Running away from home

I have had a good day with a whirlwind afternoon. As I was making dinner tonight, I let the kids go out to play, and ride their bikes in the culdesac. I was checking on them every few minutes, and told them they were to stay on our street. I went in to stir the dinner, and get it on the table, and then went out to get them and they were GONE. I called or walked to all the neighbor's houses, we looked at all their normal places (The "hideout" bush around the corner) And they were nowhere to be found. To explain a little at this point, I was near a total break down. The stroller, my 5 year old, my 2 year old, and the 7 year old neighbor girl are all gone. We drove up and down the nearby streets, and drove the mile up to the school. They were no where, and I was on the brink of hysterics. They had now been gone for about an hour (with dinner still cooking on the stove). We were standing on the street talking to our neighbor (who was getting worried, but not as much as me) and trying to decide what we should say to the police about our missing children. Just then they came walking up the road. They had decided to walk to the school to play on the playground. I wanted to kiss them and smack them at the same moment. Spencer is grounded from all things fun for about 5 days (which he thinks is an eternity). I hope they remember next time, or I may just be the one to run away from home!!

Home sweet (though cold) home

I am finally ready to make a note of my trip, and post a few pictures. I had such a marvelous time, it was hard to come home. I think that sometimes vacations should just go on and on. . . Anyway, it was lovely. I guess for Hawaii it was not that great. It was rainy, and about 68 degrees for a few days, everyone was wearing sweaters, but not me. That was such a step up from the snow at home! We snorkeled for a few minutes, went to see the AMAZING plants at the arboretum, we saw a whale, we shopped, we ate in very strange, but delicious, places, we stayed in a beautiful beach front resort, we went to the Polynesian cultural center, the blowhole, and hanauma bay. We had birds eat out of our hands, and spent time in the wonderful, humidified and warm air. I honestly think a bit of my soul stays there every time I go. It was wonderful!!

Posting

I have been so terrible about posting anything lately. I guess I am just too busy to sit and write, and there seems to be less going on worth noting. I am getting ready to fly to Hawaii on Wednesday, and I am so nervous. I shouldn't be, everything will be fine. There is the possibility that something will go wrong while I am thousands of miles away, or everything won't get done in time, or I will forget something important, (like underwear), or I will miss my connecting flight, or I'll throw up on the plane in front of everyone, and it will smell for the whole 6 hour flight. These things could be bad. On the other hand, I am getting a much needed vacation from having to worry about anything for a few days. It will be quiet, and if nothing else, WARM for a few days. I am thrilled! I guess that if I forget anything important, there are stores in Hawaii, and there are stores here if Sam needs something. If the house isn't clean, they will live, and worst case scenario, they will have to eat a McDonalds. I need to breathe in and out, and make a list. ALOHA!!