Father's Day, Birthday, Camp and More!!

We've had a busy week in our neck of the woods.  With school being out and both boys here, time has sure been flying by!  We celebrated Father's Day by hanging out with some of our friends at their place.  The kids all played together, the Dad's played together and the Mom's got a few moments of peace while hiding out in the house when everyone else was outside!  I'd say Tim had a good Father's Day, at least I hope so!  The day after Father's Day is Lily's birthday, not great timing for a party so we pushed the party to the following weekend.  I ran around crazy getting everything together for her party.  She's my only girl so saying I went a little overboard with presents would be an understatement.  I wouldn't have it any other way though, I think I go a little overboard with the boys too.  I just want to make sure they have a wonderful birthday.  This could be because my birthday being the day after Christmas, I always got screwed on the party part. . the present part too.  I always got the "double gift"  everyone is cash strapped around Christmas time so why not save some dough and make it two gifts in one?!  It sucked, still does. . so I make up for it with my children.  Anyway, her party went off well, she enjoyed herself and got lost in a pile of presents.  Here she is opening a gift with her friends and Carter.  We got her an awesome dollhouse and I think I've had more fun playing with her and that dollhouse than she has!  I was looking at all the accessory options today and seeing what we could buy. . I gotta get my kicks somehow people!!  Don't you judge me!

We had to clean up quick after the party and start getting settled for the week ahead.  Carter started camp this week.  It's a day camp, geared toward children with disabilites.  He's been super excited about it, as am I.  Even with all of the fun, happy things going on here lately, it's been hard to truly relax and enjoy myself.  Carter has been regressing a lot, at least in my opinion.  A lot of his old habits are coming back. . various stims, aggressive behavior and his emotions are like an insane roller coast ride.  It breaks my heart and frustrates me trying to figure out what I can do for him and protect his siblings at the same time.  That's why I was so happy to drive him to camp this morning.  I know the people there are wonderful and it helps for him to be around other kiddos like himself, as well as the therapeutic services that come with the camp.  Thank goodness for Camp TJ and their wonderful staff.

I guess he comes by all of this honest because my emotions have been like a roller coast this week too.  I've been so frustrated with things, hurt by some things and just flat out exhausted.  I'm so ready to be living somewhere else.  It just doesn't feel like home here, even after all of these years, it just doesn't feel like we fit in this place.  If only we could get out of here for a while on a nice, lengthy vacation. . . I suppose I'll be traveling the globe via the computer and the various blogs I read and travel sites I frequent. .  one of the cheapest vacations I've ever had!

I hope you're all doing well and enjoying the summer (soggy summer it seems here!)  I promise to come back to the blog with more up-beat posts next time. . really, I do!