Three day weekends are lovely.

First off, to anyone who has served or who is currently serving, today is a small token of our gratitude.  I particularly think about Christopher, and all of my grandfathers, uncles, cousins and other relations who have sacrificed so much for us.  It feels shameful sometimes that we treat this weekend as a "break," but it's important to know that service men and women are never far from our minds, no matter the weekend.

All that being said, we had a really wonderful weekend.  It was relaxing and calm.  Friday Carmen got to see a movie (X-Men, he liked it, if any of you have questions please feel free to ask; he'll tell you "it was really well done") and then we hung around the house in the evening.  Saturday we ran a few errands, had lunch with a couple of my friends slash former co-workers and then went to Carmen's ex-girlfriend's parents' house for dinner.  I know, I know.  It sounds a lot more awkward than it is.  I actually really like the mom and have even had a lunch date with her.  It sometimes weirds me out to think that this woman is Carmen's ex, but I try to ignore those thoughts.  And for those of you wondering, we are all married with kids now, so it's not like I'm worried about rekindling a romance; it's just the idea, I guess.

In any case, there were 7 other kids there under 5 years old, and Jayden eventually got in the swing of things and started running around with them.  He of course picked the four and five year olds to run around with, even though there were two other two-year-olds and one three year old.  And towards the end of the night Mommy and Jayden ran each other ragged in the grass too.

Relaxing in the grass for a moment.

He barely ate dinner he was so distracted by the kids. But somehow he could focus long enough to eat half of my piece of cake.  :)

Sunday we went to the park, as we normally do.  Carmen ran a couple of errands while Jayden and I played.

Dancin' on the grate.

Climbing up the slide.  "Mama, don' get me!"

"Mama, take a picture now!"

We finally convinced Jayden to get a new pair of shoes (his red shoes were wearing out and getting too small), so we bought those at the Nike outlet.  I looove Nike frees for little kids.  They have flexible soles but also provide support so are really good for little kids, especially kids like Jayden who spend their lives running.

A funny story.  We were picking shoes and Jayden said "no" to everything, as we expected.  We finally picked a style but were deciding on the color.  I kind of wanted him to get black so that they would be more versatile, but "bwack" was quickly vetoed.  He picked ones that were blue with a pink swoosh.  Both Carmen and I looked at each other and sort of shrugged.  Neither of us could figure out 1. if those were supposed to be "girl" shoes and 2. even if they were "girl" shoes, if it mattered if Jayden wore them.  Jayden eventually decided on blue and yellow shoes, relieving us from having to make a decision, but I wonder how strongly we would have pushed if he was adamant that he get the blue and pink ones.  I think I would have decided he could get whatever he wants (especially because the blue and pink ones were $10 cheaper), but who knows.  Who cares?  I mean, who cares if Jayden, a TWO year old boy, wants to wear blue and pink shoes.  I know I don't care.  People put so many labels on kids.  Jayden has now identified himself as "shy" and uses it as an excuse to not talk to people.  I tried so hard to avoid using the word "shy" so that he wouldn't think of it as a personality trait, but it's so prevalent that he picked it up anyway.  I know he'll grow out of it, but I don't want him to think that he's "shy" so that he then cannot make new friends.

After naptime on Sunday we splashed in the pool for a bit.  The weather was gray on Saturday and Sunday morning, but by Sunday afternoon it had warmed up quite a bit.  I didn't get in, but Jayden and Daddy had a good ol' time splashing in the hot tub.

My boys. Sweeping the pool deck.

Climbing into the water.

A smile!

Had to give Jasmine a shout out.  She's such a patient little dog, and is about to be 9 years old!

Today we did even less.  I went to the grocery store and made food for us to eat for dinner this entire week (lasagna per Carmen's request and carrot-sweet potato soup that can be eaten cold in honor of my grandfather), but other than that we generally relaxed.  Carmen grilled hot dogs for lunch and I bought some salads from the grocery store.  I also made a honeydew kiwi smoothie, to which Carmen and I added some rum to remind ourselves that it was a Monday that we weren't in our offices.  Honestly, the smoothie was better without the rum, but we were making a point.  :)  After naptime, which was significantly shorter than normal, we spent the afternoon in the pool, literally.  I made bacon-wrapped dates and deviled eggs with bacon (thanks Stacy's sister Kim for the brilliant idea!) and we snacked and splashed.  We got in a little FaceTime with Gramma and then had tacos and salad for dinner.  It was just fun.  And Jayden had his moments, but was mostly a pretty awesome kid.

Floating.

Splashing into the big pool.

Watching Daddy jump into the big pool while we relaxed in the "wittle" pool (aka the hot tub).

Not the greatest picture, but it's real life.  And I love it.  :)

Warming up!

We also watched a few basketball games.  Daddy won and we got to watch TV during dinner last night and tonight.  And we explained who Lebron was to Jayden so now he is obsessed.  This is not the best representation - I missed the best ones, of course.  But he kept asking "where's 'bwon?" And then when he saw him "I see 'bwon! he dunked it!  Mommy, I wike 'bwon."

And tomorrow it's time to head back to work.  I've spent the weekend thinking about my grandfather and how I truly cannot believe that I won't see him again.  I just keep thinking when we go to Florida we'll have lunch and dinner with him and see Rupee (the dog) and read the newspaper with him in the morning and it's just not going to happen.  I haven't slept well in a few days now, and I think it's because I'm thinking of so many different things, primarily my grandfather (and my grandmother) and their life together.  Once I get my thoughts more organized, I'll post what I send to the pastor for the services in Florida. I pretty much have it written in my head, I just can't bring myself to put it on "paper" (i.e., in an email).

I hope everyone had a great long weekend, and that whether you know anyone who has served or not, you honor all those who have served for a moment today, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.  RIP Christopher, Gramps and Grandfather.