Family Time

It has been a little while since the last post, so I will try to hit the highlights.

FLU SHOT- I took Max for his flu shot last week. I took a sick day to do it, but a meeting was scheduled for me on that day. So I worked part of the day and then went to do his shot. We arrived at the pediatricians' office and discovered that "shot hours" had just ended until later in the day. I guess I looked crushed, because the pediatrician there at the time (the amazing Dr. Lori Rust!!) said she would give it to him anyway. They are such a great group. She was one of the 2 doctors there who came to the funeral home. It was awesome to have 2 docs and the dental hygienist come to the visitation just because they saw it in the paper! Max got the "snort up the nose" version (Flumist), so it was relatively painless. Then he went back to his class for nap time and I went on my way.

HALLOWEEN- I went to Davey's class party, as one of the 3 room moms. We had fun and I was in charge of the craft. We made eyeball ornaments out of glass ball ornaments, felt and a red Sharpie (for the veins in the bloodshot eyes). They seemed to be a hit! After the party, Davey and I came home and we met my mom and dad. Mom and Dad and Davey planted over 150 bulbs! So in the spring, when I have tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other flowers, it will be thanks to my parents' hard work on Halloween! A little later, we collected Max (if we had gone right away, he would have missed most of their party, they partied after nap time). We all got ready to go to the Chitwoods' party and trick or treating in the 'Hood. Needless to say, Halloween lacked a little something this year, but I am glad we did not have to go trick or treat on the Oncology floor of a hospital.

ST. LOUIS AND ILLINOIS- We went on the trip to St. Louis that David and I had been planning since Spring, 2007. Davey had gotten interested in the Gateway Arch and really wanted to see it. About 1 1/2 hours from St. Louis is my dad's hometown, so it was logical to visit my grandparents on the same trip. In Aug., 2007, when we planned to make this trip, and attend Grandpa's 90th birthday celebration, both David and Grandpa were in the hospital. SO we did not make it. So, we decided to make the trip in July, 2008. Again, David was in the hospital. Davey would get excited about the trip when we would start talking about it again, only to be bummed when it didn't happen. I have now done my best to not put things off that involve making memories with and for my boys. This is why, even though I always said I would not take my kids out of school for a trip (we would plan around school breaks), Davey ended up missing 2 days of school. I was off on Mon. and Tues., so it seemed like the right time to go. Originally, Davey had Tuesday off, too, but after the power outage, they added Election Day back onto the calendar. After receiving the go-ahead from Davey's teacher (and her laughing, "Jennifer, he will be more than fine!") we went ahead with our plans. We left early Saturday and stopped in Evansville, IN for breakfast and made it to SL by 12:30. Our hotel was the Hyatt across from the Arch. I highly recommend it!! Our first stop was the Arch itself. We saw a movie about Lewis and Clark- very well done. Informative, educational and entertaining. Then up in the Pod to the top of the Arch. Very cool! The Pods are quite cozy! I don't recommend it if you are claustrophobic! After the Arch, we went to the Budweiser brewery to see the Clydesdales (Max is still talking about one horse named Thomas who pooped. I admit, big horse= big poop, but little boys are fascinated with excrement, aren't they??) and our free beer sample. Then to the Hill (St Louis' Italian neighborhood) for Italian grocery and a great Italian meal. My mom found me a bottle if wine. The label says "Mommy's Time Out", hmmm... so try and potentially needed some quiet Sunday evening, if such a thing exists. After the dinner, we DID make a trip to Ted Drewes for custard concretes. They are on the old Route 66 and have been around forever. Yum!! Sunday morning, we arose and went to Mass at the Cathedral. Beautiful mosaics everywhere!! After church, we were off to Trader Joe's. I had never been, but now I know what the hype is! Then, off to lunch at the Schlafly Tap Room (delicious fish and chips!!) and then to City Museum to partake in the art, circus/ magic show and gargantuan jungle gym! Amazing! Whew! THEN it was time to load people into the van and head for Illinois. We arrived in time to have pizza with a couple of my aunts and chat a little with them and my Grandparents before heading to the motel for baths and bedtime. Monday, we had only planned to drive to Springfield to see the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The displays in the museum are truly inspired. Amazing use of film and technology! We each chose a souvenir from the gift shop. Then we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's house to get ready to go have the chicken dinner at the American Legion. After more family visiting time, I rounded folks up so the buy could get in bed. The trip home was uneventful and we were so glad to get home to our stuff and our house.

BACK TO ROUTINE- We all went back to our school routine fairly smoothly. We have reached the point where we need to get back to doing a lot of the upkeep and cooking. I mowed the grass myself this afternoon and both Tues. and Thurs. this week, I have' will be back to doing dinner. Thank goodness for the meals YUM brought in June and July. Well, the Ambien is kicking in! Take care and enjoy your friends and loved ones! They are the mirrors in our lives into which we should look once in a while to get an honest feel for our lives.