Just when I was trying to get back into the swing of things...
Jet lag is a thing- I pretended like I was still vacationing drinking wine at night, staying up too late, forgetting to parent, binge watching Homeland- oh man what a week! I lucked out with a Tuesday to ease into everything. After dropping off all the kids at school I went on a run and came back to find Phil had come home from work with a stomach bug. Voss was sick on Monday, but I totally missed it since my fabulous pal, Laurie took care of him. So, Phil was out for a few days. I tried to nurse him but mostly I was mean and unsupportive. Voss and I went to Sherry's splash park for a play date on Wednesday. I was snoozing on the couch when the school called- I totally forgot about early release day #momfail. That night was the first religion class. Trying to work on the scheduling for that. Voss and I ended up playing in the parking lot. I finished reading Girl, Wash Your Face. There wasn't much I didn't already know- but it was nice hearing it all again in a funny, uplifting read. That night Abby was up throwing up, but seemed to puke and rally and was fine after that. My parents have some friends in town evacuating Hurricane Florence. Glad we dodged a bullet this time, but my heart goes out to all of them. It was just a year ago that Irma flipped us upside down! On Friday I went to Anne's for a play date. It was so nice catching up with her. We even got in a little walk. I've been trying for the 10K steps a day. I've gotta get back into that! After I picked up the girls from school, we headed out to Kassie's farm. Two cows just had babies so we went to visit, help with chores and look for "dinosaur" bones. It's always so neat going out there! I started feeling a little queezy on my way back. We met some friends for dinner at Lillians- perfect since we came right from the farm! Half-way through dinner, I realized the stomach bug hit me, too. No fun. The next 24 hours was total payback for me not being more supportive when Phil was sick. It was miserable. I'm not sure I'm back to 100% tonight, but I'm on the way. And it really gives me an appreciation for feeling good again! I canceled our sitter for Saturday night and Phil headed out with fun friends for a Birthday dinner. They were sweet sending texts and pictures missing me, but man did I have some FOMO! We went to mass on Sunday then headed out for a day at the beach. It was a gorgeous day. We saw the Bentons and Dearings out there, too. So right when our kids were about the loose it, they started having fun all over again. It was nice. A rain storm got us out of the pool and we showered off and came home. We watched the end of the Jags game (beat the Patriots!) and said the rosary together. Not my most fun weekend, but like I said it made me appreciate the good times even more.

Tuesday and Wednesday flew right by. i had a meeting with Fr. Jose and some other church friends to work on details for our new Date Night ministry at St. Matts. We park hopped during Ellie's acro class. It's so hot still! Wednesday was a MOPS open house- nice to feel like MOPS is back even if I missed a fab girls night and the first meeting of the year. I packed up and organized life and on Thursday morning, Matt picked up me (a little late thanks to me missing my alarm) and Suzanne and we drove to Orlando to take a direct flight to LAX. A Fab Five trip in the books! We Lyfted with my pal, Meghan to an AirB&B house Katie and Steve hooked us up with. It was fabulous! I somehow got to sleep in the master suite- my own king sized bed. There was a pool and jacoozie for night caps. I mean this was amazing! They even did the grocery shopping! Meanwhile, on the home front there were a few snafus- Abby left at school, two people picking up Marly and Ellie maybe getting left at a grandmother's house. But the village rallied and all my people were taken care of lovingly! The first night, Erik's pal hooked us up with entrance into the Magic Castle, this mansion of mystery. I am not into that stuff, but I was really impressed. I even adopted the "make your own confetti" gig. The next day, thanks to EST I was ready for a trail run bright and early. SQ and Matt came with. Matt made his eggs ranchero after for breakfast. Soon after, Erik and Kelley arrived and we went out for our first adventure. We hiked the Solstice canyon then went to El Matador Beach in Malibu then drove along the Pacific Coast Highway to Venice Beach for an awesome lunch at ChaCha Chicken. We rented bikes and headed to Venice beach. It reminded me of South Beach, not my jam but super cool to see. I got a flight at a local bar and loved some of those local beers (especially Cali Creamin'). After a long drive in traffic back to the house "Uncle" Steve cooked us an awesome chicken piccata for dinner. We weren't able to rally for a night out. The next morning we went out to breakfast and then saw Erik's studio. We found the secret stairs and got a great view of the Hollywood sign. We went to the Griffith Observatory for some awesome views. I would love to go back there at night and check out that telescope! We did tacos and ice cream for lunch. Katie and Steve went back for a breather, the rest of us (minus SQ on her phone) checked out Echo park and then this cool 70's bar that we had to enter via a refrigerator. The weather was perfect! Nice and sunny, but no humidity! We headed back for some pool time before a night out. Matt's friend came to join the party. We saw Erik's improv show at 2nd City. I may be biased, but I think he's the best. I was happy to sit front and center to see him. After the show we had Mexican for dinner then did some bar hopping- a tiki bar, a keg bar and then my fav, the Firefly. I even got some clubbing in! We had a fabulous walk back to the house and I was the last one in the hot tub. Sunday we went to mass. Wow, the music was like a show I would