​Our first week in Ecuador was met with such warmth and hospitality by Phil’s family. We have been on the go seeing sights in and around the capital. I was a bit nervous upon departure because the ‘sign up to spend time with the Bravos’ that Phil’s uncle made was looking a little sparse. I no longer have that fear. Monday the kids went to swim, I did a last HIIT class. We all went to visit Papa with Erik’s family. Owen showed up, too. It was nice to have everyone together. My Godson, Huck came over for the afternoon. A little play date to celebrate his belated Birthday. It was nice to have him play with Voss so I could pack up and get organized. I feel like I was late to the game on this one this summer. I took everyone out for ice cream. We said goodbye to Erik, Kelley and Logan. Marly had a ortho appointment. Tuesday morning was the last swim team practice. I took Spot for a run. Voss had a call with Ashleigh to work on some last minute tips in dealing with his sisters. We brought the animals to my mom’s (she offered to watch them for the week), packed up and headed out. We took turns driving (Ellie, Phil and I) to Miami (in the rain). A friend from high school wrote this mind blowing book I was listening to, Mothership by Greg Wrenn. It made the drive fly by. We met the abus at a seafood restaurant to celebrate Pops’ 90th Birthday! We had a good night of sleep, a tasty breakfast, quick visit with cousin, Izzy and then headed to the airport. It was a pretty easy wait and flight to Quito. Although, I thought we’d have TVs to watch so I made sure everyone had a set of headphones and there was none of that. We arrived in Ecuador and the airport had internet issues. We waited in immigration for an hour and finally they let us through manually after some Chad-ing by Phil. I’m proud of my conversation with the taxi driver on the way to the hotel. We checked into our super nice hotel, Hampton by Hilton. Phil’s cousins came out to meet us for a cocktail. A bottle of wine in the hotel lobby with Santi, Manny and her bf, Chris then chicken wings at Burger King. Phew! The hotel had the most amazing breakfast! Everything you could think of and then a different typical cuisine of Ecuador each morning. We took the big red double decker bus to tour the city. That was a great first day idea. It was one of those jump on, jump off types of busses. We jumped off at the Cathedral. The kids and I were going to tour the top but we didn’t bring enough cash. Ellie was sweet to pay for us then she and Marly stayed down with Phil so the younger kids and I could go. Apparently she already climbed when she was here 2 years ago. Gorgeous views inside and out! We hopped back on the bus and went up to the Panecillo (the Virgin Mary watching over the city) then back on the bus. We had a late lunch in the mall then Ubered back to the hotel. I had some trouble with WiFi and international cell plan and was thankful for the H&M super WiFi! Ha! We relaxed in the hotel and then had dinner at a pizza place nextdoor and watched a futbol game. The next day we met up with Phil’s parents (who flew in late). We Ubered to Phil’s aunt’s apartment where they were staying, enjoying tea to help with the altitude adjustment. Phil’s aunt and uncle picked us all up and drove us to the Mitad del mundo. We toured the monument and had lunch. I loved the solar museum next door. Turns out the Europeans who first came to figure out the middle were 240 meters off. Their instruments were crude however many years ago. Turns out the Incas were spot on. When GPS came out most recently they confirmed the actual 0,0,0 latitude of the middle of the world. The tour of that museum was neat and we even learned how to shrink a head. We stopped for ice cream and hot chocolate on the way back to the hotel. Some how we rallied for Santiago’s 40th Birthday party that night. We went clubbing with cousins and then BK again late night. Saturday morning Voss and I walked to the park to hustle the soccer fields. I didn’t understand them asking Voss for a pick up game so we just passed the ball. We had a rough taxi ride out to Guayllabamba to Tia Fanny’s ranch