The English Relatives

Free slurpee day at 7-Eleven on...7-11.

We had the pleasure over the weekend and beyond to spend more time with Angela and Alan, Elaine's sister and brother-in-law from England.  We haven't seen them since we were in London in 2003 so we were certainly due!  We could have spent the whole time just listening to them talk, especially Alan's stories, but we did do other things too.  On Friday evening we went over to the Casselberry Food Trucks to give them a taste of this American phenomenon.  We have only ever been to the Ocoee ones so this was a new venue for us.  I found it to be a bit nicer...there were a lot of nice grassy areas with nooks and crannies to spread out a blanket and then I also found that they had different trucks which struck my vegetarian fancy (I had a watermelon, tomato, mint, and shaved feta salad and it was delish!).  The only downside was the live band that was playing that made it a little difficult to hear but I imagine on the day that they had a jazz band playing, it would be lovely.  We were worried it was going to rain but the weather held out and the evening proved to be very relaxing.  The chocolate-strawberry-cream crepe didn't hurt matters either.  I was glad the girls were distracted with some friends they had made so they didn't bug me for a bite.

We bring our own food for the kids to save shekels.  Brady saw me pack this peach and all he could talk about was eating his apple.  I kept saying "No, it's a peach" but he kept right on asking for his apple.

Who is that cute kid back there next to the fountain?

Saturday night we went over to Ron and Elaine's for another visit and also to celebrate Alan and Angela's birthdays.  Alan had his several months ago but Angela had hers on the 7th so we thought it would be nice to do something to celebrate.  Russ and Saray came over as well and Elaine made a great supper. And of course, we had cake.  Alan had some more hilarious stories to tell (why is that a story sounds twice as funny when someone with an accent is telling it?  In this case it was an English guy telling a story with a Swedish accent) which I unfortunately missed since I was tending the kids inside but I could hear the belly laughs. Duncan's middle name is Alan, courtesy of THIS Alan and I think it is fitting they share a name since they share the same sense of humor.  We got home about 9:30 and shortly thereafter the verdict came back in the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin case so we were glued to the TV for the rest of the evening.  I won't get into my feelings on that but I was not surprised that they jury found him not guilty based on the case that the prosecution presented.  It has been an interesting week with all the fall out from the verdict.  It reminds me of the Casey Anthony stuff that went on two years ago...which will be forever etched in my memory because the trial was taking place during the time Brady was born.

Let them eat cake!

A little gift from Uncle Russ.

They left yesterday so on Monday evening they swung by our house to say good-bye to Duncan.  The kids and I ended up seeing them yesterday morning, before they left, because I dropped the kids off at Ron and Elaine's while I had my doctor appointment.  As we were leaving, Alan pulled out some fake finger apparatus that made it look like his thumb was lit up red.  Brady was intrigued and kept saying "Do it again." We probably would have been there all day if I hadn't dragged him away.  Little mention was made of it that afternoon but that evening when I was brushing his teeth, he brought it up again.  Brady HATED to get his teeth brushed and I would struggle mightily with the task each night.  I almost thought I was going to have to get a straight jacket.  I'm not kidding.  It was that bad. Then, a few months ago, I came up with the idea of singing a song about his day to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb as I brushed.  We do three verses and for each verse, I sing about something he did that day. Voila!  No kicking or screaming now.  As I was singing the first verse on Monday evening, which I think was about him swimming in the pool at Grandma and Grandpa's, he started saying "No, No, No" and stopped my singing and then said "THUMB!"  It was an impressive looking thumb, I must say.

Speaking of my doctor's appointment, all went well.  Only six weeks to go!  We've had a lot of inquiries as to whether this little bugger has a name and the answer to that is a "NO."  Duncan is getting the final say this time around and he seems to be taking his time pulling the trigger.  A few weeks ago I went through his list and weeded out all those I didn't like and added a few of my own that he did like which has left us with a list of about 10 - 12 names.  On the way home from church last week he presented a first and middle name that we both really liked but there's a little problem with the names going together so we don't think it will work. So we're still, or should I say, he, is still undecided.  In the meantime, I decided maybe we'll just keep our decision a secret and announce it after the birth.  This way there is still a little intrigue.  Because you know, the reaction to the birth will probably be like "Oh, the Grodacks just popped out another kid. Whoopie." Now people can tune in and see if we name him something like North West Grodack...oh wait. That's been taken.

