So, last night we were going to go to the gym after work. I know, right? Go ahead and laugh yourself silly. By the time we got home and made dinner, it was ten minutes until Nate's bedtime, so we couldn't make it happen. I'm not really too disappointed, because it would have ended our streak of approximately 967 days of not going to the gym.
We're trying again tonight. The stars are aligned in our favor. Clothes are packed! Water bottles bought! No work or school tomorrow because of the holiday! Membership cards . . . well, still lost. That alone is enough to make me throw up my hands in defeat most of the time and sit on the couch eating cookies. Before we got married, I had a single membership in my maiden name. After we got married, Mike registered a family membership and mine merged with it and something awful happened to my name. They have it in their records as hyphenated, and their system is so antiquated that they have to type it in exactly as it's saved (including the hyphen), or there's no chance of ever finding it. It's the most frustrating process ever.
Me: My last name is Bickis, but you have it in the system as Anderson-Bickis.
Her: Sorry, that account is inactive.
Me: No, that's my maiden name. Look under Anderson-Bickis.
Her: Vickis?
Me: No, B, as in boy.
Her: Sorry, no Anderson Bickis.
Me: No, Anderson-hyphen-Bickis. You have to actually type in the hyphen. No, I don't know why. Yes, I've tried to change it.
All of this, of course, takes place with 40 angry people behind me in line who just want to go fling sweat on people. But today, I'll brave that. Who knows - maybe it'll go smoothly?
So, we're about to embark on the best part of year, where there is no homework, sports, boy scouts, or cub scouts. Or, as I like to call it, July.
Seriously. This is the only month all year long with no scheduled activities, requirements, dates planned months in advance, or obligations. We're trying to soak it up and not get too used to it, because come August, it's right back to the usual grind. This weekend we spent Saturday doing chores around the house, and I even got to take a much-needed nap while the kids watched far too much tv. Sunday we spent the entire day at the lake. We got too much sun, ate too much junk food, and drank too much lake water. But you know what? It was perfect. I looked back at the kids laughing every time the tube hit a bump and couldn't help but think what a charmed life we live. I could never ask for anything more.
So, while we're off living the dream, you'll probably not see much here. I'll try to post some photos of the awesome times we're having, but everyone knows I really stink at that, so no promises. Don't worry. In a couple of weeks it'll be back to the usual hubbub of school and sports schedules. In the meantime, there's always the telephone if you miss us :)
Tomorrow morning I'm going to pick up two of my three favorite boys from camp! So so so excited to see them again. We're heading straight from there to Lodi, because Brendan has a soccer game at 2pm.
It's his last game until the fall, so get your soccer fix now, while you still can. Also, we're playing the Jackson Fury boys team, which is comprised mostly of his old teammates from Jackson Select (which doesn't exist anymore - long story), so it'll be a reunion of sorts :)
It's going to be their last game with their current goalkeeper, Andrew, who is moving to another state with his family before the next school year. Field six, hope to see you there! Bring chairs. And sunscreen. And water.
Here's our very favorite Tiger Cub, enjoying cub scout day camp, the same week his brother is off at Boy Scout camp with Daddy:
This picture makes me laugh. He's so awesome. Thanks so much to everyone for helping out this week to make it happen for him!! Grandpa George volunteered to chaperone for two days, Grandma JP did one, and Papa took one, too. Many fish were caught, crafts made, arrows shot, and slingshots slung. We're outrageously grateful for all of the wonderful family support we have.
Nothing. That's all. Not a single sporting event for either child. You'll have to find some other way to entertain yourselves with all the free time :)
This post is long-overdue, but everyone who reads this blog knows I barely have time to shower these days. I swear the phrase "Better late than never!" was tattooed on my behind the day I entered this world.
This is what six looks like:
So, we celebrated. And celebrated some more! We started off with a carnival themed birthday party for all of Nate's friends from Kindergarten. It was even better than I could have ever imagined!! Some of Brendan's friends came and helped out with the games, and I'm pretty sure they had just as much fun as the little kids.
They played soccer
Throw the ball at a pyramid of cans
Balloon darts (heavily supervised by Papa, thank goodness!)
Ring toss:
Bowling and duck pond
Tickets for prizes
(strategizing)
There were popcorn and cotton candy, and of course, cupcakes!
And everyone had a blast and went home with a bag of random prizes and a belly full of junk food. The end.
But wait! There's more!!
Right after his kid party the family came and celebrated with him, too! There was even more junk food, even more cake (thanks Miss Charlene!), and even some presents! What a lucky little boy.
We celebrated on his actual birthday at the QQ Buffet, one of his favorite places on the planet. We were supposed to go to Rude Dawgs, but it turns out they're not open on Sundays. So, we had a grand time at QQ, and promised a raincheck on Rude Dawgs.
He got to cash in his rain check the very next day, just to make sure that Birthdaypalooza continued with flair.
Rude Dawgs is a local restaurant that serves mostly hot dogs. They're also supposed to be rude to the customers, but the girl waiting on us was a sweet teenager whose attempts to be rude fell totally flat. Here's the birthday boy, playing Vanna White:
Their schtick is that they have a hot dog called the Porter Pounder. It's a one-pound hot dog, on a loaf of french bread, covered in chili, nacho cheese, french fries, pickles, and god knows what else. If you can eat it in ten minutes or fewer, then you get a t-shirt or something. Nate has been coveting one of these things for months, ever since he saw a group of guys order them one night when he was there with Mike. We promised him he could have one for his birthday, and he's been gleefully looking forward to this day ever since. His brother decided to make the ultimate sacrifice and pitch in to help eat it.
Whoa, you weren't kidding!
I can take this thing! Watch me eat this pickle!
No, seriously, this thing was ginormous. You truly have no way to picture what a one pound hot dog looks like without a visual aid.
It's really pretty hard to say whether more ended up on his face, or in his belly.
Defeated! But honestly, aren't you surprised at how much they ate?
Nathan even decided to challenge the Man vs. Food guy to a challenge. Enjoy the hilarity (you probably have to turn your head to the right. I might fix it later if I have the time or inclination):
It's just outrageous how awesome this kid is. He's sweet, thoughtful, smart, and hilarious. We wouldn't trade him for anything. Keep rocking six, buddy.