house for the big family party. Phil’s mom has 5 siblings living here in the Quito area. They were all there along with most of their children and their children. It was such a fun party! It was also a party to celebrate Pops’ Birthday with a mariachi band and a guy making traditional ice cream. Lots of dancing and catching up with family. The rest of the week was booked with invitations to spend time with cousins. Sunday was a relaxed day with mass and then back to the mall for nails. Phil got Voss a soccer ball. They did a pick up game at the park. Marly got acrylic nails! I got a much needed pedi. Lunch at the mall again and then we walked back to the hotel and discovered the rooftop of the hotel! What a view! We had a late dinner across the street at an Argentinian restaurant cheering on Ecuador v Mexico and yay it was a tie! Here are the pics of the week: https://photos.app.goo.gl/JTpFD3q7H5C9zHi38

Hi ya'll, it's Abby, and apparently I am supposed to write the blog for DC! So first we had to wake up at like four thirty am! Once we were ready, Mrs. Parks drove me and my mom to this creepy looking parking lot. A couple buses were there and TONS of kids. After we made sure everyone was on the bus, we did a "count", which basically all like forty-nine of us said a number, then once we all did it correctly, we headed to DC! { it took us around ten tries } So for the next like twelve hours, I went on the Ipad, talked and texted my friends, took way to many bathroom breaks, we also took a lunch break, me and my mom and a lot of other kids shared a really big bag of Sour Patch Kids. Finally at around five pm, we made it to our dinner stop, which was at Golden Corral. If you don't know what Golden Corral is, it's basically like a giant restaurant with a really big buffet. It was really good! I even got steak! that's five stars for me! After dinner, we only had a little bit left to go till we got to our hotel! Finally, we made it! We checked into a Best Western, figured out our roommates, then we got our room numbers and headed in. In case you were wondering who my roommates were, I got, Virginia Parks, Landis Kuder, and Mahalia Emilcent. We all set up our stuff in our room, took showers, unpacked. And I turned on the TV and found out that Masha and The Bear was on! So let's just say that that night was also five stars! So the next morning we all woke up, went downstairs for breakfast and headed to the Capitol to take pictures around it and at all the statues! We also met our tour guide who told us all about DC as we toured that, too! We toured the Washington National Cathedral, which is a really large castle with stained glass windows, and one of them has an animal that looks like a Capybara. Next up, we went to lunch at the International Trade Center. I got Subway! Very good. Ten out of ten! Then we went to a museum called The National Museum of African American History and Culture. A very long name, but a very fun place! The bottom floor was low key really sad. But the higher the floor the happier it got. Also ten out of ten, loved all the activities. After that, we went to the FDR memorial. If you look at my moms Tiktok and Instagram stuff you'll see tons of these pictures! But that was pretty fun too. I posed in front of all the random soldier dudes! Lastly we went to dinner at Primo Restaurant. Then we finally returned back to the hotel, ready for day three. OK! so day three, AKA, Tuesday. Breakfast at Ihop, I don't really like Ihop in general, but it was ok. I do remember being really full. Today we toured the Arlington National Cemetery. Kinda sad, but we toured important peoples graves, such as RBG. We also watched the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier. The soldier did twenty one of everything, the steps he took, and when he stopped, he stopped and held very still for exactly twenty one seconds. Next, we toured the Army Museum. It was really cool I took tons of photos because I knew that my brother, Voss would like it a lot. We also had a bagged lunch there too. very good. I liked it a lot. Also there were these cool Ipad war simulator things. Really cool.
