Today, we totally unpacked from our beach vacation, finished the laundry, and cleaned the house in preparation for some very special visitors arriving tomorrow. (Stay tuned!) Franco enjoyed his usual habit of making a complete mess of the house all day long, prior to the final tidying spree.
Later in the night, after Scotty P. went to bed, Franco and I started in on season one of ER. It felt almost too nostalgic for me, and a little too realistic for him. After the first episode, we packed it in for the night.
July 25, 2017 -- Day 115:
We woke up bright and early to wait for our company. Franco chose to do so like this:
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| Doesn't everyone start out the day in a tie and fedora? |
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| I love all these kids so much.... |
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| Awesome! |
July 26, 2017 -- Day 116:
Franco woke up early so he could have time to hang out with the Collings Crew before they headed home. He and Vance brought havoc in the form of Harry Potter spells, and we watched the big kids' show choir concerts on YouTube.
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| "Wingardium LeviOsa" -- or something! |
We sadly said our good-byes and planned for another visit in the near future. As soon as they were gone, Franco told me that Kaya is the "prettiest girl he's ever seen in real life" and might even be "prettier than Mal from Descendants." (High praise, to be sure. Also, deserved.)
We headed to gymnastics and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon together.
July 27, 2017 -- Day 117:
Today, we recouped from our last few days of fun. We headed back to the gym for Kiddo Klub and a much-needed Zumba class, respectively. Once Scotty P. came home, we watched TV and goofed off for the evening.
July 28, 2017 -- Day 118:
We woke up bright and early to head into downtown Lebo. Scott had an appointment in the morning, and we all had eye exams in the early afternoon. So, Franco and I romped around in grand style. We bought cookies for breakfast at a cute little bakery, perused the awesome local hardware store for goodies, found treasures at a boutique, and visited the turtle mascots in the green grocery.
We met Scott for our eye appointments, then headed to lunch at Aladdin's Eatery before taking the camper to storage. Once home, Franco and I went to the mall for some quick window shopping, and stopped at Target for all the things we really need but don't really need. (I'm sure you understand.)
Good stuff.
July 29, 2017 -- Day 119:
Today, I had a brilliant idea to buy Franco an early Christmas gift because said gift was on sale and a good deal. I thought, "Hey! You are really getting ahead of the game here. Good for you!"
Then, Scott told me to just buy it and surprise him with it. Like, today. So, after much arguments about him coming with me, I headed out to get him the special surprise.
Once I got home, Franco told me that he knew I had gotten him something awesome, and he guessed it might be the coveted Thomas' Sky-High Bridge Jump train set that he has been going on about since before Christmas of last year. (Also, we had just seen it in Target the night before, where be begged me to buy it. Also, you should know that Scott is rubbish at keeping secrets.)
I told him I had no idea of what he spoke, but that I did indeed need help with the groceries in the car. He almost cried. He very reluctantly put on flip-flops to meet me at my car.....where the gigantic box awaited him. He was so excited! He really got on me for my trick, too! It was amazing.
And, true to what Franco told us, there really were about "80 hundred pieces" to the thing.
And now you know what the entire family did for the rest of the night. The end.
July 30, 2017 -- Day 120:
In the morning, we collectively decided to spend a few hours at Kennywood as a family, so Scott and Franco could ride some roller coasters together. (Why should we have all the fun while Scott plugs away at a job??)
At the official rider servicing station, where they officially measure one's height, Franco got the all-important 48 inches stamp, allowing him to ride a whole host of new things! His joy was infectious.
Although he is tall enough to ride some truly outrageous things, all he really has wanted all summer is this:
We rode the Grand Prix (aka Bumper Cars) three times in a row. We basically had to tear him away to do anything else. On our way out, he convinced us to go on one more time, which of course we did. What a good day for Franco!
Once home, we headed to the pool for a quick dip before grilling and chilling on a lovely Sunday night.
July 31, 2017 -- Day 121:
In the morning, we hit up the gym, and then came home for snacks and playing. In the afternoon, we walked to this awesome playground, which allows for part of our journey to go right through the Galleria mall. What could be better than that combination? (Don't even try to answer. Because the answer is nothing. Nothing compares to that.)
On our way home, we stopped in to the mall and bought Franco a new pair of sunglasses, socks, and a very cool Spiderman button-down shirt.
This is my kind of playground excursion, to be sure.
August 1, 2017 -- Day 122:
Today, we went to ice skating lessons. After snacks at home, we drove back to the terrific playground before trying out a new gym location.
It turns out, the new locale is a big hit for both of us! I loved my new class, and Franco adored the fancier and "funner" Kiddo Klub. So, everyone had a pleasant surprise in the evening!
August 2, 2017 -- Day 123:
After gymnastics, Franco and I met his friends, Theo and August, and their mom at the pool. The boys had a blast tackling and kicking each other in the face. They completely wore each other out.
After a good long swim, we got snow cones and snacks and hung out beside the pool while Theo explained to Franco that they eat corn dogs at home for dinner, a fact that completely blew Franco's mind. Theo's mom kindly shared her cool mom tips, and I told Franco we would get on that right away. (Franco directed me to do so immediately upon leaving the pool, but I am too lazy for that.)
