the I love 90's tour at the amphitheater. So much fun dancing and singing along! We went to dinner after then spent the night down there. Today was Father's Day. We met the Freemans for a German lunch at E-street. Then, an afternoon visit with my dad. We went to the FYC pool then I took the younger two to mass (Phil took them all that morning, too). Busy weekend! 

We jumped right into summertime! We ran to the Weissed for a play date. That afternoon we had our first swim meet. I worked the bull pen in the second shift. I can already tell you this summer will be better than the last. Voss is for real swimming. I don't feel the need to hover over him. Tonight he was jumping off the diving board and swimming to the side with no problem. Whew! What a difference that makes! The littles swam in the baby pool while I sweat through my shirt during the meet. The girls did well. They are great swimmers! Tuesday we picked up the Suters and went to the Sawgrass beach club. It was nice to catch up with them. Wednesday we planned our summer movie with the rain. We saw Iron Giant, which was actually pretty good. We did a intro piano class. We'll start that up next week. That night we went to Carl's Birthday party. Fun night at the Freemans! Thursday we took the skyway to the library to sign up for summer reading. Then to Sweet Pete's for ice cream! That night I snuck out for a bit for TCC's ladies night. Not too impressive. Friday we did a pool day. We stayed and played after the morning practice. Then we went back for the afternoon practice. We did a mafia night that night. The rain helped create the perfect stormy night setting. An eclectic mix, perfect for the mystery. Super late night! Saturday morning's swim meet came early for all of us! Luckily, Phil was a timer. It got hot at the end. We went right from there to the Holland twin's Birthday party. Awesome day in the pool with water slides and lots of fun friends! My whole family was asleep by 6pm! Today was mass, breakfast, tubing with Mimi and Papa. I snuck out for a liberal ladies happy hour. We ended at TCC for a Massey Birthday party. We are having a fun summer so far!

Monday was Memorial Day. I had lots of thoughts on the history of America thinking back to the Seeing White series and currently reading Gone with the Wind. It's unsettling. I don't know anyone who has died fighting for the US. But it's still such a sad thought. While we're swimming at the pool at TCC, going on the water slide, diving for beers- then I think of how many lives have paved the way. But war is so political. What's all this about? I hosted book club that night. I didn't read the book- Good Omens. And now I feel like a slacker. I just couldn't get into it. We still talked about something until midnight. An awesome night on the porch with the rain. Oh the rain. It's been a wet week. Perfect for hiding upstairs and reading Gone with the Wind! It was the older girls last week of school so a bunch of nothing was happening. Ellie had an awards ceremony and cleaned up. I'm so proud of how she's done this year- making the decision on her own to bring up her grades! We had a play date with Jude and brought Ellie lunch. We went blueberry picking then the indoor playground. We went to Pump it Up then the Suter's pool. We have Luis painting inside the house so I've been trying to keep everyone out of the house. It's no easy task. The girls had a triathlon practice. But they ended up moving the race to later this month thanks so all the rain. Friday I ran and swam. The girls had their last day of 1st and 3rd grade! We went to Dreamette then the pool. The rain kept us from spending all day there. The older girls spent the night with the Butlers. The younger two went to the Treehouse. Phil and I went to First Friday. Late night of fun. Saturday I tried so hard to sleep in. Voss is not a fan of that idea. Phil played tennis. The younger kids and I stayed in PJs until the painter kicked us out. I did a noon run before the rain. We met the Freemans at the new El Jefe restaurant then spent the evening catching up with them. We ended with a movie night watching the Greatest Showman. This morning was mass then bfast with the Applegates. We went to IKEA then Build a Bear then to Wicked Barley for a pre-high school reunion. It was so hot and crowded. We made it an early night with cold showers and a family rosary.

