Our Week - The One with Summertime, Week 9 (Lunch Date, Date Night, and Jacob’s Birthday Weekend)

Whew, what a week!  It was a busy but oh-so-good one celebrating our Boo for his tenth birthday!  Let’s just dive right in to the recap!

Monday, July 19

Monday morning, B had to go into the office for a couple of hours, so I woke up as he was leaving, and I got in a cardio workout while the kids slept.  After my workout, I got ready for the day and did my morning meditation, devotional, and by the time I was done, the kids were up playing in the playroom. 

We all headed down for breakfast after that, and then they watched a few minutes of cartoons while I caught up on blog reading.  The rest of the morning was spent playing inside as it was yet another rainy day.  Olivia finished drawing her poster of Elsa from Frozen 2, and I helped her cut the hole out so she could put her face in it.  My creative girl!

B made it home mid-morning, and shortly after that I headed out to Bed, Bath, and Beyond in search of some new kitchen mats.  I have been looking high and low for some that are nice looking and have the rubber backing so they don’t skid, and I’m convinced that no such thing exists.  All kitchen mats/rugs are either cute and don’t have the rubber backing OR they have the rubber backing and are ugly.  Why can’t I have both?!  Haha.

I did find one that was semi-okay-looking, so I grabbed three of them (one for the kitchen sink, one for the back door, and one for the garage door) and then I headed to Jason’s Deli to meet my friend, Adrienne, for lunch.  We hadn’t seen each other since May when our play date was cut short due to Olivia’s broken elbow extravaganza, so we had some catching up to do. 

After our lunch, I headed back home.  B had already fed the kids lunch, so when I got home, I got them settled in front of their laptops for an hour of IXL summer homework.  After summer homework, we all tidied up the house a bit, and then they played video games while I cranked out some work. 

It rained on and off all day long, but cleared up just after dinner, so after eating some of my mom’s delicious spaghetti leftovers from the freezer, we all headed outside to play Cornhole.  We wrapped up the evening with the series finale of Breaking Bobby Bones, and then the kids headed up to bed to read and sleep over in Olivia’s room again.

Tuesday, July 20

Tuesday morning, the kids and I were up and ready and out the door before 9 to get to my semi-annual checkup at the allergist.  My appointment went well, and it was super fast, so we were in and out in just 30 minutes.  Olivia asked if we could stop and get cake pops from Starbucks afterward, and I obliged because a caramel latte sounded really good since it was, yet again, another dreary day.

After we ran through the Starbucks drive-through, we headed to the library yet again to go grab some more books for Olivia since she rolled through her last stack so quickly.  She needed three more AR books to read and test on for summer homework, and she ended up coming home with eight.  Jacob also grabbed three more non-fiction books, and then we headed home with our fat stack! 

At home, the kids read for a long time, and then we had a light lunch, followed by more reading time.  Jacob isn’t loving the book he chose for summer reading, but he’s nearly halfway through, so he’s powering through to get it done so he can write his report.  I joined in their reading time after lunch and got well into my Ennegram book that I started earlier this month.  Pancake joined in on the reading fun, too.  ;o)

After reading time, the kids tidied up the house, and then they got into their video games while I worked and wrapped Jacob’s birthday gifts.  I had dinner on the table when B got home from work, and then we all went for an evening stroll around the neighborhood.  After our walk, I settled in to read for a bit, and then afterward, the kids put on a show for us.  They sang, danced, DJed, and did acrobatics with their stuffed animals.  It was so cute!

At 8, we turned on Lego Masters, and I got in a stair stepper workout while we watched.  After the kiddos went to bed, B and I watched some of The Bachelorette and Atypical, and then we headed up to bed, too.

Wednesday, July 21

Wednesday was another super dreary/rainy day, but I was able to squeeze in a fast-walk around the neighborhood before the rain came.  That was my first fast-walk/run since I hurt my toe a couple of weeks ago, and I did great thanks to my new shoes! 

After my walk, I got ready for the day, and by the time I was ready, the kids were up and ready for breakfast.  After breakfast, I went outside to water the plants, and saw that Olivia’s sunflowers had FINALLY bloomed.  And they were both so beautiful!!

