The Hangover

No, not the hysterical/instant classic we saw this weekend, rather, a different kind of hangover...

I'm talking about, what I will now (that my kids are sleeping soundly), affectionately refer to as "The Grandparent Hangover!"

All of you parents out there know EXACTLY where I'm going with this!!

When you have company in town, the kids start to get used to it. You have lots of awesome helping hands and are busier than ever. It's a blast and so great while it lasts. However, when they leave... OH MY LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gma Deb and Papa John pulled out of the driveway at 7:05am yesterday and the meltdowns began. They DID NOT STOP until bedtime.

The kids and I had MANY errands to run. I was silly, or maybe delusional, to think that being out of the house might help with the massive case of the CRANKIES! Needless to say, it did not go well. We powered through and some how made it home in one piece. However, I don't think our regular haunts will ever be the same.

First we hit Costco for our usual list of weekly necessities. Ally SCREAMED the entire way through. People must have thought they were doing free samples/demos of air horns in there...

(L to R)

Ally, Russ, Libby and Molly

Food seemed to be the only thing that would calm the beasts. So here we are taking a lunch break. Moments later Libby and Molly were both SCREAMING over the drink, Ally was shouting at the bird that landed on the table next to ours and Russ just wanted to "go home." Usually this is sorta normal. However, yesterday.. they were utterly inconsolable. It was REALLY fun.

The topper of the Costco trip was a sweet old man who stopped me in my flustered tracks! "Hey, you've got your hands full. At least it's not 8! I hope your NOT having anymore!" I just shook my head (NO), smiled, did a little nervous laugh and kept walking. Oh boy, don't even get me started BUDDY!

I buckled my precious children in kicking and screaming. Then, I unloaded the cart and hopped in the noisy car. My ears were ringing.

After I unloaded the car and reloaded the kids, we were off to the cleaners and grocery store. I was sweating like crazy, but all seemed good in our world. Phew, silence.

That lasted the car ride to the parking lot, about 3 minutes. Being the stubborn, determined, pig headed mommy that I am, we powered on. However, I felt really bad for all the innocent bystanders!

As we were leaving the dry cleaners, all four kids in tears, I looked up and got a brilliant idea, Jamba Juice!! It's hot, they are cranky and I have a gift card in my wallet, this might be just the thing we need! So, off we went!

"Oh boy, she's gonna feed us some yummy treats girls!"

-Russ

"Mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy!"

-Ally, isn't' her whining adorable!?! I'm thinking of changing my name!

It was the first time I had taken them to Jamba. They weren't sure what to make of it. But, it stopped the other three from crying and dulled Ally to a whiny roar.

I'm happy to say that the smoothies did the trick! ALL FOUR KIDDOS WERE HAPPY FOR EXACTLY 10 minutes!!! Thank you Jamba!!!!

Miss Molly

Ally, QUIET and happy, THANK GOD!!!

Libby, LOVED her "frozen juice!"

-the hair ties....not so much...

Russ, not sure.. but quickly became a BIG FAN!

All smiles outside! I was even smiling too! ;)

(Front to Back)

Russ, Libby, Screamy ( I mean Ally) and Molly

We hit the grocery store next and the happy vibe quickly changed. Ally proceeded to have melt down #500 on isle 5. Needless to say I shopped at the speed of light and got out of there right before she fell completely apart. I actually ended up carrying her out of the store (while pushing the stroller) under my arm like a football with everyone in line staring at me blankly. By the time I reached the car all four kids were screaming and it was time to get home. Our other errands would just have to wait.

The afternoon was one melt down after the next and I just kept telling myself.. "tomorrow is gonna be a better day!"

Hey, if you can't beat 'um... join 'em.................

"But I wanna go to the store again and see just how BIG of a scene I can cause!!!"

"But Mommy, why can't I drive your car?"

"Mommy, I told you, I want a PINK PONY!"

"I've had enough. I can't take all this screaming. WHEN is my daddy coming home!?!"

-Russ

Poor Ally. I feel so bad for picking on her through this whole post! It's funny, she's USUALLY my MOST easy going child. I can ALWAYS count on her for a hug, smile and a "whatever" attitude. My poor baby just had one heck of a BAD day! The other kids aren't used to her acting like that either. I think that's why she kept triggering the mass melt downs.

Anyway, as I'm sitting here on the sofa, eating dinner and watching bad TV, I can't help but laugh at the day we had. I mean, if you don't have your sense of humor in life.. what do you have?

Today was a MUCH better day. I think the kids are finally starting to readjust after nursing "The Hangover" - LOL!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Outta Control Humongous QUADRUPLE Post!

I almost did it! I almost blogged every night last week! But.. I must admit, I pooped out! I've been working on this post since last Thursday night! It just keeps getting longer and longer. So, tonight I've got a QUADRUPLE post with TONS of pictures!! It's outta control HUGE!

We have been VERY BUSY!!

Last night Conor and I went on a romantic date to celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary! We had a nice dinner and hit up a movie. Our anniversary isn't until July 5th, but with his parents here, it was the prefect opportunity for us to sneak away for the evening. It was a great night and we decided we NEED to have "date nights" much more often! ;)

Happy almost anniversary babe!

