What a week!

Last week was a crazy, busy, wonderful week! Jim was supposed to come home Monday, but it was Tuesday around 5 pm before he arrived.

Monday (4/7) - Merin dropped Mya off and she spent the day with us... breakfast, getting ready for school, going with us to Jemma's doctor's appointment, napping (all 3 kids took a late nap), eating dinner, then bath and going to bed. Because of the late nap, it was almost 9:30 before I was in bed reading to Mya and Jemma. It was almost 10 before both girls finally fell asleep! I was EXHAUSTED Monday night. I have a deep admiration for single mothers... and all three of these kids are terrific. I don't know what I would do with kids who were problems.

I did stop at the Fresh Market with the three kids. Yes, it is an upscale little grocery store but I just wanted to grab a fresh loaf of french bread, an apple danish and pound cake for the morning coffee that I was hosting Tuesday morning. We were in and out in less than 15 minutes and I have to say that the kids did GREAT! James rode in his stroller with Mya on one side and Jemma on the other. However, I got the nastiest looks from other shoppers and even one of the store employees. Going to the Fresh Market is a treat reserved for rare occassions and after this one trip, I'm not sure that I want to shop there again.

Tuesday (4/8) - Mya's Daddy (Kelly) came over and played with the girls just before school. (He had arrived from NV a little after 11 Monday night.) Jemma and Mya had such fun getting up, dressed and eating breakfast together. I look forward to Jemma and James being able to have fun like that... our house may be a circus for the next couple of years, but it will be FUN!

I had a few ladies from the neighborhood stop by for a morning coffee. I was sad that not more joined us, but I did send out the invite a little late.

In the afternoon, I took Jemma to a soccer clinic at Bayside. Bayside is about 45 minutes away, but our rec center doesn't have programs for 3 year olds, so we have to do the drive for fun activities like this. Jemma seemed to have fun and James had a blast! James watched the boys playing basketball on the other side of the guy and walked around for almost the entire hour with his very own basketball. He would carry it, then drop it and chase it, then pick it up and carry it again... I love it when he is just happy! I had a nice drive because Trina and Derek went with us and I was able to have adult conversation!

After dropping Trina and Derek off at their home, I called Jim. He answered!!! He said that he had just gotten home!!! I told Jemma and James that Daddy was home and they both cheered and clapped. Jemma said, "Mommy, drive faster... drive faster... I want my Daddy." I cannot express how happy we all were to have Daddy home!! :)

Wednesday (4/9):

Jemma and James brushing their teeth. Daddy took Jemma to school. In fact, Jemma requested that her Daddy take her. Jim went into work late and was home early. What a wonderful day! Jemma was supposed to bring an umbrella to school on Thursday, so we did a family shopping trip to our new Target to buy an umbrella. I thought she would want a princess umbrella, but she chose the Hello Kitty instead. Then we played outside for a little bit! It was cold, though.

Thursday (4/10):

It finally stopped raining and the sun came out! I took James for a ride in the stoller and he was so incredibly happy to be outside! Jemma had soccer clinic at Bayside after school. Trina and I had a lovely carride... the kids quietly watched a DVD and we chatted. When we arrived at home, Jim and Jemma went on an adventure to retrieve his belongings from the ship. When Jemma got home, she said, "Mommy I'm hungry." I asked, "What did you have for dinner?" She said very sadly and pitiful, "Daddy didn't feed me. I'm hungry." This was suspicious, so I asked Jim. He had indeed treated our little fibber to a kids' meal at Chick-fil-A... her favorite place to eat!