After FOUR weeks of being sick and staying at my moms so she could help take care of all of us, I am finally feeling well again! And Friday was Marc’s last day at the Winslow clinic!! So we are ALL home! And Marc won’t have to leave again till January. We seriously lucked out to have him home for all the holidays.

The girls have been so happy to sleep in their own beds, play with their toys, and have their dress ups.

Our first afternoon back Moana came to the backyard (irrigation) and the girls were so excited. Jumping up and down they asked to go play in the water. My initial gut reaction was “No. It’s messy” But then I had the thought, “Why not? Childhood is suppose to be messy.” Amazingly, it was not too hot outside and we spent the whole afternoon playing in it. It was one of those “I want to remember today for forever” perfect play times.

We found Gypsy walking around the backyard. So obviously we swarmed her with happy toddler greetings. Ruby always asks first thing if she can pet Gypsy. Hazel is always more nervous, so Ruby reassured her “Hazel it’s okay. I will hold your hand and help you pet Gypsy. Gypsy is really nice. Look, she won’t hurt you.” As Ruby bent down to pet Gypsy. Hazel cautiously walked closer and petted Gypsy. “I DID IT!” She shouted with all the excitement of a proud two year old heart. Then almost as thrilled Ruby said, “Hazel you did a great job! I’m so proud of you!”

Saturday the girls woke up and wanted to do be princesses! Hazel wanted to be Elsa and Ruby was sleeping beauty. So obviously, we had to to princess hair too. Then we spent the morning playing in the front yard and Levi fell asleep in my arms. We all sat on the big porch swing, which was also a rocket ship and a castle. And when monsters would get close the swing would get bumpy and we had to swing faster to get away. Luckily, we were always faster than the monsters.

I went to Rudy Crum’s funeral with my mom and dad this weekend. Rudy was the best father figure mom had growing up. I love Rudy. But my favorite take away was how all of his kids talked about how fiercely Rudy loved his wife Rosie. She was his sweetheart and true love. And I just thought that my kids will say the same thing about Marc.

Super low quality photo of our date night glow in the dark mini golf. We tied. Which is to say, we have equally marginal golfing skills. I love my new turquoise necklace Marc got me on his way home from Winslow. We had to implement the rule that I got to start over at a hole when Marc would goose me while I was putting. He consented as long as he could continue to sneak in a kiss in the dark at every corner.

Lastly, we spent Sunday night planning out the last quarter of the year. I love love LOVE that I got these large calendars printed. I have a tendency of letting the holidays stress me out but getting everything down on paper , and early, makes the administrative heart in me so happy! Here’s to a more organized and choosing to be happier and less stressed end of the year!