I love you!

Today was Gma Deb and Papa John's last day in town. It's been horribly hot, so, we decided to take the kids to see their second movie. The theatre was nice and cool and the movie was darling! We saw Monsters vs Aliens.

(L to R)

Conor, Ally, Libby, Grandma Deb, Molly, Russ and Papa John

Me and my mama's Girl, Molly

Before the temps hit the afternoon triple digits, we've been playing outside in the morning. These pics crack me up because the kiddos chose their own outfits. You've gotta love the fashion sense of a toddler.

Silly Princess Ally Boo Boo

Molly in her nightie

Russell Man

A.K.A

Spider Man

With the AC going full blast we tried to beat the heat inside too...

Papa John giving Russ a few helpful hints.

Cheering mommy on while I set up the bounce house.

(L to R)

Ally, Russ, Libby and Molly

Air conditioning and snack time!

So, since it has been hotter than Hades, we've been spending most of our time swimming and playing in the back yard. As ALWAYS, we are ALL smothered in water babies spf 50. If you didn't catch my post on sun safety, you view it here.

Ally Boo Boo

Molly Mo Mo

Russell Man

Little Libby

Early this week we took the kids to the Rail Road Museum in Old Sacramento. Children under 5 are FREE!! You've gotta love that!

Good Old Sacramento

(L to R)

Libby, Molly, Pj, Russ, Ally and Gma Deb

Little Libby

Funny Ally

Molly Mo Mo

Russell Man

-The kid LOVES LOVES LOVES LOVES trains. It's SOOOO cute!

Quadville, train set style!

The girls

Ally, Molly and Libby

Molly and Mommy

The kiddos thought everything, including the pictures on the wall were the most exciting things they had ever seen! There isn't much better than seeing the world through the eyes of a child. We had a great time and followed it up with a very fun lunch at Joe's Crab Shack! Every 30 minutes the staff dances. It's a crack up and the kiddos LOVED it!

Pj and his grandchildren checking out the steam boat.

Papa John and Grandma Deb

*Happily married for 33 years*

"What? You mean you can get up from the table and dance here? I'm in heaven!!"

-Funny Ally

"Mommy, they gave me MY OWN colors!!!!!!"

-Excited Libby

"Yes, I'll have the crab cakes, followed by some french fries & an ice cream sundae.

Thanks!"

-Russ, LOVES restaurants!

Molly and Mommy

Are you noticing a theme yet? Molly is going through a bit of a phase and IS ALWAYS STUCK TO MY HIP! No joke! She is a mama's girl through and through. I guess she always has been. Uh oh! Maybe it's not a phase!?! Ha ha ha! She was very busy with her crayon and paper "taking my order" the entire lunch. She is one funny girl.

Enjoying all the decorations

We spent Wednesday at Auntie Barb's pool while John worked on the interior painting. Thank you so much John! It's a GREAT start and we appreciate it more than words can say! I'll post interior before and after pictures when we finish the entire job. It's gonna take some time for Conor and I to finish.

Already swimming laps! Yep, I'm one PROUD mommy!!!

Little B

Ally Boo

Ally and Auntie Barb

Russell Man

Miss Molly

Thank you so much for having us Auntie Barb! As always, the kids had a BLAST and so did Gma Deb and I! We love you.

On Thursday, thanks to Deb and John, I was able to break away for a couple hours to visit my grandmother, Nani. She has been very sick for quite some time. She means more to mean than words could ever express. Molly Lou Ann is named after her! She is one of the most amazing human beings I have ever known and a SAINT on this Earth. When Nani is up for it, I take the kids to see them. But, I haven't been to see her alone in a really long time. Time alone with her is my idea of heaven on Earth. She is so special. I am going to miss her when she is gone, I can't even type that without tearing up. Thank you Gma Deb and Pj for giving me that gift. I cherish each and every second I have with her.

My Nani and Me

-laying in bed

My Grandmparents

My grandparents have been married for 53 years and you can actually FEEL the unconditional love, adoration and respect between them. It's a beautiful and powerful thing. Not only is Molly named for my Nani, but Russ is named after my Gramp. These two people are two of the most important people in my life. I am one very lucky girl and I know the rest of our wonderful family feels the exact same way!

Oh boy! Sorry to get so mushy on all ya'll! ;) We've just had so much going on lately and I can't help but stop to count my blessing and share my gratitude!

Gma Deb and Papa John are hitting the road tomorrow morning. Thank you guys so much for all the hard work you put into the house while you were here. We couldn't have done it without you! Thank you also for all the wonderful memories we have made together. We love you guys and hope to make it up to Ptown later this summer. We will miss you so much! Drive safely!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and have a great week. We have all kinds of plans. Auntie Erin (Conor's sister) and her boyfriend, Joey, will be coming into town for a visit at the end of the week. The kiddos are so excited!

Alrighty, it's still in the tripple digits and it's nearly 9pm.. I'm off to stick my head in the freezer!

Have a Happy Monday!