​ Next we toured the Lincoln, Vietnam, and Korean Memorials. They were pretty cool to look at but my legs were really sore and tired from walking. Eventually, we had dinner at Pentagon City Mall. Very tasty. Lastly, we went to the USMC Sunset Review at the Iwo Jima Memorial. More guards, but super cool. But, all got tired, so we returned to the hotel. Bedtime!!!  Next morning rolls around. AKA. Wednesday! Today we went downstairs for breakfast. We were late though. Then we toured the National Law Enforcement Memorial with some lion cubs. After that, we toured the Eisenhower Memorial. We got to go inside the Capitol for a tour. We watched a movie and then saw lots of statues. We wore ear phones to hear the guide on the microphone. (And this is when Abby got tired of blogging and mom took over). I loved the capitol tour! After lunch in the food court (again, I love that tuna poke bowl) we had a few hours to check out the Smithsonians. The Parks teamed up with us and raced between Natural History, American History, sculpture garden and National Art Gallery. We got in a lot! We rode the bus to Williamsburg and stopped at another Golden Corral for dinner. I was very grateful for my roomate, Liz to have great nightcaps to maintain our sanity. We really had a wonderful time! We took all the kids to the park to run it out before bed. Thursday morning we got to sleep in and not even board the bus until 10am! The hotel was nicer. The following morning we went to Busch Gardens. I had a roller coaster group and we hit the ground running to the a coaster way in the back to get in the fun before the crowds. I was so busy running that I failed to read all the signage telling me not to bring my phone. I didn't even notice losing it until I got off the ride. Epic fail. I felt like such a moron all day. I filed an official lost item report and tried to keep the day normal. Abby and I went off on our own to ride a bunch of roller coasters. At one point I wasn't feeling so hot. I nibbled on Abby's leftovers and had a sprite. We met back up with the group to ride more rides. Endless material for jokes on me. Back on the bus, I used the Find My Phone app on the ipad to track my phone (it made the fall from the Pantheon and was underneath somewhere!). I pinged it before closing in case a maintenance guy was doing a walk through, to no avail. I tried again the next morning and the following evening at closing. It was a long bus ride home with no phone. I read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Good, yet depressing. Talked to friends and teachers and took a nap. We bummed a ride home from Mr. Handy. Phil took us out for a sushi dinner (Ellie was babysitting). We had an early morning swim meet in Palatka. The kids killed it with heat ribbons! We all took Ellie to her SAT prep class and went out to lunch. We dropped Marly with the Hayes for a sleepover. At this point, I had no luck with my phone. Phil canceled all the cards in the back and I ordered a new drivers license (because yes, all that was in the back of my phone!) While Ellie was in class we went to the Verizon store to get a new phone. I'm in line for my turn with an agent and was playing on an ipad in the store. I thought I'd check on my phone one last time and saw that it had moved! I started pinging it and Phil got a call! I had turned the lost phone feature on and it had Phil's number in the lock screen. I talked to the maintenance guy and my phone was okay! What a miracle! He said it would be mailed back to me on Wednesday when the mailer guy came in. I'm still in shock! So, we left the apple store. Yay! Phil got some Father's Day shoes and we picked up Ellie. We went to the pool for dinner at the Grove then Phil and I met the Hogans and Strassers for a band at Lillians. The music was so good but I drank too much red wine. Sunday was rough. We slept in and took Phil to First Watch for Father's Day. Ellie drove me out to the beach to pick up Marly. We had a low key afternoon and went to 5pm mass. Steaks for dinner and an early bedtime. Here are the pics of the week (now that my phone is recovered!)

