Yesterday we met  up with two more babies for Maggie to roll around on the ground with – Gavin and Will. My child spent much of he day being a Big Bucket of Fuss while the other two babes grinned, giggled and snoozed happily. I’d  heard from Krista that her son, Will, tends to be a bit grumpy; however I saw none of that yesterday! He was such a cute little man.

Like I said, my daughter was a bit of a drama queen yesterday. I really have no idea where she gets it. I think it might be from Barry…certainly not me, right?

This hat is going to be the end of me.

Today lots of my very favorite people went back to school. They sat in meetings all day and prepared for next week when all the kiddos show up with their sparkly backpacks and sharpened pencils. I spent today watching the raindrops hit the ground wondering if Summer really is over. I keep waiting for the strangeness to hit me and to feel the urge to go to school and ready my classroom.

Instead today I felt comfort and joy in my daughter’s yummy smelling breath and chubby legs. I sipped on my tea and listened to her practice her new noises and felt contentment.

One of my very favorite things about teaching is the freshness that each year brings and seeing former students come back with bright, bright smiles – happy to return to the routine of school and familiar faces.  I’m going to miss those faces and those of my friends who also happen to be coworkers.

Right now, though, I’m feeling just fine and dandy being at home with Maggie and the freshness that she brings to our home each day.

On Sunday we continued our baby-filled weekend by converging at Midge’s house with my cousin Ben, his wife Emily, and their son Peyton. Plus the grandparents of both Peyton and Maggie were there along with Nate, Ben’s brother. Baby Peyton is adorable and looks exactly like Ben.

Peyton is ten days younger than Maggie and is pretty much exactly the same size, give or take a few ounces. He’s got super olive skin and chocolate brown eyes, basically the opposite of Maggie who has blue eyes and porcelain skin.

We got Midge to hold both the babies and for a split second all was right in the world. I love Maggie’s face in this photo because she’s wondering what in the world is going on….and she isn’t too happy about it.

But then she realizes that her chubby dog is right next to her and is happy as a little clam. Peyton, on the other hand, continues to be relaxed in Midge’s arms. Cute as a little muffin, that guy.

This weekend was full of babies! Barry and I counted 11 people we know that have either had a baby or are having a baby from the time that Maggie was born to her next birthday! That is a whole lot of babies!

We had a mini A-Town reunion at HBHQ on Friday and Erin, Molly, Katrin and Lara came to play. I love my Anacortes friends because years can go by, and when we all get together its as if no time has passed by. I think Molly might be my ‘newest’ friend that came – and I became friends with her back in 7th grade. (If we really want to get technical, I met Molly well before my 7th grade year, who’s counting, right?)

Erin’s son, Gavin, is a few days younger than Thomas and it was so much fun to have the trio together to let them cry, drool and poop together. Once the campfire started, they all focused their attention to the flickering flames.

When I sat down tonight to look at my pictures it appeared that Thomas was  camera hog and stole the show, as Gavin and Maggie are not in nearly enough photos. Thomas was quite jolly that night, so it makes sense.

By the way, Barry busted out the burst mode on us while taking some pictures. You think I’d be less surprised about it, but, by the looks of my face, he got me again. It was so great to see old friends again and I hope that we’ll be able to make the stars align in the future and do it again, because although I’ve made new friends, I sure do like my old ones.

P.S. Krista, we really missed you, Will & Lance!

We went to Westport this past weekend four our second camping trip of the summer. It is crazy to think that mid August we’re just logging our second camping trip, but at the same time having a 4 month old and doing our second camping trip of the season seems monumental in its own right.

We met up with Brian, Darcy, Chach, Brian, Marc and Lara….it was confusing with both the Brians.  Sydney typically loves the beach, but I think that Ruger’s enthusiastic charm made her a bit gun shy.

We had Beer Butt Chicken, Beer pancakes and I think some non-nursing people had just plain old beer. Thanks to Brian P. who did almost all the cooking! Barry, Brian M. and Darcy did a bit of surfing and the rest of us relaxed in the sunny weather and watched Ruger and Brian P. splash around in the waves.

Brian and Chaya showed up with the largest tent I’ve ever seen in my entire life. It is bigger than a circus tent. At one point I was in there with Lara, Thomas, Maggie, Ruger’s Costco sized dog bed, a queen air mattress, two camping chairs, and at least 6 huge Tupperware containers. Plus, there was still room to walk around. No longer do we call our tent The Mansion.

Coming home we got stuck in traffic and saw a ton of motorcycle riders heading South by the Tacoma Dome. Police officers had closed off the ramps on to I-5, so the only thing on the freeway were motorcycles. It was pretty astounding, but neither of us heard what it was about.  We think our traffic jam was because the people in our lane were rubber necking.

All in all, it was a successful second camping trip. Since Maggie loves being outside so much it makes it easier to go.

Quite honestly, I think this trip made us wonder if we need to step it up in the tent department. Either that, or we need to seriously look into a motor home. Next year, people, next year. You want to come camping with us? We’ve got a cute baby, a chubby dog and apparently a smallish tent.

Last week Kurt and Debbie stopped by, which really didn’t feel any different from all the other times they’ve come to visit.

It wasn’t until Maggie had thrown up, changed her PJs, and fallen asleep that I finally noticed the ring on Debbie’s finger – three hours after they got to our house.

We are thrilled for Kurt and Debbie, but there is a small part of me that will miss giving Kurt a hard time about not being married.  I have no doubt that I’ll find something else to rib him about….like hunting.

Congratulations, Kurt & Deb!

I love my cousin Chaya (a.k.a. Chach) very, very much. We’ve got a trillion inside jokes and we always seem to have a good time no matter where we are. She was there for me the time I got escorted out of the airport in Kansas City to dump my water bottle.  She was there for me when I won the golden ticket at Disneyland. She was there for me as a teacher to my students when I couldn’t be.  She was even there for me when I was huge and pregnant, making me burgers and fries.

But today.

Oh, today.

She was there for me to leave and go get a massage. I left my baby in her arms, happily asleep, and I went and had the most glorious massage. It meant more to me than all the pregnant burgers or empty water bottles.

Even though Maggie woke up and was somewhat of a grump, because that is what babies do when they notice their mama isn’t around apparently, Chach was steady and kept my baby from becoming a total Grump House.

Now I can add that Chach was “there for me the time that I really needed a massage and got one” to the list.

I might just move that one to the top.

Mondays are madness around here. It seems like we’re always recovering from our weekends and the day just flies by full of recovery time.  Even our house is recovering and we weren’t even here the past few days. I haven’t even had a chance to load my pictures from this weekend, but we had a smashing time camping with the Glassingtons, Larc, and the Flemers. I’m sure pictures will follow soon, so don’t worry your pretty little face.

Thomas and his parents met up with us at the beach and came back to our campsite and Marc & Lara delivered to us fresh honey!!! Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!  I love to eat honey on my pancakes and mix it with peanut butter, but this stuff is the bee’s knees. I found myself dipping into the jar a bit today just of a quick little taste and it was delicious. Splendid, I tell you.

I haven’t exactly spoken with them about it yet, but I’m hoping to get it in writing to always have our cupboard supplied with their honey because it is so fresh. A small part of me feels bad for the guy at the farmer’s market that we typically get our honey from, but then I realize that I can sit and actually talk with the bees at Marc & Lara’s house. So there! I totally understand Pooh and his whole honey love now.

Anyhow, I’ve already put the house to sleep along with the dog and baby. Barry is curled in bed next to the snoring Tubby Pug reading and I’m clicking away on our blog. I think my book is calling my name….or is that the honey jar?

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