It's going to be a stressful couple of months if this is what my kids look like every time they come in from outside.

Today after the gym I let them enjoy the sunshine while I made some lunch. We ended up having to run around pants less because these were not leaving the mud room. 

Oh. And that purple towel? It now sits on the floor of our mudroom specifically to help wipe off excess dirt from boots and coats after they've dried off because it really is muddy out there and that is the easiest way to attempt to stay on top of things without doing laundry 3 times a day. I live such a glamorous life!

We went to the Minnesota Zoo with GG today and it was a blast! First off, I got this amazing group shot.

GG and the kids got in lots of cuddles while watching the animals.

And of course she spoiled them rotten and we left with the whole gift shop!

We love you GG and had a great time at the zoo with you!

Auntie Ta-Ta was an awesome role model and taught Grandma, me, Max and Rory how to do Flirty Girl Fitness. (I'm not linking this because it is a bit risqué.) It was seriously super funny. Max was a riot trying to do the dance moves with us and Rory really didn't get it but totally enjoyed bouncing on the chairs during the chair dancing session. (See? Risqué!)

Outside of that we really didn't do much else at the lake on Saturday. Of course Max caught some fish, and Bopa caught the biggest fish he's caught yet on the lake so he was happy. We watched a movie and went to bed relatively early because we had big plans for Sunday as we were heading further north to go to my cousin Gwenda's bridal shower! It was really nice to see her, my cousins Jen and Haley, and my aunts Judy and Mary Kay. I'm so excited for Gwenda and Matt and it was really nice to get to have a pre-celebration. After the shower we stopped to visit with GG John and Uncle Tom and made sure to get in a photo shoot.

I know, we're really cute sometimes.

Today we had our first tumbling class. I didn't bring my camera as I expected to have my hands full and was not disappointed. Thankfully I'm the only parent with two children so the instructor used Rory as his model for what he wanted us to do while Max stuck very close to me. (He's never shy so I'm assuming this is still part of the adjustment.) We had a blast doing somersaults, walking the balance beam and bouncing in the bounce house. I think the kids are really going to enjoy this for the next month. Maybe I'll even get to bring my camera one of these times!

Today was a first. I took the kids with me to run a bunch of errands. Like we left the house at 8am stopped at 8 different places and returned home at 1pm. They took a half hour nap in the car and will not sleep. Today? It can finish already. So lets focus on some fun pictures from earlier this week.

I know, they really are silly kids. And if I'm honest, they really did amazing when it came to all those errands even if they are driving me insane now that we are home and nap time has come and gone. Tonight we have dinner with my coworkers and I'm going to leave early and drive slowly so they can squeeze in another catnap; that should keep them from being too crabby for dinner. Wish me luck!

You guys? I am so excited right now! I wasn't going to post about the MS Walk just yet. I sent out my emails and I like to space out my blog post and then my facebook post hoping for donations and also using them as reminders for people who want to donate but like to put it off. I know, I'm really smart at my organization. But none of that matters now because I absolutely have to share this...TODAY!

I went to the gym today and the instructor for the class I tried out is organizing the Hudson, WI walk. Like organizing THE WHOLE THING. Can you imagine? And she's a volunteer. Well, the gym I attend is the sponsor for that area so I'm sure she's working on it while at work but I also know she's working on it at home too because it's been pretty stressful. We had a great talk, I took some cards to help her pass around to business organizations and we're going to get in touch so I can give her a hand with organizing the walk.

Isn't that awesome?! Not only am I going to be raising money but I get to volunteer and help with some of the little things that will make the walk successful for everyone that attends the Hudson walk! I'm really excited about this. I wanted to do some volunteer work while home because, lets face it, it looks really great on a resume when I do finally return to work, and its even cooler if it is for an organization that I'm already involved in!

So that is my excitement for the day. Max is having a rough day today and I'm blaming it on the adjustment to being home. He freaked out when I left him at the childcare area while I worked out, but of course had a great time shortly after I left. He's thrown monster tantrums and refuses to listen. Thankfully I've settled in my shock so it really is manageable and expected. We'll adjust.

