"Id-e-ho" (aka Idaho)

The boys left on Monday for an extended stay in Hotel Grandma and Grandpa Terrell in Idaho. Fischer was really excited and kept asking "Go to Ideho today" as the trip neared. He even helped me pack his bag and was sure not to forget is tackle box. You know every two year old should travel with their own tackle box! Hayden has had such a busy social calendar I feel like I have not even seen him since school got out. He was camping the night before his trip to Idaho. He literally got home, demanded a sandwich, dumped the dirty clothes out of his backpack and grabbed his video game and was out the door. They are at Chateaus Terrell until the 6th of July. Shannon and I are heading over next Thursday to spend some time in Idaho and to celebrate the 4th, Northern Idaho style.

In speaking to the boys - they've been busy. Fishing for bass, conning Grandpa to put the drift boat in the water, and today they are heading to go golfing with Aunt Jenny. They are busy and there is sunshine in Idaho so they are having a blast.

Me on the other hand -- I'm just sort of lost. I knew I would feel strange but I didn't realize how much time I would have on my hands. Shannon and I have now talked to each other and we watched the entire 3rd seasons of "Weeds" on DVD together and we did it when there was still light outside. That is not a kid friendly show so it is one that we have to watch when the kids go to bed. Last night, I made dinner and we took our plates upstairs and watched "our" show. It was almost luxurious and a little sinful. Although here are some of the highlights of life without kids (the stuff I forgot):

• It only takes me about 30 mins to get ready for work!
• My house is STILL CLEAN and the housekeeper was here on Tuesday
• I only had to do one load of laundry
• I have not stepped on a lego all week and there are not pokeman cards on the kitchen counter!
• I can go out after work for a beer and not have to pay a babysitter
• I still like my husband - although, if he gets taking about his fishing trips this summer that still pisses me off and has since 1985 so I don't expect that to change.
• I have read a book...yeah a book that doesn't have pictures.
  

Here are the things I sort of miss:

• The boys crawling into bed to cuddle in the morning
• Reading at night to the guys -- but I do NOT miss Scooby Doo!
• Fischer asking me if "You happy Mommy?"

WoW...did you notice that the list is a little lopsided. I suspect that is because it is has been so long since I've been "home" without the kids I am enjoying some of the activities I used to do!

Here's something I don't miss -- the kids (espeically my Monkey Fischer) climbing up in the cupboard to get candy! If it quite for more than 10 mins you better go a looking for them!

Ukie and the concept of time

We are taking a family vacation this year to Ucluet, BC for some fishing. It was supposed to be Shannon's replacement for River's Inlet. However, like magic he found some vacation time to get up to River's Inlet. So now not only are we going to "Ukie" for a week but he is going to River's Inlet for a week. This trip is shorter than normal and he is flying home (don't ask how much that one way plane ticket costs because it puts me in a foul mood)...in fact that entire trip puts me in a foul mood. In fact, just thinking about it as I sit here referring the kids while Shannon is on yet another work trip to the mid-west puts me in an even more foul mood...but I degress. I wanted to talk about Fischer. That kid is OBSESSED with fishing and going to Ukie. I know that Shannon keeps talking about it but the trip is not until LATE AUGUST! A nearly 3 yr old has NO CONCEPT of time and he keeps thinking that we are going fishing next week. So he talks every day about fishing. His new topics include:

• Sea Bass fishing off the bow of the boat (a 3 yr old fishing off the bow of a boat)
• Shooting black bears with his marshmellow gun so they can them
• Going "to sea" to catch "butt" (aka Halibut)
• Sleeping on the boat for 6 days

I'm convinced that this kid has saltwater in his veins. They both do but Fischer is all about fishing right now. Hayden has decided after this season of Deadliest Catch that maybe he doesn't want to be a king crab fisherman after all. He says it looks cold and hitting ice off the boat really doesn't look like that much fun. Phewwww....we dodged a bullet there but we are not out of the woods.

Turning the big "40" this week

I know that this blog is supposed to be about the kids but this is my week! I am going to hit that big 'ol 4-0 this week and surprisingly I am totally psyched! I didn't want a party but Shannon insisted so on Saturday we are going to have a "fiesta" at our house. Who doesn't want to cook and clean for their own birthday? :-) It will be fun and we will put the new Margaritaville Blender to the test with a house full of folks. Now everyone just pray for some sunshine.