Labor Day Weekend

We have been looking forward to this weekend for months, because this weekend was when Harrison, Brooke, Scarlett, and Clark got to meet their baby cousin. While the big kids were at school on Friday I packed, cleaned the house, and ordered groceries for pick up so we could load in the van and go as soon as they got off the bus, and that's exactly what we did. The entire drive up to the lake they kept talking about how excited they were to meet Baby Bear. Then we got there and he was asleep, of course. It was probably better that way though because it gave Clark a little time to warm up to everyone, some of who he hasn't seen since he was only 1 month old, and settle into the change in surroundings. When the kids did meet Little Bear, it was adorable. It was a 5 way stare off with lots of smiles, giggles, and H and B shoving every toy Bear's way to try and gain his favor.

Once everyone was fully acclimated, we went to the town fish fry Friday night, and I was that person with two screaming toddlers the entire time. They were over hungry, over tired, over stimulated, and just not having it. As soon as we got outside, they were just fine, until Clark tripped and fell. Que bedtime.

Saturday morning we all woke up early, but happy. There was a lot more baby loving and a nice walk uptown and to the park. The weather was more fall like than summer, so the usual swim and boat all day didn't take place. The big kids did manage to squeeze in a swim with Uncle Matt while the babies slept. After naps we headed to my uncle's lake house, and an over stimulated meltdown happened again, and lasted basically all evening. We are definitely at the age where we like what we know and everything else is bad until proven otherwise. They did discover how great golf cart rides are, so that was a major plus. They also got to play with their little cousin who just turned a year old. The mutual fascination between the three toddlers was strong.

When we got back to the house it was well past the babies' bed time. Thankfully Rob showed up right after we got back and helped expedite bedtime for our 4 kids. Once they were asleep we got to enjoy a little adult time with my brother and sister in law. Who would have thought it's hard find time for adult conversation when there are 5 kids 5 and under running, or laying in Bear's case, around. ;) We played Exploding Kittens and in true tired parent form I called it a night before 11pm.

Sunday morning was the last of our time with my oldest sister and her husband before they headed back to Nashville. Our visits are always fun, but never long enough. Another quiet morning around the lake house ensued, and then during nap time Rob and I said sayonara and headed to Indy to see John Mayer's last show of this tour. It was a great show and the venue was packed. I've never seen Deer Creek so full. It was late by the time we made it back to Fort Wayne and I couldn't imagine driving another hour, so I crashed at home for the night and then woke up at 6am to drive back to the lake.

Lots more baby snuggles happened on Monday and it was finally warm enough for the babies and I to go for a swim. Bear took his first dip too, which was very sweet to watch. It made me reminisce on when all my kids took their first dip in the lake. H and B were only a week old when their toes first touched the lake water. :)

It was a great weekend and while my kids were ready to get home by Monday night, I was not ready for the weekend to be over. My siblings are all back home, the laundry is washed, and it is feeling more like fall than summer. Having Harrison and Brooke in kindergarten this year is definitely making it feel like summer is really over. No more heading to the lake on a random Tuesday when the temps make it into the 80s. I'm glad we had a fun, family filled weekend to send summer off the right way. And if the warm temps want to hang around a little bit longer, I'd be ok with that too.