Life as it happens with our three beautiful and adopted children, Shayla, Yamira and Manuel: It is August and summer as we know it is coming to a close soon

I can't believe that we are already into August. I feel like the last few weeks really sped by. We only have three or so more weeks before the kids are back to the grind of school. I wish our summers were not so short. Why do we have to have such a long school year and a short summer? Who came up with this schedule?

So what have we been up to since I last checked in? Well we finished up swimming lessons. Three weeks of swimming lessons and then we were done. The kids had a blast taking them. Then we went to the Russian museum to see their nesting doll exhibit.

That night Bill was home and so I went to my friend Pam's house for dinner. We had a nice time. We sat outside on her deck which is beautiful. However, it was super hot and I was melting!

On Saturday, Bill worked a 12 hour shift. I stayed home with the kids which is unusual, but I needed to get some stuff done here.

On Sunday we went to our friend Katie's house for a bbq. That was a lot of fun. It was a small intimate gathering of friends. The kids played and the adults chatted.

On Monday, I took Jezebel for her routine appointment and shots. I hate dragging the cats to the vets. She is healthy though and that is all that matters. Bill had class that night and I had swimming that night. The kids swam while I took my water aerobics class.

On Tuesday I took Yamira to therapy first thing in the morning and then we did a few errands. Bill had class that night.

Bill worked a 12 hour shift on Wednesday and then he covered the 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm shift as well. He had no calls all day. He walked in the house and had a call immediately. Frustrating for me since I was desperately waiting for him to come home so I could do a few things without the kids hanging around me. That never happened.

On Thursday, our friend Lisa and her son Evan came over and we went to the Clinton pool. The pool was empty as it was cool and rainy out. We then went to the playground in Sterling where it proceeded to rain even more. We had a nice time anyway. That night Bill had school.

On Friday, I took the kids to bowl with my friend Mindy and her two kids. We had a nice time. Bowling is fairly economical and the kids love it!!!!! That night Bill covered the 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm shift.

Saturday morning I brought Shayla to her friend Julia's house and then the kids and I did a few errands since Bill was working a full 12 hours that day. He then covered the evening shift as well.

Sunday was great. After meeting someone to give them something in Leominster, I headed to Walpole to have afternoon tea at Sarah's shoppe in Walpole. I met my friend Diane there who I met when I was at Brigham and Women's last year. We had a nice time and the food was great!

On Monday I got up early and got the kids all dressed up to get their pictures taken at JC Penney. The pictures came out great. We then went to the Northboro splash pad where we met Katie and her kids. The kids played at the playground and then they went over to the splash pad. Bill had school that night and I had my water aerobics class.

On Tuesday, my friend Bobby-Jo came over with her girls and we went to the Worcester splash pad. They kids played on the playground there after they ran through the water. We had a great time catching up. Bill worked and then went to school that night.

On Wednesday, Bill and I had a conference call at the house and then we went to our friend Lisa's house to play with her children. Her sister which is also a friend was there with her daughter. Her daughter likes Shayla. It was beautiful out. So we sat and watched the kids play. It was a great afternoon.

On Thursday I took the kids up to Lowell for a free concert with my friend Lisa and her son Evan. We then came back to the area and went to the Clinton pool. We had a nice time, but it was cold again. So we had the place to ourselves basically! Bill had school that night.

On Friday, Ping and I met my friend Kirsten and her daughter Molly at Bob's to grab some socks and then we went bowling. The girls had a great time. We then went to the Worcester splash pad and the playground. We then left that playground and went to one closer to Kirsten's house. I then had to head home for a 5:30 pm appointment. Bill was on that night as well.

On Saturday, we took the kids miniature golfing at Crystal Caves with our friends Christine, Mason and the little one she is fostering. Ping had a ball as did Mason, but Manny and Yamira grew bored quickly. After we golfed, the kids jumped on the trampoline and Bill batted some balls. We then had dinner. What a great night. I love that Christine is so easy to be with. She doesn't tear you down. She doesn't teach you how to parent or how to lose weight or anything for that matter. She is just "there" for me and hopefully she feels the same about me towards her.

Bill worked a 12 hour shift on Sunday. I stayed home with the kids. We all needed a break from the hustle and bustle of the week!!!!!

On Monday, Bill worked and I got up at 7:00 am and took Ping to the school to grab a bus for Girl Scout camp. Then Manny, Yamira and I went to do a bunch of errands. We must have done 10 of them. It was an all day thing. Nothing enjoyable about it. I did get home in time to actually have them lay down and take a nap. They were zonked. I was as well. Bill had school that night. After I picked up Shayla, I dropped them all off for Vacation Bible School and I went to my swimming class by myself. It was a bit chilly, but it was so nice to be there without the kids!!!! I went back to get them at 8:00 pm. Bill got out of school early and was there as well. I didn't even see him. So we brought the kids home and put them into bed. It was a long day.

Tuesday was a crazy day as well. We dropped off Ping at 7:50 am and then I took both kids to therapy. Bill worked all day. After therapy we did a bunch of errands again. That night they all went to Vacation Bible School. They love it.

On Wednesday, Bill worked again a full day so the kids and I dropped off Ping. We then went to the dealership to have something done. We got out earlier than planned and so we ran to do a few errands and then we went to a doctors appointment for both of them. We then headed home. Don't ask me why we have so many errands, but we have lately. That afternoon I got Shayla packed for her overnight. We picked her up at 5:30 pm and then they all went to Vacation Bible School again. Bill picked them up at 8:00 pm as I had an appointment for a massage as I am having some issues with my legs and needed to see if I could get some lymph drainage done. When I got home, I finished prepping for Shayla's overnight. So much stuff to carry for a little one!

Today Bill was home, so I left Yamira and Manny home and took Ping to camp. Then I went to lunch with Kirsten, Phoebe and Heather. We had a nice time. I then came home and cleaned my garage from top to bottom. Bill just took the kids to Vacation Bible School. Ping is sleeping at camp overnight. I miss her terribly already. My heart has been heavy all day. I know she is having an awesome time, but I miss her. We will go back to get the kids at 8:00 pm and pop them into bed. I am really hot and sweaty from the garage project. I should shower, but I can't be bothered. Maybe people will stay away from me if I smell?

Time to post some pictures. Hope you are having an awesome summer.

Mama Out!!!!!!!