And that's how you eat a burrito.

Nuestra bandita.

We are still alive, just too lazy to post.

Back to school.

Fever free and sporting her first Halloween top of the season. SS was sneezing this morning, crossing our fingers. Last night we had a thunderstorm and P spent over an hour outside watching the lighting. SS joined him for a while. Good thing I'm used to a husband who bonds with his kids over death and destruction.

She is still camping.

Looks like SS really enjoyed her first camping trip, despite the lousy weather, fever and not spending enough time with JJ. This is the one thing where SS & JJ are polar opposites. Our son loathes camping. 

Feeling better.

SS was asleep by 5:30 p.m and woke up around 6:00 a.m. She is feeling better, building camps, playing super hero, and has had two servings each of milk and juice. Guava juice is her favorite now. We are hoping there are no more fevers.

Sick again.

The school director called around 1:00 pm yesterday because SS was running a fever. Once again I'm grateful P is barely two minutes away and his work is flexible. P stayed with SS until I arrived home, then returned to work at 5:30 pm. He came home for about an hour, then returned to work at 11:30 pm, and should be home soon. SS must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. She is having a Baba and SS day and returns next Tuesday. Hopefully she'll be OK by then.

Goodbyes are sad.

We had breakfast with JJ and are on our way home. SS's nap was actually her shutting down on us. As excited as she was about camping and spending time with JJ, something about this place messed with her mind. We are not the Jolie-Pitts, but we have traveled with SS and know her behavior was not the away from home norm. She slept from yesterday at 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 this morning. We seriously worried when JJ's presence at breakfast did not brighten her mood. She asked me to hold her, and when we suggested she get a last snuggle with JJ she said no. We talked her into hugging the love of her life goodbye. She is now medicated and hopefully better by the time we arrive home.

Remembering Grandpa.

Sorry about the pictures without blogging. Life has a way of getting in the way of posting. We planned on taking SS on her first camping adventure last year, but between Chicago and Maui we lost steam. SS's separations from JJ are becoming increasingly difficult. We prepare her the best we can. We count how many sleeps before JJ comes home AND how many sleeps JJ will spend home. No matter how much time we spend preparing SS, she falls apart when JJ leaves.

One thing we did not post about is that during JJ's last visit SS began to refer to him as "my brother" or "my big brother." That is not a new concept for SS since we introduced JJ and brother to her when we met, and have reinforced the sibling relationship since. But this was the first time that SS articulated her understanding. It was funny to hear "where did my big brother go Mama?" or "I love my big brother."

Knowing that summer is almost over, we knew we wanted SS to have that first camping experience. What better way to blend SS's need to see JJ and her first camping experience. We left yesterday evening for a quick visit. We arrived at around 9:20, and JJ came to help us set up. On weekends he goes to work at 5:00 a.m., so he could not stay long. Thankfully SS was so excited about camping that she let go of JJ without the drama we feared.

Sadly for SS she went from 100 degrees to 48, not exactly summer weather. It quickly reminded us why we were so eager to leave this hell hole. While SS had her Buzz heavy fleece blanket, P and I had our summer sleeping bag. I was shivering all night, while P did what he could to keep me warm to no avail. We have camped at this temperatures before without incident, but it seems that four years at 100+ degree weather turned me into a wimp.

JJ came by after work and we had lunch at a Hawaiian joint. Funny how this economically depressed, lily white place we desperately fled now has a Hawaiian restaurant. We had an amazing time reminiscing about Maui. At this time last year we were returning home from our amazing trip to Maui. Grandpa spoiled us with free lodging, free car service, and an awful lot of Hawaiian and seafood. It is the best time we have had as a family. So much that although we have a strict rule that Holidays are spent home, P really would like to spend a Christmas in Maui. Of all holidays, Christmas is the one I thought I'd never waver on, no matter the reason. But as we had lunch I had a change of heart. Listening to how easily all four of us talked about Maui I realized that as long as the four of us are in agreement and present, it would be a great experience. Now the witch is coordinating our schedules.

P had fish tacos, and SS, JJ and I had chicken katsu for the first time since Maui. It was yummy and a good time was had by all. We picked up a big fleece blanket since in this town without milk heaters are "seasonal items and won't be available for a while." Really? 46 freaking degrees is balmy weather to you freaks? No wonder we left...

This post is via iPhone since we are too far away from the office to get a signal. I apologize for any spelling errors and run on sentences. Pictures when we get home. SS is napping, a big no no at 5:00 p.m., we sent JJ home to get some rest. We are having dinner here and we say goodbye tomorrow before JJ goes to work at noon.

JJ!

What's Baba doing?

Retrieving the filter of the percolator he accidentally threw over the fence.

She slept well.

Snug as a bug in a Buzz rug.

Always prepared.

Who knew Baba would find an SS sized Buzz flashlight.

Another first.