Portman has been in San Francisco all week, so the kids and I have had lots of “quality time” together. Harper has been trying to say “San Francisco” all week, and according to her, Daddy is in any of the following:

• San FaCrisco
• San FraFrisco
• San FaFiscoat
• SaFrisco
• San SaSisco

But definitely not “San Francisco.” On Monday morning when she asked for Daddy (actually, said “No! You’re leaving! Just Daddy!”), I said he was on an airplane going to San Francisco and she immediately said “I want to go on that airplane too!” Then she peed on the floor for the first time in 7 days. Monday morning was not fun.

After that excitement I decided to do something special with the kids, so we headed over to Burke Lake Park to ride the choo-choo train and have a picnic. Once again I was reminded of how lucky we are to live in Fairfax County. The train engineer wears a full authentic train suit (the striped kind, with a matching hat), and is very liberal with the “choo choo’s” as the train chugs through the forest. The kids were beside themselves with excitement and Harper said things like “Oh my goodness! A choo choo tunnel! Just like Rocket!”

After a train and carousel ride we had a picnic in the park. We brought the potty, and Harper used it.

 
We’ve had gorgeous weather this week, so we spent most of the week outside. We went to the pool a lot and ate almost all of our meals on the patio. After nap on Wednesday I took the kids to Toys R Us for a little shopping trip. We picked up a water table, which has been a huge hit.

Our house was getting painted all week and we’ve had a few incidents related to the painting. Last night while the kids were eating on the patio, I was talking to one of the painters about something they accidently broke. The next thing I know, Harper had moved her potty to the glider and proceeded to climb on top of it and use it. She said that Roman kept trying to touch it! When I protested she said “no, Mommy, I just doing my business!”

This morning we went for a long walk with Bern, Ellie and Annie, and evidently our outside railing was painted while we were gone. As I was unloading Roman from the stroller, Harper said “uh oh!” I looked over and she had black paint all over her hands and her dress. I told her to put her hands in the air and wait for me in the kitchen. The next thing I hear is “hey, handprints!” and look over to see her smacking her hands against the wall in the front hallway. In case you’re wondering, it came off the walls but not off the dress.

We’ve had a fun week, but I’m exhausted! Harper is honoring my exhaustion by not napping today, so I have to sign off in order to make it to the tea party on time. 15 hours until Daddy is home! But who’s counting…