With and Without the Kids

This past week, we sent our kids up to Tony's parents house for a visit and took a few days for ourselves to get projects done and spend some time together, just me and Tony.  The kids had gotten to a point of craziness over several days leading up to this visit that it was a bit of a relief to have some days away from them.  They had a blast with their Nana and PopPop, Aunt Kathy, Uncle Matt, and Taylor, and we enjoyed a couple of dates and got quite a bit done.

We met Tony's parents at University of Richmond to pass off the kids.  While on campus, we took the kids over to the gazebo where Tony and I got engaged in 2005.

While the kids were gone, I cleaned out our closets, filling 5 boxes for donation.  We also went shopping and ordered new work shoes for Tony.  Tony was unfortunately sick on Monday and Tuesday, but it was actually good timing because he could actually take the rest that he needed to get better quickly.

On Wednesday, we went down to my parents's house to pick up the furniture they found for us on craigslist.  We purchased a new (used) bedroom set for Abbie, including an upgrade to a double bed.  It was really fun to design her new room and so exciting to show it to her over Skype, then talk it up until Abbie finally got home to see it for real. 

On Thursday, Tony and I worked out together, took care of last-minute to-dos, then headed up to Maryland to be with the family for the weekend.  On Friday, we took the kids to a fun farm.  I'm not sure what the girls loved the best, but Jason's absolute favorite was feeding the animals.  I did not bring quarters for the feed machines, so he played the "beggar", taking hand-outs from generous folks, and scrounging for the leftovers each time someone dispensed their food.

On Saturday, we had a fun family gathering with many of Tony's cousins' families and other family/friends.  Jason was a little bit disastrous... maybe I'll get around to writing a post on that subject this week.  Abbie had a fabulous time with her cousin, Lucy.  

With some coersion, crazy sounds, and cookie bribery, we managed to get some decent pictures of the cousins.

two generations of Myers and Delauney cousins

Jason, Owen, Henry (front), Jessica, Jake, Lucy, and Abbie

After a long drive home and a trip to the grocery store, we are now happily settled back in at home.  Abbie loves her new room, and I am feeling ready to tackle the week.  We're now just 1 week away from the start of preschool for both kids.  Jason is currently potty training himself, which will be a focus for me this week.  I'm hoping to have him in underwear this week... we'll see!  I'm also hoping to get a new routine going so that we are ready to conquer next week without too much stress.  Phew!