Wow! What a weekend! It basically started Thursday afternoon when I took cupcakes and brownies to Grayson's class to celebrate his birthday. No problems, right? EXCEPT - as we are leaving about 200 (probably more like 150) kids run out to the playground for recess and Lindsey and Chase decide they are going to play too. No big deal - EXCEPT - Hanifa's plane had just landed and he was waiting for us to pick him up at the airport! Lindsey was quickly collected and although screaming and kicking in my arms - at least I knew where she was. Chase, on the other hand, was MIA. I had 3 teachers and numerous kids scouring the playground for him to no avail. In the mean time, Hanifa is calling me - "Which door? How long until you get here?" I DON'T KNOW! I CAN'T FIND MY KID!!! Panic was starting to set in when this very nice 3rd grade teacher calmly walks up to me holding Chase's hand. (I'm fuming!) Apparently Chase decided he would meet us at the car when things got so crazy. When he sees how upset I am - the tears start to well up in his eyes. (Lindsey is still screaming bloody murder.) At this point - Grayson says - "Thanks guys for RUINING my birthday!!" After I finally get all the kids to the car - strap Lindsey into her car seat - (karate chop to the gut did it) - we finally head off to the airport.
Normally I'm really excited about picking Hanifa up when he's been away - even if it's for a short trip - but this time he had been gone almost a week with the guys - not having to worry about family/responsibility/the fun stuff that goes along with being a parent. I could tell when I was speaking to him before while searching for our kids - he wasn't happy. Now this just pissed me off. Sure - have your week of fun and relaxation - but don't make me feel bad because our kids have gone off the deep end. Listen hear buddy - I'm barely holding on here and if I get one word of smack from you, you're walking home! (Or so I was thinking.) Instead - the kids react appropriately - "Daddy, Daddy - sit by me, I love you, why were you gone so long, you need to shave" and have their little arms open for their hugs and kisses. (They are totally playing him!) This lasted the 10 minutes home from the airport - until Grayson starts complaining that he didn't get ANYTHING for his birthday. Duh!! I had the wrapped gifts waiting on the table for him when we got home from the airport. Patience child!
So, Grayson opened his presents. A Sony PSP from his Dad and I, some PSP movies and games from his brother and sister, a surfing shirt from the family and (without Dad's knowledge) and Ipod shuffle from me. Let's just say Grayson was more than pleased and stopped complaining - for a while at least. He even let his siblings help open his gifts - that's a first! Later that evening, he went to a Phoenix Suns game (birthday tradition) with his Dad. Yeah - I was asleep by 8:30!
Friday night - 11 family members went with Grayson to Kyoto Japanese Restaurant in old town Scottsdale for tepan yaki. If you have never been - it's a must for kids. Mine love it! The tepan yaki chefs are always so entertaining! Plus - it doesn't hurt that my kids love sushi - at least I got out of going to Chuck E. Cheese!
Saturday - birthday party for Ben Kirke - Grayson's original swimming buddy. He loved it - they played kick ball, dodge ball, basketball. Plus - Lindsey and Chase had a great time too. Great idea for a birthday party - it totally wore all of them out! Saturday night we had our dear friends, Ed & Kelly
(that's them between Hanifa and I) over for dinner. It was so great having some adult conversation - and planning our trip to New York City in March!
Sunday - Hanifa's mom and aunt took the kids to an indoor playground place for a few hours. I lounged at home while Hanifa golfed. (Shh...don't tell him that - I was busy working as far as he knows!)
Monday - Hanifa's mom and aunt took the kids rock climbing in an attempt to meet men. (I don't think it went well. Generally men aren't attracted to women toting 3 young kids around!) I actually got a few things done - cleaned the lizards cage without incident; had the fake nails taken off - I was sick of them; did some internet shopping (shh...don't tell Hanifa this either.)
I'm hoping it will be an easy week - Grayson's "kid" birthday party is this Saturday - yikes - 15 children in my home - oh well. Hopefully I'll have some intriguing thoughts to blog about - I feel like I'm just rambling......