Monday May 16 - Exit Guy back to work, to a hearing with a crazy person.
Mom and I made a detailed plan for the day which had to end by 2 so she could get to a planned visit in Bucks County.
We visited the new house, returned a gift, visited Pet Smart so she could spoil her three (yes three everybody) Golden Retrievers, and then took Spencer to Cracker Barrel for lunch.
I don't know when it began, but that boy has learned to stuff his face. I mean LITERALLY. Stuff his face.
He was incredibly entertaining to the wait staff, but I think also extremely annoying, considering about half of what he ate and drank ended up on the floor.
Note: Do not eat at Cracker Barrel unless you're really planning to binge eat. Everything is breaded, fried or dipped in something with fat.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Otitis Day & The Nights
Guy's family was in town for our niece's graduation: His dad, brother and fiance and nephew, AND my mother all stayed overnight.
Sunday morning chaos ensued on two fronts:
1. Spencer's crankiness returned from the day before- the beginning of yet another ear infection. He may have been a little "hungover" from his party as well, but he was not a happy camper.
2. Noone seemed to know who was meeting who where to go to the graduation and then a nephew called from a lost night somewhere in Center City, trying to find his way back to the area to make it to the ceremony.
So, we split up: My mother and I took Spencer to the doctor while Guy and family attended our niece's graduation.
Spencer, my mother and I lucked out. The cermony was so slow that Guy called me while they were announcing graduates in the B's. I can only imagine Spencer losing what little toddler patience he has developed and screaming and crying to get down and then get up again to be held over and over. He only cried a little at the docs. We picked up a prescription for him and home we went.
Late Sunday afternoon, my mother took over grandma duty as Guy and I attended the post-graduation party for my niece on the Moshulu - an old ship cum restaurant docked at Penns Landing.
We sat on the deck of the bow sipping drinks (I had my first Malibu Bay Breeze, thanks Lori!) with the family and Guy told pirate stories to our non-college level nephews.
This deck, while offering a wonderful near 360 degree view of the area, had no protective railing. It bugs me. What kind of fools operate a restaurant/bar on a boat that sits like 20-40 feet up from the water and doesn't have protective netting or railing? I'll tell you who: The kind of fools that also serve asparagus wrapped in prosciutto. Their retaurant and wine list are rated highly, so apparently their priorities are a little rearranged. I suppose a lost customer here and there just adds to the mystique?
Dinner was excellent though. Guy and I hightailed it out shortly thereafter to get home and give my mom a break.
Sunday morning chaos ensued on two fronts:
1. Spencer's crankiness returned from the day before- the beginning of yet another ear infection. He may have been a little "hungover" from his party as well, but he was not a happy camper.
2. Noone seemed to know who was meeting who where to go to the graduation and then a nephew called from a lost night somewhere in Center City, trying to find his way back to the area to make it to the ceremony.
So, we split up: My mother and I took Spencer to the doctor while Guy and family attended our niece's graduation.
Spencer, my mother and I lucked out. The cermony was so slow that Guy called me while they were announcing graduates in the B's. I can only imagine Spencer losing what little toddler patience he has developed and screaming and crying to get down and then get up again to be held over and over. He only cried a little at the docs. We picked up a prescription for him and home we went.
Late Sunday afternoon, my mother took over grandma duty as Guy and I attended the post-graduation party for my niece on the Moshulu - an old ship cum restaurant docked at Penns Landing.
We sat on the deck of the bow sipping drinks (I had my first Malibu Bay Breeze, thanks Lori!) with the family and Guy told pirate stories to our non-college level nephews.
This deck, while offering a wonderful near 360 degree view of the area, had no protective railing. It bugs me. What kind of fools operate a restaurant/bar on a boat that sits like 20-40 feet up from the water and doesn't have protective netting or railing? I'll tell you who: The kind of fools that also serve asparagus wrapped in prosciutto. Their retaurant and wine list are rated highly, so apparently their priorities are a little rearranged. I suppose a lost customer here and there just adds to the mystique?
