Last Week of School, Pate Reunion

The last week of school was a busy week preparing for Graduation. Lots of errands to run, lists to make, things to scratch off those lists, etc.

Ahhh, scratching off the To Do List...what gratification!...i'm a "scratcher offer" rather than a "checker." There's just something about crossing each item out completely that is a slight rush for me. Much more than a mere checkmark for goodness sakes!

Moving along, it was a very hectic week that ended with a wonderful, sweet, special, classy Graduation ceremony. After the ceremony, however, i discovered my cell phone had been "borrowed" by one of our sweet angels. i managed to get it back after doing a little Sherlock Holmes, but when i got it back, ALL MY CONTACTS AND PICTURES WERE GONE! ALL 300 SOMETHING CONTACTS AND PICTURES SINCE THE DAY OF MORIAH'S BIRTH! Deep breath. i had a big talk with the young man today about stealing and how it affects the person you steal from and WHAT THOSE PICTURES MEANT TO ME and i may have cried during that little speech and i'm not really sure, judging from the blank look on the youngster's face, if anything got through to him. but at least i got it off my chest! 


After Graduation Friday, we took our sweet "baby" Esteban out to eat as a celebration since he had no family show up to be there. One funny moment from that: When Billy handed him the bread (we were at Outback where they serve that delicious brown bread--not sure what it's called), Esteban said "Oh no thanks Dad, I don't like chocolate." Cute, huh?

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early to feed Moriah and then get our stuff loaded for the annual Pate Reunion. It was our first "extended stay" with the baby (meaning more than one day-ha) in a place other than a family member's house. And I have to say it went pretty good. Of course there's always the continual reminder that you are now operating on the baby's schedule, not yours. Our life currently revolves around eating time and naptime and while i wouldn't want to have it any other way, it does take some adjusting to. Especially when you're going to do an activity you've always done before.

i.e. Swimming- we waited till she woke up from her nap to go, then got to the pool later than everyone. After arriving, we really went "all out" sitting on the concrete, holding Moriah on the edge of the baby blow-up pool and letting her feet and legs dangle in the water. i then took her to the shaded area when it got too hot, only to go back to the room about 10 minutes later as she was ready for another nap. Ahh, the life of a 4 month old! I know the Big Slide is in our future here in a few years, but right now we are partying on the sidelines! And having a blast nevertheless! : )

Moriah enjoyed meeting her cousins, aunts, and uncles that she hasn't met and seeing the familiar faces of the ones she already knows. I think all the noise and commotion was good for her, as she's used to living in a quiet house with two (well, make that one) quiet adults. Poor thing jumped and startled so many times the first time she was around Ryan's kids, i thought her nerves were gonna be shot! She became a real pro with all the racket this weekend and hardly jumped at all!

It was a wonderful time had by all and i was reminded once again what an awesome family we have been blessed with. i hope we will continue to have our reunion for many years to come and i've even pledged to find some t-shirts for next year...we are really gonna have some soul with our Family Reunion t-shirts yall!

The only downer was that every food i've ever loved was there (hello Mama's Chocolate Chip Cookies, Yummy Hamburgers, Tons of Snacks, and Homemade Cheesecake) so i wavered a tad from my Weight Watchers points. Not sure my walking and "virtual jumprope" will cover for it but we shall see.

i call it "Virtual Jumprope" because i don't actually have a real jumprope right now, but i jump up and down and do my arms around as if i do. i can jump both feet at the same time or do the running technique. i can crisscross and even do the double jump! don't hate. my virtual jumprope was free, and best of all, it never slaps me in the calves!

On that note, i better "call it a post." More pics to come soon. Gotta fold some laundry before this baby wakes up from her nap!