Scott met us at the pool for a minute, and when we got home, we made hot dogs. Which is the next best thing if your parents did not realize corn dogs were a viable option.
Franco dealt with it quite well. Thank goodness for his first-world privileged adaptability.
August 3, 2017 -- Day 124:
SorryNotSorry for this "adventure" ---- but today, we lazed about like the laziest lazies in the history of lazy. We goofed off on the iPad watching videos of roller coasters, skeeked around to dig up Kennywood's secret new plans, listened to music, napped, ate, played, and then did a whole lot more nothing.
We did, however, get our sorry booties up to the gym in the evening, and then Scott grilled ribs while we played around listening to favorite songs on the Roku.
Sometimes, adventures can come in mysterious packages....
***To Be Continued....
July 28, 2017 -- Day 118:
We woke up bright and early to head into downtown Lebo. Scott had an appointment in the morning, and we all had eye exams in the early afternoon. So, Franco and I romped around in grand style. We bought cookies for breakfast at a cute little bakery, perused the awesome local hardware store for goodies, found treasures at a boutique, and visited the turtle mascots in the green grocery.
We met Scott for our eye appointments, then headed to lunch at Aladdin's Eatery before taking the camper to storage. Once home, Franco and I went to the mall for some quick window shopping, and stopped at Target for all the things we really need but don't really need. (I'm sure you understand.)
Good stuff.
July 29, 2017 -- Day 119:
Today, I had a brilliant idea to buy Franco an early Christmas gift because said gift was on sale and a good deal. I thought, "Hey! You are really getting ahead of the game here. Good for you!"
Then, Scott told me to just buy it and surprise him with it. Like, today. So, after much arguments about him coming with me, I headed out to get him the special surprise.
Once I got home, Franco told me that he knew I had gotten him something awesome, and he guessed it might be the coveted Thomas' Sky-High Bridge Jump train set that he has been going on about since before Christmas of last year. (Also, we had just seen it in Target the night before, where be begged me to buy it. Also, you should know that Scott is rubbish at keeping secrets.)
I told him I had no idea of what he spoke, but that I did indeed need help with the groceries in the car. He almost cried. He very reluctantly put on flip-flops to meet me at my car.....where the gigantic box awaited him. He was so excited! He really got on me for my trick, too! It was amazing.
And, true to what Franco told us, there really were about "80 hundred pieces" to the thing.
 |
| Spoiled. Rotten. |
July 30, 2017 -- Day 120:
In the morning, we collectively decided to spend a few hours at Kennywood as a family, so Scott and Franco could ride some roller coasters together. (Why should we have all the fun while Scott plugs away at a job??)
At the official rider servicing station, where they officially measure one's height, Franco got the all-important 48 inches stamp, allowing him to ride a whole host of new things! His joy was infectious.
Although he is tall enough to ride some truly outrageous things, all he really has wanted all summer is this:
 |
| Mission accomplished. Day made. Successful summer. |
Once home, we headed to the pool for a quick dip before grilling and chilling on a lovely Sunday night.
July 31, 2017 -- Day 121:
In the morning, we hit up the gym, and then came home for snacks and playing. In the afternoon, we walked to this awesome playground, which allows for part of our journey to go right through the Galleria mall. What could be better than that combination? (Don't even try to answer. Because the answer is nothing. Nothing compares to that.)
 |
| If at first you are too scared to slide down the fireman's pole, try and try again. |
On our way home, we stopped in to the mall and bought Franco a new pair of sunglasses, socks, and a very cool Spiderman button-down shirt.
This is my kind of playground excursion, to be sure.
August 1, 2017 -- Day 122:
Today, we went to ice skating lessons. After snacks at home, we drove back to the terrific playground before trying out a new gym location.
It turns out, the new locale is a big hit for both of us! I loved my new class, and Franco adored the fancier and "funner" Kiddo Klub. So, everyone had a pleasant surprise in the evening!
August 2, 2017 -- Day 123:
After gymnastics, Franco and I met his friends, Theo and August, and their mom at the pool. The boys had a blast tackling and kicking each other in the face. They completely wore each other out.
After a good long swim, we got snow cones and snacks and hung out beside the pool while Theo explained to Franco that they eat corn dogs at home for dinner, a fact that completely blew Franco's mind. Theo's mom kindly shared her cool mom tips, and I told Franco we would get on that right away. (Franco directed me to do so immediately upon leaving the pool, but I am too lazy for that.)
Scott met us at the pool for a minute, and when we got home, we made hot dogs. Which is the next best thing if your parents did not realize corn dogs were a viable option.
Franco dealt with it quite well. Thank goodness for his first-world privileged adaptability.
August 3, 2017 -- Day 124:
SorryNotSorry for this "adventure" ---- but today, we lazed about like the laziest lazies in the history of lazy. We goofed off on the iPad watching videos of roller coasters, skeeked around to dig up Kennywood's secret new plans, listened to music, napped, ate, played, and then did a whole lot more nothing.
We did, however, get our sorry booties up to the gym in the evening, and then Scott grilled ribs while we played around listening to favorite songs on the Roku.
Sometimes, adventures can come in mysterious packages....
***To Be Continued....
