I was able to get the whole backyard and kitchen cleaned up by a respectable 10:30 p.m., however, I wasn't to notice the full gravity of the situation until the next morning. I fell asleep reading a book on the couch that night, but when I woke up in the morning, the dog got up from her sleeping spot under the coffee table and left behind a nice police outline of herself in dog hair... dog hair? This is when I had the flashback of a scene from one of my favorite movies. Upon closer inspection, the floor was covered in a nice lacquer consisting most likely of a mixture of soda, Hawaiian Punch, and juice boxes. Thankfully, my entire house is hard floors without a speck of carpet!
As I walked through the house I could see it was everywhere, the entire floor from the back of the house to the front was like this LOL! With the dogs outside and the kids donning flip flops, I was able to get the whole floor cleaned by about 9 a.m. If I haven't sung the praises of my steam mop before, now is a good time - my Bissell steam mop rocks!
None of this really mattered since I was prepared for a good cleanup evolution, and I think the kids had a great time! I think most of us moms don't allow our kids to have soda or even juice that isn't watered down most of the time, so when faced with unattended tables full of desserts and soda, what's a kid to do?!
Random sightings during the cleanup:
1. Dog eating a cookie under the hammock
2. Another dog eating a dropped hot dog
3. Nerf guns and assorted weaponry in the broccoli bed
4. A lone flip flop in the bird bath
5. A decorative bowl of rocks on my coffee table filled with what appeared to be Coke
6. Plate of mac & cheese casserole formed into a mountain with a Hot Wheels monster truck on top
Who knew the 12 & under crowd could party like rock stars?
My mom is probably laughing thinking "here's where the payback starts..."!
The fall temps I was looking forward to for the party were not to be, it was in the 90's that day!
Trying to get all the kids together for a photo!
My fountain before it was filled with Hawaiian Punch!
Kids' art project to send out to the ship so the guys can hang it up
My BFF has the "magic touch" with the grill - we don't need men for this LOL!
VFA-32 Wives! Look at all the new and expected babies this deployment!
Great group of gals!
Finnegan
It really was nice to be able to get together with all these gals, everyone at the party is dealing with the same stuff and we all just "get it"! We're all "in (on) the same boat" hahahaha.
After cleanup on Sunday morning, I took the kids down to the oceanfront for the Neptune Festival Art Show. They hated it, I'll be honest, but I love looking at all the crafts. This is the last big "hurrah" for the oceanfront season and we will get our beaches back afterwards and be able to bring our dogs down to the beach, park cheaply and close and just be able to enjoy being locals again.
The white tents on the boardwalk go on and on and on - these are the art show vendors.
Pausing for an ice cream
then to make up for dragging them to the art show...
"like a kid in a candy store"!
Below is what happens when you don't harvest yard long beans for 3 days! Yikes!
huge bean harvest Monday morning before the rain started
I spent all day yesterday blanching and freezing beans and catching up on laundry and starting a new knitting project. It has been raining for 2 full days now, and it's the kind of rain where you can't really get anything done, but we need it!
And today? Absolutely nothing! It's still pouring outside and I feel so self indulgent and lazy - after getting the kids off to school this morning I've been alternating between reading a book and napping on the couch. It's finally settling in how tired I must have been. Now that I have finally gotten up off my butt and blogged I need to get my act together before the kids get home, don't want them to know they have a lazy mama. Unfortunately first, I need to give Marley a bath... I'm not sure what all she ate at the party, but she is recovering from being pretty sick the past 12 hours and she's not such a pretty girl right now so I better go give her a "spa day". Poor girl has the same diet every day of her life and then is allowed to run "Golden Corral" style through a picnic for 40+ people...
I was going to comment on how much fun the dogs seemed to have, LOL! Mine are well-behaved, but not above sneaking a hot dog. Especially if it hits the deck. What a great group of women - it looks like everyone had a ball. We've got rain up here, too, which is much needed.
ReplyDeleteBAWAHAHAHAHA! I'm dying over the rock star quote!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you can host a party where all of you can come together like this. It's really a great thing to hold each other up.
Looks like the party was a huge success. It is always encouraging to get together with those who are in the same boat. It can be a tremendous comfort. Deployments are tough on everyone.
ReplyDeleteHey, no fair, you got all the rain. I thought we were supposed to get some today as well, but all it manages to do is cloud over. I hate to be greedy, but we need more rain. Looks like you are getting plenty. Erin, those beans are amazing!
You are brave, very brave. I shy away from having a party at my house every time a birthday rolls around. It sounds like they all had a fantastic time.
ReplyDeleteI think I have mentioned that I love the yard long beans. I have added them to my list of things to grow next year.
Poor doggy. Poor fountain. I would have wanted to kill someone for that little maneuver. Bless you for hosting, and cleaning. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a stellar party and a good time was had by all. I'm glad to hear you survived the clean up and are getting a much deserved rest. Poor doggy though. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you guys had fun. This is when you cough up the hundred bucks or so and hire someone to clean up after the party. It's sanity money!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the party was a hit! The dog under the coffee table made me laugh! That craft show looks amazing! I love shows like that.
ReplyDeleteThat's one nice looking grill, Erin. Hahaha. It looks like you all had a lot of fun. I'm trying to be more social these days myself. Sometimes I feel like such a homebody.
ReplyDeleteAgain with those yardlong beans! I can't wait to grow them next year!
You must be a rock star yourself to host a party like that at your house. Congrats for surviving it! Those yardlong beans are really something else. I can't believe they grow so long!
ReplyDeleteYou never fail to amaze me with your talents for pulling things together with such success - i know you don't feel magic, but you are - peace
ReplyDeleteWhat a truly fantastic effort filled with thoughtfulness and hard work! I'm betting it did a lot to give those wonderful women the support to know they can make it through the last half of the deployment. You always go the extra mile to do loving things whether it be for your own family or for those around you.
ReplyDeleteNow rest. Rest. Rest. And rest a little more.