7th October....

Saturday We woke up at around the usual time and the boys went off to birthday party at around 10.00, down to a place called “Someplace Fun” (play centre). I cleaned the apartment properly, with no one home, the only way a home should be cleaned as well as 3 loads of washing. Paula picked me up around 11.30 and we went to the office to get some stuff done. Got back mid afternoon and chilled out until the boys all got back around 4.00. We all just chilled out for a while, the boys played outside with the other kids and Bruce and I did the usual Saturday afternoon stuff, not a lot. Paula picked me up to go to Macys for some shopping at around 6.30 and off we went. What a great time to go, 65% off add another 50%, bargains. Paula got some really cool stuff and I got a couple of presents. There was so much stuff going to look at that we didn’t even get around to every rack before the store ended. We came back home at around 9.30 with wine a cheese and Paula stayed until 1.00. We sat down around Bruce’s jigsaw and chatted and laughed. I was still wired so I got online and chatted with Elise until around 2.30 and went off to sleep. Sunday After a very late night, we woke up later as you could imagine, around 10.00. Bruce put the Football on, oh my goodness here we go again. We hung out in bed until around 11.00, then got up and tidied up the house. The kids went out to play and Bruce had football on from10am – 9.00pm. I will not get used to having football on for that long We had a quiet dinner and night. In bed early after another busy and quiet weekend. Monday Got up at the usual time, Bruce was at work as usual for a Monday. I dropped the boys off at school and walked to work. Did some project stuff for Paula, nothing out of ordinary at work today? Paula got back from her parent helping a bit out of sorts and not into work so we went out for lunch and chat, and a tiny bit of work. After lunch she dropped me off at home before her 2.00 meeting. Picked the kids up and did homework, after that was effectively done they went outside to play. Millie and Lexie came over for a cuppa and chat. They left a little while later and I started on dinner. Bruce came home, we had some dinner and the kids went off to bed at the usual time. After dinner I went out to Wal-Mart to get a pump for the airbed, came home and blew it up for Pete. A usual day, Pete is arriving at 1.30, so Bruce went to bed at 9.30 and set the alarm. I slept through a lot of it. But they both got home at around 2.30am. Tuesday Woke up, Pete got up to say Hi the everyone, both the big boys had their eyes popping out of their heads. I went to work, the boys to school, Bruce stayed home with Pete and had some meetings. I did some classroom helping then Bruce dropped me at work Came home and picked the boys up from school. Did some homework then we jumped into the car and went and had dinner at Costco and did a bit of shopping especially Pete. Got home in time to watch Gilmore Girls, Bruce went off to bed then so did Pete. Paula came over and we did some parent helping homework together She left around 10.00 and I went off to bed around 11.00. Wednesday Just another Wednesday, poor Pete must be so bored, he seems ok, lots of relaxing and recharging the batteries. Did the usual, school, work, work Pete stayed at home and chilled out for the day. I picked the kids up from school and we came home and did homework. Pete took the boys over to the park (next to the school) and Bruce got home at 4.00. He left again at 7.00 to out for dinner with Jeff for work. We had a light dinner Spag Bol and the boys went off to bed around 8.00. Pete and I stayed up and chatted Bruce arrived at 10.00. We had a cuppa and chat and then all went off to bed. Another usual day nothing out of the ordinary even with a visitor Thursday Well, woke up to another sunny but chilly Thursday morning. The sun is still out but the temperature has dropped. Which is quite refreshing. The boys are still in shorts but they are in jumpers now, only until mid morning anyway. I went and did parent helping in Conner’s class. I wasn’t looking forward to it, it feels like I have to get everything done in the mornings work, school, helping, and I am struggling with the transition a little. I ended up spending most of my time in the copier room, don’t get me started on the amount of paper they use here. Anyway, I finished up what Mrs. O’Brien asked my to do at around 9.45 (and had enough), I went back to the classroom and they had already gone to see their play. So I walked back home. Got changed and tidied up a little then Bruce drove me to work just after 10.00am. Did the usual at work, I’m waiting to get some things delivered so I can start a couple of jobs and getting impatient I have to say. Worked until around 2.30, then Bruce picked me up from work, we came home and did homework and the boys went out to play. Pete made Chilli Cheese steaks, which were nice, the boys even ate them, and they have decided that they like steak. We had pancakes for dessert and the boys went off to bed. I started making the pumpkin soup for dinner at the Charles’s tomorrow night. My knife wasn’t the best pumpkin cutting