Back home to reality

As soon as I got home from Colorado, I was right back in the swing of watching the kids. I took them to Bonfante Gardens (a theme park in Gilroy), which I now have a season pass to, the day after I got back, and then spent the night with them since the parents had missed me so much and were dying for a break from their kids (I keep reminding them that I am leaving permanently in two days, so they do need to get used to it, but anyway). We had a great time at Bonfante, although Jonathan (Baby) was super clingy and wouldn't go on any rides with anyone but me, and I ended up carrying him most of the time (note: bring stroller next time). Further note: don't sleep with Joel (who's 5), he kicks all night long. Something else to note: make sure the blankets are clean before covering up with them, after putting clean sheets on the bed and finding a blanket, and then letting Joel climb in bed with me, I couldn't figure out why I kept smelling pee. Finally I said, "Joel, did someone pee on this blanket?" referring to the one that was on top of us. "Oh yeah, I peed on that one a couple days ago!" Never a dull moment. And the hot water wasn't even working, so it's not like I could even take a shower for the whole weekend. Oh well, I didn't really care anyway. I spent the rest of the week soaking up every minute I had with the kiddos, spending another day a Bonfante with them, going to the pool, taking them out for ice cream, going out for Costco pizza, spending the day at Happy Hollow, and taking a video of them to take with me. I also took Hannah out for her 11th birthday on Friday night. As crazy of a summer as it's been, I'll really miss those kids.
I took my brother and sister to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory last week, which was cute, and took my sister to the restaurant in Santa Cruz for lunch for her birthday next month since I won't be here then. I guess I'm sort of regretting not spending more time with the two of them this summer and for already missing out on two of their growing up years when I was away at Westmont.