Oh, and the nitty gritty, for any of you that want to donate you can go here, http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/amcochran, and donate online or you can send me an check made out to 'National MS Society'. (Email me if you don't have my address.) Thank you for your support whether monetary or good thoughts!

I did it! I finally caught Rory on the potty chair with my camera, busted!

She's all about the potty chair and I will constantly catch her sitting on it. I'm not ready to start potty training her. I'm still working on getting my bearings now that I'm home. I know we'll get there though.

Day two is much better than day one. We went to the gym and tried out the pool. It was a little stressful trying to keep an eye on both of them at all times but we were successful. Tomorrow we'll go back and I'll let them play in the daycare area while I work out. I'm sure they're going to enjoy having so many kids to play with now that they haven't been to daycare in a few days!

Aren't they just the cutest?!

And yes, there is no such thing as a cute picture of both of them at the same time so just enjoy them individually in the two separate pictures.

So much and so little has happened since Friday morning yet I want to remember it all so bear with me as I do a slight recap ramble. I promise, I have cute pictures too!

On Friday I was getting ready to leave my office to go to our main office in River Falls with the rest of my coworkers when I got a call from daycare. Max developed a fever and of course they called me right as I'm supposed to be leaving to go to my going away party. Seriously, would you expect anything less? I got a hold of Grammy and she was able to pick him up so I could attend my party and do a few small things there before leaving early to cuddle my sick boy.

Max remained sick the whole weekend with a fever. Dusty was gone fishing so I was home alone to get up during all hours of the night to soothe him and medicate him. Thankfully, Grammy wasn't scared of a little cold (that's all he had) and she still watched him so I could join my girlfriends in Minneapolis to see the Girls Only play. It was entertaining but I have to say my favorite part was when we got lunch and all talked over each other. Seriously, could I ask for better friends? And it was a great stress reliever with my lack of sleep from Max and the anxiety of leaving work to come home. Here we are at our table for the play.

Dusty got home early on Sunday and I pretty much left him in charge of entertaining the kids and making dinner. (I needed a break.) Max also decided to help Daddy.

Max and Rory then decided Daddy needed to start doing some sit ups and they helped him work his abs.

As you can tell in that last picture, I just sat in my chair catching up on my blogs and snapping photos of how funny those three were being. Like I said, I needed a break.

Monday was an interesting day. I feel like I just went through the motions for a good part of the day at work. Words would not come to me while I would try to explain things to my replacement. Everyone would give me that look that let me know they were going to miss me. I reassured everyone I'd be back to visit and to show of the two cutest kids in the world. And then it was over.

Well first there was the second, impromptu going away lunch. Yeah, we really are classy.

There was also an extremely long process of goodbyes at daycare as we stopped in every room the kids had ever been in for hugs and cards from the teachers and kids. And then we were home where Daddy was making dinner, and I left after that to go to my Zumba class just like any other Monday. It was a strange day and I was exhausted by the end of it.

So far today Max woke up crying twice in the wee hours of the morning. He decided it was time to finally get up at 5:30am. Then he and Rory spilt my toxic drying beads for my hearing aids all over my floor. We had to go to my work this morning to get a bunch of things I forgot; and yet I still have to have Dusty stop there to get more stuff that I still forgot from that trip. Auntie stopped by and played with the kids and I burnt their grilled cheeses while talking to her and setting up for lunch. Sheesh!

But now they're sleeping and I'm finally getting a chance to record this all down. I wish I could do an accurate job of showing my emotions but the reality is there are so many emotions going on that not one of them stands out and instead they all seem to be fighting to stay hidden. I'm sort of unfeeling while also feeling everything. Maybe shock would be a better term? I'm just in shock that this is finally happening and I'm acting shell shocked, walking around unemotionally as I try to recover from the closing of one chapter and the opening of another. Thankfully, I know I've got a great book, so even though its scary now I still believe in the happy ending.

Oh, and because I can't end on such a corny note, BOOGERS! (They're currently taking over my house.) Dang cold season go away!