I’ve pulled a muscle in my back. I really need to start exercising. So as I lie in bed trying not to aggravate the injury, enjoy some pictures of our weekend at a friend’s pool.

You’d never know she was having a good time with all the whining. But she can always stop to smile for the camera.

Manchild finally got in the water. This was his first time in a pool. Up to this point, he couldn’t stand for his clothes to be wet.

Jumpshot enjoyed diving for coins with James. And he finally worked through his fear and canon-balled in the deep end.

Isn’t this the life? Manchild especially enjoyed the float, and Diva loved pushing him around (literally and figuratively). She’s my girl!

I don’t like to cook. Never have. I love to bake though. I’m not sure why. I refused to learn how from my mother. I would tell her, “I’m going to marry someone who can cook.” And so I did.

James is a wonderful cook, so he does most of the meal prep. Sure I prepare side dishes, mostly with my trusty microwave. And James will tell you I’m not good at using timers. I often forget to set them. I get so sidetracked in the kitchen.

Even though I don’t like to cook, I can fill in if the need arises. My tacos are “famous” – well according to Diva. If James knows he’s not going to be home one night, he’ll usually get us a frozen pizza so I don’t have to cook. It’s just easier. Prepping food, timing the noodles, negotiating heated burners all while wrangling our herd of children can be a little much for me.

Jumpshot shared his perspective on the need for frozen pizza one night. “Does Dad get frozen pizza because he knows you can’t cook?”

Absolutely!

The whining! Oh the whining!

It doesn’t help that Diva is sitting here next to me whining about her legs hurting. Yesterday was the first water day at camp, and I think she overdid it. She claims she needs to go to the doctor. You should hear this.

It reminds me of when Jumpshot was little and freaked out every time he got the hiccups. He thought something was really wrong with him and begged to go to the doctor.

It’s been another busy week, but I have no idea what I would do if it weren’t. My work computer crashed again. I had a PTO board meeting to prepare for. Jumpshot had basketball camp this week, which culminated in a busted lip in the final game. Although he didn’t win a prize, he parlayed his busted lip into getting a book bag.

Diva went skating, made an ocean in a bottle, and is about to lose another tooth. And I believe Manchild had the best week ever. He is loving camp.

Finally I got some great news that we will be getting a hedgehog in a few weeks. I’ve wanted one for years, and now I’ll have one of my very own. Plus it’ll give me something to blog about.

Time to get some cleaning done so I can play. Have a great week!

Why I think date nights are important:

1. So we have something to talk about besides the latest annoying habit the kids have learned.
2. To laugh together, even it’s at my expense.
3. To remember that we are people who happen to be parents.
4. James keeps me up-to-date on current events because I am just too sensitive for the news.
5. To look forward to Friday night when I can be alone with my husband because I do like him after all.

The last two weeks have left me with whiplash from all its ups and downs.

First, let’s get the downs out of the way. I lost two beloved family members, my Great-Aunt Tootie and my Uncle Norman. They were both lovely people, and they will be surely missed.

We celebrated some milestones as well. Manchild has learned to spell his name, and I learned he can recognize a lot of letters. Diva is reading on her own, and I think we’re turning a corner on those pesky phonograms that seem to give her trouble.

Finally, Jumpshot went on a retreat with his class. It was the longest he’s ever been from home. He did get homesick, but he did enjoy himself. It was like a little hole in our family while he was away. Manchild kept asking for him. Reunited, Diva immediately began irritating him, and Manchild ran up to hug him. Then the wrestling commenced. You’d thought they were a pack of wild puppies so happy to see each other.

I’ve got a lot of projects in the works. The PTO fundraiser is going great. Teacher’s Appreciation Week and Mother’s Day are right around the corner. And we’re spending some quality time with the family today.

Have a great weekend!