knife, it made my hands red. Bruce couldn’t help me because of the whole pumpkin sick thing. I finally got it done and cooking. I chilled out and watched Grey’s and the boys just continued on with their work. We were all off to bed around 11.00pm. Another pretty typical day, nothing out of the ordinary AT ALL!! Friday (13th Woooooo!!!) Another week is coming to an end, ah Friday hits and we are all ready. It’s usually a cruisy day at work. Paula has parent helping in the middle of the day so there are usually no meetings. We all turn up in casual pants or jeans; it’s a great day to just catch-up and chill a little while we work. It’s Admin day for Paula too so that makes it easier for me. I had a day at work, the admin lady (no names) didn’t order everything I needed, she placed half an order, there were also things in there that Paula should have gotten too. She went off to school and I was in the office steaming. This is why she is leaving in the very near future. She’s looking for another job, as Paula told her she isn’t up to the standard that we require on a lot of levels. Anyway, let’s just say by that time it was time for me to go. I got home just in time to pick the boys up from school, the other great thing about Friday’s is NO homework, the boys come home, have a snack and are outside to play for the rest of the day until they are told to come in. YEAH!!! This is the time I do get a lot of house stuff done, some washing and tidying and cleaning all seem to be getting done on weekends now. Bruce called and was still at his meeting in Stockton. (30 mins south) I finished up the soup in the blender; there was pumpkin everywhere at one stage. It got done and was on the stove ready to go. I did the bread and packed the bag with all the goodies, glow sticks, beer, camera; all the essentials. Bruce arrived home at around 5.00 he jumped into the shower the boys did the same and we were all out the door on the way to the Charles at 5.45. We arrived at the Charles’s and were greeted by their Halloween welcoming party, Jamieson freaked out a little at the skeleton dressed up as a lady. We had a beautiful dinner, my pumpkin soup was a hit with the girls, and of course Pete had 2 servings. We discovered, bread sticks in a can. They are really cool, you just unwrap them and twist them up and bake, yummy. Kristin had prepared some beautiful chicken (I am getting the recipe) and rice. We sat around the dining room table while the kids ate in the kitchen and then played outside until dark, when Justin fell over cause he couldn’t see. We cleaned up and the kids had eyeballs and ice creams, all Halloween of course. It’s really quite a fun holiday, lots of really cool stuff to buy; I’m saving up for Christmas stuff. I have found a couple of really beautiful things, once Halloween is over then I will be able to see what is really around. Things that will complement home too. We all left around 10.00, all the kids eye’s were popping out of their heads and ready for bed, Bruce did have to carry Jamieson through the Halloween leaving committee, especially considering they came into their own at night. They were really cool, lots of light up stuff with noise and sensors. SO COOL!!! Miss Kristin does not do things by halves. We piled into the car and went home, and crappy day turned into a really great night. We have a busy few weeks ahead, Bruce’s trips start next week, and Pete leaves on Tuesday. We have dinner with new friends (The Hawkins) in a couple of Friday’s then on Saturday we are doing pumpkin carving at the Charles’s which should be an experience. Looking forward to that, then the next weekend is Halloween, COOL!!! I am all ready with the Trick or Treat candy I think. Considering we won’t really be home, I have plenty, which I will take over to Kristin’s in case she needs it. Next weekend Bruce is away until 12.00 on Saturday night, so he won’t be around for the kid’s first practice with their new Basketball team. Conner was supposed to be having a sleep over with a couple of friends, not sure if I’m ready to do sleepover with 2 extra 10 year olds without Bruce. We might have to postpone for a week or so. We have Alfie & Paula’s birthday’s, then Halloween. After that, Grandma Ellen arrives on the 6th (yeah!!). It’s Kristin’s birthday, then Mum’s, then Thanks Giving to end November. We go down to LA & San Diego at the start of December. Our plans are Disneyland and all that, San Diego Zoo maybe and a day over the boarder in Tijuana. We put mum on a plane and drive home. We have about a week until we make the trip through Oregon (Leader Family territory) to Seattle for a White Christmas. I am a bit nervous about driving in the snow, Kristin has offered us their 4WD, I declined (not comfortable with that), but we have to reconsider if it is offered again. Well, sorry for the lateness of the day in the life this week. The end of the week turned out really busy and I just didn’t have the time or the energy. I hope that everyone is going really well and you all have started your Christmas shopping. Only 10 weeks till Christmas, sorry to freak some of you out. HAVE A GOOD ONE!!! SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE NEXT WEEK.