I took the kids out of state this week to visit their grandparents, so I’m writing this in a state of exhausted-from-hanging-out-with-the-two-year-old-away-from-the-safety-of-our-two-year-old-proof-home haze.

July 14

Birthday party #1! It was a bouncy house co-birthday for the girls and my nephew.

July 15

Essie’s birthday! She turned four, had swimming lessons, and ate lunch with the fish.

July 16

I was finally able to take the big kids to the beach (at a lake nearby). We played with Laura and her two boys, whom my kids LOVED.

July 17

After swimming lessons, we went to the party store so the girls could pick out supplies for their second party. It was a sea of pink.

And, my hard-working husband finally got the pool clean and clear enough for us to swim in! (Okay, I was exhausted and didn’t swim until the next day)

July 18

Last day of swimming lessons. Everyone was worn out, and Essie was SO tired of waiting that looooong 30 minutes every day for her class to start. Snort.

July 19

Cruising down the road with my four (actually, stopped at a rest area four hours into the trip because I was about to pee my pants).

But we made it to Nana and Papa’s house, where the kids immediately turned into pirates and sailed away on Papa’s handiwork.

July 20

Annnnnd, birthday party #2 with the Arkansas family! It ended with playtime in the pool and the coolest pool toys ever.