It was a weird week figuring out a new routine. Swim team was canceled for Monday morning for no good reason so they all lucked out with sleeping in. I went to a HIIT class. Ellie and I went downtown for her dress rehearsal for the other dance studio. I stupidly thought we'd be there for an hour or so and we were there all afternoon. We made it home in time for me to change clothes and Ellie to grab a snack for the recital. I picked up my mom and the other kids, dropped Ellie back off at the theatre then the kids, my mom and I grabbed dinner downtown. My sister, Suzanne joined us. It was a wonderful recital, but long. Suzanne and I loved it. Voss fell asleep. Phil arrived at intermission. I warned him that Ellie's dance was 3rd from the end. Tuesday I let them all sleep in and we did afternoon swim team practice. We visited my dad. My neighbor, Zachary loves joining us! Wednesday we did morning swim team, signed up for summer reading at the library, visited dad then went to the Art Walk downtown. I had a MOPS leadership dinner that Anne hosted as a thank you for a great year. Thursday more swim team and visiting dad. Trying to get everything ready for my trip with Abby next week. Friday after swim team we went to the beach. The Freemans rented a house for the week and invited us out to enjoy. Ellie drove all the way out there! It was a perfect day out there with Steph and the Laurens. I dropped Ellie off to babysit and Abby to Landis' for a Birthday sleepover. Marly got to go with Addy to a water park and then sleepover. Phil and I went on a dinner date to TCC then met the Strassers at Grace Note. Saturday we were able to sleep in. We went on a Dunkin run for Ellie and Voss. Phil took Ellie to her first SAT prep class. I took Marly and Addy to Target, picked up Abby from the sleepover and spent the day packing and working on an embroidery order. Phil and Voss played soccer. It's just been SO HOT here; it's hard to do anything outside. We went to 5pm mass and then TCC for pool and dinner. I met Anne and Tracy for a long overdue night out at Flying Iguana. Sunday morning, Abby and I got picked up by the Parks gals and we headed out for the Patrol DC trip. More details about that soon. In the meantime, here's the pics from the week.

Another one of those weeks where I look back and think, "Wow! How did we do all of that?!" Maycember came to a close and I am looking forward to a calmer week. It was Abby's last week of elementary school. I tried to go every day to help with festivities in my room mom role. I rode with Liz to their field trip on Monday to an arcade. That was a great idea to kick off their last week. There was rehearsal and swim team that night along with a spring sports banquet for Marly. Wednesday was class party day. Ellie got out at noon all week and hitched a ride to help with Voss and Abby's parties happening at the same time. There were more dance rehearsals and Phil had a work dinner. Voss and I had a salmon dinner with my mom. Thursday I went to HIIT class then hung with the Window Gang. I signed some 5th grade yearbooks and saw the school 'clap out' Abby and her classmates. It turned into a stressful evening with screaming getting dance shoes painted last minute and a swim practice. Phil and I went out in the chicken limo with the Fredlands and Strassers to celebrate Nick's Birthday. We took a tour at Intuition then across the street to the Shrimp game then a nightcap at Lillians. It was the perfect stress reliever! Friday I went running then adoration with my mom then to visit my dad. He's been better this week. More awake anyway, but still no where he used to be. I went to Abby's class in time to give them popsicles after picking up trash around the school. All the kids got out at noon. So school is offically through for all of them. Summer here we come! We spent the afternoon downtown for dress rehearsal. I brought the Fredland girls with me to watch. That's still my favorite part...sitting with friends, sipping wine, eating combos and watching my girls do what they love. Phil and Voss played soccer and had a guys afternoon. It was a late night and they were wiped. Phil and I met the Freemans and Strassers late night to see this awesome jazz band at Lillians. Saturday morning I took Ellie to her last Saturday class, well, she took me. She's been doing lots of driving, merging on the Buckman again and this weekend the 10-95 merger! I did a walk run with my sister then Trader Joe's for flowers. Ellie went to a Birthday party. Voss went to a play date. I got the middle two ready, picked up Ellie and headed downtown. The older two had to be dropped off early so Lauren and I took our 5th graders to the Omni bar to pre-game. The guys and sons and my mom and sister met us. I took Abby over to the theater, got some photos then the show began. Village Dance took it up a notch this year with a flying Peter Pan and crew! Then the second act of a Barbie theme was just so good. I loved it! We had a late dinner back at the Omni bar with the Bravos. It was such a fun night! This morning we slept in a bit and went to the hotel to visit the Bravos and say goodbye to Gee and Jailene. Some family drama then 10:30 mass with Eucharistic adoration. We played family soccer to get some endorphins flying then popsicles at the Fredlands. Phil and I picked up Checkers for dinner, family rosary and early bedtime. Here are the pics of the week.

