End-of-School

I will attempt to do a catch-up here!

Wednesday, May 19th

RJ spent the entire day with LJ at school. They had some tricycles to return. RJ has been the tricycle repair man - these kids are tough on the trikes! Apparently, this job is much appreciated by all. He even got a mention in LJ's teacher's end-of-the year letter. It seems that, when the tricycles are out of commission, the kids are crazy during outside time, so the teachers prefer the tricycles to be in good working order.

RJ had been feeling as though he had missed out on knowing what is going on when LJ is at school, so he decided to spend the morning. I believe he has written a post about this, so I'll let him give his report.

After school, we all went out to lunch and then home for a typical afternoon of naps, playing, snacks and swimming.

Thursday, May 20

RJ went to work and I started packing for our trip to the beach. At 10:00, I went to my spray-tan appointment! The week before, I had been at my hair salon for my usual procedures and a lady emerged from the back with her recently applied spray-tan. So, I asked some questions and saw the results and decided that I would be happier going to the beach (as a pregnant lady) with golden skin. The spraying was no problem, but I needed to wait 8 hours before showering so that it could all set-in. This was annoying. I spent the day in my swimsuit cover-up, doing laundry, gathering supplies, and packing, so I didn't need to go out. But, I was kind of sticky most of the day...and just generally uncomfortable.

RJ came home from work and decided to check out the rear brake pads on the Tahoe. So, he did some car repairs before LJ informed us that his Crocs are just too small and he needs new ones. I showered (a glorious shower that involved the rinsing off of the "guide line" - which is brown) and we went out for Crocs, car parts, and dinner.

Friday, May 21

RJ took LJ to his last day of pre-school! I finished the last minute packing and getting the house ready for our departure. Upon his return from dropping LJ at school, RJ did his last car preparations and packing. Around 10:30, RJ, PJ and I left the house for our attendance at LJ's end-of-year school party and then straight on the road for the beach.

LJ's party appeared to be lots of fun! They made home-made ice cream and played in a "water contraption" made of PVC pipe. PJ enjoyed playing on the playground and I visited with the other moms...where I was informed that they have 1 opening in the 3-year-olds MWF and 1 opening in the 3-year-olds TR class next fall. RJ hadn't even thought about PJ attending pre-school at age 3, but we were about to spend the next 3 days considering it! The head-of-school told us we could call on Monday to let her know - after that, she needed to start calling people on the waiting list (since we have a sibling at this school already - we get out ahead of people without siblings at the school).

After pictures and "see you laters", we headed to pick up Jfer and then to our destination in Louisiana.

Our car ride was rather uneventful...full of stops and SHHHs and treat bags with trains and snacks...until Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge is where we take I-12 North instead of I-10 South (to New Orleans). Our hotel for the night is on I-12, right before it joins back with I-10. Well, as we are speeding by on the Interstate, we are seeing signs (temporary - signs that are digital and what they say can be changed) that say something about I-12 being closed and to take I-1o as a detour...and something about 30 miles. It is hard to read at 70 mph...surrounded by traffic and looking for the I-12 exit. But, I can tell you that having to go down to New Orleans would be one heck of an out-of-the way detour. So, we pull over, look at LDOT and it seems there is an overturned truck about 30 minutes up I-12 and the road is closed. We look at the map and decide to go on 12 until right before the closure and then go across on a smaller road. When we exit 12, we figure there will be a place to eat dinner.

Our choices were Subway and Wayne's Bar-B-Q. We chose the local-flavor of Wayne's and, while the food wasn't very good, we talked to a local guy who told us what road to use...it would be less crowded and quicker. So, Wayne's was worth it for the information. We got to our hotel and went straight to bed. I slept with PJ (BIG mistake...I guess I'm like a magnet for him as his slept ON me) and RJ slept with LJ...who snored loudly...his nose was stopped up. Jfer slept on the pull out couch. The people upstairs either had children who ran across the floor for 45 minutes at 10:30 or were square-dancing. As you can gather, we did not sleep well!

MMRs, Birthday Parties and Jellybeans

We took both kids to the dr. for a well visit and their next vaccination. I took LJ on Monday. He is due for his 2nd MMR, 2nd Varicella, and last DTaP and Polio. We only did the MMR and will do the Vacricalla and the combo DTap/Polio at the end of the summer. This is in accordance with our spacing the vaccines to keep the level of aluminum and other "extra" substances to a "more acceptable level". So, you can see, by the time he enters Kindergarten, he'll have all of the vaccines he's supposed to have...just not at such an accelerated rate.

He actually cried about the shot, but got a lollipop in the end, so all was good.

RJ took PJ on Friday. He got his 1st MMR. According to RJ, PJ did not cry and he got a Thomas sticker, so he was happy. PJ spent the morning saying, "I'm ready to go get my shot now!" - so I guess he was truly ready!

