I think a month is the longest I’ve ever abandoned this blog since I started it 9ish years ago. I didn’t do it on purpose. I actually wrote a bunch of things that totally would have been blog posts in 2009 but ended up as Facebook posts because it’s 2017. We’re not even close to halfway through with this deployment and although we’ve found rhythm and a schedule that works, it’s exhausting being the only adult in charge of 4 small humans. Even when they have playdates or activities – and I am SO grateful for everyone who has helped – I play chauffer and social planner.

But it would be unfair to quit trying to document everything now, when I know E is looking forward to catching up on everything he missed as soon as he can. So onward and upward, once again.

Sunday:

All three, living their best lives

Mystic Seaport is our happy place

My eight year old beat me at bumper bowling

Monday:

We made slime every day for a week, then I got tired of scraping it off the floor

When both kids are awake and insist of being held at the bus stop

The CUTEST little soaps from The Rubber Ducky Soap Co

Tuesday:

Checking out the candy deals

Pretending he’s a big kid

Watching sissy do cheer

Wednesday:

I WON THE BUS WAR THEY MOVED IT HALF AN HOUR EARLIER

Trashing the car while waiting for Caroline outside ballet

Thursday:

I have a peach vampire in the house

OK, bye, just go be a big kid

Trampoline heaven

Friday:

The first of many, many vet appointments

HAPPY to go to school! YAY!

We put all those rocks in the kindness garden

Saturday:

Who can resist a selfie with a cow?

My little lambs

Another year at The Big E with friends

I can barely remember this week. I can barely remember yesterday. I can barely remember my own name.

Sunday:

Everyone loves our new washer

Matching dinners

I bought a mop.

Monday:

Rocks we found at the park!

Back to school night hot dogs

He looks so smug

Tuesday:

Checking out the white rhinos

Kangaroos know how to relax

Never holds still

Wednesday:

BACK TO SCHOOL THANK GOD

Checking out his new playground

Cupcake destroyer

Thursday:

I cleaned downstairs. I cleaned upstairs. I came downstairs to this.

Not excited about school.

Everyone home again and back to chaos

Friday:

Slowly moving marbles

Cream cheese face

Still learning how to selfie

Saturday:

Rock hunting

Caroline was convinced she could climb this tree

The Niantic turtle

Today, my little baby Finnegan learned how to climb up onto the couch. He still does not know how to climb OFF the couch safely, so my stress level is pretty high. Keeping him from cracking his head open is not my favorite way to spend our afternoons, but then again the ER waiting room would definitely be worse.

I got rid of the old sink from before our bathroom reno today. It feels like a huge accomplishment because it’s been just taking up space in the nursery for months now. Hopefully I can keep taking tiny productive steps until the house is truly clean and organized.

This was not my favorite week.

Sunday:

All my guys

Future so bright, you better wear shades

When Linc says pants are a shirt, he refuses to back down

Monday:

NOT HELPING

That’s the eclipse, I swear

Doesn’t know how to cart correctly

Tuesday:

I don’t know what this show is but I never want to see it again

I miss lake life already

Progress!

Wednesday:

Rocking the Seaport

Getting in some daddy cuddles

Such a big kid

Thursday:

Stupid submarine

Eating our feelings. They taste like frosting.

Goofball

Friday:

Bunny Caroline

Alien attack

Evan on the grown up rides

Saturday:

Before the mud at the Mud Run

NEW BATHROOM

More new bathroom! I love my new bathroom!

I’ve been having a bit of a battle with the school slash school bus company and today I won. I’m so relieved. As much as we really like being busy and on the go, I don’t like being late, breaking rules, or writing bitchy emails. Ok, I SORT of like writing bitchy emails, but not over and over. But starting next week we should just go back to regular busy – now with 100% more karate for Evan!

I keep saying I’m almost caught up and then I fall farther behind. Now that we have a real schedule – a crazy schedule, but a schedule – I know where my writing time fits in and I’m hoping to get back to it. Partially because I like having a blog and partially because I want to document this time for E. So I’ll say it again…I’m a few weeks behind but I’m going to catch up on these recaps.

Sunday:

This slide is huge

Finding rocks

I can’t remember why I took this picture

Monday:

It was a very Monday Monday

Tuesday:

He’s not sure I should let babies drive

Biggest coffee possible after 4 kids at the dentist

Wednesday:

Every time he sees a camera

Thursday:

He decided driving was OK after all

Party planning

Friday:

Filthy urchin

Saturday:

Watching for party guests

I super love how everything came together

He had an excellent day

And just like that, Finnegan is awake so I can’t do another week. He’s supposed to be sleeping for another hour, but he’s got molars coming in. Let’s hope they break through quickly because both of us are happier when he sleeps.