Dinner was excellent though. Guy and I hightailed it out shortly thereafter to get home and give my mom a break.
Play Catch Up
So much has gone on since my last post, that I'll have to do it in pieces. I apologize for TMI where it occurs.
BBQ Where Are You, The Epilogue
The grill, missing screws, bolts and all the warranty and user guides, arrived on Friday, May 12 at 8 am. Upon this discovery, and then the realization that the grill was actually a floor model, I spent the rest of the day on the phone with Lowe's headquarters, and finally the local store manager, who until this point, was non-existent.
The grill FINALLY arrived at 5pm EST on Friday the 12th, delivered by two hardworking fellows from the Flooring department. How they got this assignment, I dare not wonder.
This grill had a big paint chip on the side grill plate, but luckily for me (WHOOPEEE!), the grill alread residing in my backyard had its plate intact, so the gents kindly switched them and took the offending model back to the store. Alas, I shall never see them again. I HOPE.
The Entertainers
The next 24 hours are a virtual blur: I picked up the giant Elmo head and costume, my mother arrived Friday night, we party-planned, toted the boy around, Guy cooked ribs overnight to soften the meat (I didn't even know we were having ribs, and we also had shrimp!), and a giant blow up toy sat in the yard, accompanied by bounce ball things and a bubble machine.
Saturday we ran around like chickens with...., until it became evident that Spencer, the birthday boy, was not feeling so well. Cranky was he, until he had an excellent nap, during which time, the moonbounce arrived and proceeded to take up the ENTIRE backyard. It was a sight to see. Up went the decorations, out went the plastic utensils, tub of ice, and heating trays.
Guests arrived, music played, glasses clinked and the sun came out, Elmo entertained despite some little ones knowing about the zipper in the back and that he sounded a little too much like me. Spencer smiled and giggled and bounced and crawled, and ultimately did a double-fisted lunge into his cake, right on cue.
Guy and I even took a little time to jump around in the moonbounce until we were totally winded(about 5 minutes). A success by all accounts.
BBQ Where Are You, The Epilogue
The grill, missing screws, bolts and all the warranty and user guides, arrived on Friday, May 12 at 8 am. Upon this discovery, and then the realization that the grill was actually a floor model, I spent the rest of the day on the phone with Lowe's headquarters, and finally the local store manager, who until this point, was non-existent.
The grill FINALLY arrived at 5pm EST on Friday the 12th, delivered by two hardworking fellows from the Flooring department. How they got this assignment, I dare not wonder.
This grill had a big paint chip on the side grill plate, but luckily for me (WHOOPEEE!), the grill alread residing in my backyard had its plate intact, so the gents kindly switched them and took the offending model back to the store. Alas, I shall never see them again. I HOPE.
The Entertainers
The next 24 hours are a virtual blur: I picked up the giant Elmo head and costume, my mother arrived Friday night, we party-planned, toted the boy around, Guy cooked ribs overnight to soften the meat (I didn't even know we were having ribs, and we also had shrimp!), and a giant blow up toy sat in the yard, accompanied by bounce ball things and a bubble machine.
Saturday we ran around like chickens with...., until it became evident that Spencer, the birthday boy, was not feeling so well. Cranky was he, until he had an excellent nap, during which time, the moonbounce arrived and proceeded to take up the ENTIRE backyard. It was a sight to see. Up went the decorations, out went the plastic utensils, tub of ice, and heating trays.
Guests arrived, music played, glasses clinked and the sun came out, Elmo entertained despite some little ones knowing about the zipper in the back and that he sounded a little too much like me. Spencer smiled and giggled and bounced and crawled, and ultimately did a double-fisted lunge into his cake, right on cue.
Guy and I even took a little time to jump around in the moonbounce until we were totally winded(about 5 minutes). A success by all accounts.