The last day of August was quite a busy one 'round these parts. We did seven things. Only five were in the original plan, which I thought was busy enough as it was, but nay. Two more got added in them-thar schedules.
We woke up around 0800. Well, 0812 for me, to be precise. My alarm was going off wildly, but I was incorporating it into my dreams for those 12 minutes. I dreamt my entire extended family, and Rob's, and Stephanie and Tim were at our house, trying to shut off the alarm. We unplugged it, took out the batteries, threw it against the wall, all to no avail. I still didn't wake up, until Sophie came up to me and shouted, "GOOD MORNING, MOMMY! I'M HUNGRY!"
After the kiddos were fed and I'd showered and read all of my mystery shop details, we shoed up and headed out in the rain for our daily doings:
1. First was a coffee shop at a bookstore chain, three stops down the interstate. I don't drink coffee. It's not that I don't like it. I just don't need or want it. And I shouldn't really be having it, for various reasons. But it paid okay, so I took the job. The kids behaved well (phew!) while I ordered and got my brew, and then they each wanted a sip. What the heck, why not? Well, Jack actually liked it, to my surprise, and he took half a dozen sips before I had to cut his ass off. He was already getting a little crazy. It was amusing...
2. Next we went one stop closer to home on the interstate, to a national burger chain for a 'revealed' shop. They did well, and I went in for the quickie reveal and got the managers all excited. I like that part. Hated it last week when two of them didn't pass, on the same shop. Anyway, I came out with the food and was instantly besieged by suddenly starving children. They had to wait a little while and were none too happy about it!
3. One more stop up the interstate, close to home now, we visited the library to return 7 of the 10 books that were due today. The other three were missing. I figured I'd return the ones I could and then renew the other three until they were found, with no more borrowings allowed until they were all back. The kids were mad, but too bad, so sad.
4. Home at last. The kids scarfed down their fries and chicken sandwiches, and then we quick-like cleaned up the downstairs as best we could before Sophie's new preschool teachers were scheduled to arrive at 1300. Only, the doorbell rang at 1236, long before we were prepared for them. Eek! Oh, well. They were not coming to monitor the cleanliness of our house, and since it's half in boxes right now, at least I kinda have a good excuse.
The visit went well. Sophie got over her excessive nerves from last week and was excited to meet Ms. Sykes and Ms. P... I constantly forget her name. They recognized both Chloë and Jack from school and were happy to see them, as well as meet Sophia. They brought a little present for Sophie, with some gum and trinkets, of course winning her over immediately. We sat in the office and they explained a little about what to expect over the next year (we have to do 10 hours of "work" in the preschool, which isn't bad), while I filled out paperwork. That was about it. Except they invited us to the Open House on Thursday morning, which we didn't know about, so that will add more to an already-busy day. And told me she needed a doctor's physical form before she could start school, which they had previously told me and which I'd promptly forgotten. Oops!
Which brings us to...
5. Rob couldn't get off work to go to the Naval hospital, where the kids' pediatric clinic is, and get her physical paperwork filled out. Fortunately, they just had those check-ups in June or July, so we just needed the papers. There was nothing else to do but hop right back in the car and go out there ourselves, but not before I sent the kids up for one last check in the bedrooms for those missing library books. Within five minutes, all three were found. Yippee.
At the hospital, we parked all the way up on the open-air roof, and Jack was tremendously afraid of being up there, all exposed. He clung to me and cried all the way into the building, poor thing. As soon as we got inside, he calmed. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the form I needed right away and will have to go pick it up in two or three days! Oy vey.
6. Back to the library. This time, to not only return the three last books but to get 10 more. Three for each of the kids and, despite my claim that I wasn't going to read any more until I got Luke's layette done, a Jodi Picoult novel I haven't read for me. The Kiterunner was unavailable, so I checked her shelf, and there were only two of her books there, one of which I'd already read. I figured I'd better claim it now while I had the chance and just renew it until I could read it. Knowing me, though, I'll read it all in a day or two before the three weeks are up. But ONLY if I get a good knitting streak going first!
The kids each selected their three stories and then played for ten minutes in the kids' toy area. I love the Central Library here in town. It's big, well-organized, and kid-friendly. No one glares at me when they talk a little too loud or run when they shouldn't, over my protests. Well, almost no one.
7. We headed home for them to read their books for a little downtime. Daddy came home and started packing up the living room some more, while I worked on my mystery shop stuff. Before too long, I had to head out for another deli shop for dinner. It was Jack's turn to go with me (I try to take a single kid along on my errands as often as possible), but he declined, so I took Sophie. She fell asleep in the van but woke up, fortunately, as soon as we arrived at our destination. Inside, she was as sweet and charming as usual, until she told two other customers, "My daddy died! And my sister and my brother, too!" What?!! I said, "Sophia! Don't say that, it's not true!" and she just giggled and giggled. Oh, my. I gave a "What the hell?" look to the two people, who laughingly returned it, but... weird!
On the way out, she volunteered to carry her father's Coke out to the car. I should have known better. Walking one pace behind me, she was back there taking gulp after gulp of it! Ha. Little stinker.
Home again, home again. It's 0113 now, and Rob is still tearing apart the living room. I'm betting it'll be an all-nighter for him. I may join him. I've finished all my reports now, but I've got the bills to pay, and I haven't done my hour of knitting yet. That may pass for today, though, because one of us really should get some sleep. And the floor guys will be here first thing in the morning. So, yeah...zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Fin.
P.S. I always think Chloë's curly hair looks so lovely after a shower, and I can't take my eyes off her and it when it dries so beautifully, as-yet untangled and bouncy. So I took this picture:
She looks older, doesn't she? She'll be 8 in a week, my gosh! Where does the time go?
Criminy, I'm tired just hearing about your busy day!
Posted by: Nicole P. | 01 September 2009 at 10:20