Wow, I really got behind on my posts. Looking back, I can see why… So much has happened during these last few months – including this trip that I mentioned in my last post, where I took my three children to Texas by myself. Yes, we all survived. And the kids did as well as I could have expected or wanted. But August was exhausting. It didn’t really dawn on me until I started rummaging through these photos. Here we are on the plane ride over. Why I took this shot, I have no idea… to remember the moment? This look probably says it all – bundle of nerves, ready to explode.
The trip was pretty darn fun, starting with day 2, when we (18 of us, which isn’t even all of my siblings, spouses, and kids – and I) bombarded my aunts during this get-together at a little San Antonio taqueria. Breakfast tacos were incredible. We’re a mob! We completely took over this restaurant. I think I’m related to everyone in this photo. Seriously, I am.
Here’s my sister, Gina Marie with our Great Aunt Marie, plus Rita, baby Marianne, and me and Leo.
Here’s my mom, Fiona Josephine with her Great Aunt Josephine, plus Lydia.
I loved watching Leo play with Marianne! He loved calling her name and following her everywhere.
Fiona and Sophia were to be my cousin Sabrina’s flower girls, so they got lots of bonding time and special attention. I have to admit, the lead-in to the wedding was pretty stressful. Fiona had only tried on her dress one time before the day of the wedding, and she totally hated it. I’m understating it – she cried the entire time. So I was doing a lot of coaxing and keeping her happy so that when the moment came, she would be ready… I bought her a special watch and I kept lollypops with me at the wedding. And… it went well.
I loved that Mom and Aunt Mary were in charge of keeping these three in tact and ready to go before their moment arrived! Unfortunately for them, that meant waiting for about 30 minutes for the wedding to begin…
Aren’t they angels? Fiona wasn’t as well-trained as her cousin to stand still during the ceremony, but she managed to come sit next to me, and for a three-year old, she was amazing. I was so relieved when her flower girl duties were finished! Commence vacation!
The day after my cousin’s wedding, we were in San Antonio, and it was my 12th anniversary! No Matthew to celebrate with, so my family and I raised our glasses to him. I really missed him. No more separate vacations. Really.
We spent the rest of our time in San Antonio on vacation mode – which meant going to Kiddie Park, the zoo, my grandparent’s ranch, and playing in the pool. Lots of cousin time.
I started to relax some.
When we returned home, I was totally depleted. And, against my better judgment, we hit the ground running. I had signed up Dean and Fiona for their last swim lessons of the summer – every weeknight for two weeks. I was determined to get Dean to finish his level! But, still, this was probably overdoing it for me. It all worked out in the end – he passed, finally (after three lessons this summer!!!)
At the same time, we were wrapping up their preschool classes with parties in the park, and lots of nostalgia, especially around Dean, who was about to start kindergarten. Plus, Fiona had a minor health scare with her skin that involved seeing a doctor and drawing blood and/or getting a urine sample every week for four weeks. It all subsided, but that was no fun for anyone.
For some reason, we were also trying to wean Leo off bottles and on to the sippy cup. Why? Partly because his bottles were taking up valuable kitchen cabinet real estate.
By the end of August, here’s that look again… And I’m not sure why I keep taking this photo.