LJ has a birthday party to go to...at 2:00pm ON MOTHER'S DAY! Who does this? Well, I can tell you who, but I won't. First of all, is our 5 year old the last 5 year old on earth who still takes an afternoon nap? It would seem so if I take the typical birthday party time as any indication. Sure, he doesn't always sleep, but LJ goes to his room and lays on his bed for 2 hours every afternoon that we are home. Second of all, Mother's Day? I think you get my point. So, today, LJ and I need to buy a birthday gift for this child. The volume of gifts that I see piled up at these parties strengthens my resolve not to have a birthday party where we invite his classmates.

I don't know about you, but we still have most of the Easter candy in our house. We, the J parents, didn't even do much candy, but somehow, we accumulated a ton of it. I labeled a Ziploc bag with each child's name on it (have to keep the candy separated!) and I dug the jellybeans out and put them in a bowl. PJ knows this bowl exists and, for every 1 time he asks if he can have a jellybean, it appears there are about 10 times that he just helps himself without asking! I'm to the point where I don't care anymore...the sooner they are gone, the better.

Trips, Birthdays, Cookie Contests, Etc.

It has been a rather busy time for the Js. At the end of April we went on a "big" trip to Pennsylvania and New York. This was the boys' first time on an airplane and they were excited. We had a terrific time - although we slept very little. I am working on a newsletter-style highlight that includes a few pictures...I'll e-mail it to anyone who wants it when I'm finished, so if you want it, let me know! To help you decide, highlights include: Steam train ride, PJ's birthday (in NYC), and NYC. I don't see how you could *NOT* want to receive the newsletter, but I realize I might be biased. Do you realize that I'm using you to try to prod me to actually finish this newsletter????

Immediately following our return from Pennsylvania, we were slated to get in the car and drive 6 hours (one-way) to the wedding of my cousin's daughter. The kids were on so little sleep that dark circles were appearing under their eyes and RJ was exhausted too. So, we decided that Mom and I would fly to the wedding and spend one night while RJ stayed home with the boys. It was Cookie Contest weekend and we were a bit bummed to have to miss it anyway. Plus, there was some super-fantastic "tool auction" that RJ wanted to attend (and, according to the credit card statement - did buy some super-fantastic tools). This plan sounded good all the way around. This plan also allowed me and RJ to have dinner with my friends Chrissy, Katherine, and Johanna on Friday night...of course, we didn't get home until 11:00 pm and our flight left at 7:10 am. Once again, little sleep.

I woke on Saturday not feeling just right, but I figured I was just tired. Mom and I got to our destination with no problems, upgraded our rental to a Cadillac (this is what happens when I think that we "deserve" a nice reward!), and found our hotel. Seeing as how it was only 10:45 am, I figured that actually checking in was not likely. Turns out I was correct. In fact, "there will be NO rooms available until 3:00." I did not like this. I was tired and still not feeling quite right.

Mom and I ate a snack at Panera Bread and decided to drive our Cadillac to the church and reception to make sure we had good directions. Then, we sat in the hotel lobby and tried to eye ball the receptionist...you know, make her feel uncomfortable and all. She told anyone else who tried to check-in the same thing though. At 1:00, we met a friend of mine from my mommy message board for lunch. I wasn't too hungry, but we had a nice visit. Upon return to the hotel, we were able to check-in. Once in the room, we rested and got ready for the wedding.

The wedding was nice - a bit traditional and non-traditional...very humorous. It was hot in the church, but it was all very nice. The reception location was nice as well. We visited with R & K and our cousin, but I was seriously not feeling well. In fact, in short-order, I was the lady in the first stall hurling my lunch. Nice. I left the reception (and Mom to be returned to the hotel by R & K on their way out of town) and hoped this was a one-time deal. Alas, it was not. Finally, around 11:00 pm - with thoughts about the plane ride home in fewer than 12 hours lurking in the depths of my mind and no end to the sickness in sight...I called the answering service for my doctor. I found a 24 hour CVS and begged the on-call doctor to call me some Phenergan suppositories. He expressed concern of possible dehydration, but I convinced him that I am a professional, so he obliged. With the hotel ice bucket and directions in hand, I headed out (in the Cadillac) to the CVS, which for all I know - is located in a not-so-good part of town. I made it without incident, used the ice bucket while waiting in the drive-thru, and made it back to the hotel. I was in bed and relieved of my need to visit the bathroom by 1:00 am.

I spent the next day feeling as though I had been drugged - Phenergan does this, but it beats the alternative. Mom and I made it home without incident. I slept most of the rest of the day and night.

Mom says she had a nice time at the wedding reception. I, however, did not enjoy this trip.

While I was gone - LJ won his age-bracket and is, once again, the Cookie King! PJ was in the same age-bracket as LJ this year, but he only ate 1 cookie and LJ ate 3.