pay for! Amazing! Total LA style with a lecture in yoga pants and altar servers in skate shoes. But, I loved it. This guy nailed the homily, too. I loved sitting with my bloody mary by the pool after mass just chatting with my siblings- that might be one of my snap shot favs. We did an escape room that afternoon. We were so close to escaping! It was harder than I thought it was going to be. But totally inspired me to work on a scavenger hunt for Christmas! We went to Angel brewery after that. I loved it! Live music gets me every time, but this chick is really fabulous. We did korean BBQ for dinner. It was different, yet tasty! Monday morning consisted of flying back across the country. Matt hooked us up with his VIP treatment while we waited for our flight. A little bumpy then some rain on the drive home. All in all it was a wonderful trip. I feel so much closer to my siblings and loved getting to see some of the west coast. I'm thankful for Phil for being so supportive and an amazing dad so I could dip out. And all the friends helping move children from place to place and even my pal, Laurie for cleaning up some Voss throw-up! What a team! I really am a lucky gal!

Here we are again; another Labor Day weekend. Looking back at another fun summer. It doesn't feel like it- but fall is approaching. This was the first week of dance. We're working on a new routine. It's still too hot to park hop but we did it anyway. I need to figure out a new after school system as there were many hiccups. Lots of temper tantrums, ballet shoes don't fit, sweating in the heat, forgotten snacks and dinner not ready. Take 2! Voss and I had a play date with his pal, Niko. For book club we had an awesome discussion for the Immoralist. I had a few mornings off with the gym, working on baby books, voting and cocktails in the pool with some gal pals. We went to a splash park one morning, too. Another morning I had coffee with my pal, Aubree while Voss got all the toys to himself. I'm still obsessed with Homeland and blowing through episodes. I got a flu shot and felt flu-ish for a solid day after. At least it forced me into an early bedtime. The girls had their open house at school. It was stressful dashing from class to class and keeping up with the 3 of them! We packed up on Friday afternoon and came over to Panama City to visit my brother, Matt. The kids loved playing in the river in his backyard- fishing and on the paddleboard. We drove to Port St. Joe yesterday and tried to go scalloping but we got skunked. So, we're saying we went snorkeling. Matt has a friend with a house on the bay so we parked there and dragged all our floats and gears out. It was so rough so we ended up just walking it all out. We saw lots of scallop pieces, but none ready to grab. We did see lots of other cool things, though. A bit of barnacle carnage and we were ready for lunch. After some fish tacos in our belly we were ready to try again. We hit up 2 more locations with no luck. Matt grilled some awesome fish he had caught instead. It was neat to see him in his element and catch up. A nice, low-key weekend! Packing up the car to head home, I dropped my phone and cracked it. So, it sat in a repair shop for a few days. Blah! I was so frustrated! We did a nice, family bike ride on Sunday evening. Monday we spent the day at the pool. It was the last day. It's been demolished this week. They are re-doing it! But this was the last time to play in the baby pool and jump off the diving board. So, we did a lot of that and swimming in the rain. We did dinner on the terrace then watched FSU loose against VT for our opening game. So sad, but still a nice day celebrating Labor Day.
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For 9 years I've been going to and hosting play dates, park hopping, going to library story times and going on toddler and baby adventures all around town. Things are a changin' for this mama! Voss had his orientation on Monday for pre-school. We saw his classroom and met some friends. Voss is in the same classroom all of his sisters have been in when they were 3! We love the blue door! We did a mega Costco run then headed home for naptime. Tuesday was his first day of school. I actually cried a little when I got in the car- he said, "You're actually just going to leave me here?" and then Nora Jones was playing in the car and I just lost it. After a bit I got my act together. I went to the gym at TCC, swam some laps then sat on a float in the pool. It was glorious! I took a shower then picked him up. I did that on Thursday, too. He had a great first day! I think he's going to be happy at school. And they are so sweet there! It's still kina surreal that I have 2 mornings off a week. It sure does fly by, though! We did some after school play dates this week before dance starts up. We had our MOPS small group play date at Emily's house. Ellie and Marly had friends over on Wednesday. Ellie went to Cora's on Thursday. Phil went to Orlando on Wednesday for work. I took the kids to dinner at TCC. We were pretty much asked to leave. We had a Friends of Stockton meeting. My parents hung out with Voss one morning while I went to a meet and greet for Karen Nuland. On Friday we went to Tiffany's for a boys play date. That night was the MOPS & POPS kick off party. I got to meet a bunch of new MOPS friends. I slept in on Saturday. Phil made breakfast. We had a lazy morning. We paddled over to the Hollands for Blake and Cody's Birthday bash. We spent the day in the pool/in the river over there. They really know how to throw a good party! We went to wine club last night- sipping summer wines. Today we went to mass then breakfast then back to the pool for Sunday Funday. The mass shooting downtown dampened our spirits some. I went to happy hour with some girl friends, then Phil went to play soccer. Burgers on the grill with some watermelon- the last week of summer!

