Aug. 16-Nice days, socializing and more

Hi Everyone! Monday we had a nice day at Marineland. The kids and I have gone a few times (we have season passes), but this is the first time Richard was able to join us. It was really nice. Jayna and I both got our brave on and rode the roller coaster- she enjoyed it, I did not. We fed goldfish crackers to the bears and fish. You can buy food to feed them, but there are no signs saying not to feed other stuff, so we shared our snack with them. We watched the whale show and Jayna was disappointed that we didn't get as wet as last time. After marineland we went to the Hard Rock Cafe to eat. Richard especially thought Andrew would enjoy it because he is so into music and he did. It was very pricey and we probably wouldn't do it again, but it's nice to say we've done it.

Andrew is now with his cousin Conrad (and more family) enjoying the N.C. Beach. I think he'll have a great time. It is quieter here! I have a friend that has said that no matter how many children you have, taking just one of the mix, makes a big difference and I have found that to be true- no matter what child is gone, it just changes the dynamics for the day. I think Andrew will enjoy having another boy to hang around with, and probably the break from his mom too. He'll be coming home next Sunday.

Well I have been able to continue the tradition of taking the kids school shopping. I remember it being special when my mom took us, so I try to make it special for them. I take them one at a time and we just enjoy the day shopping and I take them out to eat - their choice of where- and let them get dessert or whatever, that we may not always do. I've taken Andrew and Whitney so far and will probably take Jayna this coming week. We gave Andrew and Whitney both a budget and told them what they needed to buy with it- after they got those things they could use any extra to buy other clothes, or a backpack or?? Since they had a certain amount of money to spend, Whitney especially was very cautious of how she spent it and opted for jeans closer to $20 instead of $40. Plus I think it made them more aware of how much things cost. It has been a nice day with the kids so far this year, I feel like it is one good parenting thing I do!

As you may know, Richard is not a very social person, and it can cause frustration because I would like to have more people over or do things with friends more ( with him, not just alone) He says we can, but I know it really stresses him out, which then stresses me out, and then we don't do anything. Anyhow, I got it in my head that I would like to have some kind of back to school/end of summer get-together. I had thought about having some of the families from the neighborhood that have kids over, and the other option was the kids inviting 2 families each of their friends- that is the option that has won. Which makes me a little more nervous because the friends Whitney wants to have over-seem to be in a different economic level then us, and although we like them fine and their daughters have been here often, and Whitney there, I just feel a little uncomfortable since it is not like we are great friends. And I plan on being pretty low-key - hot dogs on the grill and everyone bring a dish kind of thing. Plus nervous about the set up- do we have the food inside or out? To me out seems a little more relaxing, but if the kids are playing marshmallow guns, I don't really want the adults to be in the way?? We'll have the badminton net up, but I'm not sure if the grown ups will play or not and then worry about if everyone will socialize and such?? AHH!! If you have any ideas- let me know. I can't stress out on Richard that just makes it worse.

Richard had Friday off too and that was a nice relaxing day too.

Reading now: The Host by Stephanie Myer andThe Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason

Just Finished "Flirting with Pete" by Barbara Delinsky

And so it goes... Have a great day! Oh if interested you can now subscribe to my blog-check out the box on the side ( I think!)