We're so close to the finish line of summer, we just have to power through another week. Ah, the intersection of spring and summer! I played hookie from all the things and took friends on the boat for a women on the water day. Perfectly timed! Ellie had her first AP (World History) exam! Abby and Voss each took turns staying home from school sick. Our middle school killed it at the awards ceremony: the principal and president luncheon. Marly and I went to a mother daughter tea with her YoungLife group. We had a tennis play day and luncheon. We had our first swim meet of the season. Then, Voss' championship baseball game. It was too stressful to watch: kids crying (Voss stepped off the base and was tagged out), bad calls from the other team coach left more kids crying, double overtime and then walking batters in to win just didn't feel good. This is Voss' third championship trophy and he is done and ready to play soccer. The Kane triplets Birthday and Voss was the only boy at Isabel's Birthday again. Live music at the Stout Snug on Saturday night. Last CCD class with a tour of Fr. Pradeep's house on Sunday. A middle school girls pool party for Abby and I got to meet new moms, too. Ellie's Saturday ballet class had a photo shoot at sunset. I listened to the end of my book club book, The God of Small Things. Back to HIIT and tennis on Monday and then book club at Rachael's where I stayed way too late. It's the first of two weeks of studio rehearsals for dance. Getting down to the end! We presented checks from the Nutcracker to WeCare and Dreams Come True. That was very cool. I had to buy more recital tickets while downtown. It was a weird week of emotions for me. Visiting my dad every day is hard. He is still being heavily sedated so he's usually asleep and out of it when I visit. It's so sad seeing how much he's gone down hill in the month he's been there. My mom went to her friend's memorial service in Vermont this weekend. I'm trying to make sure she's okay, too. Voss had an awards ceremony at school. I played in a tennis match with Kim (went to wrong club, first.) It was a great, therapeutic match ending in a win. I talked to the tennis director and he's still not going to move me to the B team. I'm about at my whit's end with this. Abby graduated from elementary school this week! She had her ceremony at school then the kids and I went out to lunch. She had a play date with a friend that afternoon. Two nights of Lillians this week, a red wine stress reliever. Too much fun on Thursday made Friday rough. Readers Beach all day at middle school, even though my middle schooler didn't qualify to go. Cooling off in the pool on Friday night with an early bedtime. Ellie drove to dance on Saturday. I visited with my friend, Chrissy then listened to Madonna. Ellie and I lectored on Sunday then a big party at the Freemans. Way too much fun! We did the Murph challenge this morning with the Fredlands. I can hardly lift up my arms. TCC pool fun and then Blythe's graduation party! Early bedtime to prepare for the last week of school! Here are the pics of the last 2 weeks.

Monday I went to HIIT class and then back to middle school to help set up the first day of teacher appreciation week. We had our final PTSA meeting and voted in the new slate. Got lots of things going, which is great. Marly had a district swim meet and placed first in all 4 of her events! Voss had a playoff game and they won so on to the next. Both Marly and Voss had doc appointments this week to work on behavior issues. Hoping to get them both on track...and getting along. Although the scratch on Marly's neck right now is not an indicator of that. I won the teammate of the year award at our tennis party on Tuesday night! I was so surprised! I skipped a school board meeting and Voss. play off game so I was feeling guilty choosing a night out. But, I'm so glad I went. Hoping I get moved up to B! Wednesday we did the caffeine cart at middle school and had a save the elementary school meet up that afternoon. I played in a USTA match with Marleigh and the steam just wore off. We won 6-2 then lost 4-6 (after being up 4-0) and then lost the tie breaker. Ugh. Then I got a call my dad fell and was rushed to the ER. I met my mom and stayed until 1am waiting on a CT scan. He's fine but overly sedated, which I am working to fix. Thursday was Phil's Birthday. He was loved on by so many. Work threw him a pizza party. His friends put together a party at Lillians. Such a happy guy! Friday was an odd day starting with 4 lanes of 295 being closed thanks to an overturned dump truck. A crazy storm came in and blew out all the power in 2 of the 3 schools the kids are in. The older two hitched rides and skipped school. I was supposed to proctor an IB exam and didn't show. The sun came out in the end. Totally odd. Phil and I went to dinner with his work friends then a nightcap in San Marco. Ellie and Abby went on a sisters date to the bookstore and then to study at Panera. Saturday began early with a city champs meet for Marly. Her relay got third, another relay 4th and she's the 4th fastest in the city for 25 free. We dashed from there to Voss' next playoff game, which they won. He got a great double hit over shortstop and made it home. Then we were the 3rd stop in a progressive boat dinner. It was a perfect evening for house hopping along the river with friends. This morning we slept in then went to First Watch for a Mother's Day breakfast then to the later mass. I picked up BBQ and went to my mom's and spent the afternoon with her and my sister cruising around the river. WD run, fried chicken with my family and a rosary walk. Now early bedtime to get ready for another week of fun. Here are the pics of the week.

