a week "off"!

I have a bunch of vacation time so I took G's April vacation week off.

Can I start by saying, I picked a week with  nearly perfect weather.  Sunny every day (I think).  A few days were in the 80s - April. Maine.  Pretty GREAT!

The week started on Friday afternoon when I cashed in a Christmas gift:  A night off (no kids) in an Inn in York Harbor, ME.  Can I just say: LOVELY!?  I walked the beach at sunset. Took a nap. Ate a wonderful dinner including awesome lobster/corn chowder - best ever!, read a book, fell asleep.  Listened to the ocean in the night.  Just wonderful - and so refreshing!

Saturday - I rose early, met my Mom and traveled to Rhode Island (first time there) and attended a quilting class and convention.  I learned a new applique technique.  Finished early. and returned to pick Mom up. IKEA trip. Home.

Sunday - church. Low key.

Monday - Beach day with the fam.  A little hike on the rocks and K even found a kid-sized cave.  Amazed at the gross motor skills of 3.

Tuesday - ? (will have to check the photos)

Wednesday - Kids went to a day camp for gymnastics - First time I'd ever dropped all 4 kids off and LEFT.  I came home, ate breakfast and tried to relax for 20 mins!  Then started a series of errands which included some new underclothes for me, 2 pairs of shoes, some cool ethnic kid artwork and...2 new couches!  Ours are nearly wrecked.  Prepared 6 freezer to crock pot meals for when work resumes!

Thursday - Play date - run nonstop day.  2 appts in the morning followed by Z's play date with Zac; then G's with M.  1 hour break ended with us at the neighbor's checking out a new to us desk - nice! and home to prepare for friends and their 3 babies for dinner - McDonalds.  Fell into bed.

Friday - Home playing, out for errands and Japanese buffet!  Home for another play date for G with E.

Saturday - Had a FUN time in NH.  Stopped in Kittery and hit the Hanna sale, McD's, and then to the Children's Museum where we met up with 3 other moms and 5 other kids.  Played for 3 hours and then 2 on the playground.  The girls were soooo impressed watching bridal portraits in a nearby park.  Then, to a local hotel to swim and eat.  An mini baby shower for a friend awaiting "River". Late night drive home and kids were asleep in less than 30 seconds!

Favorite Quote when preparing for our NH trip:
"Mama, is it a good idea to take my pillow pet with us to Virginia?" - K
"I'm not sure if the pillow pet will do well in Virginia because we are going to New Hampshire." -me

!?!?!?

Sunday will include church and prep for our return to "normal".

Getting paid to stay home and be a Mom was wonderful.  I so wish it could happen more often - although trust me, I'm thankful for my wonderful job.

OK, night. :)