we've been busy...

 Let's see, what have we been doing?

Since Mother Nature has acquiesced about the seasonal change and lifted her ban on cooler weather, I've been able to spend more time outside without feeling like I'm going to spontaneously combust.

I've found some new paths along the canals that have been a refreshing change of pace.

My morning walks/runs have been really enjoyable.

 Robyn and her friend Brynn are dressing up like a peanut butter & jelly sandwich for Halloween.

Quinny wanted to get in on the fun.

I think they make an adorable sandwich.

 Robert was working the other night, so Mimi invited Grandpa to her Daddy-Daughter Date that was happening for Activity Days.

They both had a fantastic time eating treats and playing games.

 Quinny and Allison got to play at the park the other day while Eric had soccer pictures.

Somehow I got pictures of Q and Alli but no pics of Eric.

I thought this picture was too funny - they look like miniatures on a giant scale.

 When we got home, Allison and Quinny had to have some time in the sandwich.

Basically, we've spent a lot of time during the past three weeks going to school, working, reading, practicing, cleaning, going to games, eating candy, dressing up, etc., etc., etc.

We've been busy enough to forget taking pictures, but not too busy.
We haven't gone crazy - yet.

a little fall break...

The college student (Haley) doesn't get a fall break.

So our break has been a little less than exciting.

Other than the four other kids having no school, the beginning of the week felt totally normal.

Monday was taken up with transporting Haley to school, soccer practice for Eric, work for Robyn and Robert, hanging around the house, and a very disappointing eye appointment for me.

I've been testing out some contact lenses, my first time ever.

They are perfect, except for the fact that everything is blurry, so they really aren't serving their purpose, and they are driving me BONKERS!

So if bonker driving is their purpose, they are right on target.

I was committed to following the schedule for wearing them so my eyes could get used to them.

Each day got worse.

The guy at the optical store told be he can't do anything for me, and I was going to have to go back to my eye doctor.

I was so hopeful.

Robert asked what I was going to do.

My reply was be sad and wallow in self-pity.

I will cry big tears that no one will see, because my big stupid glasses will be hiding them.

I'm pretty good at that.

Let's move on.

On Tuesday, Eric had piano lessons, Robert worked again, and Mimi and Quinny went to swimming lessons.

Quinny can really entertain herself for a considerable amount of time with just those play noodles.

Probably her favorite thing to do is get herself into some crazy position and then tell me to take her picture.

Her other cherished pastime is having me time how long it takes her to swim the length of the pool and then cheer for her upon completion.

Wednesday night the kids talked me into treating them to Amazing Jake's.

They do get a kick out of that place.

All selfie photos with Quinn turn into photo booth style shots.

They start out fine, and then she says, "Now one like this, and one like this, and one like this..."

And I do them.

What is wrong with me?

They have a buffet at Amazing Jake's with quite an assortment of food.

You can imagine my surprise when Mia walked into the dining area with a plate full of pickles and mac 'n' cheese with a side of saltine crackers.

The best surprise was when Mimi tasted the pickle and it was sweet!

How dare they?

She was in shock!!

She thought something was wrong with it.

She snuck off to the trash with her fist full of the repulsive things and got rid of them before I could make her eat them!

And lastly, Thursday afternoon Robert and the four kids on break piled in the car and headed for Mexico for a couple of days.

Don't let Robyn's face fool you; she was happy to go.

She just had sore teeth from her orthodontic appointment on Wednesday.

Mia looks like she's wearing a sombrero.

Hasta luego.

the three best things this week in order of their awesomeness

#3

Quinn brought this to me and said, 

"Here's a snack.

I thought you might be hungry.

I'm sorry the banana is broken."

#2

Grandpa and Eric posing on the rocks.

There is nothing better than Grandpa flexing.

#1

Mia's letter to the pool guys.

She left this on the porch for them.