shall we go to the park?

Emily, my oldest daughter, has been working alot lately. 12 hour shifts, days on end in a row with no break. She works hard, being an R.N. on the post-surgical/trauma floor. It isn't just the physical toll of working long hours and sleeping during the day, then working the odd day when she is used to sleeping....she has a few days off, and says she needs a "Mental Health Day". So....she has asked us if we want to go to the park.

Now I normally wouldn't recommend a day with our family to someone who needs a Mental Health Break, there are some in our family who need one of those FROM the family. But Emily lives down the road in a nice little apartment, and she isn't here for the day-to-day craziness anymore. She also has good memories of those days of piling into the van for adventure.

So today I shall pile them in, take them to the library, then to the park for a picnic. We are supposed to leave soon....but those teenagers are still sleeping...I have been up for hours, taken Rosie for her walk, packed lunch, and had breakfast....

Today, I shall....

1. remember the camera, and take lots of pictures.

2. be careful what I eat....my morning weigh-in was promising, I am down 29 pounds now.

3. walk and play with the kids, no sitting in my chair while they run around.

4. be patient.

5. stop at K-Mart and buy them a volleyball, bringing them all in, of course.

6. be patient.

And...now I shall begin the task of waking the bears.....since the little ones are fed and dressed and chomping at the bit....