Better luck next year

I took Josh to school the other day and when we got home we turned into the driveway and I was struck by the blooming tree in our front yard. The sun was hitting it just right and I couldn't believe that such a beautiful sign of summer's impending arrival was in my own front yard. Trust me...if you'd see my utter lack of a green thumb you'd understand. Anyways, Lauren kept yelling, "Mommy!! [p]Urple!!".




Lauren, Ella and I are enjoying our time together (although some times have been better than others). Lauren is tip-toeing into the world of "terrible 2's" and I have seen it rear it's ugly head more than once in the last eight weeks. And then there are other times she couldn't be sweeter little girl.



Dustin and I have compared here mood swings to a pendulum and if you've heard us say we're on the "upswing" you'll know what we are referring to now. I would by lying if I didn't admit that I'm already worried for her teen years.

However, she is always good with Ella and I could watch them interact with each other all day long.





Ella is growing like crazy and there are actually days when I can tell she's changed from just the day before. It's exciting and depressing all at the same time.




Against my better judgment, I agreed to go camping this weekend. I must be a glutton for punishment as we spent Mother's Day camping LAST year, too.

Friday night Dustin was at work and I knew it wasn't going to be a good camping weekend when I sent the kids outside to play only to have them come running back in because of rain.



Go figure. The weatherman had been reporting a beautiful weekend ALL week long... we set up the camper, Dustin leaves for the night and the stupid rain clouds come rolling in. Deja vu or what?

Thankfully, I had taken the kids to rent some movies earlier and they were still in my van. In the time it took me to set up the movie they had the camper ripped to shreds and me pulling at my hair.



It really didn't get any better from there. By the time Dustin got there it was almost 11:30 and I was exhausted. Lauren fell out of bed at 1:00, which Dustin slept through. Ella woke up to be fed at 2:30, which Dustin slept through. Lauren woke up for juice at 4:30, which Dustin slept through. And then Ella woke up to eat at 5:45 and about 15 minutes after that the kids were up and ready to eat too.

I was pretty much tired and irritated from the get go, which even I can admit, is not a good combo.

The wind was very cold so I spent most of the weekend cooped up with Ella and the dog. Dustin took the kids out as often as possible but three kids, one dog and two adults make even a large camper feel like a small tin can.

Saturday night was just more of the previous night except this time I woke Dustin up each time so that he could suffer with me. Unfortunately, it takes a freight train to wake the man up so each time I hollered at him the entire camper woke up. By Sunday morning...we were ALL in a great mood.



Hehehehe. (That was actually a shot from when Dad was here...but it still fits.)

Between that and Dustin's lack of Mother's Day plans...well, let's just say we left by mid-morning and by afternoon we were speaking again. Needless to say...I don't think we'll be camping on Mother's Day next year.