This was the first week of school for the girls! Ellie is in 4th grade, Marly in 2nd and Abigail started kindergarten! Everyone has good teachers and is excited and seem very happy. I think it's going to be a great year! So far, Ellie is the only one with homework and it's already coming on strong (which, I think is great for her- she's very motivated!) Other than the afternoon over-tired, grumpiness, it's been a good week! The whole family helped with drop off on the first day. Voss and I went to the yahoo/boo hoo breakfast then headed out to do some chores. We turned in paperwork for his first day next week! Tuesday we did story time and then lunch with Phil to see his new office. It's still temporary space, but not a dining room table. Wednesday and Thursday we went to the Adventure Landing water park. Soaking up the last days of summer! I had a meeting with some people to discuss a new marriage ministry at St. Matthews. So, that's underway. I got to have a play date with my gal pals and catch up with them. That's always so good for the soul! I got in a few runs, but my hip is still hurting. I think I need to take it easy another week or so. We went to Atlanta for the Wojeski-Warren wedding. About 2 years ago, my friend, Meghan's sister was dumped by her serious boyfriend. To help get her mind off of things and lift her spirits, we took her out for a night of fun in Jax. Turns out the ex had some FOMO and did some serious thinking that weekend. They got back together the following week. Back to present day- and look who got invited to the wedding! Ha! We stayed downtown at Loews. Fun night meeting wedding friends and checking out the city. The next morning we did breakfast at the amazing Flying Biscuit then run off some energy at Piedmont park. My amazing Aunt Susan took the kids for the evening and spoiled them rotten! We got to have a really nice break. I even finished reading The Immoralists, listened to some jazz and we headed to the wedding. It was gorgeous! The flowers, food, ambience- just amazing! We're so flattered to have been included! We slept in a bit and picked up the kids and drove back to Jax. We were able to do a Sunday Funday at the pool with dinner on the terrace. What a nice week!

We spent the first half of the week in Navarre. Tracy and I had it down to a great routine. We'd try our best to sleep in- Voss and Abby, not so much. I even had a cup of cheerios and the remote on Nick Jr. ready to occupy them as long as I could. I feel like I've been seeing the Navarre sunrise for years! We'd head to the beach for the morning then the pool for a dip then up for lunch. Sandwiches, iced coffee and chips and cherries. Then a nap for Voss, TV for the others and reading time for Tracy and I. Then, back out for an afternoon at the beach. When we almost melted, back to the pool then out for a quick, seafood dinner. Bedtime for the kiddos then wine on the balcony for Tracy and I while star gazing. It was a fabulous momcation! We came back to Jax on Wednesday and even high 5'd by parents on I-10! That night I had a membership committee meeting. Ellie went to Chloe's sleepover. I'm getting caught up on Homeland. Thursday I hosted a river play date to discuss Jen Hatmaker's 7. Last minute piano lesson, a trip to the mall to fix my phone, afternoon thunderstorms and grilled steak from the cow we've been feeding to end the evening. Awesome! Friday was our school orientation for the girls. We got to meet their teachers and drop off school supplies. It was pretty overwhelming. It's going to be hard keeping up with 3 classes! I'm grateful they are in the same school! The older girls went to a sleepover and I hosted a kindergarten meet and greet for Abby's new pals. We had about a dozen parents. Aaron jazzed the party up by arriving via jetski and took kids tubing. I think I had more fun than the kids. Especially since Abby spent most of the party in her room on youtube. After an afternoon trip to Walmart to get last minute supplies, the younger two had an early bedtime. Phil and I got some Papa Johns and watched Homeland. Saturday was so lazy. It was nice! Phil picked up the girls, took Ellie to another Birthday party and Voss for a haircut. Ellie and I went to confession. Then afternoon at the pool. Another early night. Today we went to mass, breakfast then to Sawgrass for a beach day- the last day of summer break for the girls! Kindergarten, 2nd and 4th grade- here we come!