After scoping out the sunflowers, the kids watched a couple of cartoons and then played in the playroom until lunch, and then after lunch, they settled in for more summer homework.  Both of them tackled IXL and Olivia also took another AR test, and then they both squeezed in some reading time.

After summer homework, it was tidy-up time and then video game / work time, and then I made chicken and pineapple stir fry with rice and broccoli for dinner.  After dinner, the rain had stopped, so Brian and Jacob went out back to kick the soccer ball around while Olivia and I did sidewalk chalk, and then about 30 minutes into our outdoor time, the bottom fell out yet again.  We have had so much rain this summer, y’all.  So much rain. 

The kids played in the rain a little bit, but once it started thundering and lightning, we headed in the house so the kids could take showers.  While they got ready for bed, I read for a bit, and then we all settled in to watch America’s Got Talent from the previous evening.  I finally tackled Jacob’s birthday chalkboard while we watched, and then the kids headed to their sleeping bags (yep, they’re still sleeping together every night… they haven’t slept in their beds in weeks) to read a bit more before lights out.

B and I did our usual show-watching/relaxing/frozen yogurt eating, and then we headed to bed, too.

Thursday, July 22

Thursday morning, I got up and did a cardio workout at home since B was away at the office.  Afterward, I got ready for the day and then got breakfast for the kids.  They watched a couple of cartoons afterward, and I snapped this picture of them on the couch because I love how close they sit together.  I know this sweetness won't last forever, so it had to be documented.  

After that, we we all went outside because we finally had a sunny day!  No more than 45 minutes after we got the pool blown up and filled, massive storm clouds rolled in yet again.  Argh.  So, we headed back indoors and had lunch. 

After lunch, we had just enough time to take pictures of Jacob with his birthday chalkboard outside before the bottom fell out yet again, and then we spent most of the afternoon indoors again because of the weather. 

B got home from work at 4:30 and then he and I dropped the kids at my father-in-law’s so we could head out for… OUR FIRST DATE NIGHT IN 16.5 MONTHS.  Yep, we hadn’t been out together for a date night since March 7, 2020… one week before everything shut down.  We did sneak out to run some errands together on our anniversary back in December 2020, but that hardly counted as a date since we didn’t even go out for breakfast or lunch that day since Covid was near its peak.

A new hotel just opened here in town and they have a rooftop bar that everyone has been raving about, so B and I headed straight there for some drinks and small plates.  When we arrived, the place was pretty busy and all of the tables in the shade were occupied, so we opted to sit at the bar so we didn’t have to sit in the sun. 

I opted for a Gimlet for my first drink – your choice of gin or vodka + lime juice, simple syrup, St. Germain, and a lime wedge.  I, of course, went for the vodka as it’s my favorite liquor, and it did not disappoint.  It was so refreshing and delicious.  B opted for the Punch which was a blend of Jack Daniels, Chambord, sweet & sour, and cranberry, and it was yummy, too.

After our first round of drinks, we ordered two small plates and shared them.  They had several different things on the menu that sounded delicious, but we opted for the steak and frites in herb oil and the sloppy joe tacos.  The tacos were AMAZING… they were short rib, collard slaw, and swiss, and they were just perfection.  I will be going back there again just for those!

Right before our food arrived, we both ordered Tropicalias (the best beer of all-time!) to accompany our meal.  It was a pretty hot evening since it is July in the south, but since the bar is on the seventh floor, there was a nice breeze coming off of the river.  And speaking of the river, the view up there was just gorgeous. 

After we finished our dinner, we walked around the bar a bit to take in the views, and of course, we had somebody snap our picture.  (And then I obsessively cleaned my phone with a hand wipe.  Hahahaha.)

Since we were downtown, we headed to our favorite craft beer shop next to browse some of the new beers they’d gotten.  B had a gift card, so we loaded up on a few new ones to try including a triple IPA and a banana bread beer?!?!  I’ll have to report back and let y’all know how that one is.  I love banana bread, but I’m not sure how it’ll taste in beer form.

