The Awaited Vacation

My in-laws come tomorrow beginning, what I hope to be, a much needed break from the chaos that is my life. They are coming for two reasons.  One, to build the play fort/ jungle gym in the back yard and two, to take the kids back with them.  Yep, you read write.  On Monday, all 3 of my beautiful children will be leaving the state without a single parent, leaving Neil and I alone.  What will we do with ourselves?  Of course, I will most likely fill any space emptied by the absence of children with some other conundrum.  For the moment let's pretend that I will be sleeping in til noon, eating cold pizza for breakfast and having nothing but "fun" with my hubby.  Oops, did I actually type that?  Oh well, you all thought it.  For three entire days, I will be at home, during the day, with no kids.  I actually get to go out to dinner with Neil on my birthday and not have to hire a babysitter.  Sweet!

I do have another plan as well, especially for the daytime.  As much as I would like to sleep til noon, it's really not in my nature.  I'd rather use my time wisely, and I can't think of a better way then to start the process of planning a new venture.  Oh, that's right, I haven't told you about said venture because I've been such a blog slacker.  My friends, Betsy,Leslie, and I are thinking of (more like planning on) starting a political consulting business post election.  Of course, if Steve wins, that bodes well for us.  Either way, we're diving in, and I thought I might use my kid-free days to meet with politicians, candidates, and consultants, picking their already fried brains.  It's an election year, everyone's brain is fried and scrambled.  Now if only we had a name for this business.  Hmmm...chew on that one for me, ok?

Back to my kid-less adventure:  It doesn't end there.  On Thursday, I'll wake up bright and early (AKA before noon) and make my way down to Chapel Hill to visit non other than my BFF's Jo and Angela.  I haven't even met Ang's new baby yet (and he's almost 6 months old).  I'll spend 2 days there before heading to Augusta to pick up my beloved offspring.  From there, we'll make the 7 hour drive to Panama City Beach to see my mom.  As the week comes to a close, we'll get back in the car (Mom included) and put the peddle to the meddle all the way back to Maryland, arriving just in time to throw Blake's 3rd Birthday Party and attend the 80's Prom with Team Whisler (yep, I'm making Mom go and buy some 80's garb).  Are you jealous yet?  No, really, you know you are. 

I personally can't wait for the adventure to begin.  I'll try and not be a blog slacker during the trip, but I make no promises.

Walking, Pooping and Keyboards

What could be better than a walking 15 month old and a potty trained almost 3 year old?  They're all mobile, which means I can unleash them into the wild (aka the back yard).  And Blake has leaped over his last hurdle in potty training, 'dropping off the kids in the pool."  Now to teach his potty etiquette, aiming, wiping, and flushing. Beware when you come to visit, in a house with 3 boys (yes I count Neil in that), you always have to look at the seat before sitting down.  It doesn't matter how many times I clean that toilet before company comes over, the boys inevitably make it look like a public bathroom from hell in a matter of moments. 

Now onto the brunt of why I write today...mainly I'm testing out my keyboard.  Why?  Because Owen much has been feeling left out with all the talk of walking and pottying, because Saturday night, he thought it would be fun to take every key off my keyboard.  Yep, every single one.  Paul and Allen graciously offered to reassemble what they could, which surprisingly was most of it.  However a few keys are reversed like the F & G and the comma and period.  And several keys don't yet have a home due to missing springs.  Some keys stick, which slows down my typing considerably.  Yes, I'm not exactly a happy camper, especially considering, in the end, it will probably need professional assistance, as may I before this whole childhood thing is over. 

So send out your thoughts to me today as I rejoice in the triumphs and accomplishments of parenthood, and at the same time attempt to maintain a bit of sanity (and at least one computer).  The end (the typing is annoying me).