Our Nice Long Weekend

Friday-- I took Friday off work as a sick day because I was worried that I might be catching a virus that is going around. My student and my father-in-law both have had the same symptoms. It's pretty much a summer cold. I didn't want it and luckily I didn't get it. Having the extra rest on Friday and then Sunday and Monday really helped and I feel better.

Friday evening we brought the boys to AJ's for pizza and then Logan had baseball practice. After Logan's practice we all went to see Night at the Musuem 2. It was good and we all enjoyed it. This was a treat for the boys because they each brought home great report cards at the end of the week.

Saturday was a very busy day. We spent most of the morning cleaning the house and getting ready for a big party. I had a pedicure at 1:30, picked up some milk, and then headed home for the party. This "party" was the Indian Food Night that we've been looking forward to for months. We had about 20 people in the kitchen, on and off, plus lots of kids in the basement. The kids had pizza and of course we made and ate lots of authentic Indian food. My friend Lotus and her mom organized all the food preparation and her dad brought some delicious rice pudding. The list of what we ate: Split Pea Fritters (always my favorite), a semi-spicy meat dumpling with a fresh veggie sauce (called Mo-Mo's, these were main reason for the party as they take a long time to make by hand and are very yummy, always best made and enjoyed by a large group!), a chicken dish (chicken tiki masala?) served on rice, a fresh chick pea salad, and for desserts--- mango lassi (our family favorite after having a few in Colorado last winter) and the scrumptious rice pudding. We plan to make most or all of these dishes ourselves now. I'm already craving more of the desserts! The rice pudding seemed to be a perfect remedy for my upset stomach a couple times in the last couple days. Unfortunately I've now run out and get to figure out how to make it myself. I've heard Lotus's dad makes it the best. I'm hoping I can come close as it was perfect.

We had a great evening surrounded by friends and enjoying our kitchen. It was the perfect size and set up for this. By the end of the day I was very tired and fell asleep very quickly after everyone had enjoyed their dinners, helped with the clean up, and left for their homes with bellies full. Shaun cleaned up a bit more and I had very little to do the next day.

Sunday-- Typical Sunday although the boys did much better about getting ready for church and we got there a little early which was great. I really don't like to be rushed on Sunday's and am usually frustrated with the boys' slowness. This time it went much better. After church and choir practice we went home and Logan and I watched a Netflix movie online and I dozed for a little bit. After the movie Logan decided that there wasn't anything fun to do. So, I told him he could get his hands dirty in the kitchen. Not technically dirty but you'll get the picture. :) I asked him to go to the bathroom and wash his hands "like a doctor does" (I'd shown him a couple months ago and this is a good way to be sure he washes well and uses soap...boys). After washing his hands we set to making our family recipe of meatloaf. Logan was almost up to his elbows mixing everything together and he loved it. So much fun! After the meatloaf was put into the oven to cook we peeled potatoes together for mashed potatoes and then we balled watermelon and cantalope which was then hidden under half a watermelon with a "lid" placed on top (I'd cut the bottom so that it could sit flat without wobbling but Logan liked the idea of hiding the watermelon inside the upside down watermelon half and placing the lid on to hide the fact that we'd cut it at all). Logan had a lot of fun having this dinner with Shaun, Shane, and I. He was very proud of himself for making it all. So of course we agreed to start a game of Monopoly with him afterward. We haven't played it for a while and the boys like playing it for an hour or so for a few days in a row, or until we finish the game.

Monday-- Since yesterday was Memorial Day it was another day off. I hadn't planned for the four-day weekend but it was a huge blessing to have the time to rest after such a busy weekend. After a couple chores in the morning the boys, along with a couple of Shane's friends, and Shaun went fishing. I opted to stay home and read Three Cups of Tea which I'm needing to finish by Thursday because it's my turn to host the book club. I chose this book almost a year ago but haven't had time to read it! I'm about half way through so hopefully I'll get it completely read in time. The best thing about this weekend is that my house is fully cleaned and I won't be rushing around Thursday evening to make it presentable again.

We also had a very nice dinner with my in-laws, who provided the steak and potatoes, and Shaun's cousin Lynn, who provided dessert. We hosted and provided corn-on-the-cob and Shaun grilled the steaks. After that it was early bed time! Wahoo!