With swim team officially over, we were able to knock out some of our big adventure items for the summer. We had the Butler girls and Nixons over for a river play date on Monday. It was so fun to catch up with friends. The cove alligator showed up that evening about an hour after we cleared out of the river. I guess he was waiting! I had book club that night to discuss, We Were the Lucky Ones. If you could add a theme to our book club, it would totally be WWII. I guess there's just so many great stories to come from such a tragedy. Rachael and I needed a nightcap at Lillians after such a discussion. Tuesday we had a make up piano lesson all morning. That afternoon we went to the Norrises for a pool play date. Quinn has so many fun toys! Wednesday we got up early and the Cutlips picked us up and took us to Ichetucknee for the day. It was such a perfect day out there! We saw a huge alligator, otters, turtles and lots of fish! It was so fun! The only bummer was that my phone got wet and had to sit in a bag of rice for a few days. I realized I'm truly addicted to my phone. But it was good to go without for a while. It came back to life, but it's still not at 100%, which is a total pain. That night was the swim team banquet. It was a nice conclusion to a summer of swim! Thursday my neighbor Linda took the younger 3 to lunch and a movie. She is super nice! Ellie and I had the day to ourselves. We went to lunch then Rebounderz. What a great work out! I finished personalizing the kids backpacks and lunchboxes. Friday, Ellie and I did back to school shopping at Jump n Jax. Then we Birthday party hopped. First Tug's at FYC then Mabel's pool party- with a piano lesson in between. Saturday morning we got up early and picked up the Suter girls and drove over here to Navarre. It so wonderful out here. The weather is perfect! We did dinner nextdoor last night while the kids played in the sand. A nightcap on the balcony watching the planets! We really could see Mercury and Saturn thanks to Tracy's Star Chart app on her phone! Today we did a cousin day with the Mallettes, Andersons and my brother, Matt. A late night at Juana's for Sunday Funday! Fun in the gulf with the frog and celebrating Mabel's actual Birthday. Ah, a breath of that salty gulf air puts a smile on my sunkist face!
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I super momed it on Monday and took the kids to the Summer Waves water park in Jkyll Island, about an hour and a half away. It was such an awesome day! Turns out this park isn't as big as I was thinking, which is good. The Bentons joined us along with the Agrestis later. I was still tired and recovering from the weekend. But a good go on the water slide, brought a huge smile! We stayed all day! This was the last week of swim team practice. It was a low key week. We came home after practice each day and made lunch, Voss took a nap. We watched a lot of TV. Ellie and I watched the 2nd Harry Potter movie. The girls and I watched Mama Mia. My neighbor, Linda took Ellie and Voss to lunch and to see the Incredibles in the theater. Marly got an extra long piano lesson that day. I finally got to see Gone with the Wind, the movie. Tracy and I did a movie night. I did an afternoon movie date with my friend, April. We saw Won't You be My Neighbor. Perfect for those afternoon thunderstorms! Friday afternoon kicked off the final swim meet of the season, the river city championships out at the cecil aquatic center. I was so thankful Phil came home early from work to watch the younger two. So, the swim meet without the littles was a breeze. The girls were only in one event, the IM, which they did at the same time. So, that was a little intense. We waited around for a few others then took a carpool home, picked up dinner then came home for an early bedtime. Saturday we had a relaxing morning together then I took the girls back to the swim meet. All there events pretty much happened at the same time, so that was exciting. Marly got 2 heat winner ribbons and Ellie got one in butterfly! I am so proud of them! We met Phil and the littles at the pool for a bit then headed home. Phil and I got an awesome date night lobster dinner back at the club. We met the Smiths at Lillians for a PH then pep rolls on their gorgeous back porch. Today was super low key. I went for a run then spent the majority of the day reading our book club book. Phil took the girls back to the swim meet. When they got home we went to the pool for an after party. Too bad the lightning ruined the pool. The kids and I went to mass. Phil did soccer Sunday. Rosary, capt. Ds and now Phil and I are indulging our obsession with Homeland.