Whew! What a week! I made it! I don't usually get nervous as a stay at home mom. But man, going into this week, I was nearly shaking trying to figure out how I was going to do it all- the logistics, I mean. Thank God for my village, once again. Saving me every day! We began with a run to help my nerves on Monday morning after drop off. My pal, Anne split a beer with me at the ball game. We did a MOPS play date for a lunch time game of the Jumbo Shrimp. I went right from there to Abigail's dress rehearsal. That worked out well. I got a great parking spot. I left Abby with my fab pal, Laurie and raced back to get the big girls from school, meet my in-laws, drop Voss off, get the girls ready for rehearsal and race back downtown. I was super lucky to get a spot close to where I was and we were on time! Yay! It was a late night and my phone died but we got a pizza break for dinner. Tuesday morning was calm. My sister-in-law pushed me for speed on a morning run. We prepped for the evening chaos of the dance recital. Laurie helped me again with childcare for Voss until our babysitter could get off work. My in-laws helped get the girls ready with hair and make-up. My mom and sister came to help cheer them on. Who would have ever guessed my mother-in-law can throw some elbows to get to the front of the crowd and get amazing seats! Another late night. I'm so proud of all my dancers! What a wonderful recital! Wednesday everyone woke up ready to go so off we were! I had a dentist appointment then went to Jess's for a thank you lunch. Yum! Later, I lyfted to meet Phil at a fundraiser for EPS. I was shocked to see protesters! I got a facial from the silent auction and caught up with a childhood friend, Stephen. Thursday was busy! Marly had an awards ceremony first thing in the morning. She cleaned up! I'm so proud of her! Next, we raced to OPS for Abigail's pre-school graduation ceremony. She was so cute up there! We did an after party lunch at Mellow Mushroom. My in-laws went back to Miami. We did swim team practice and a super early bedtime. Deep breath! I got in a run and swim then met the Suters at the boat ramp and went for a boat day on our old boat. After a few typical boat glitches, we were on our way for a short cruise to a sand bar. It was a fun day! I picked up the girls from school then to swim team practice. It was a busy day at the pool. We stayed for dinner- another late night! Friday was a big day for Phil. He turned in his resignation letter! He's moving on to a new adventure as a bank owner! I'm so proud of him! It's going to be stressful for a bit with this new gig. But, this is an awesome opportunity for us! Yay, Phil! Saturday felt so nice to sleep in and have no plans. We did a girls run then a pool party at the Suters. Later, Phil and I went with TCC friends to Whitey's Fish camp. Lots of laughs with that crowd. This morning we went to mass then TCC breakfast. A rainy day inside reading and just relaxing. It's been nice!

It's December's besty: May. It's crazy! Spring is ending and summer is beginning. I skipped the last MOPS meeting and went with the "TCC Bad Moms" to Orlando for the Justin Timberlake concert. We had such a great time. What a fun group of gals! We joked and laughed the whole time! The girls sure know how to spend some cash- shopping in Orlando all day Tuesday wasn't my fav. But it was sure a fabulous break! I took full advantage of my village! So many people helped keep the kids so I could go. Wednesday took some getting used to getting back into the swing of things. It was muffins with mom at school. I met a high school friend for coffee- he ended up trying to sell me life insurance. I had my first membership committee meeting at TCC. The girls had a crazy week of studio rehearsals prepping for the recital. We made it to the last 15min of their last religion class of the year. Thursday my brother Matt came with us to the water park again. We beat the rain just in time. My other brother, Erik flew in that afternoon. They came over for a drink that night. So fun having them both in town for the weekend! Friday I got up early to run and swim. April hosted a Royal Wedding coffee club to talk about the relationship between the US and England. So fun! We visited Uncle Erik after school then went to swim team practice- oh it's begun! That night was the MOPS & POPS End of the year party. Lots of new friends, PH and pool basketball. Saturday was a bit rough. We started the Birthday party circuit at Velocity. Then we did a water slide in Hallie's front yard. We hung out at Mom and Dad's. Phil and Matt played golf. We went kayaking. That night the kids did a movie night and we went to Terry Vereen's 65th Birthday. It was a great party with a jazz band. We ended up doing a family power hour! This morning we powered through and sat with the Applegates for Pentecost Sunday. My parents and brothers met us for breakfast at TCC. It's been a rainy day. We went to the Kane triplets awesome Birthday party with swimming, a water slide and snow cones. Vanessa took the girls to the tri practice at the pool. That gave me time to go through the girls closets and get semi organized for tomorrow's dress rehearsal chaos! It's going to be a big week! 

