TheMommyBlog

We just returned from the most un-Eastery Easter we've ever had since becoming a family (and having offspring old enough to pick up an egg in a hunt without toppling over).

This weekend, which I have promised not to write about, was truly stupendous. Big family reunion, many landmark celebrations, first time in a long time I've truly felt surrounded by family since my grandmother died, lots of laughter, lots of memories, lots of catching up, lots of good food and wine. I think I can say that without invading privacy.

And, since there were a lot of family visitors, we stayed in a rental house right across from the beach. I gotta say, there is nothing quite like waking up and padding out to the front room, rubbing sleepies out of your eyes, and seeing the glorious sea, beach, sky, and surf, all awake and sunny and perky and just waiting for you to come along. Usually, the first thing I see in the morning is the clock just before I bolt upright and start issuing orders like a drill sergeant for the kids to get up, dress, eat, move, move, move! And then I see the laundry basket in search of something acceptable to wear on the school run, then the backs of lots of SUVs, and then my dimly lit garage on the way to my brightly lit monitor. Until it's time for the next school run.

I sure hope that when my children are grown that they will all flock home no matter where in the world they are to celebrate big milestones and be with the family that define their lives. I'm at a stage where I am fiercely in love with my parents, my aunts and uncles, my siblings, and my cousins. I actually felt like weeping at the sight of all the people that were gathered together for an occasion other than a wedding or funeral. And to top it off, one of my cousins had a baby during the celebrations. Well, she was in another city and we were here, but still, it was a wonder to have another child come into the family just at that moment.

I am totally beat from a combination of emotional highs, lovely food and drink, sensory hedonism, gorgeous weather, and carrying my children here and there when shyness overtook them. Okay, maybe that was only Daphne, but I sure felt as if I carried bags of cement all weekend between the kids, luggage, food, and the burden of being the designated klutz for the weekend. I knocked over three wine glasses and shattered another before I was assigned a plastic goblet that was so light I nearly splashed myself in the face taking that first sip. It's always nice to have a running joke for the evening, and surprise, surprise, I was it. Sue me; I am an animated story-teller.

I finally got the kids in bed just now, after an exhausting day (three of us are coming down with something), and was very glad not to have quell protests when I denied everyone dessert. Dylan alone consumed NINETY-TWO grams of fat today in the shape of a chocolate bunny. I am serious - Phil read the label. "Twenty-three grams per serving, four servings total." Holeeee bananas. After eating that and a box of salt water taffy, no wonder he complained of a sore tummy and being tiiiirreed. Logan saved his bunny; I can hardly wait until he whips that out in a few days in front of the ones who scarfed theirs down in the first twelve minutes. And, knowing the nutrition information, I will for the first time not be tempted to sneak a bite.

Oh - quotes! In the car on the way back, the children played games on their DS's and Logan declared, "I just won my fourth cup! When I'm old enough to drive I'll be an expert already because I've beaten this game so many times!"

I replied, "Yes, because Mario Cart is EXACTLY like driving over the mountains on 17 at rush hour."

"Well, yes, aside from having to turn a wheel, and work pedals, and not crash into things."

"Yes, there's that whole-body coordination thing, but aside from that, you ROCK."

Phil looked over at me and said, "The way I see it, we have six years to change the law in California."