The Tropics

Apparently Minnesota has turned into a tropical paradise rainforest (without the trees and cool animals), as evidenced by the Gosselin girls' hair and the humidity that immediately descended on the camera lens. We spent about 15 minutes outside this morning while there was still some shade on our block. It is amazing how much one can sweat while just sitting on the front steps.

Weekend Wrap-Up

I don't think I have ever been so happy to have a week over. We're through the worst of hand-foot-mouth and hope it never returns. We had a couple of L-O-N-G days at home but were also taken in by the kind grandparents who still wanted to see us, mouth sores and all. So this weekend wrap-up is really a week-long wrap-up, starting with Wednesday. We went over to Grandma and Grandpa's house to play outside after being cooped up for a day and a half.

Thursday was the longest of the L-O-N-G days I mentioned earlier (a certain toddler was not feeling good and had her crabby pants on...and there was nothing Mommy could do about it). But the exciting thing about Thursday was someone in our family got a tattoo...and it wasn't any of the girls.

On Friday we were able to get out a bit in the morning to go downtown and see MorMor and Bops for lunch. That evening we went to Grandma and Grandpa's so Chris and I ran errands. No pictures to document the day, can you believe it? Shows we were still a little out of sorts.

Saturday we got to join the land of the living again. The sores on her mouth were healing and her fever had been gone for a few days so she was no longer contagious (at least that is what multiple internet sites told me, I hope they are right!). We walked ran to a splash pool with Charlie.

Today we went to the MOA before the stores opened because Chris had to do a training there. It was great! Very few people were there and we stopped for breakfast and ran around.

Then we braved the heat for a few minutes and went to Highland Fest's petting zoo.

Cal spent the rest of the day at the condo with Bops (now pronounced "Box"), MorMor
(not yet attempted) and Mari (sounds something like "Bwowie"). Chris and I spent the rest of the day doing more cleaning/decluttering. I found this from 2000- freshman year of college:

Not sure how that made it through four years and into my box of Luther treasures, but it did! Ironically neither Chris nor I remember it!

This upcoming week is a busy one, so I hope no backs go out or no weird diseases appear.

Hand, Foot, Mouth

Callie is great at identifying body parts. But this post isn't about that. It is about a fun little sickness called Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease that Cal developed the past few days. It started with a couple days of fever and picked up steam yesterday with little sores around her mouth. Thankfully, during the days she has still been her happy little self despite probably being a little uncomfortable.

It is pretty contagious to other kids so we're keeping a low profile this week. I'm just amazed that we made it up til now without her getting anything worse than a bad cold.

This morning I took Callie for a 3 mile run in the jogging stroller and was TIRED. I was doing my best at faking mental toughness and running up a big hill. Coming down the hill opposite me was a super fit woman. As we passed she yelled "Go Supermom!" I really needed that today, so thanks anonymous jogger.

Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday
Our house does not entertain us for very long. So we've taken to going to malls so our energetic toddler can run around without having to deal with the heat outside. Friday we went to the Galleria. I got my camera out for a few photo-ops. There, I was "That Mom" in a mall.

Then Auntie Mari came over and, after dinner, we got out the new splash pool I bought.

Saturday
A trip to the park and more bubbles! I hadn't been to the park with her in awhile, and I was amazed at how much more independent she was...who is that big girl???

Another play date with Sydney (and the rest of the Luther crew, too, but the babies are the only ones that make it on camera).

Sunday
Chris and I went to a wedding this afternoon. It was fun to have some "adult" time with our friends.

Callie got to hang out with Bops, Mari and Kona.

I'm already in serious denial that a month of summer is gone. Slow down, summer, slow down! I'm in the process of getting caught up with uploading pictures on our Shutterfly Site, so there are lots more pictures of our summer adventures there.

Oh- and for those of you who are concerned, my back is about 90-95% back to normal. Thank goodness! :)

Out and About

Despite my mid-week setback, we still managed to have a fun week. Callie got to see her cousin Donald again on Tuesday:

We met the P.A. Mom's group at Wabun on Wednesday:

Took a walk

and then relaxed on Thursday:

And had our first music class and then lunch date with Charlie today!

Music Class was so fun! I really wanted to take pictures, but didn't want to be "That Mom." So maybe by the last class I'll take some. There was a little boy in the class who was 2 1/2 years old (I think) and he spent the entire class running around the room in circles and screeching (LOTS of energy!). His mom is pregnant and (I can only imagine) slightly overwhelmed. So to add to my "Thankful" list from yesterday's post, I'm thankful for Callie's calm demeanor. She seems like a tornado at times, but NOTHING compared to this little kiddo! :)

Thankful

The past 24 hours I have been fairly immobilized. I threw my back out at the wading pool yesterday (How does that happen, you ask? I have no idea.). Usually I don't get too concerned because I am used to having back issues, but this time was different. I couldn't do much except either sit or lay down, which doesn't really work while being in charge of a busy toddler.

So I dropped her off with my mom in hopes that I just needed a few hours to relax and stretch and would be fine. After a couple of hours it was clear that that was not going to happen, so I left a frantic voice mail with my chiropractor Leslie, who was willing to see me this morning ON HER DAY OFF! Reason I'm thankful #1. Thank you Leslie!

Chris ended up staying home from softball because I knew it would be impossible to put Callie to bed and all that goes along with that. Reason I'm thankful #2. My husband is the best.

I didn't really sleep that well. I spent most of the night trying to find a comfortable position in bed, but it wasn't happening. There was consistent pain no matter how I laid down. I can't imagine living with chronic pain. Reason I'm thankful #3. I know that my back can be fixed.

This morning I still could hardly move, so Chris had to run around and get Callie and himself ready and then took Cal over to my mom's again, who is keeping her most of the day so I can recover. Reason I'm thankful #4. My family is amazing.

My chiropractor appointment was fabulous and I felt better as soon as I left. It isn't back to normal, but I know I'm on the way there. Reason #5 I'm thankful. Well, really I'm just redundantly thankful. See #1 and #3.

So I'm thankful. Because 24 hours of not being able to scoop up this little Punkin Head and hugging and kissing her has been B.R.U.T.A.L.

Baby

She hasn't quite figured out how to handle a "baby" yet. But it was sure entertaining to watch her try.

Okay, here we go. Off to walk the baby.