Extended Summer

We ended up going on a little adventure over the holiday weekend! Saturday morning, after Daddy and I drank our coffee, we went to the bank to pay some bills and then ran and got the critters some food for the month. When we got home early afternoon we had the campers pack a small bag each, and I packed a bag for us, and we set out on a trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan! We made it across the Mackinac Bridge mid afternoon and then continued through the center of the UP on our trip across the UP ... our plan? To look at a house that we were thinking about buying. By 8 PM we were exhausted but there were no hotel rooms anywhere around due to various reasons ... the bridge walk closer to the bridge, conventions further into the state, and various other reasons. By midnight we just had to stop so we pulled into a rest area and decided just to rest in the car for the evening. It was cramped and uncomfortable but we did get sleep and were able to continue on our way in the morning safely and partially rested (I will not say that we were well rested because it isn't true). 




Sunday our day started with a stop by some small falls to wake up a bit more and stretch those sore muscles from sleeping in the car. When we started driving again we were blessed to see an American Bald Eagle fly over our heads and land on a nearby tree!!!! After about two hours on the road we made it to the house that we were going to look at! We took several pictures and explored the house fully before leaving again to start our drive back to the lower peninsula. We stopped at a beach on Lake Michigan for the kids to stretch their legs again for awhile before we started looking for a decent hotel that had a pool to stop at for the night. We found one around five pm and stopped for the day, having supper at the diner next door, and then taking full advantage of the pool and spa for a couple of hours. Needless to say everyone slept extremely well this night.

On Monday, Labor Day, we got going around 9 am after a breakfast of doughnuts and coffee/juice. After noticing what time it was we took a long break at another beach on Lake Michigan for the girls to wade into the water and look for shells to collect (they collected a lot!). ECJ hadn't packed shorts so he simply played in the sand, drawing designs and watching the waves wash them away. We got back on our way shortly before noon (when the bridge re-opened) and were on our way headed back home. It took several hours, and lots of traffic, to get back to our home. Boy, were our critters happy to see us!!! (A friend had watched them for us while we were gone.) I did two loads of laundry and we let the campers stay up until midnight because they were excited to have their toys and WiFi back (LOL no WiFi except while we were at the hotel ... not even internet on our phones). At midnight I read to the girls, did our prayers, had our battle of the kisses and pinkie promises done and shortly after that Daddy and I settled in for the night. 

Tuesday it was back to reality. Daddy had to go to work in the morning, I had to strip beds and do laundry, and the campers had chores. In between loads of laundry I did some research about home improvement grants in preparation for if we bought the house ... three more loads of laundry got done this day! The girls took a bath in the middle of the day and ECJ cleaned up our yard. We were originally going to start school this day but decided that since I hadn't gotten everything ready we were going to extend our summer break for just one more week ... time enough to get back to the books next week. Supper was a family favorite of hot dogs and eggs and Daddy and I relaxed while watching Guardians of the Galaxy 2 again with the kids after supper. I spent part of my day off and on crocheting for my craft fair I have coming up ... objects to sell don't make themselves. Regular summer bedtimes were observed and life was coming back into focus after our whirlwind vacation.

Wednesday Daddy and I ran to the bank quickly first thing in the morning to deposit some money to cover the bills that we'd written checks for (we'd meant to go Tuesday but just wanted to relax). The campers ate breakfast and did their chores while we were gone. Then Daddy was off to work and I was filling out his paperwork for his new doctor, which he saw at 3:30 in the afternoon this day. After finishing the paperwork and updating this blog I spent time crocheting more washcloths for the craft fair. After Daddy's appointment we went scrapping for just a bit and had the wheel bearing decide to blow out on the passenger side of the truck! Daddy called one of his friends to come pick me up and he waited for the tow truck by himself. It was after ten PM before Daddy got home with the tow truck! The girls had waited up to say goodnight to Daddy and so went to bed a bit late.

On Thursday Noni came out to celebrate Peanut's birthday a bit early with her!!! Daddy of course had to go to work. So, Noni, myself, and the campers went out to lunch at Denny's and then went shopping for birthday gifts. Noni always sets a limit per each kid for gifts, and yes ... all three kids get something on everyone's birthdays because that's just how Noni rolls. Peanut got pretty well spoiled (as did the Cracker Jacks) and then we grabbed some quick groceries since we were at Walmart. Stopped at the local fruit and veggie stand on the way home for some yummy goodness. Then we were home for banana split ice cream cake and visiting! Daddy came home and we went to the bank for an errand and then it was back home with two movies we'd rented, Nine Lives and the new Baywatch. We watched Nine Lives as a family and it was every bit as funny as the campers had told us. After the campers went to bed (late again this night) Daddy and I watched Baywatch, which was a little bit of a let down.



Friday Daddy stayed home in the morning and we picked up the wheel bearing from a local auto parts store here in town, not only was the part cheaper there but it also came with a life time warranty. The girls played while Daddy, ECJ, and myself worked on the truck. It took awhile because Daddy literally split a 15 mm socket in half!!!! Also when that happened the bolt it had been on stripped so Daddy had to get creative to get it off after we went and bought another 15 mm socket. But, we got it all taken care of and the truck is completely fixed now. Daddy went into work for about an hour and when he got home we took a ride, minus ECJ who wanted some time to himself, and ended up scrapping for a bit and then stopping by Grandma and Papa's house in the evening.

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Linking up this week for the Weekly Wrap Up and Homeschool Highlights.