40 days, 40 nights

No, its not Lent, and no I haven't misread the calendar; rather Frank has now been gone for 40 days and tonight will be the 40th night. It is also H's third birthday, although, if you ask him, he's still just turned twelve. Today was a fun filled day, that started with H's final swimming lesson of the session. He got a certificate (award) stating that he was a Pre A swimmer, and a list of skills he can do.

After swimming, he asked for pancakes (there is a big surprise) and strawberries, so we went out to breakfast for the Birthday Boy's requested breakfast. We squeaked in to Grandma's house just in time to get ready for our big afternoon trip. We packed some sandwiches and snacks and piled back into the van with Grandma for a trip to the ZOO!!!!! We got to check out most of the animals (elephants, giraffes, zebras, eagles and bears were among the favorites) then hit the Zoo Train that takes you to Washington Park and the playground there. Daddy called as we were boarding the train and H told him about the animals and the train, and probably talked to him more than he has at any one time than since he left. After half an hour or so at the playground, we headed back to the zoo to see a few more animals, including penguins and sea lions.

Then, we went to the gift shop, and H got a new Dinosaur (T-Rex) that "eats" things by picking them up with his mouth at the end of a stick. K got a White Siberian Tiger kitty and both kiddos fell asleep on the way home.

To top the day off, I am under the distinct impression that the turkey baster on this baby is about to say that he or she is done baking. While my belly button never "popped" with H or K, I am feeling like that might happen with this kiddo, which just reinforces the notion that each pregnancy and each child is different. Also, a head cold that K and I have been experiencing is knocking us both out and making us feel crankier than normal. I've been super-dosing the kids with Vitamin C and I think they are feeling that as well. I hope it helps this pass quickly for K and skip over H altogether.

In any case, 40 days are down, and although I don't have a countdown yet for when he'll return, I think we've all gotten into a routine that will allow the next few months to pass quickly. On his end, he has stayed up late and gotten up early to call us so that he can hear those jealously guarded and softly whispered "I lulv you, dadda's" and "I misshyou" on those days that the kids will talk on the phone often preceded by many "no, I don't wanna talk's" or "my turn talk" followed by silence while holding the phone.

On our end, we've kept busy with swimming school and playgrounds or playlands, and trips to various local attractions and points of interest to the average 2-3 year old (or at least to our extraordinary 2-3 year old). Soon, the wedding celebrations will begin and end and then we move on to our next road trip and adventures.