After HIIT and tennis I spent the afternoon picking up my mom and all my kids from 3 different schools and then driving out to Mayport. We were the first port call for my brother's last deployment. We got a tour of the USS George Washington from the airboss himself. Tuesday I spent the day with Read USA. First assessing and then giving away free books. Matt popped in for a surprise visit that afternoon. We visited my dad together then he went to Voss' baseball game with Phil. I went to Marly's swim meet (saw her win more first places in relays and she's killing that 25 free) and then Voss' game. They did lose but Voss got a great hit. We met some of Phil's work friends for dinner out in San Marco. Wednesday was a chill day after HIIT class. Spot got a visit from his vet. Mittens hid and skipped out on her vax. I walked with Laurie. Marly made tacos for dinner and we invited my mom. Thursday morning we had a 7th grade meeting to prepare us for all the fun in 8th grade. Hoping Marly gets her grades in line sooner rather than later. We had our last MOPS meeting of the school year (love language self care activities) and the last veggie delivery (with Front Porch closing). I met April for lunch then visited my dad. Marly had a swim meet then we went to Kerri's Birthday dinner. Some drama there with me not getting Marly a ride home so she ubered from Kerri's. Which was totally fine if it wasn't for Phil's drama tantrum in between. Friday I met Leah for coffee talking about all the bad politics for DCPS. I volunteered at the high school to kick off teacher appreciation week then had a fiesta party at the home with my dad. He was in a great mood that day. We all had Kona Ice at the elementary school. I took Ellie and her friend to a youth rally concert. Phil and I played round robin with 3 other couples then dinner at the Grove. Saturday morning I took Ellie to dance. I visited with Chrissy then walked to the donut shop listening to my book. It's been a great week listening to Iron Flame and watching Good Girls. Marly got to go to an epic Birthday party with a sleepover and Jumbo Shrimp game. She didn't come home until Sunday night. We went to a Derby party Saturday night and stayed out way too late. We went to mass, CCD (I almost got in a fight with the donut ladies) for our last class learning about prayer life. We played family soccer which helped all the moods but man was it hot! Phil and I went to a cinco de mayo party at Grace Note that ended with a Phil Collins sing along on the Hogan's boat watching an amazing firework display in downtown Jax. Wow! Here are the pics from the week.