A lot is going on with Phil these days. Turning 39 doesn't slow him down. He was promoted at the bank and moved to not only a new location but a completely different role. Change is a'comin' for sure! Work is crazy for him- and it will be for a little while. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime we pretty much celebrated him all week. I even used the hashtag at least once this week: #makingPBsBdayworkforme Oh yes, you know I had some fun, too. On Monday we went to Adventure Landing water park for toddler time. I love that place! The orange slide about did me in! So fun! That night I did a double hitter movie night. We did apps at Fridays and then Tully. It was a little too much for me- a little too real or too soon. Then, we saw I Feel Pretty, which was a great ending to the night! Tuesday was park and story time with park and dance in the afternoon. Wednesday was Phil's Birthday. We had chick fil a for the Birthday boy's lunch- ha! Voss was thrilled! I did a mad dash to the Town Center and Costco for gift shopping. That night we did a family dinner at TCC for kids eat free and some Birthday cake. Thursday I got to go the TPC with Phil. We had so much fun on a gorgeous day! We met up with my parents and brother, Matt. I left in time to pick up kids from school and do the afternoon routine. Phil stayed and played and went to dinner with TCC friends. I went to the final MOPS Leadership dinner. We ended up going to Lillians and then Amy's front yard- wow! Late night fo sure! Friday I took it easy. Laurie took Abby and a bunch of kids back to the water park. Voss and I paddle boarded to the Hollands for a pool play date. That night I rallied and went to the Tomahawk Havana Nights party at TCC. Such a fun night! Great food and music and another late night at Lillians! Saturday Phil played tennis. I took the older girls to a butterfly camp and the younger two to the pool. It was hot! We did Burger Fi for lunch and then took a break. I took the kids to Elliott's Birthday party. It was a relaxing night. Phil and I got sushi. Today is Mother's Day! The kids did a sweet morning for me. They made a fort and made me coffee and gave me lots of cards and homemade gifts. We went to mass and raced the Applegates. We raced to breakfast after just in time! Then we hit the pool- so hot! Matt took us tubing. I took the girls to their biking tri practice. Baked fish for dinner a boat ride and the rosary. It was a great night!
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Maybe I could do all this all by myself. Maybe. But, I would probably loose my mind (more than I already have) and it sure wouldn't be any fun at all. It felt like I always had extra kids this week. Sometimes it falls that way. I'll be getting pay backs in the next few weeks, don't worry. Sometimes it's just easier to take an extra or 2. Monday we did the beach. Tough getting out there- but amazing once I do! It was a gorgeous day! Bedtime wasn't as smooth the next night but we made it. I dropped lots of kids off at school and took a deep breath. We did story time with Jordan who was out of school this week due to tonsil surgery. We swung by the Stockton art show then to this marriage thing at church. Fr. Jose wants to start a marriage ministry so that means he wants us to come up with something and then run it. Not sure how that's going to happen! Wednesday I watched my Godson and took he and Voss to the train park. Jordan joined us for a bit, too. I picked up lunch and met Ellie at school. Thursday after a run we celebrated tres de mayo at La Nap- our annual tradition of a long lunch with frozen ritas! It's warm enough to do the pool during golf. I had to switch out the sweaters with bathing suits in the car. Friday we helped take the Cochran children to the zoo. We did a Walmart run and brought them dinner, too. That night was First Friday and Uncle Mike's Birthday party. Saturday we rode bikes to the MOPS garage sale. I think we did well but it was a lot of work. Gorgeous day this time, though! The girls went to a Birthday party. Phil and I Lyfted to Deerwood for the Thompsons Derby and Cinco de Mayo party. We ended up at Birdies and Hoptinger. We made it to mass and breakfast on Sunday morning. I went to lunch with my high school reunion committee. So fun catching up with everyone- including Jeremy Baker, my friend since kindergarten! Last night Phil and I got away to a Salt Life beach dinner and then Gypsy Kings concert in St. Augustine. It was such a pretty night and then the show was fabulous! I love how we can get so close to the stage. We needed that!

A week of fun! Monday began with MOPS and an awesome speaker on anger. Here is my recap. I got all glammed up for book club to discuss, Girls in the Picture. Great discussion! Still rockin my junior year prom dress! Tuesday we got a new microwave, story time and park fun. Ellie made slime with Cora. Phil and I went to a dinner to benefit the Boy Scouts. Wednesday, Suzanne, mom and I finally played our round of golf and had lunch to celebrate mom's Birthday- just in time for Suzanne's Birthday. That night I got out for a girls night- we made to go bags for homeless people. I've already given two away. I stayed late chatting on the patio at a new river friend's house. I hosted a play date the next morning then we went to the OPS picnic. Friday I began with my first tri training- a run and swim. I had the Nixon kids and went to the park. We went to Alice's Birthday party then back to the park. I handed them off after school. Then we played with cousins at my parents house. We did family Moon River dinner then the park that night. Saturday I went to a brunch to benefit swim lessons for kids at the YMCA. Phil played golf and I took all the kids to the pool to help watch Nixon kids. Sorta- I did lots of socializing, too. We played in the Jimmy Buffett tennis social at TCC last night. This morning was mass, the compassion experience then swimming at TCC. We got the Nixon twins for the evening. I'm so proud I got all 6 kids to sleep by 8pm! Phil and I got take out and watching Sex in the City. Yay!

