Weekends

Waiting for her pancakes at IHOP on Sunday morning.

We had a wait and walked around the building a couple of times and then finally sat at one of the benches in front of the building.

Barbie & Charlotte waiting.

Charlotte and Jim on "Mommy's" car. Every time we walked by it Charlotte told it was Mommy's car, so we took a picture of them on it.

Charlotte and Jim had a run in the field next to IHOP.

Charlotte showing us her kick-ball skills!

Thursday, April 28th I had a Planners Meeting in Des Moines and since I had more than enough time I was able to use Friday as an Off Duty day and spend the weekend with my children. Friday I basically was lazy. Watch some TV, used the computer and read a book. Jim stopped by for lunch and took a nap! Barb called early in the afternoon and asked me to make a brownie mix - which I did. Took a little longer than it should have but I'm not used to her kitchen. The mixing part was easy (so was warming up the oven) but I had one awful time finding the brownie pan. Just didn't look in the right place.

Eating brownies with Aunt Barb.

The brownies were a big hit and they did taste good! Barb and I met Jim, Mandy and Charlotte at Chuck's for supper. We had some great pizza!! Mandy is always on the outlook for different places to eat and this was one of them. Everybody came back to Barb's for the rest of the evening.

Playing with her beads from New Orleans.

Reading books with Grandma.

Her 'princess' outfit for daycare.

Friday was the Royal Wedding so at Charlotte's daycare they dressed for the part. Charlotte isn't really into all the princess stuff (yet) but dressed appropriately in pink with a little pink flower on her neckline. They wore crowns for their meals! What a cute idea.

Charlotte knows where the toys are at Barb's so between the two of them they got them out. She especially likes her beads and blesses everyone of us with a necklace (which we, of course, have to give back). I so enjoy just hanging out with them and interact with Charlotte when I can.

Saturday Barb and I did some errands. Errands with Barb usually take half a day. We spent some time at Dress Barn. She found a couple of tops and some new work slacks. Then she decided we were going to look for something for me. I had already told her I had no money to do much shopping since the bills were all paid and I needed to save what I had left to get home. Gas is certainly becoming a big part of my budget!! I tried on a lot of clothes!! Found some capri's that actually fit and a whole bunch of tops. I finally chose 4 tops and then we found some jewelry to match a couple of them. My mother's day gift from my daughter. Thanks Barbie. I've already worn some of them and have only gotten compliments!

We did some grocery shopping and headed home. We both took some naps and finally decided we better call Jim and find out if they wanted to come over for supper. We were grilling hotdogs and chicken. They were out and about and had other plans so as soon as Barb got off the phone we fired up the grill and had supper. The hotdogs tasted great! First of the year on the grill!!

Sunday morning I packed up a lot of my stuff and got ready to go out for breakfast. Jim and Charlotte came over around 10 and we went to IHOP for breakfast. Had some extra time waiting for a table so did some walking and visiting with Charlotte. Mandy had a photo shoot so wasn't able to join us. We missed you girl! Breakfast we fun with Charlotte. She cheats and eats off her Daddy's plate a lot, but she is a good eater! After breakfast we traveled back to Barb's and gave Jim a chance to nap while Barb and I played with the little one. What fun!!

Barb got a new TV before she left for her trip and had yet to get it up. After Jim woke up they got at it. Wasn't as bad as she thought. She'll have a little staining to do on her shelves and that's about it. The picture on the new TV was great. Jim changed a few things around for her so she's good to go. He even hooked up her Wii that she got at Christmas! Charlotte and I read books until she got tired and fell asleep. She had a short nap and then it was time to go home. Barb and I played bowling with the Wii. I need practice!! I think I beat Barb one game. I got on the road around 6. It was a very nice weekend!!

Mother's Day Barb came home. She brought along another gift. I have been looking (not very hard apparently) for a stand to put in my hallway. She found one and it looks great! Now I have to find somethings to put on it! Jim, Mandy and Charlotte sent me flowers earlier in the week. They sent me some daisy's. They're beautiful. Thanks kids!!!

Barb is having a garage sale sometime in June so we went through a lot of cupboards. Dumped a lot of old cake mixes, etc. Made a garbage run late Saturday night. A couple of the bags were really heavy so we found a dumpster to put them in! We shopped at the new Fareway on Saturday and picked up steak for supper. They really tasted good! I should use my grill more often! Having Barb home was a good excuse for using it!! Used it for dinner on Sunday too. We had hamburgers on the grill. They tasted great too! Barb had to leave a little earlier than usual as she had tickets to the Civic Center performance that evening. I had a great nap after she left! I must really be getting old -- and I didn't do that much for the weekend!

Hope everyone had a grat Mother's Day. I know I did!