Weekends

We had cousins night out last weekend!  My cousin, Matt, and his family live in Chicago, and we don't get to see him very often.  Actually, I don't see my cousins that live in town that often!  We are so bad about getting together, just busy lives.  Anyway sometimes the Chicago clan comes into town for the Blackhawks/CBJ game, and we all get together.  It was great to see everyone and catch up.  The "people watching" was priceless too.  Man...I'm glad I'm not that young anymore.  We hung out at Bar Louie in the Arena District, so there was every variety of young partier there.  One girl puked at a table near us and then proceeded to puke all the way downstairs and into the bathroom.  Eeeww!  There was a group of preppy chicks standing in a nearby group, and one turned around to see what was happening.  Her eyes nearly popped out of her head.  So funny.  My cousin, Katie, went to the restroom and could barely get through the girls trying to re-apply their makeup.  They were asking her for more makeup!  What the what!!!  Our waitress was wearing acid wash jeans that appeared to be high-waisted - a blast from my past...are those coming back in?  So weird.  And the DJ was hilarious to watch too!  The best was when he played a Christmas song - Mariah Carey of course.  And the place started dancing like it was Christmastime.  I think we were in the twilight zone. 

First ice cream of the summer!

It's gorgeous outside this weekend!  I'm so happy that the weather appears to be turning.  Do I pull out summer clothes for me and the kids?  I did put away the winter coats last night.  I also cleaned out the toys in the toy room.  Four bags out!  Two of them were stuffed animals.  I limited my kids to 10 each.  We landed at 12 each, so I consider that a win.  I need to go through the toys in the toy closet next, and I think most of them in the basement are just going straight to Goodwill or Salvation Army.

Emma has been in prime from lately.  She is definitely our strong-willed child!  She hates when we tell her to do something - or to not do something.  Even if she knows punishment is coming, she often defies us anyway.  Last weekend she was sitting on the couch watching her Kindle, which she pronounces Kaaandle, and she said, "I'm watching x show because nobody's going to stop me!"  I think she knows she a force to be reckoned with.  Whenever she does something she knows she not supposed to do, I ask her why she did x activity.  She usually responds, "Because I want to."  She knows that punishment is coming, but she decides it's worth it.  Ugg....we are going to be battling for years.  Any chance she will grow out of this defiant stage?  We hope so :)

In the meantime, we are trying to enjoy the special moments that are left of the kids being young.  Every morning Hannah and Emma want piggy rides from Dad downstairs.  Matt happily obliges.  And occasionally we let Emma sleep in our bed on the weekend.  They are growing up so fast, and that will all be over soon.