Last Day of Our Long Weekend

I slept on the couch hoping Jess might skype me in the middle of the night, he didn't. But little Ms. Bella woke up crying in the early morning hours about 3 am, so I brought her down to the couch with me. Then Kaeden came downstairs at about 6 am and WOKE ME UP to tell me to turn on his Batman Movie. REALLY??? Does a 4 year old not know how much better life is when Mommy gets her sleep? Of course I told him no so he proceeded to pitch a nasty fit and start crying. I was not up for dealing with the fit or a crabby Bella if his screaming woke her up. TO YOUR ROOM! He did listen and go to his room and didn't come back down until he was calm, and then he crawled onto the couch with Bella and I and we all slept for another two hours! YAY!
After a very dramatic morning things did calm down. The kids were getting along GREAT!

I had made up my mind that today we would get out of the house, go to the mall, and let those lil' ins' stretch their legs. Off to the mall we went, and on the way we picked up Mason so he could get out of his house as well. We had a lot of fun at the mall! We did some walking... enough to get us to the play area that is. Both Kaeden and Bella LOVED it! Kaeden was trying to master climbing on top of everything and jumping off, nearly clobbering the other small children below. YIKES! We had a few close calls but thankfully he didn't actually take anyone out.

After letting them run out some energy we thought we better refuel with hot dogs for the kids and Japanese for me. It was a good lunch but I ate way too much!

Bella loved her hot dog, but mostly because she had ketchup...ALL OVER HER FACE :0)

 Kaeden also loved his hot dog. It is impossible to get him to take any pictures without a silly face.

 AND the yummy Japanese food that I had too much of! But it was still yummy.

 Once we got home we hung out around the house for a little bit. Linda stopped over for a few minutes and we told her we would be coming over to play in a few. So we bundled up yet again to make the treacherous journey across the driveway to Al and Linda's house.

 The kids had a blast as they always do. Kaeden and Alan wrestled as usual. I am nervous that one of these days Kaeden might really hurt Al, but Al rumbles with him pretty good for a Grumpy old man. Bella was using a poker game as a phone, holding it up on her shoulder while she pretended to talk to Daddy.

 And of course they had candy to give the kids. They truly believe in doping the kids up with sugar to send them home with me and drive me nuts! Bella shoved a whole Marshmallow snowman covered in chocolate in her mouth and could barely chew it.

 After the wrestling was done and the candy was gone, they had a little down time coloring before we headed home for the night.

 Kaeden thought he was pretty cool to put on Al's glasses in order to look more studious. Adorable!

When we got home the kids were pretty worn out from the days events. Bella was so tired that she fell asleep in my lap in front of the computer. I put her down at 6:30. Kaeden got to stay up a little longer. I helped him finish his letter to Daddy. He was so excited to put stickers on it along with a stamp, and he even put it in the mail box all by himself. I explained that Daddy should have his letter in a week or so. He asked me when I put him down at 8:00, after watching yet another Batman movie, if the mail man had come to get Daddy's letter yet. Sweet Boy! I am sure he will understand after sending a few letters how it all works out. But for now, he wants to keep drawing pictures and writing letters for Dad. Gotta LOVE him!

I have had multiple computer issues tonight as I tried to finish this post, so I am happy to say GOOD NIGHT!

We LOVE and MISS you Daddy!
Stay SAFE!!!