At LJ House, we have a tendency to stay close to home and focus all of our going out time to our vacations every year, that way, when we do vacation, every part of it feels like a vacation. We go out to eat, we buy stuff, we wander aimlessly… I guess my point is that our day to day is filled more with a simpler life. We walk, we play, we cook, but for the most part we are happiest when we are at home. This weekend was no different. While many families are out in their tents, trailers and boats, we stayed home and looked forward to our summer vacation to Disneyland! That said, good times were had…

We had eight girls sleeping over Friday night- we let Guinevere invite all the girls in her classroom what will hopefully become an annual Memorial Day Weekend tradition. It was pretty awesome. We let my daughter invite all the girls in her class and most of them came. My own parents used to let me have ‘just because’ slumber parties at random times throughout the year, so I didn’t think it was that big of a deal! But as each parent dropped off their daughter they commented on our bravery at having that many girls sleeping over. I started to worry, but as the evening wore on, I started seeing the character of the people my daughter has allied herself with. She has great taste in friends and I wouldn’t hesitate to invite them over again! This was Gigi’s first authentic ‘big girl’ party. She realized, for the first time, that party games aren’t necessary. They had more fun dressing up in princess dresses and singing along to the Frozen soundtrack- just like when they were ‘little’ girls. Funny how littles and bigs are kind of the same thing… They were the cutest group of 11 year olds that I have ever seen.

We let our kids be lazy on Saturday (Jude had his first ever, non-family sleepover and was pretty tuckered out, himself), but Bradley and I (mostly I) are training for a half marathon right now and I felt the need to really push some mileage. We ran over six miles on Saturday before I hit my wall. They aren’t speedy miles, but they are miles nonetheless and I am pretty proud! I’ve never run that far before!

On Sunday we went to the zoo for the first time in a long time as a family. It was pretty epic. We were all in the absolute best mood as we wandered the park. Jude even got hit on by the peacock!

Afterwards, Bradley hustled up a new restaurant to try called Veggie Grill. It wasn’t amazing, but being able to try ANYTHING on the menu was amazing, if not a bit overwhelming. The kids were so charmed with having options outside of cheese quesadilla, Mac-n-cheese, grilled cheese or cheese pizza. I was excited to order something aside from a garden burger or fettuccini Alfredo! I guess, when put into those terms, we are very limited when it comes to eating out and it’s no wonder we usually choose to eat at home- for variety, health and cost!

Today we give thanks to all of our family who is gone. We shared our gratitude with Grandpa and Grandma Kobs and dressed up their graves with flags and flowers, then thought about all the others who are out there, their energy in the ether. While this is a day to remember those who have fallen in service to our country, it’s impossible not to consider those who put their lives on the line, or supported those who put their lives on the line and anyone else who no longer walks with us. Have a lovely Memorial Day.

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