By the time we finished up there, it was almost 8, so we headed toward my FIL’s to pick up the kids.  On the way, we swung by Krispy Kreme to grab donuts for Jacob’s birthday breakfast the next morning only to find that they were closed because their donut machine was broken.  What?!  Then we grabbed the kids from Grandpa’s and headed home to watch an episode of Walk the Prank before getting the kiddos into bed.

Friday, July 23

Friday was Jacob’s birthday so we were taking the day off together, but that didn’t stop me from waking up before everyone else so I could get in a run.  I’m trying to close all of my rings every single day in the month of July, so I knew I had to get out there early and get it done.  However, I do not recommend running in a thousand percent humidity after a night of drinking.  But hey, at least I got it done!  Ha!

B had taken the whole day off, and we spent the whole rest of the day celebrating Jacob.  He had requested donuts for breakfast, but unfortunately, our favorite local place is closed right now because of Covid and Krispy Kreme was still closed because of their broken machine so we had to settle for nasty Dunkin munchkins, and they were just so awful.  I was raised on Dunkin Donuts as a kid/teenager and their donuts used to be the best, but when they rebranded a few years ago, they started shipping frozen donuts to all the stores, and those frozen ones are garbage.  Needless to say, breakfast was a bit of a disappointment and I settled for a scrambled egg instead, which is what I eat every morning anyway.  Lol.

After breakfast we all got ready for the day, and then we headed to the local arcade that Jacob and Olivia love so much.  Jacob always requests to go there for his birthday, but we didn’t go there last year because of Covid, so they were thrilled because it had been so long since we’d been.  We got there right when they opened at 10 and we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves the whole time we were there.  There were other people in there, of course, but we were able to avoid everyone very easily which was good since positive cases are spiking terribly here in our city again.  Sigh.

By the time we finished up, it was lunchtime, so we swung by Panera curbside pickup, also per Jacob’s request.  We took that home and ate, and then afterward, the birthday boy opened his gifts from us.  After presents, he and Olivia played with his new gifts plus their new arcade prizes, and Olivia asked me to take a picture of her in her new googly eyed glasses.  Lol. 

After playtime, B and the kids played some video games and I squeezed in some work.  Jacob wanted his favorite burger in town (from our favorite local pub near church) for dinner, so B picked that up along with DQ Blizzards for his birthday dessert (also his request), and we spent the evening at home.  So much junk food!  Eeks!  Thank goodness for healthy options like salads and grilled veggies! 

After dinner, my parents stopped by to see the birthday boy, and then right after they left, my brother and SIL and their kiddos Facetimed us from Huntsville.  We talked to them for a while, and then the kiddos got showered, and then we sang Happy Birthday to our boy!

After dessert, we watched some of the opening ceremonies of the Olympics followed by a Walk the Prank. 

The kiddos slept in sleeping bags on Olivia’s floor yet again, and then B and I watched a few more episodes of Atypical.  We’re coming down the homestretch already, and I’m not ready for it to be over.  It’s a really good show. 

While we were watching, I stalked the live setlist updates for the first Dave Matthews Band concert since Covid!!!!  They kicked off the show with one of my favorite DMB songs of all-time (#41) and they also played one of my other all-time favorite songs that they rarely ever play! 

Saturday, July 24

Saturday morning after breakfast, the kids begged to go to my parents’ neighborhood pool again, and even though I had a ton of stuff to do, we obliged.  Gotta squeeze in all the fun for summa summa summatime!  We stayed there all morning, and the kids got lots of playtime while I got another pool workout done.  We headed home at lunchtime to eat a light lunch, and then I got some laundry and other housework done before showering and getting ready for the day.

Once I was ready, I tackled some work in my office… I swear, this summer, I’ve been flying by the seat of my pants.  I usually try to blog about a week in advance, but lately I’ve been squeaking out posts the day before they go live.  I hate that, but it is what it is during the summer when the kiddos are home.  While I worked, this girl brought me some “tea” so I could take a little break.  ;o)

Saturday evening, we went over to my father-in-law’s house to meet all of the fam to celebrate Jacob’s birthday as well as my SIL’s and my niece’s.  All of their birthdays are within a few weeks of each other, and since they don’t live here, we typically lump several together when they’re in town.

