It’s been a little over two weeks since my kids terrorized my parents while we were in Paris. I think Oma & Opa are finally twitching a little less.
Before we recap our Thursday, let’s do a quick check in on the Reward Chart Big Board (I have yet to fill in the Thursday stars completely, but needless to say, both kids are still rocking their no-no-whining-star streak.

Back to today’s recap:
On Wednesdays, we wear pink (who are we kidding, Hazy wears pink most days), and on Thursdays, we go to Oma & Opa’s house. The perks of going to Oma and Opa’s are numerous: they have a pool, a pond, and a beach/playground/sprinkler park, all within a short distance; they’re amazing cooks; Opa’s an Ipad master; Oma can french braid; and sometimes you come and Oma makes her CRACK COOKIES. Also, we love them (my parents, but also the cookies).

Last week, we did pond and pool. Today, we started with the playground/beach/sprinkler park, but — gasp — skipped the sprinklers because it was a cool 68º out.



I only have two arms and there’s a metal pole between your two swings.

The cool thing about this park is the beach is about 100 yards away.

While George napped like a champ (phew), Hazy helped Oma make crack cookies (don’t worry, DEA, that white powder is flour), I curled up on the couch, listened to golf on TV, and read Dinner: A Love Story, which makes cooking healthy, easy, kid-friendly meals seem like it’s a snap. Hmm. Next, I’ll read, Flossing & Brushing Teeth For a 3 & 6 year old: Pure Joy. Also, Oma & Opa demonstrated some of their many skills.




Post nap, we went to the pool, the site of last week’s epic accomplishment. We had some more breakthroughs this time as well, including George “Little Shark” O’Rourke getting in the Big Pool and (willingly) practicing swimming with Big Shark.

Also, this:

Plus, Hazy “Esther Williams” O’Rourke swimming underwater and swimming (for a few feet) sans floaties or vest.

Post pool, it was dinner time. Eating at Oma & Opa’s is like going to a top restaurant, except 75% less shushing and shame, and 0% as expensive. And you always get something off the dessert menu.


Health wise, I feel so much better. I’m not quite at full shandy-power, but I’m not a ball of rage either. It helps that Hazy ended the day having earned 11 minutes of one-on-one time and George a record 8.
Tomorrow’s adventure will involve Matty and me taking the kids to – wait for it – the passport expediting agency, because Dumb & Dumber have been putting off getting her passport renewed. It takes 2-4 weeks to get a new passport, and our trip is in 4 weeks minus a day. #nailedit