Smiley Weekend

It's very cold in my house right now. I might make some tea.

We didn't really have anyone over. Saturday night. Josh had changed his mind by the time he came home, so we waited to see if there was anyone who couldn't be talked out of coming over, and then we ran off to dinner and a movie. We used a gift card at Olive Garden, and then we all went to see How to Train Your Dragon in 3D. It was fun. The kids enjoyed it, and so did we. After they went to bed, we saw Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. It was cute. Worth watching. Especially if you don't know anything about it going in.

Sunday morning, Josh whisked us off to the zoo. I've been wanting to go. Plus, I love otters, but have never seen them at the St. Louis Zoo. There is a spot for them, and a sign, but they haven't been there ever in the last 3-ish years that I've looked there. So, Sunday we went to the Children's Zoo, since we heard that's where they really are. If you go during the Zoo's first hour of operation, you don't have to pay to get into it. And there were otters in there! Naked Mole Rats, too, which I didn't know our zoo had, either. And Meercats. Fun. Next was the insectarium. It was a good day to be a butterfly. They were everywhere! We also saw the reptiles and primates and a few big cats, the hippos and elephants and bears, penguins, zebras and giraffes.

Then we visited Josh's grandmother in the nursing home, and then his uncle Jim, over at the family house. He was a mess. His wrist is very swollen and he didn't get much sleep. Plus, he's been having to deal with the finances and such since his dad died and his mom is in the nursing home - the other two siblings are out of state. And Grandma has been nothing but hateful to him for his trouble. So it's a good thing we came over, really. The kids got to water flowers in the back yard while we let Uncle Jim vent, and helped him out with a few things. I made him some tea, and we got him new ice packs for his wrist and a brace. I told him he needs to have it looked at. I hope he listens. He's a rough talking guy, and an artist at TMI, but he's a person and has feelings. This has been hard on him, and there isn't much of anyone to help. He's trying to rent out the upper apartment in the house, too, with no luck. We're going to see if we can't do a little more for him.

When I woke up this morning, my shoulder was hurting. I took some Motrin, and it's mostly better. I know exactly what happened to it: at the zoo when I was holding Abbie's hand she dropped something and jerked my arm really hard so she could reach down and get it. At the time, I only remember being worried about my elbow, because that's what was hurting then. But now it's a back/shoulder muscle.

Today, I watched the younger of my babysitting kids for 4 hours. She screamed for 2 1/2 of them. It's enough to drive you to drink.

So, it is a rainy day now, and will be a rainy week. I wish I had a bread maker. I suppose I could try to make some from scratch, but I'm a little worried about the results. Maybe I'll just make dump cake instead. We're almost out of those cookies I made.

My fingers are starting to be all stiff. I guess the time for tea has arrived. Hope you are staying comfortable!


p.s. My children have never in their lives wished me a happy Mothers' Day. Since I am leaving that particular bit of coaching up to Josh, it is possible that they never will. There are worse things, and I got to go to the zoo anyway, so no complaints, here. (It does make me feel a little odd when people ask me how my Mothers' Day was, though.)