WITL-FRIDAY

A step closer to finishing off Week in the Life with a bang.  Today was a day for catching up on phone calls, figuring out malpractice policies, dressing up, playing with trains, baking and taking photos.  The day started for us at the usual time although I woke up a few minutes early to make eggs and turkey bacon for everyone before they got up,  and before Mohammed went to work.  Leena had a dermatology appointment at 9:45, while Yasmeen was at Band Camp, and I didn't want to fall behind in getting us out the door. Once Adam was up, we headed downstairs together and I put on a show called TRAINS! On Demand.  He loves watching it and it buys me a few valuable moments where I can check email or clean up the dishes from the morning.  Of course, that is, if he isn't demanding that I sit down right next to him to watch along...like he did today.  Luckily, I was able to grab my laptop and check emails while sitting next to him.  Once the girls got up, they had breakfast and watched Adam while I showered.  We were out the door right on time to get Yasmeen to her last day at Band Camp, and Leena to the doctor.

On the way back to get Yasmeen (just in the nick of time), we spotted a yellow car, and then decided to start playing "skittle".  It's another car game that we play to pass the time while driving back and forth around town.  If you spot a yellow vehicle of any kind, you yell "skittle" and get a point.  The winner is the one to spot the most vehicles by the time you arrive wherever you are going.  Cars, trucks, construction vehicles, trains, and school buses are all fair game.  Even Adam has learned to play and he is really good at it--spotting a yellow vehicle from blocks away!

When we got to the Intermediate school to pick Yasmeen up, Leena snapped a photo of her as she was walking towards us.  She complains about having her picture taken, but with that smirk, I think she secretly likes it!

It was off to Costco for a much needed shopping trip, and a little lunch while we were there.  We all love Costco for their samples and have a great time going from station to station trying foods that we might not otherwise have the chance to taste.  Of course, that means that my shopping cart often includes items being sampled that day--especially when the girls beg me to buy "it"--whatever the it for the moment is.  We had lunch afterwards, and although we were somewhat full of samples, we still managed to down a mega slice of pizza, an order of fries, and a churro between the 4 of us--and all for $5--where else can you eat for that these days???

Once home, Adam napped while I got on the phone with a bunch of insurance companies about taking out a malpractice policy.  Amazing what you DON'T know when it's time to figure out something as important as this! A bunch of research and internet searches for the different types of policies available ensued. After hearing back from three separate agencies, I had a bunch of applications to fill out, scan and email back.  Mohammed got home just in time to help me figure out what was wrong with the scanner as our wireless network wasn't recognizing the connection to it.  Another hour passes by and finally we're up and running.  By then, it's too late to do anything else today, so I guess we'll pick up again on Monday.

It started pouring in the early evening and I mean, POURING! Then the thunder started, and eventually the lightning.  The girls aren't really scared of the thunder per se, but I guess it does freak them out when it's really loud and now Adam is picking up on their unease. So what do I decide to do?  Make sure to tell him it's not scary at all, and we head out to our stoop to sit and watch the storm.  He really liked going outside while it was raining, and any fears that were brewing just went away.  In fact, Yasmeen also joined us outside and seemed pretty calm despite the thunder and lightning--as long as we were safely covered under the front porch.

By now, it was getting later and all dinner preparations had gotten away from me.  We hadn't eaten and I had nothing ready to go, so that meant we had to fend for ourselves.  I did cook some pasta for the girls and Adam (although he didn't want it), and made a protein shake for me.  Mohammed had a good 'ol PB&J and Adam eventually ate a Trix yogurt.  The days are so busy that meal planning is the last thing on my mind...all this HAS GOT TO CHANGE with Ramadan starting in 3 days!  While making the pasta, the kids were off playing dress up and I loved getting these photos of my little batman (dressed in Leena's batGIRL costume), my Cleopatra belly dancer, Leena, and the very sophisticated business woman, Yasmeen! I also received a surprise visit from my Lia Sophia rep, Judy, who came to deliver the jewelry I'd ordered at an event the week prior. 

With the evening winding down, the exhaustion of the days activities hit me like a ton of bricks.  I was ready for bed and headed up early.  The girls were downstairs with Mohammed and Adam.  Leena busied herself building a super sized railway track with Adam's train set, and Yasmeen pulled out her trombone to polish up on some notes.  Upstairs, I tried to read for a bit, but was out before I knew it!

Until tomorrow,

Have a great weekend!!