Top Ten Ways To Enjoy A Weekend

#10 - Start your weekend early. Like, on Thursday evening. By, say, visiting the Coastal Carolina Fair! (We met Wes after work and drove up the road to spend the evening at the fair. The weather was perfect - sunny and only slightly chilly - and so it was more crowded than when we went last year, but just as fun. Wes and I took turn riding the rides with Noah. The parent not riding was unfortunately stuck trying to entertain Liam. As usual, popcorn and other treats work well for that. Noah and I had a great time riding the Ferris Wheel.)

Find yourself being very grateful to be enjoying sitting next to that smiling face as you go 'round and 'round looking at the fair all lit up.

#9 - After a while at the fair realize that your youngest is going to absolutely FREAK OUT if you don't find him a ride to go on. (Unfortunately, they don't seem to think that rides that fold out of the back of a truck are safe for 18 month olds- weird- and there was exactly one ride that was made for his age group. And it was broken that night. We finally found the Carousel and realized he could go on that, so Wes climbed aboard with both boys. Liam loved it for the 30 seconds before the ride started.)

And the the ride started.... And every time they rode by Liam's face was a little more terrified until, near the end, he was leaning all the way off the horse with his arms wrapped around Wes' neck in a death grip. Oops.

#8 - As Friday evening approaches, get excited to celebrate a friends' birthday at the Children's Museum. Pack up all your crap, put coats on  your children, exit your house, turn the lock on the knob, pull the door closed, hear it click, then scream in horror as you realize that your keys are not in your hand but rather inside on the kitchen counter.

#7 - Yell and curse - call your husband in a fury and tell him to get home NOW! Listen to your 5 year old cry cause you might miss the birthday party. Cry right along with him and inform him that you didn't exactly want to be stuck on your back porch with no keys. Then sit on the porch, in the cold, for half an hour waiting for your husband, and think about what a great mother you are.

#6 - Finally get to the party, realize you didn't miss any of the good stuff and eat a giant piece of cake to make yourself feel better.

#5 - Wake up on Saturday morning and be happy that you get to spend the day with these sleepy faces.

#4 - Make a trip to the Farmer's Market and be sure to include the following things:
      ~ Four boys under the age of 6
      ~ One fairly hard to steer umbrella stroller
      ~ One good friend to help you manage the previous two items.
      ~ Two grande soy lattes
      ~ 3 giant reusable shopping bags that you can fill to the brim with produce and other items and then    carry them around downtown looking like a crazy bag lady.
     ~ A box of cupcakes for your Husband's birthday that you somehow manage to tip over so that all the icing smashes together in one giant glob in the middle of the box. Happy Birthday honey.
     ~ At least two items that you bring home with you that make you happy every time you see them.

I am obsessed with these candles we found. Rewind Candles are handmade with soy wax right here in Charleston. They all come in re purposed green wine bottles and each one has the aromas and notes of a specific wine. I bought the Champagne one and have been burning it constantly ever since.

#3 - Be very happy that your Mom is in town and offered to watch the boys while you and your husband go out to celebrate his 33rd Birthday. Let him pick what he wants to do and end up at a College of Charleston basketball game. Realize that sitting at a sporting event is made much better by the purchase of a giant salted pretzel. End up having a great time watching the game with your hubs. Afterwards head to Chai Lounge for drinks while you wait for your table at Basil to be ready. (And make a note to yourself that next time, Wes might not want to drink his bourbon quite so fast!) Finally head to dinner and enjoy an evening of good food and good laughs with your best friend. (Oh, and absolutely draw the line at him ordering a drink called a "Mingo Mango". Some things are just unacceptable if you want to keep your man card.)

#2 - Celebrate Wes' real birthday on Sunday when he gets home from work. Invite Aunt J over and  have a low key evening with the boys and pizza and video games.

#1 - Realize that all special events aside, your life is still your life - there is no dressing it up. Have a hearty belly laugh as you end the weekend with the usual chaos at bath and bed time. While your boys sword fight with hangers, hear this quote from Aunt J:

"So, um, has anyone ever asked you guys to be in an abstinence commercial?"

Yep, this is our life. And we're loving every minute of it!