We had pizza and cookie cake over there, and they all opened their gifts.  This was the first time we’d all been to my FIL’s house since Covid started.  We’ve all been getting together on our back porch instead to play it safe, but it was way too hot Saturday to be outside.  All of the adults and the older kids are vaccinated anyway now, so we felt pretty comfortable being inside.

On the way home, we drove around through a new subdivision down the road from ours (no, we’re not considering moving… we’ve just been wanting to check it out), and then we let the kids watch an episode of Walk the Prank when we got home.  After that, it was bedtime for them, and then B and I started season four of Atypical.

Sunday, July 25

Sunday morning, I made homemade waffles and we watched some of the Olympics.  B and I were surprised at just how much Jacob and Olivia loved watching archery.  It is not my thing, that’s for sure, and I was surprised that it held their attention.

After breakfast, B headed out to mow again (story of his life during the summer because the grass grows so dang fast) and I did a cardio workout to burn off the junk food from the weekend. 

At noon, we headed to my mother-in-law’s and step-father-in-law’s and celebrated all of the same birthdays again with them.  They cooked a delicious spread for lunch, and then we had cookie cake and watched all of the birthday people open their presents.  Jacob racked up on Legos this year yet again!

We hung out there all afternoon and then headed home for a couple of hours to relax (and work for me), and then we headed to my parents’ house for Sunday dinner and to celebrate Jacob one last time.  #AllTheBirthdayCelebrations

He had requested my mom’s spaghetti and rice (LOL at that combination), so we had that followed by his delicious cookies and cream Minecraft cake!  We tried a different bakery this time for his cake, and they did not disappoint! 

My Mama Cass joined us as usual, but we were missing my littlest bro because he had to work.  Boooo.

After dinner, cake, and gifts, Primetime Olympic coverage started, so we ended up staying at my parents’ house until almost 9:30 watching women’s gymnastics.  The kids were enthralled and didn’t want to leave, and I didn’t want to miss it either.  It’s always my favorite, too!

And that was our week!

And now for a few current things…

 

Currently Reading

 

In July, I read Little Fires Everywhere since we watched the show back in June.  I thought the book was great, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I’d read it prior to watching the show (which is what I usually do anyway).  I also read Daisy Jones and the Six, and after a very slow start I ended up enjoying it!  For my third fiction book, I started Beach Read, and y’all, I just couldn’t get into it.  My copy ended up being due back before I could finish it, and I wasn’t even sad to return it without finding out what happened.  Granted, I only got about 20% of the way through it, so maybe I didn’t give it a fair chance?  Maybe I’ll try again eventually, but I highly doubt it.

 

For my non-fiction book for July, I’m finishing up The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery.  I took an enneagram test a few years ago when it started becoming popular, and I’ve been fascinated with it ever since.  The test that I took ended up being inconclusive as it couldn’t pin down just one number for me, but it did say that I am probably closest to a Six.  After reading a little more about the different types, I couldn’t have agreed more, and I’ve proclaimed myself to be a Six (The Loyalist) ever since then. 

 

However, after reading this book and delving into all of the little details for each of the numbers, I have come to realize that I identify with the Ones (The Perfectionist) just as much as the Sixes.  Now I’m stumped as to which one I identify with more… I truly feel like I’m split 50/50 between the two. 

 

This book has been so interesting, and I highly recommend it if you want some insight about the different personality types and why people behave the way that they do.  I think everyone would have more patience, compassion, and understanding for others if they took the time to learn what makes them tick, what sets them off, what motivates them, and why they feel the way that they feel.

 

Currently Watching

 

B and I finished Mare of Easttown, and we’re still rolling through The Bachelorette and All American.  We also started Atypical which we’re both loving.  And, of course, we’re still watching Walk the Prank, The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, Lego Masters, and America’s Got Talented with the kids.

 

Oh, and the Olympics!  We can’t forget that! 

 

Currently Listening To

Dave Matthews Band on repeat.  And that’s pretty much it.  Haha.  They just started their summer 2021 tour this past weekend after being forced to shut down their tour for 2020, so I’ve been listening in preparation for their concert in Atlanta.  We were supposed to see them in May 2020, and since it was canceled, our tickets rolled over to July 2021.  My gosh, they will always and forever be my favorite band.    

Happy Wednesday, y’all!