Pre-Deployment

**WARNING** this is a long blog!

Brian and I like to go away together before and after his deployments. The first deployment, we didn't, because it was very unexpected and we had a 2 week old daughter. When he got back, we went to Myrtle Beach for a couple days. The second deployment, we went to Atlanta for several days, and when he got back, we went to Washington DC. Grandparents who are always willing to take children are GRAND! This time, I had a little idea a couple months ago, and approached Sarah about spending the night with my girls, so Brian and I could go to Dallas for the night. We really just wanted to go to the Melting Pot restaurant. She, of course, agreed, and we left yesterday around 2:00.

We went to our hotel first and changed into nice clothes for our amazing dinner. That place is so good. If you have never been there, you need to go!! Take your wallet, and make sure it's full, but it's worth every penny....er...dollar. We had an amazing time, yadda yadda. The point of this post is Sarah's time with my girls. She is an amazing babysitter (think Mary Poppins). She isn't one of those "Go play" babysitters. She is a "Let's do your hair, dress up and have a tea party" kind of babysitter. Anyway, here is a shortened version of the "blog" she left me of their time together. I've taken out some things that would only make sense to us, but this is so cute.


To my Blog-Lovin’ Friend,

Here is my detailed account of our overnight together. I am no blogger, so you are stuck with my ramblings. I hope that you and Brian had a great time…We sure did! SO…you takin' my kids next weekend???? :o)

Love you loads!

2:00pm Jenn and Brian leave…let the fun begin!

2:00-3:00pm The kids played outside while Van napped. I enjoyed a quiet house for one entire hour! Hmmm…it’s fun being at someone else’s house and having no guilt about not “getting things done!”

3:00pm Van woke up from her nap! Asked immediately where her Mommy was, but having no concept of time yet, was not upset that Mommy was “out with Daddy.” We’ll see how she feels in say…15 hours!

3:00-4:45pm The kids continue to play well together…no blood, no screaming, no broken bones

4:45pm Time for dinner…Time to wash your hands, and arms, and faces, and …the kids are SOOOO dirty. Sorry, Jenn! Meme would cry to see her pretty babies covered in dirt and grass like two hooligan boys! :o)

4:45-5:15pm Gourmet dinner of Pancakes! Yay! Edible Hearts, flowers, swords, inch worms, and Mickey Mouse! Everyone ate several. (Even though they weren’t perfect works of art! Ha Ha!…Emily declared that I *insert sweet little girl voice* "shouldn’t worry and she would still eat her 'Mickey Mouse' even though I messed up and didn’t do a very good job on hers." LOL!!!!!!!!!!

5:15-6:00pm Went on an expedition to find June Bug larvae…Found 3! Lost “Fred” and the count was down to 2! Despite the dirt on Vannah’s mouth we really don’t think she ate it! Don’t worry, the other two larvae are safe on your kitchen counter in a plastic cup of dirt! :o)

6:00pm Time to come inside to clean up…AGAIN. Seriously, the girls have never been so filthy. Think of it as a mud-mask spa treatment…Does this count as “girl time?!?”

6:15pm Everyone is clean and playing nicely… Pah!!!! Who said it was hard to have 4 kids! We are about to do arts and crafts…haha, just kidding! I’m not that crazy!

6:20pm Vannah can no longer do without “Gong-gin,” and is more than happy to have the living room to herself. I don’t blame her…I think the play room is currently a den for pirates! May I just say that “Yo-Gabba-Gabba” is the DUMBEST show that was ever created…well maybe it runs a close second to Telli-Tubbies! (I don’t even know how to spell it…) I would have changed the channel if it were not for Van’s excited cries of “YO GABBA!!!!!” and the funny little jig that it seemed to inspire her to do when the TV announcer said it was coming up next! I think I prefer her 2 year old crush on “Dae-go!” :o)

6:20-7:30pm The kids are being great! Van is oh-so-silly and seems content to do “her own thing.” The “Steroid Monster” has still NOT reared it’s ugly head! :o) Bradey and Emily have given up their pirate swords for imaginary robot bodies--inspired by Wall-e! They each have their own handmade Lego weapon too! (Bradey has a bright future in weapon logy! Someday he will equip the planes that Emily will pilot!) Mason and I played Kings in the Corner and a few phases of Phase 10 under Van’s supervision! Oh, and let’s not forget the VERY stinky diaper promptly at 7:05! :o)

7:35pm Clean-up, Clean-up, Everybody , Everywhere, Clean-up, Clean-up, Everybody do your share!

7:45pm Well, we can see the playroom floor…as for proper bin sorting…well, did I mention that we could see the playroom floor? Time for bedtime snack! Yay for Popcorn! Van is still going strong!

8:15pm My Knight in Shining Stratus shows up! (After stopping by real quick earlier to steal a kiss, go give plasma, and then change the oil in the car…poor guy…hey hold on…just in time for bedtime…hmmm.)

8:20pm Bedtime! PJ’s on, teeth brushed, medicine taken, potty taken care of , and prayers said. The girls went to bed with no problem. Emily was sad that you guys weren’t here, but did not cry. After hugs and kisses, they settled right down and all is quiet on the monitor. (Emily changed into her pj’s in the bathroom and when she came around the corner to the play room, Bradey exclaimed--”Oh Emily, you look beautiful!” Ha Ha!

GOOD MORNING!

7:30am The girls are awake…I don’t think the sun is shining yet…

7:45-8:15am Breakfast! Well, at least for the girls and I. The boys are all still sleeping. Coffee is the first order of business…the girls wait for me to finish that task…somehow they know that Mommies need to take care of that first! Hmmm…Well trained????

8:15ish am The boys come out all sleepy-eyed. More breakfast orders and more breakfast chatter! :o)

8:20-9:15 am The “Sleeping Bear” emerges…I think he is overwhelmed with all the morning chatter! Ha Ha! The toys are already out and the larvae on the counter has been checked, poked, and nearly spilled…oops, escaped Roley-Poley walking across the counter too! **snicker, snicker….

9:15-10:00 am Time for the boys to head home to get cleaned up and dressed. The girls are subjected to Me and the hairbrush! Yay for dress up with little girls! Van hasn’t learned that she could be standing in front of my knees for an indefinite period of time while I play with her hair…Emily learned years ago and ops to immediately ask for a pony tail…”It doesn’t take as long as two!” she declares. She’s SOOOO boring! :o)

10:00-10:15am Down time with Noggin…our time is almost over. Wow, it flew by! The girls wait for the playmates to return and more fun to begin.

10:15am The boys are back!!!!!!!! Hugs all around…you would think that they hadn’t seen each other in days! They are already planning the day. Is it going to be outside or pirates? Van is content to stare at Tim and giggle uncontrollably for no apparent reason…she is a hoot! Or a “little charmer” already?!?! :o)

10:20-10:45am Playtime erupts!!!! And we made it!….No bumps, bruises, fights, or major catastrophes….AND not even a marriage proposal!