After being sick with a nasty cold the beginning of the week, I sure am grateful for my health. You don't appreciate it until you don't have it. I drove another week of middle school carpool, went to flag raising, HIIT and then clinic. I said goodbye to Matt and popped in to visit dad. This week was harder. He kept asking to go home and was not good about taking his meds. Maybe its sunk in that he's there to stay. Tuesday I took my parent's to the neurologist for a check up. Nothing new to report just some tips to get him to take meds (maybe even eliminating most of his meds). I met friends for lunch at BB's to celebrate Lauren's Birthday. Yes to soup and tea for lunch. Marly had the quickest swim meet ever. She got to go to Epcot as a 7th grade trip on Wednesday. I'm so grateful to Rachel for doing the early morning drive so I could sleep in a bit with some Nyquil. I subbed in with Anna for the B team and we killed them. I got to listen to Iron Flame on my drive. I took the younger two to visit my dad and celebrate the April Birthdays. I met Emma and Laurie for a happy hour then Phil for a school spirit night at Jersey Mike's date night. We walked with Laurie then split to pick ups- Phil to the baseball field, me to the middle school. Thursday I was finally feeling better which worked out perfectly because I met Suzanne at the spa to celebrate her Birthday. It was the perfect day out there with the hot tub, pool, massages and lunch. I raced back for all the afternoon activities; dance, swim meet (Marly got a bunch of first places) and a baseball game (that we both missed!) Phil and I kicked off the member member tournament with mixed doubles. We almost got spanked in our first match. I was not prepared for that. Friday I went to adoration with my mom, HIIT class then a C team lunch. Then, Phil and I had another match that afternoon. The Hollands barely beat us but with two losses, I was already out of the tournament. Plenty of time to drink and watch. Phil still got to play with his other partner, Eric. Voss had a game on Saturday morning that they won in the final minutes of the last inning! Ellie worked as a team leader on a Confirmation retreat with her friend from school. She was gone all weekend. Marly got picked up for a Birthday party at an escape room so she was gone all day. Abby ran the club and ended up having a sleepover with Landis. After getting our fill of tennis watching, we met Keith & Chris for live music and burgers. This morning we all slept in and had a low key morning. We went back to watch tennis and convinced the Risdon't to have a pity match (which we finally won). We went to 5pm mass enjoying Carolyn's amazing voice and got all the kids back under one roof. Grilled cheese and tomato soup and early bed time for all. Here are the pics of the week.

I drove middle school carpool this week then late to HIIT class on Monday (I had to go in another room bc it was so full!) then popped in to visit dad before tennis clinic (late to that, too). I had a Read USA Assesor refresher training (which turns out to be very much necessary). Then I picked up Ellie from school and Marly from swim and then first round of kids to dance. I hosted book club making a clam bake and discussing The Latecomer. I had to have Phil drop off a few more bottles of wine. Conversation went late and kept going. Great turn out! Anna and I got to play again together, this time at Atlantic Beach. We won but it got a little dicey with a comment about me "staying on the westside". Ouch. Marly had her first swim meet of the season. I'm glad she's doing this season. I went to MOCA with April after HIIT class. We had lunch on the rooftop at Estrella. It was so nice to catch up! I drove to Sawgrass for a tennis match that night but my partner fell so we ended up forfeiting. Bummer. At least I got road time listening to Madonna. We had MOPS on Thursday. I was busy holding babies. Marly's swim meet on Thursday was all the way out at Sandlewood and then their bus was an hour late getting them out there. Friday I went to HIIT, adoration with my mom for a bit and then to a Nutcracker board meeting. I picked up Ellie from school then my brother from the airport. A full week of dad in the home. I've been going by to visit for about an hour in the afternoons. It's such a range of emotions. I couldn't stop crying during one of the entertainment sessions with a guy playing songs on the ukulele that my dad used to sing to me and then right after was laughing at dad and two friends just talking and they are all so nuts I just had to laugh. It's all just so strange. The older girls both babysat, Voss had a Birthday party then baseball. Phil picked up CFA. I stayed up late watching Breaking Bad. Phil played in the Tennis 4 Cancer tournament this weekend. He and Vaughan won their division. I got to see them Saturday afternoon. Voss had a baseball game. Mom and Matt came to watch, too. It's getting so hot! No hits but some great steals! We celebrated Ella's Confirmation. Matt took us on the boat to FYC for dinner. SQ, Matt and I (and Phil) had a nightcap with some live music at the gastro pub. This morning I took the kids to mass (they got to bring up the gifts), CCD then we met Phil at TCC for pool time. It turned into a Sunday Funday. The girls and I did a quick WD run while Phil stopped at Southern Steer. Burgers and Caesar salad for dinner. Now some DEAR time for all. Here are the pics of the week.