Back in the swing of things!

Thank you for patiently waiting for my next formal update--it has been a busy and fun week for the Ribclan family. When I last wrote, we were anticipating (and doing many late night preparations for) our garage sale. I'm happy to report that it was a huge success--even with less-than-stellar weather! Amazingly, we have a fair amount of kid stuff left (and we sold plenty!), so we plan to donate some of it, and save the rest for a future sale. We were exhausted after the sale was done, but with lots of money in our pocket, it felt very worth it. Our big reward after the sale was done was a date night for ribB and me--golfing and dinner, which was so much fun! We don't have date nights too often, so we were very grateful for the time to play and act like crazy kids ourselves. We've been lucky to find 2 new babysitters who are very nice and great with the kids. Of course, babysitters are a pretty penny these days ($6-8/hour for 2 kids), but for the chance to get an afternoon or evening out of the house together, it's very worth it!

On Sunday, after Kdee's exciting hair cut, we celebrated the 3rd birthday of our family friend, I, with her parents/family/friends. Kdee had a ball "swimming" in the cooled down hot tub with the other kids, and most of the parents stayed dry during the excitement. Little B had a blast playing with I's sand/water table and managed to not get too dirty. It was nice to see our friends and spend a beautiful evening outside (complete with yummy food and cupcakes, too!).

On Monday, Kdee started "backpackers"--the school district's summer care program. Kdee did this program last year and really enjoyed it. More of her school friends are attending the program this year, so it's been a great way for her to keep these friendships close. As it was last year, there will be lots of field trips--starting with today's roller skating adventure and a trip to Fawn-Doe-Rosa later this week (ahhh, memories of fun there!). She is very, very excited (and is better than mom at keeping track of all these field trips). We are grateful to have such reasonably priced, and fun, care for Kdee during the summer. (Although it is an adjustment to get used to packing lunch, making breakfast and dropping her off at a different school...a routine that is already settling in a week later.)

Our week continued with lots of T-ball (Kdee), softball (ribB, who really enjoys his new team this year) and an exciting work event for me (a popular Twin Cities radio station (FM 107) did an event at my client's venue, which I had been working hard to make happen for the last year...it was a success and a blast to meet the talent). Other highlights of the week included ribB having a Little Debbie Swiss Roll smeared on the back of his shirt by a client ( a first that could only make us laugh) and my attendance at the "THINK BIG" event on Thursday with my co-workers (all I can say is cheesy--crazy sales pitches along trashy girls welcoming us into the convention center--but we did gain some interesting tib-bits from Jeffrey Gitomer and George Foreman. I couldn't stay long enough for the "headliner" Donald Trump, due to my radio event.) . I did enjoy time with my great co-workers outside of the office--they are smart, funny and fascinating women!

This past weekend, we ventured to La Crosse & Reedsburg WI to celebrate Father's Day with ribB's family. On Friday night, ribB went to a La Crosse Loggers' game with his dad (Grandpa B) and youngest sister (ribChan), which was a lot of fun for him. Kdee, Little B and I spent time with ribB's mom, Grandma C. Kdee enjoyed playing lots of "go fish" and both kids enjoyed all of the "new" toys available in Grandma's toy box. Later, Grandpa B, Grandma C, ribB and myself stayed up late talking until 1:30am--it was great to have a chance to catch up without the distractions of children. On Saturday, Grandma C and myself enjoyed some garage sale-ing (along with ribB's middle sister, ribChr, who joined us at the end), and Kdee played with her cousin D (including slip-and-slide time). We then enjoyed the beautiful day outside at Grandma/pa's riverfront home(including jet skiing). There was also the added thrill of the La Crosse Airfest--lots of amazing planes doing some wild stunts. With the house being near the airport, we had our share of ROARING military planes cruising over the house/yard--which literally shakes you to the core. I've never seen anything like it...truly unbelievable. ribB was able to enjoy some time fishing, which is always a treat at his old "haunts". He has many stories of time out on the water as a kid, so it is special time for him. That night, we enjoyed an early "Father's Day" celebration. Kdee wrote some really sweet things in her Dad's "card journal" and gave him 2 coupons that she made at backpackers--1 to feed the cats and 1 to help with the dishes. She was so proud! (Kdee also had alone time with dad on Sunday and told him "Dad, it's really nice to get alone time with you on Father's Day." Ahhh.) ribB was excited with the new hunting stand we gave him and Grandpa B was excited for his pound of sugar-free chocolates from the local candy maker and Mepps/Hula Popper fishing lures. We are very lucky to have 2 special Dads to celebrate and share our lives with. They are both wonderful, caring and supportive men! On Sunday, we went to Reedsburg (1.5 hrs south of La Crosse) to celebrate another special Dad/man--great grandpa R at a family picnic. The weather was perfect and it was great to see many of our ribclan family members that we don't get to see often enough (whom live in the Reedsburg/Madison/Stevens Point area). Kdee happily played with her second cousins (including a wonderful circus play!) and little B hung out with mom/dad and the other "busy busy" second cousins that are his age. After the festivities were finished, we began our 3.5 hour drive home--always interesting with 2 little, but loud, children in an enclosed vehicle! After stopping off at Eau Claire for dinner (where little B created 3 diaper changes & one outfit change for us--yikes, teething!), we made it home by 9:30pm. We were mentally exhausted, but very happy to have had a fun and eventful weekend where the kids did amazingly well. We had such a nice weekend, it was hard to take the kids to daycare today-- but alas, we're now back to life as we know it!

Photos for your reviewing pleasure: 1) pre-party set up for the FM 107 event; 2 & 3) Kdee and Little B entertaining themselves during our drive; 4) can 3 mothers actually get the great grandchildren to sit still for a very special photo op with great grandpa R? Ha! 5) 4 generations of ribclan men