Busy week

Aleks has been gone this weekend.

Last weekend he had what I call a procedure and he calls an operation.

One of the differences between boys and girls.

The weekend before that he did the CapTex triathlon.

I'm tired.

Anyway, this weekend Aleks has been in the Bay Area, (where its been super hot, a small consolation) and the girls and I have been enjoying the mild Wichita weather.

I always get a bit down when Aleks leaves us.

I suppose it's a good sign that our lives have been successfully melted together after these past 10 years.

So, to combat the blues the girls and I have been staying busy.

Both girls had swim lessons and gymnastics.

(here's my biggest girl on her back, eyes tightly closed)

We celebrated National Donut Day.

Maia and Ruby had pink donuts with "sprinklers."

I finished making 4 Christmas gifts.

Well, I should clarify, I've sewed 4 gifts. 

That I'm planning ahead is nothing to scoff at, but the true miracle lies in the fact that I've made several things that are really (and I mean REALLY) cute.

With my sewing machine, nonetheless.

We had a small birthday party for our sweet friend who turned 1.

We met up with some of Maia's school friends for a play date.

It's the first time she's seen them since school ended and Maia ran, squealing, to each friend as they arrived at the park.

I re-caulked our shower.

The most stressful part of this process was getting the old caulk off and being sure it was clean and dry. I'm not sure how great of a job I did, but now I know how to do it, so I suppose I can just rip the old stuff off and try again.

(In fact, since starting this post, I've looked at it and I think I need to start over)

I've been cooking and washing A LOT of dishes.

Aleks and I are making a concentrated effort to eat dinner with our girls this summer. In the past, they've gone to bed so early that Aleks and I would eat after they were asleep.

Which means that it was really easy to make food I knew the girls (Maia) would eat. And consequently, I wasn't trying too hard to get Maia to try new foods.

It's a slow process, but she's been eating a larger variety now, thanks to innovative techniques, such as using toothpicks to eat blueberries.

And there have been a few moments of peace and quiet.

So, Aleks gets home late tonight and we can't wait!