Big Things, Small Things

Luckily, Gavin recovered from his fever in just one day, and the whole crew was game for the Sunday morning boat ride that Dylan had booked on Lake Pleasant. He hired a surfing coach along with the really awesome surfing boat, which just anybody could buy if they had an extra $150K in their pocket. I can't wrap my head around that, but let's move on because it's not important. The outing was a 60th birthday gift for Tom, who is an avid ocean surfer, and both Tom and Dylan did an awesome job and had a lot of fun. It was actually pretty cold outside, but it was good because the conditions on the lake were so quiet. The guys wore wetsuits, and as for me, I won't even put my big toe into water that cold. The little boys did really good watching the surfing from the back of the boat. Graham was pretty over it after two hours, but I was pleased with their behavior, for sure.

Come Sunday night, we put Graham to bed and prepped Gavin for the same, and then D and I left the boys in the care of Guinea and Grandpa to enjoy an early dinner as an anniversary celebration. We hit The Living Room in DC Ranch, which turned out to be a hot spot for the wealthy and retired population. We enjoyed live music on the patio, a bottle of rose´, sliders, lettuce cups...and the best of all, chocolate fondue. It was a really, really nice night. When we got home, we found the boys fast asleep and my brother and Pierce hanging in the family room with Dylan's parents. Gavin woke up to see what all the commotion was about and had a graham cracker hang-out with his cousin before continuing with sleep. What a fun-filled day!

Come 6am Monday morning, I could be found holed up in my room at my first day on the job. Which was the same job that I do at the pharmacy on Tuesdays and Thursdays (in a limited scope), but with 2.5 hours less the commute. With newly integrated technology, the pharmacy needed a little assist with the workflow. And as for me, I'll do just about any job that pays money and requires no commute, so I was happy to help. I don't know if it'll be a permanent situation, but I'll do it as long as they let me. I punched out by 10am and had the rest of the day to enjoy with my family. It's a good year to be earning a little extra cha-ching, so I'm happy with this set-up for as long as it lasts.

By the time Tuesday rolled around, Dylan was off an a last-minute trip, which is the first time anything like that has ever happened with his current job. I had plans for dinner with a dear friend that I wasn't about to cancel, so the boys clocked a record 10 hours at daycare. Dylan picked them up after landing back in Scottsdale and said that Graham fell asleep in the car and Gavin had the appetite of a horse. Not an ideal situation, but nothing that caused anybody any harm in the long-term. I don't think.

Dylan had to cancel and reschedule and miss all kinds of meetings on Tuesday, but one meeting that went as planned was the photography of our house. Our real estate agent, who happens to be a first-degree relative, was able to cover that one for The Big D, so the listing will happen as scheduled. As in, by the end of the week. Showing this house should be a real adventure and a gigantic pain in my ass. But to that, I say bring it on, and let's get this ball rolling. It only took us about six months to get this place on the market once we decided to move, so I'd say it was high time.

I came home with a belly full of quesadilla and margarita and a happy heart on Tuesday night just in time to switch with Dylan as he headed out to meet his pals. We've really hit a season of divide-and-conquer these days, with everybody bargaining and vying for free time, or at least some peace and quiet to take care of other responsibilities. It probably won't slow down any time soon, but by late Wednesday morning, all four of us packed into the Highlander for a simple swim lesson and Trader Joe's outing. It was not very exciting, but it was really, really nice to just do things that normal people do, and to do it all together for a couple of hours.

This boy- what an animal! He keeps me on my toes, but his smiles are to die for.

Hanging out in a box while Dad does some work in the garage.

G made a girlfriend at swim. So cute!

Pushing the cart like a boss. His new favorite thing.

Other than that, this morning I fit in what will likely be my last outdoor jog until October. Exercise for me is so much more than physical fitness. It's an absolutely necessary medicine for my brain, which is always on overdrive. I could spend hours at the gym, but nothing is quite the same as breaking a sweat outside, so I'm not too excited to be ushering in the indoor life for the summer. However, the summertime does mean less traffic on the roads, smaller crowds in the stores and fewer slowly driving senior citizens everywhere. I'll take it.