What a Day

This is another long blog post about the craziness of parenting littles. If you don't want to read it, I'd understand, but if you do read it, I hope I can at least make you laugh! Sometimes things can get pretty crazy around here, and though there I days I want to forget, I know that I will want to remember them later!

Last weekend I left my car keys in my jacket at the Acreage so when I woke up this morning I was sure to grab the other set of keys from Mike's coat pocket and put them in the basket. I made everyone some breakfast and then we all hugged and kissed Daddy good-bye. After breakfast we went upstairs, tidied the rooms and got dressed. Camilla put her swim suit on under her clothes to make things easier for swimming lessons. We packed a towel and headed out to the car. I belted everyone in and then ran back inside for the keys. Turns out Daddy grabbed the keys and put them in his pocket out of habit. I quickly mapped out a bus route and grabbed some change. We had to move quick to make it on time. I threw Joseph in the hiking backpack and strapped the other two in the stroller and went on our way. I had no watch or phone to tell the time. We just missed the bus I wanted to catch, but waited around for what seemed like forever for the next one while I handed baby cookies back to Joseph and popped wheelies with the stroller to keep the older two occupied. Finally a second bus came along and when we finally pulled into the transit center the clock read 9:31am. Camilla's lessons had already started. I felt a little discouraged and wondered if we should keep pace. I asked Camilla what she would like to do and she still wanted to go. I still had at least another ten minutes of walking/jogging to do with Joe on my back just to make it to the Rec Centre at a decent time. My legs pretty much felt like Jello half way there after a block and my face was red and hot. As we rolled up to the door I had Camilla whip off her boots and unzip her jacket. We probably looked hilarious coming through the doors with me hurrying, "Take off your shoes Camilla....!!!" I'm sure I looked like a crazy lady. Camilla was giggling. One of her shoes flew out the side of the stroller and we had to reverse to pick it up. She had her shirt off just as we got into the change room (which was switched to the men's for today only). I quickly slid off her pants and socks and sent her on her way! We were lost for a few seconds since the change room was a maze! Camilla joined her class and I took the boys to the dryland area to let them stretch their legs. I was pretty much sweating and feeling exhausted. Camilla got in 12 whole minutes of her 30 minute class. Worth it? I still haven't decided. 

After her lesson we made our way to the change rooms to get Cj dried off and let everyone have a potty break. We then walked back to the mall so that I could run some errands while we were out. The puddles on the path were still icy, but melted enough that they cracked as we walked over them. Camilla and Hyrum would freak out every time thinking we were going to fall through the ice into a pond or something! I went to the bank to grab a bank draft for our new vehicle (more on that later), but apparently only Mike is able to do that. We then went and got my watch battery changed so that I could watch the time on the way home. I also had to pick up bus tickets for Mike, but apparently they only take debit for those now and my debit card is broken (should have gotten that fixed at the bank). I didn't have enough change to make it home on the bus, so I crossed my fingers that my transfer would still be good, or it was going to be a heck of a walk. The driver forgave the five minutes extra and let me on (but honestly, I had three kids with me, how could he not?). 

We made it home safe and sound just before lunch. It felt good to get some exercise and enjoy the fresh Spring air. The weather was great for walking and I just wore my hoodie. When we got home we discovered that Uncle Arland had picked up the keys from Daddy and tried to catch us at the pool to drive us home. I felt bad that he had driven all that way and missed us! He said he heard Hyrum in the changeroom, but somehow we didn't connect. 

We all enjoyed lunch (even though Hyrum screamed through most of it) and then Uncle Arland offered to babysit while I ran to get the registration for the new vehicle. Since I was still waiting on some documents, I wasn't able to go. I put Hyrum for a snooze. All that fresh air tuckered him out. When I came back down I saw Camilla cuddling Joe to sleep on the couch. I decided to let them be until he fell asleep. It was the cutest thing ever to just watch them from the stairs. Camilla is such a gentle big sister and probably one of the best four year olds I know! She loves watching Joseph for me and does such a good job! He slept on her for close to an hour, and she wouldn't let me move him!Moments like that are so so precious! I can't believe how big  this little girl of mine is getting! She is so responsible for her age and I'm so glad to call her mine!

 While everyone was quiet, I made a few phone calls and put some dinner on. I tidied my disaster of a kitchen and managed to wipe down Joe's highchair.  My watch died again just before dinner. I think it's time to invest in a new one. Arland and Naomi offered to watch the littles while we went and picked up our new van! By the time Mike was finished work it was getting pretty late. We quickly signed the documents, got our keys and got home just in time to tuck in the kids for the night. All I could think was Whew, what a day!