Life Lately.

Peter went on his annual man camping trip two weekends ago, and for the four days he was gone I played the role of both mother and father. Single parenting is hard work. I have so much admiration for those who do it on their own on a daily basis.

Anyhow, typically Peter requests that I go stay with my parents or have people stay with me when he's out of town as he worries about us. Understandable. However, when he's gone, quite often I look forward to the nights when I can stay up late (10:30) and do whatever I want and eat whatever I want for dinner, like Top Ramen, and not have to utter a single word or lift a single body part. And yes you read that right, I had Top Ramen for dinner - imagine all the sodium in that thing. I went to the store and purposefully bought a packet of Top Ramen to have for dinner Saturday night. And I don't remember them being so cheap or so good!

I should say that we have been gone every single weekend in August so far and I just wanted a weekend at home. So Tuesday night, just a few days before the husband was to leave, I confessed to him my desire to stay home...to rest, to do laundry, to cross things off my giant to do list, and he agreed that it was probably for the best. Man I think I jumped for joy inside!

I started making lists and making plans.

Peter left really early Friday morning and he came back Monday afternoon, and it's been a LONG time since I have looked after our child for that many days without much assistance (my sister babysat him for a few hours while I met with a lady from church) and my brother watched him for about 5 minutes while I took a shower but other than that I was on full mommy duty.

And let me tell you, I looked forward to those quiet moments - to nap times every single day and bed time every night. And when my child would do both without a fight, it made the whole experience so much more glorious.

And let me tell you - it has been a LONG time since I have been that productive.

I did 5 loads of laundry - consisting of diapers, clothes, sheets, sheets, and more sheets, and washed all of our curtains.

We went to a bunch of parks and on walks with friends.

We visited my grandma, Jack's great grandma!

We fed my aunts cat a few times and jumped in some puddles.

We had play dates and lunch dates and dinner dates.

We went to the bank, the grocery store, and the library where we found a new favorite book titled...TRUCKS, which he then wanted to take everywhere with him.

We went to Macy's and got a wedding gift.

We went to TJMaxx and Marshall's looking for some shoes to wear to said wedding.

I baked zucchini bread and made salads and watched lots of movies.

I cleaned the house and the fridge and Jack's highchair.

We ate breakfast on the couch and cuddled while we watched cartoons.

I took a shower not once, but twice!

And after all was said and done...I was really ready for the husband to come home.

So thankful that Little Buddy truly is the best little buddy - love that little man so much.

Here are a few favorite photos.