The weather has been sorta nutty. It seems like we're usually in the pool by now. Not this year- one day it warms up but the next is overcast and cold and then all this rain. We were supposed to go to the beach this week but the days I planned it, it keeps cooling down. We went to the indoor playground at Trinity instead. That's always a great place to play! I even got 2 new babysitter phone numbers! I brought dinner to the Rafferty's then dropped off my two with Laurie and went to Lori-Anne's baby shower. A fun lunch at Biscotti's! I got to go on a girls night that night to see the movie, Blockers. It was really funny! Great start to the week! Tuesday we did a play date with Jude then story time. We did our park run that afternoon during Marly's dance class. That was a gorgeous afternoon to play outside! We even got to play with trucks in a huge mud puddle in the park! Wednesday we did the bridge run then did nails with Tracy and got to catch up with her. Thursday was coffee club to discuss the tariff war. Rachael did a great job hosting. Friday was a fun day! Abby and Voss played in the TCC treehouse while Phil and I played in a round robin tennis tournament to kick off the Stiefel wedding- Phil's tennis friends. You won't believe me but I actually won the whole tournament! I can't believe it! The tournament was such a great idea! Bloody Mary's and getting to know the wedding party and lots of out of towners. Each match was with different people. So fun! I deep cleaned the play room and got rid of 2 van loads of toys and things to donate to the MOPS yard sale. I spent the afternoon helping organize it. We did the married people night out date night Friday night. Phil and I played a few holes of golf then had a nice dinner at TCC. We were both wiped out after tennis in the morning and golf at night. It was a super windy and cloudy day. I got up early to help with the yard sale and it was POURING raining! Such a bummer! After a lot of hemming and hawing in the rain we decided to postpone the sale. I took the girls to Ella's First Communion at Assumption. It was neat to see a few friends in her class. Such a sweet ceremony. The boys met us at the reception at the Nixons house after. Wet day! That evening was the Stiefel wedding. They moved it inside TCC, but it eventually stopped raining and turned out to be a nice night. Super fun wedding! This morning we went to mass and sat with the Hoggatts. We did breakfast at TCC (back again, ha!) Marly went to her friend's Birthday party at the park. Ellie went to her friend FC's house. We played a little tennis. We went to the Hershorins for dinner. Another drizzly evening!

It was nice to have a MOPS Monday. Kim gave a talk on emergencies with kids that maybe would have been nice with a mimosa. We all sorta left on edge. I had a river rats meeting after where I discussed a list of suggestions I had for improvement. I am so impressed with how attentive the director, manager and coach were! Good things are already happening! Getting ready for a fun swim season ahead! Ellie had her first round of FSA's today. The school does such a great job of supporting the students! We also had dance pictures all week. I set up a little hair and make up station in the parking lot every day. Great practice for the recital. There was a huge thunderstorm on Tuesday so we had to move the work out play date to my house. It was pretty chaotic but glad I got it in. We had lunch to celebrate Meghan's Birthday- that was a nice break! I went to my parent's for lunch one day (too chilly and wet for golf). I watched my Godson and had a play date on Thursday. Phil played in the Steeg tennis tournament at FYC with his pal, Vaughan. It was a long weekend of tennis. They didn't play very well; but it was fun to watch and visit with everyone! I had a little last minute girls night on the porch on Thursday night. Friday I took the Nixon twins and had a play date at the park. Then more tennis watching and swimming for the kids (it's still too cold!). Ellie and Marly had their annual check up. I'm so proud of how healthy they are. Maybe we can work on calcium intake and manners! Saturday we did a girls run then more tennis watching! That night was the big party. Lots of fun! This morning I watched a match then went to mass then back for lunch. We went to TCC for river rats sign ups. Sunday Funday after despite the rain!