Full 3-Day Weekend

I am so grateful to our troops for keeping us safe. We are so blessed to live such a privileged life and I do not take for granted the fact that I'm able to safely and peacefully sleep at night, while our military and their families make huge sacrifices.

And that is why, even though Seattle weather isn't ideal on Memorial Day weekend, we definitely make the most out of it each year. This year was no exception. We packed tons in over the 3 days off and I'm exhausted today as a result.

Friday, I spent time with Abby, made a quick meal and put her to bed, then headed out for girl's night.

Saturday, Abby & I went shopping with my mom, which proved to be exhausting. Abby has started hiding in the clothes racks & playing peek-a-boo, and then running off as fast as her little legs will go. So we spent 20% of the time shopping, where the only stuff we actually purchased was for Abigail, and 80% of the time chasing/finding her. After that, we went to Five Guys Burgers (my new favorite burger!!) where Abigail shunned the grilled cheese and french fries, and gobbled up peanuts and pickles. Hey...at least that's a protein and a veggie, right? Totally counts as a balanced meal in toddler land.

Saturday turned out to be a decent day, so Brandon spent much of it doing yard work. Abby, however, ran around the house like a tornado. First, she decided our very fat cat looked hungry & needed to be fed. She went to the pantry & demanded "Romie...food? Romie...hungry?" So fine, I'll let her feed the cat. I got the bag of dry food & a scoop. Abby got a little overly excited to "help" and ended up spilling cat food all over the freshly cleaned kitchen floors. But never fear, she will clean up! I went to get the dust pan and came back to find Abby shoveling fistfulls of cat food into her mouth! Who knew? Cat food = tasty toddler treat. After feeding the cat, and the tantrum that ensued once I announced the kitty (and Abby) had enough food, Abigail was thirsty. Apparently cat food is pretty salty?

And as one would expect, it's not quite as satisfying to drink water like a cat, so Abby gave up & went with the method she knew would quench her thirst.

And yes, during this time I did what any responsible parent would do - I mocked my child for being ridiculous enough to eat cat food & drink cat water, and took photos so that I could put them in a scrap book and show her first boyfriend before their first date and humiliate her endlessly. It's the only way to cope with all the tantrums and endless nonstop craziness that is this toddler - the hope that some day I will get my sweet revenge...err...I mean show her how cute she was! :)

As you can see, if you click to enlarge this photo, most of the water from the cat bowl went all over Abigail, and the floor. Once she was done splashing in the puddle, it was time to change her clothes (for the 3rd time that day). And as much fun as Abigial has messing up her clothes, she equally hates clothing changes. I am pretty sure we could avoid 50% of her tantrums if we let her be "nakey" all the time. And so, I did give her a bit of a break between meltdown #1 (taking off wet clothes) and meltdown #2 (putting on new diaper & dry clothes)

And what did she do with her nakey self? Well exactly what any true lady would do, she went directly to the front window so that everyone could witness her glorious nakeyness.

Not that I blame her, she does have the perfect nakey baby butt. So cute!!

On Sunday, we had a play date with her PEPS friends at a local park. Abby is able to climb up on the play structures & maneuver everything herself, for the most part. Of course we're right next to her at all times, just in case. But she went down the twirly slide by herself each time, and walked across the rickety bridge by herself as well. The only time she had a fall, was when a bully kid came across the bridge & knocked Abby over. Which I promptly gave my meanest "look of death" to a 6-year-old girl and didn't feel bad about it one bit. Kids these days...

Abby has a PEPS friend named Evan. He is the most adorable little boy! They enjoyed some of his mom's cupcakes together...and then he tried to kiss her. Typical guy - you give a girl a cupcake & expect a kiss.

Denied.

Afterward, we went to her Papa & Abuela/Nana's house for a BBQ. Abby was all over the place, and the 4 of us took shifts chasing her around the yard. At one point, she got a hold of daddy's socks and had a swell time throwing them around and teasing the dog with them. She took her Abuela on a walk in the gravel, to help her toughen up her feet. And then she went up & down the deck steps about 30 times in a row. Good times!

On Monday, we had another full day. We went to Lowes & Abigail tested out all of the patio chairs, especially the swings. She also told us which chairs we needed to try. Brandon & I obliged, and toured the chairs. Somewhat embarrassing, as we ran into our next door neighbors who were then witness to our submissive behavior. Sigh...oh well. They have 3 kids so hopefully they understand??

After Lowe's, we went to the Country Village shopping area, that also has a park with train rides. Abby had a great time! She fed the ducks & the geese. And bossed them, as she bosses anyone/anything.

She chased/harassed the ducks for a while, and then we moved on. To a rooster. Who was not impressed.

Abby took an overpriced "train ride" which was a riding lawn mower pulling rickety carts & she inhaled plenty of fumes. Sigh...then she went on the swing, and lastly a merry-go-round. Needless to say, we wore her out! She took a 3 hour nap & woke up a bit misty.

She then shoveled a PB&J and crackers into her mouth, and all was right with her world.

That afternoon, we decided to tackle yard work in the backyard. Abby tried to help, but really that just meant everything took twice as long. Poor thing - she means well! I eventually gave up trying to help Brandon with the yard, and took Abby inside. I grilled a feast of ranch potatoes, corn on the cob, cheeseburgers with bacon, roasted pablano peppers, grilled onions, and hot dogs. Abigail SCREAMED at me the entire time because she was worried about me messing with the "hot" grill. And then she showed me her gratitude by refusing to eat anything I had cooked, and eating some pre-packaged yogurt instead of anything I had slaved away to make for her.

After that, she rubbed yogurt all over me, demanded I blow bubbles, took a bath, and then did gymnastics while "nakey". And I was so glad when bedtime came! I followed suit shortly after.

Sigh...I'm tired. But oh so grateful to have such a full life :)