Melissa, Miranda and Theresa

Sisters sharing a bad joke and some champagne.
This week has been a busy one. I've been looking after five little girls. The girls are so pooped after their morning swim lessons that we tend to stay at home for the rest of the day.

However, even five children could not stop me from treasure hunting Tuesdays. And yes, I did come back with even more loot. An old radio box--solid wood, an antique mirror with an oil painting on top, an old steel and wood desk chair, a 1930's night stand, and an oval gilded mirror for Pip's room.

The bad news was that the radio box had what appeared to be grime on the bottom. I scrubbed it out with Murphy's Oil and lots of diaper wipes. Unfortunately I then had the worst allergy attack ever. My sinuses were on fire, my eyes watering and stinging and a horrible sinus headache and wheezing lungs. I had to take an allergy pill and Tylenol and collapse in bed. I guess the grime was probably mold.

Tired. Don't think even want to think about this weekend. I want to do nothing. Tonight we will go over to M & J's for Cake as it is John's Bday. I used to be the only August Bday in our family and now I share it with two other lions. Hear us roar! Mist is Babysitting as the couple will go on a BDay date.

Bandaids & Bats in the Belfry

Tabitha after her piano concert. She played flawlessly.
Tabitha walking back to her seat after playing. Note the bandaids on her forearm (yellow and blue). Those bandaids caused a horrible allergic reaction and her skin literally peeled away underneath them leaving a raw, weeping wound on her arm! I was very cross at her--she'd put the bandaids on herself days ago secretly to "doctor" a tiny little scrape.
Tabs in concert.
Tabs and her teacher Marla with all Marla's students. (looks like The Sound of Music cast!)
I am off to the park with Pip in a moment and then we pick up the Tabs after her last day of grade 3! She loves grade 3 and will miss Mr. Recsky a lot.

Cleaning my home, organizing--the break between classes is vital to running this home.

Silver didn't pee yesterday! Perhaps he will adjust to his new home downstairs--I force him on our outside balcony each morning for several hours each day--the contrast (I hope) keeps him sane.

My Fernando is loved in Nelson. He still has a few personality glitches to overcome: barking and fear of strangers (even those he's met before!).

Peter picks up Mist from Nelson on Saturday and brings her home. Theresa is off to New York for 2 weeks for a writing workshop--so great.

Miranda and her girls arrive Saturday afternoon from Montreal. Their house won't be ready until Wednesday so they'll stay with us. The girls are so excited!

John is driving from Toronto as I write this. I guess he'll arrive in Kelowna on Sunday evening? Just don't pull any all nighters--John--Peter tried that trip may times and reported seeing "bats" flying all around, inside his car as he drove--sleep exhaustion will play tricks with your brain!

Felt tired the past few days--why? I do not know. Disappointed in my gym--they cancelled the 6 AM spin classes and the only ones they offer now are lame! They do 20 minutes of spin and cut out for "strength" exercises. Yuck! I lift weights in the gym, I don't want strength exercises--I want cardio! I wrote the manager a note requesting more cardio.

Spring Fair at the School--Yippee!

Pip sliding. She has no fear--a little dare devil.
Pip's first sack race--she's getting encouragement from the volunteer. Man, was she cute!
Tabs and her buddy and the 3-legged race.
Mist, Tabs and friend sack racing.
Tabs and friends attempting the six legged race.
Mist and friend.

It was the best Spring Fair ever. The kids had the best time! And the silent auction was an experience! I whipped around bidding on nearly everything to get the bids going. Little did I know, this was the year no one bid! I don't know if it's the recession or what, but I ended up winning four items! Oops! But I feel good that my money is going to a good cause--the school. Last year they bought new books for the school--my favourite philanthropic cause--literacy. One of the items I really wanted--it is a surprise--I'll take a picture of it for next blog. It is SO cool. All my friends and acquaintances thought I was nuts bidding on it. But once you see it, you'll understand...

These are the things that aggravate my skin allergies: diet pop, and decaff Americanos. It seems I am one of the only humans who seems unable to enjoy ANY vices without the allergy police stepping in and ruining my pleasure by keeping me up all night itching. And in my opinion they seem like pretty mild vices--no fair!

Dance pictures today--don't feel like it.

We will go on a hike as a family later this afternoon. Perhaps the wilderness area above Kettle Valley homes. There are rock climbing cliffs up that way and lots of bears and cougars--I am hopeful Mist is big enough to add to our intimidation factor--cougars and bears seldom attack groups of 3 or more adults.

Tennis or Nap?

We played tennis last night. I like the sport even though I'm not that good at it. Playing against the girls was a challenge.

Today was bust. I had to have my hair done this morning. I can only go to the salon in the mornings because they do acrylic nails in the afternoons and they are toxic! I wheeze as soon as I step into that salon. So, my morning was spent at the hair dressers and I got no work done. The Pip was my most adorable side kick. Or I was hers. She is so calm and well behaved. We read books, did etch-a-sketch and she ate a little snack for the few hours we were there. 

Tomorrow I juggle taking Fernando to the vet (neuter time) and going on an all day field trip with Tabs class (Pip is coming too). Then on Saturday I juggle meeting with a classmate to work on our project and taking Tabs to soccer and Mist ballet--Peter teaches all day. I am tired of being double booked all of the time.

I was up all night soooo itchy! My skin is itchy under the surface. I wake up in the middle of the night and brush my entire body with a boar bristle brush--trying to stop the itching! Allergies suck. Anyway, I am so tired from not getting any sleep and then getting up at 5:30 to work out.

I am really too tired to do much, or even think. Perhaps a nap will set me straight.