Another week of summer fun! It was the last week of junior river rats. Ellie did Annie Pajcic's Thou Art Exalted (art and attitude) camp. I tried to let Marly pick some fun things to do. She wanted to help the Cochrans so I ran her down. The younger kids and I cleaned out Voss's room. That afternoon the Spencers came over for a play date. It was great to catch up with them! The rest of the week was great with Ellie at camp and the littles worn out from a morning of swim. Emma helped me out by taking Ellie from swim to camp so juggling wasn't so bad. Good thing because I carpooled lots of others this week- Ansley, the Applegates and coach Sam. During Voss's daily nap, one day the middles went to the Suttons, another day Linda took them to lunch and to see a movie. Such great neighbors. This gave me time to work on reunion prep. Remember, I'm on my high school reunion planning committee and the reunion is finally this weekend! Lots of looking through yearbooks and reminiscing. I also got tagged for #tbt for Camp I am Special. The memories! Tuesday night I did a sushi making- fundraising girls night. It needed an after party at Lillians. Wednesday was friend day. Ellie had Charlotte spend the night. Abby had her pal, Abigail and Marly had Addy. I had a full van. We stayed swimming at TCC late for kids eat free. It was a great night. Thursday night I hosted a MOPS girls night at my parent's house. It was quite the rager! Savannah did a FB live video, awesome desserts. and a 3am-er! Much needed! Although it set me behind for the weekend on sleep. Friday was the last mini meet. The kids got their medals. Ellie had her final art show from camp. Phil and I headed out for night 1 of my high school 20th reunion. It was at Intuition downtown. It was sorta like sorority rush with quick convos getting to know someone and deciding if they are worth another bid. Some good convos and some duds. Quite a few nuts-ohs. Phil went home and I kept going. We went to King and Post, a fun rooftop bar. I wanted to show off Jax city sites to my pal, Andrew. After a bit of sleep (again), I got up for crew practice. We actually got an 8 together! It took too long to finally get on the water but once we did, it was awesome! I really enjoyed it! I was so impressed with how well we did. I even got to stroke! I had to leave quick because Phil was very ready for me to come home and reunioned out. He went to play some tennis and golf. I took the kids to Voss's pal, Niko's Birthday party. Sweet and small and perfect for a 4 year old. After we went to a pool party at the Suters with more Stanton friends. That night, I went stag to the Saturday night gig. Well, not really I had lots of dates. The Saturday night gig was sorta bizarre. There was a slideshow that none of the pictures I sent made it into. Not sure what happened there. We did kina an awkward hug circle at the end. I was happy to move along to the after party. Another rooftop bar, Cowford. Awesome night and view. Then off to Volstead. Not a lot of sleeping this weekend! This morning we took it easy and watched Sing as a family, which was sweet. We went to the final part of the reunion- at Stanton. They had water slides, food trucks and tours of the school. We didn't stay long, but it was nice. I'm glad I went, but most of the folks I'm okay with seeing every once in a while. I guess that's how this works. I enjoyed the throw back, though. Afternoon thunderstorms are perfect for cuddling with excited readers. Ellie and I finished the 2nd Harry Potter book. We went to evening mass then brats on the grill. 
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It was a little hairy at first, figuring out the whole First Baptist Vacation Bible School gig. It's a huge process, dropping off and picking up- but man, the things I will do to get a break in the middle of the summer! Why First Baptist, you may ask? Well, they take 3 year olds and it's free. Bingo! Monday morning after drop off I drove out to the beach for a facial. It was glorious! That afternoon we rode bikes to my parents and went swimming. Tuesday, I met my friend, Ashley Hilley at the San Jose pool. She and her 5 kids are moving to Italy. Her husband is already working there. So, we got to catch up and say good-bye. It was fun visiting with all her friends, too. We went to afternoon swim practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. Voss and Abby did big rats practice, too. I'm so proud of them! Tuesday night, Matt came in town. He brought Phil and I McDs and we caught up. Wednesday morning, Matt and I went water skiing. It was awesome! It was a great morning. Skiing was way harder than I remember! I couldn't go no handed. I was able to drop a ski but, I busted shortly after. Thursday I got a massage, which was much needed after that morning of skiing! That evening was a swim meet. The girls did well. Friday I met a friend for coffee then we went for pedicures. I really enjoyed the week of Lucy! The kids loved this VBS, too. A win-win! We did afternoon swim practice, came home for hotdogs on the grill then back to the pool for Flick & Float, an awesome event at TCC. The movie was Finding Dory. The kids brought all their floats. There were glow in the dark beach balls, float races, popcorn and candy. So fun! Saturday, Abby went to her friends Birthday party. Phil and I played in a Wimbledon round robin. I won every game! Yay! That afternoon we drove out to the Safe Harbor fish market. It was really good, but I'm not sure it was worth the wait. Only a 45min wait! Then, we went to the Yazdiyas for dinner. They were so sweet to have us over! This morning we went to mass then the Hershorins for breakfast and to watch the World Cup. We were rooting for Croatia. Bummer! Later we went to the Suters for hotdogs and dinner. It's been a while since we saw them!