Wait for it - Wait for it - Snap!

I was surprised at the hour when I finally woke feeling rested. It was just about to strike 8am. I slept for nearly 9 hours. That’s rare for me. I felt good, though. I tried to be extra quiet going about my business not wanting to wake the sleeping children. It wasn’t long before the coffee was on and I was done exercising and headed out the door with Ykraps. It was quite evident that it rained more overnight. The stream/pond was swollen. The sky was full clouds, but there wasn’t much chance of any ongoing rain. In fact, the forecast called for improving skies. My alone time was brief. Soon all the kids were up and downstairs. Both Landon and Rocky wanted mini-muffins. Big surprise! Mindy was up not long after the wee ones. By then the sky was clearing and the sun was shining. Almost immediately, Mindy started making breakfast. She’d promised Rocky bacon the night before. Around 9:30am I set out on my run. It was a good run under mostly sunny skies and temps hovering near 70. I passed Rocky’s teacher, Mrs. Dent, also out running and just east of our home. Back at home around 1015am, the kids were just finishing up their pancakes. Meanwhile, Bella was very excited to share that she lost another tooth – the other top front. Now both are gone. Mindy had a plate of bacon & chocolate chip pancakes ready for me a few minutes after my return. They were good. Not long after I finished my breakfast, Shelly stopped by to pick up Kaileigh. She needed to pick-up Kaileigh early in order to make cheerleading practice. Mindy was still in her robe. While we visited with Shelly and Sienna, the older boys, Jacob and Rocky, were out back fishing with Bella’s Barbie fishing pole. Bella joined them soon after Kaileigh left. I stayed in playing with Landon, although he really wanted to go out, too. It didn’t take long for the boys to come running for my help with the fishing pole. Said they had a big carp on the line but that it was tangled up in the bushes along the pond. I headed out to assist. Sure enough, the line was tangled amongst the bushes. I wasn’t so sure about the fish, however. But once I got to the line I was surprised to find a big ol’ carp hanging helplessly from the fishing line, apparently tuckered from an earlier fight. He acted almost lifeless. Just as I reached for him he wiggled enough to get himself free from the hook. Just as well, I didn’t want to deal with removing the hook, anyway. Show over! It took some doing to get the fishing pole back to being operable. And by then, the kids were tired of fishing. Figures! Landon wanted to swing. I took him out to the toddler tree swing where we played for about 30 minutes. Mindy joined us briefly, but eventually begged off to head to her hair appointment. She took Bella along, who asked if she could be dropped off at her maw-maws (Mindy’s mom). Landon and I headed back inside shortly thereafter. I hung out with the boys for the rest of the afternoon. Jacob & Rocky played outside while Landon and I played inside. Eventually, the older boys got out their bikes and the ramp. I took Landon out to watch. He wanted to ride a bike too, so I went to the shed to fetch Bella’s old tiny playschool bike. That worked perfectly for Landon. He loved it! I put Bella’s bike helmet on him, too. Mimicking the older two, he tried riding over the ramp, albeit very slowly, but he couldn’t quite make it. Very cute. I got several pictures. He and I headed back inside while the boys continued playing out front. We had a snack and played guitar. Next thing I knew, Landon was sound asleep in the livingroom recliner. Mindy & Bella finally arrived home around 330pm. Bella had a surprise – the DVD, Bolt! She brought it home from maw-maws. I helped Mindy carry in the groceries. There was quite a load. As is often the case, the kids gathered around the bounty and began asking for this and that before it was even put away. But that’s what kids do. Mindy shared that Keri Ann & Kevin were planning to stop over later in the afternoon. I haven’t seen Keri Ann for a really long time, and only once since her wedding last summer. After the groceries were put away I took a brief nap on the family room floor. Mindy woke me just as Keri Ann & Kevin pulled up. We visited with Keri Ann & Kevin for the better part of 2 hours. Keri talked a lot about school, but I stopped her long enough to ask about Todd Elswick. Kevin said that he ran into him a few days ago. Apparently Kevin and Todd are no longer on speaking terms. Keri’s pregnant and is due on December 18th. For most of their visit, the kids played outdoors except for Landon, who was still sleeping soundly in the recliner. Someone alerted Mindy that Bella had been injured again. And once again, something to do with the Kenny’s putting green. Mindy ran outside to investigate. Apparently she and Makayla were tossing golf balls when Bella took one just behind the ear. Ouch! Like the day before when she whacked her with a putter, Makayla ran off crying and hid. Mindy returned with Bella. Just a big red mark, nothing too bad. Mindy had chicken and noodles cooking in a crock pot all the while we visited with Keri Ann and Kevin. And I was getting really hungry for some. It was after 6pm so I got up, excused myself, and took Ykraps for his evening walk. It was a gorgeous evening – mid 70s and plenty of sunshine. It definitely would’ve been ideal for golf. Our guests left just before 6:30pm. Almost immediately, Mindy started prepping dinner, which besides chicken & noodles, she was making mashed potatoes. Lindsey called just before 7pm to ask when we were planning to bring the kids home. Earlier we had said 7pm, but because of our guests, things got delayed. We told her for sure by 8pm. Jacob asked if Rocky could stay another night, and that wouldn’t have been a big deal but I think Mindy & I both wanted our Sunday to be a little more carefree from jump. During dinner, we were reminded how much Landon loves noodles. He ate three helpings. And it should come as no surprise, for dessert both he and Rocky requested mini-muffins. J Rocky wanted Mindy to drive him home for some reason, but I would be doing it. Mindy said she’d do it but much preferred it be me. I left with the boys around 7:40pm. Lindsey was out front yacking on the phone when I pulled up. Said she was chatting with Mindy. I stayed long enough to give both boys and Lindsey a hug then headed for home. I was eager for some quiet time, not to mention a drink or two. J Not long after arriving home I put in the Bolt DVD. All of us snuggled up on the sofa to catch the hilarious animated movie. I poured a rum, grape fruit juice, and Fresca. Mindy mentioned the desire to hot tub later. Maybe. Bella asked for a fire outside on our new patio. Admittedly, it was a perfect evening for it, but it was almost 10pm when the movie ended. We discouraged her at first, but I eventually caved and went out and started a quick fire. After all, it was so nice outside. The wood in the fire ring was still a little damp after Friday’s heavy rains. In kind, I had to use a lot of lighter fluid getting it to stay ablaze. Finally, after several applications of lighter fluid the fire held. Meanwhile, Bella was anxious for roasted marshmallows. I headed inside to fetch ‘em. And while I was in there, I poured myself another rum drink. J Bella really wanted a smore, not just a roasted marshmallow. Mindy headed in to get the rest of the fixins, but only allowed Bella to have one. We weren’t out there long. I let Bella douse the fire with the flower watering pot. They like that part too. Soon the kids were tucked into bed. Mindy headed to bed too.