Monday, Monday, oh what a day... I had the most decadant time getting ready for work this morning with no kids!!! Olivia is at Grandma Katie's and Elliott left with Chris to go to Grandma Diane's for the day. I actually don't feel rushed and at witts end. Best not get used to that :)

We had a great time at my cousin Nicole's wedding this weekend in Dubuque. Church was a little nerve wracking. Elliott did pretty well, but Olivia was sitting too close to Grandma Katie. You put the two of them together and they have a tendency to nonny-ness. (for those of you who haven't heard us throwing around the nonny word - I think that was Elliott's first attempt at saying naughty, and it's just stuck in our household!!)

The girls had a blast at the reception. It was at the fairgrounds, so there was a big dance floor and lots of room to run. And run they did!! It was so much fun to watch Olivia play with the children of my cousins. Growing up - it was so much fun to have cousins close in age. In my age group it was Angie who was two years older than me, Kristi who was one year older, me, and Brenda who was one year younger. Now its Toni (Brenda's daughter) who is going into third grade, Olivia who is going into second grade, Rachel (Angie's daughter) who is going into first grade, and Allie (Brenda's daughter) who is going into kindergarten. It's like watching ourselves all over again. I didn't mention Kristi's kids in that mix - they are both in highschool and wow have they grown up. I don't see them very often so I was struck by the change - they no longer look like kids, they look like young adults!! What does that make me? Old lady - I know - that's what I felt like going to the wedding of someone I used to babysit for!!!!

Olivia is very excited to be spending some days with Grandma Katie and Papa Al. She barely conceded that she would miss me a little bit. She was pretty adamant that she needed some time alone with her Grandma and Papa. They are going to put her to work as they complete preparations for their new kitchen floor. She is a really good helper.

I mowed the lawn after we got home yesterday. It hasn't been that long since Chris last mowed, but it sure needed it. Elliott was eager to help. She scouted out dog poop with me, and then was content to do sidewalk chalk on the driveway with her dad and a freeze pop. After the lawn, I loaded Elliott in the trailer and I hopped on the bike and we took the (overdue) movie back to the library. I just love being able to hop on the bike with her - especially now that O has gotten so good at riding hers. It's just so easy to be able to ride to the library or to the park. I love it!! No - I don't love it enough to go on RAGBRAI - you'll note that I'm talking about distances of blocks - not miles!!!

Well, I've managed to ramble on without really saying anything, so I guess my job here is done!!! Have a great Monday and a fabulous 4th!!!!