Aunt Christy's Wedding

Last week we trekked three kids through four states and landed in Austin, TX to attend Josh's sister's wedding, which Conor and Riley were also in. The traveling was long, but the kids were wonderful and so adorable in the wedding... here are some pictures.

If you change your mind, I'm the first in line...

Honey I'm still free, take a chance on me...

Oh sorry, still singing all the songs from Mamma Mia, which I proudly dragged my less-than-excited hubby too last night on our date night.

Conor and Riley were both invited to sleepovers, so with a quick phone call to arrange a sitter for Quinn, we actually were able to go out to dinner AND a movie at Atlantic Station (which is actually where semi-hip people hang out, not dorks like us!) and were home in time to put the munchkin to bed.

To believe or not to believe...

It was bound to happen. Conor is fast approaching 8 and Riley is a worldly 6. I knew that eventually one or both of them would question the validity of Santa. Here's how it went down:

(over a GOURMET dinner of hot dogs and velveeta shells and cheese) - remember Josh is out of town

Conor: MOM, Riley says she doesn't believe in Santa.
Me: You don't?
Riley: No
Me: Why not?
Riley: I just think you and dad get up in the middle of the night and give us presents.
Conor: What!?! (and he was seriously shocked and horrified) That would cost like $2000. You're even lucky you got presents if you don't believe in Santa.

The conversation suddenly changed to something else, I think Conor moved on to "Yeah, we're luck we even got to be born" so I decided to let it drop... but I have a feeling there will be some bribery for Riley this year so that she can keep quiet and not let on to BOTH her brothers that there really is no Santa.

When Daddy's Away...

Josh is in North Carolina this week, which leaves the kids and I to our own devices. This means:

*pancakes for dinner (last night - and they were delicious if I do say so myself)

*early to bed - for my sanity

*Quinn walked around today with a cheesy picture of Josh and I from a Japanese restaurant in Hilton Head, kissing daddy because he misses him

*early baths - goes along with early to bed... yesterday afternoon I took the kids to the playground during the witching hour (right before dinner), where they promptly got dirty, sweaty, disgustingly sandy, and required a bath as soon as we hit the door to the house

*we watch things on tv that Josh would certainly not be interested in watching - last night, the kids and I sat on the couch in our jammies and watched a "Jon and Kate plus 8" marathon on TLC

And now for your viewing pleasure, here are a couple little gems. One is of Quinn imitating Conor's guitar hero but with his very own Wiggles guitar, jamming to a Wiggles tune, one is of Josh and Conor golfing, and one is of my little beauty Riley just being her.

Countdown to school...

It's hard to believe but our first day of school is right around the corner. Conor and Riley begin August 4th and Quinn will start preschool the following week. In the meanwhile (less than three weeks, that is), we are trying to enjoy as much pool and summer fun as we can. Conor has been playing golf regularly. He did a week-long camp and has been attending twice-weekly kids clinics, Riley has been invited to more birthday parties than I know people. This weekend she has a roller-skating party, followed by an invitation to go to a Braves game with the birthday girl and her parents and a sleepover (her first!). Quinn is quite the fish. Put a speedo vest on him and he is off, swimming around like he's one of the big kids. Late next week we head to Austin, TX for Aunt Christy's wedding, and the sad reality is that when we return, we'll be in our final week of summer break, which includes Conor's surgery (he has to have his adenoids removed) and two orientations.

July 10

First, a shout out to my mom - Happy birthday! Wish we could be there to celebrate and eat cake (one of the four main food groups, right!?!).

But since we couldn't, we sent her a birthday tin of Cheryl's Cookies... a close second right. What's the sense of exercise if you can't splurge!

Today I took Riley out for some girl time. First we went and had our toes done. I had mine done once, Riley had hers done three times (not kidding). She couldn't sit still when she was waiting for me to get done and messed up her little flower on her big toe twice, so the nice lady working there redid it each time. Then we went to pick out presents for two of her friends since she was invited to two birthday parties on Saturday. Miss Popularity. At least she will have beautiful toes.

Notes from the Nut House

Where do I begin?...

Today, while on a walk, I said to Conor "Since you have golf camp from 9-12 tomorrow, I'll bring your swimsuit with me when I pick you up and we'll go straight to the pool. Do you think you'll be too tired for that?" To which he replied, "Nope, I'm cool with that." Who is he? Ashton Kutcher (and is Ashton Kutcher even cool anymore, I have no idea!?!).

Then yesterday, it was quiet - too quiet. The big kids were downstairs in the playroom, and Quinn had been watching the Wiggles in the family room with me. I looked over, he was gone. I yelled "Quinn" and heard a very quick slamming door coming from upstairs. I found him in the bathroom, coated and glistening with shampoo - his hands, face, head and hair. Lovely.

Finally, my Riley. Our pool had a 4th of July party this weekend. While we were there, a woman walked up to Josh, who was talking to Riley at the time, and said "Is this the infamous Riley?"... apparently her two 5-year old twin daughters, who Riley plays/swims with occasionally at the pool, idolize her and play make believe, where they take turns (sometimes not so nicely) being her. Who knew - she's like Hannah Montana for kindergarteners.

And please expect more stories shortly, because today I went to Walmart and came home with a new potty, a huge pack of matchbox cars, and skittles. That's serious code for potty training time in the Bowen house. And I have one very willful 2 year old to contend with. Lord help me.

Peachtree Road Race

This morning I spent 1 hour and 2 minutes running 6.2 miles with 54,999 of my closest friends here at The Peachtree Road Race. That might not sound fun to many of you - the crowd, the Atlanta heat and humidity... but it was seriously a blast! There were people lining the streets of Atlanta, cheering, holding up signs, giving out water, yelling out inspirational things to the runners - there were dj's from all the local radio stations broadcasting and blaring their music, band after band playing. Besides the actual running, it was really like a big party/celebration. Then, as I was nearing the finish line, I heard "Go Megan!"... it was Josh, who had dropped me off at the start, went to his beloved Starbucks for a latte, and found a great spot near the finish line to watch for me. All in all, a great start to the 4th of July! We followed it up with our neighborhood pool party. I'll be lucky to make it through the fireworks tonight. I'm one tired mama!