Sunday November 16 went very smooth. We all got up on time, dressed and to the church early. The cousins practiced their song they were going to sing for sacrament meeting. The meeting went well. The song was too cute, Louis’ talk was wonderful and all our kids behaved wonderfully. We enjoyed the rest of our meetings and then headed back home for lunch. We again got to enjoy talking and laughing, but then we had to say goodbye. Kevin and Torry left. Jacob and Maranda left. Dean and Allyson left. It seemed a bit quieter after that. We spent the rest of the day playing games, watching movies and enjoying each other’s company.
Monday was pack up day. We were going to stay all day Monday and then leave Brawley on Tuesday, but we realized we’d need an extra day here at home before Scott had to go back to work. So we started packing up Monday morning. Phillip and Jenny were gone by 10. I packed and packed and packed and did a bit of cleaning and by 2 we still weren’t done. We realized we either needed to drive all night or wait till the morning. But since all the clothes were packed and we really needed to get home, we opted to drive all night. We finished the packing and cleaning, had dinner and then said goodbye. We pulled out about 6pm. What a glorious drive. We used to drive at night all the time. The kids slept! We knew we needed to get gas once so we stopped at 9:30pm. We got gas, the kids went potty, had a drink and we were on the road again. We didn’t stop again. We made it home by 2am. It was well worth it to leave at night. It was faster, quieter and fun. They play the best music on the radio at midnight! Scott and I heard songs we hadn’t heard for a long time. It was fun. We got to sleep by 3am.
Tuesday we spent unpacking the car, cleaning, doing school and just trying to get adjusted back to “normal” life! Jaime had an activity days recognition night and so Scott went with her to that and I stayed home and put kids to bed.
Wednesday November 19 we were back into life. We went to p.e., the last time till February (they always take a break). Then the kids went home with Laura while I took Milo to a doctor’s appointment in Oakland. Niah went with us (since it was her birthday I wanted her to feel as though we hadn’t forgotten even though we had many things to do). It was a speech appointment. The speech therapist said that Milo did not need to come in for his yearly check ups anymore. She didn’t ever need to see him again unless we had concerns with his speech, YAY!! That’s an appointment we won’t ever have to do again. After that we went shopping for Niah’s dinner and “cake” (she wanted pumpkin pie instead). I picked up the other kids and then we went home. We did chores and getting ready for Niah’s birthday.
She wanted me to make hot dogs, chicken nuggets, french fries and broccoli. So I did. We had the neighbors over for pumpkin pie and cool whip. They gave her a puzzle for her birthday. She got money from grandma and grandpa Thompson and a phone call from her Auntie Torry and Auntie Sara. She was feeling very special.
***Funny story: When Niah woke up I wished her a happy birthday. She turned to me with a huge smile and said “I’m 5 now?” I told her no, she was 4 today. She looked at me very confused and said “I already celebrated my 4 year birthday at grandma’s, now I am 5!!” It took some convincing but she finally agreed we were celebrating her 4 year old birthday. She wasn’t happy about it, but realized there wasn’t much she could do about it.
Niah’s a cutie! I am sorry I missed her bday… I sware I still remember them, it’s just actually sending a card or email is another thing.
One puzzle- $5
$4 from Grandparents- $4 (I am just guessing on the amount here.)
hot dogs, chicken nuggets, french fries, broccoli and pumpkin pie- $10.53
Not having to wait a whole year to turn a year older? Priceless.
Love you guys, happy thanksgiving.
Wow, I think Niah looks just like you.