Sunday morning we went to a birthday party for Blake and Evan which meant being plied with fabulous goodies from Jennifier.  She also served a brunch, a personal favorite of mine, so it was perfect.  French toast to my heart's delight!  It was a pool party and the girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves as did Brady who spent a fair amount of time on Daddy's shoulders.  My giant pregnant belly and I were happy to watch it all from the sidelines.

The theme was LEGOS, in case you can't tell.

Brady eating a lollipop shaped like a LEGO.

Allen led the kids in some pool games.  Here they get ready to see who can hold their breath under water the longest.  That's Calleigh in the goggles.  She didn't win but what chance did she have against a 9-year old boy!

Most of the group of kids (sans Aubree and Brady)

Calleigh gets ready to throw a swimming noodle through one of the circles.  Don't think she actually made it.  Good effort though.

Sporting their LEGO shirts that they got in their party goodie bags.

The past few days (or should I say Monday & Tuesday) have seen a flurry of activity in our backyard. The landscaping/patio people came Monday morning to start on our patio.  Most excitingly, they brought a tractor with them.  Brady was all aflutter when he spotted it.  We spent a good portion of Monday morning just looking out our window from the second floor watching the men and the tractor at work.  Cheap entertainment.  Or, when you think about it, not so cheap!  The pavers aren't coming in until tomorrow so they spent the first two days just preparing the area and installing our three Japanese Blueberry trees.  They weren't here today but they will be back tomorrow and Friday to put in all the pavers.  Then it will be shopping time for us to find some outdoor furniture.

I'm not too pleased with all the marks on our lawn from this thing.

Our trees in the process of getting planted.

We were impressed to see them working in the rain.

This morning we hit up story time at the library and then paid a visit to our neighbor's, the Isidro's, for lunch and some backyard water activities.  The kids loved it and it reminds me why we moved out here....just to be able to do things like this.''

Hurry it up Allen.  We've got a big queue forming here.  I thought I would say at least one British thing on here in honor of the departed relatives.

Allen made us smoothies.  Gee, we need to do this more often!

Braelyn tried to teach Calleigh how to do a cartwheel.

She made it look so simple...yet, this is how far Calleigh got.  I didn't want to be a Debbie Downer about the whole thing but kid, if you are anything like your mother, it's never going to happen.  It's just not my thing.

A little Brady story before I end...this evening he took his little airplane and hurled it, on purpose, at Aubree's back which naturally made her cry hysterically. Duncan took him into our room for some very intentional punishment.  Of course, within moments I heard some loud cries coming from the room and then Duncan left him in there for a few minutes to think about his actions and we could hear the sobs continuing as he sat there alone.  After about two minutes, Duncan went in to get him (and to tell him to come out and apologize).  The first thing Brady did was walk clear across the room to where I was cleaning the laundry room to tell me "I okay, Mom. I okay."  And he gave me a hug and caressed my face.  You could still see the dried tears on his face. It was just so precious.  Now I know why the girls can't resist comforting him every time I reprimand him and he starts to cry.  He always goes to them, all pitiful like, for hugs.  And even if he just pulled their hair or scratched them or whatever, they always comfort him as if HE is the one who has just suffered some great tragedy.  That boy.  We're all suckers I guess.

I have forgotten to mention it but I am all but officially retired from my paying job.  I am still technically an employee (I asked to still stay on for awhile in case Valerie needs help...that way I have access to files and stuff) but I'm not doing any work.  Can I just say it is wonderful??!  To be clear, I loved my job and honestly, I really had it made to be able to work from home like I did for the last six years but I'm so enjoying the extra time in the afternoons to get stuff done (or, sneak in a little tiny nap as the case may be. Don't judge me...Didn't I mention that I'm giving birth in six weeks?).  On June 22, it was 15 years of employment at the hospital so I was glad to make it to that milestone.  Here on out, no paycheck but it's so worth it!  Thank goodness I have a studly husband who makes this all possible.

Two other pictures...

Snake picture from last week that I forgot to post.  Thankfully no repeat sightings although I swear I heard the bags rustling while I was in the garage this afternoon.

It's baaaaack.  We all joked about how we sang the theme song during Cradle Roll at Campmeeting like 10 times a day, "The Big Blue Ocean."  Well, what do you know.  It's the theme in Brady's Sabbath School class now.  And this giant whale is one of the props. Yup, you guessed it.  He had a fit when it was taken away about put back up front.

Have a great rest of the week.