4 days toddler-free

Ryan and Logan left for Utah on Wednesday afternoon. Logan was so excited to go on the big airplanes where you get chocolate chip cookies! Ryan texted me often during the next couple days, saying "this kid seriously never stops talking and asking questions!" Yep, that's Logan. I took this picture as the boys headed out the door on their adventure. Logan rolled his "soup-case" all over the airports. They were able to spend lots of time with both sets of grandparents and some cousins. I love that my kids get undivided attention from the grandparents when they go on their special trip with Ryan. They were in Utah until late Saturday night, and I took advantage of every moment they were gone. Some of the things I did:

• Took a nap. Every. Single. Day.
• Read an entire book from cover to cover.
• Listened to music all day, since there were no cartoon characters stealing the silence.
• Ran lots and lots of errands that have been on the "to-do" list for months.
• Went shopping at an outdoor mall for FIVE hours. I couldn't believe how free I felt.
• Got much more involved in Brevan's homeschooling, since Logan wasn't fighting for my attention. I think we have a pretty good routine down now.
• Read bedtime stories to the girls, and spent much more time giving them my attention.
• Cuddled with the kids, since I didn't have a 3-year-old squirming on my lap or in my arms.
• Cleaned the entire house, top to bottom.
• Sang loudly. And talked to myself when I was alone. And screamed "I'm alone! I'm all alone!" many times.
• Painted Brynlie's bedroom and bathroom.
• Took Lindsey, Brynlie, Sophie and Megan (Brynlie's adorable 9-year-old friends), shopping. We bought presents for Megan's birthday, and many decorations for Bryn's room.
• Took Brenda out to lunch for her birthday.
• Watched movies. Chick-flicks I haven't ever watched, like "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" and "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants." I am thoroughly informed on all things sisterhood.
• Let the girls sleep in my bed and cuddle with me at night.
• Ate some junk food. I'm still working hard on the diet stuff, but I eased up just a little to allow for some fun times with the kids.

This is Brynlie's bedroom, so far. The paint doesn't look exactly right in most of these pictures, but the color is "Aquamarine", a blueish-greenish color. Blue is Brynlie's favorite color, and although the paint seems super bright on the wall, it's perfect for a spunky pre-pre-teen. I love designing kid rooms, because they can be much more creative and fun than the rest of the decorating in the house.The words on the wall say "Dance," "Sing," "Laugh," and "Dream." That sums up my sweet Brynlie. I should have taken a closer picture of the words, because the colors and patterns are really cute.

Next I will paint her dresser and nightstand (which were mine when I was her age) a creamy-white color, and add cute knobs. I also still need to buy one more curtain panel (because the store only had one left), a decorative mirror for the wall, a fluffy rug for the bedroom floor (since the one I bought looked too "little girly"), and some colorful bathroom rugs and towels. But I really like how it's turned out so far!

Now my two boys are home, and I'm loving the chaos and noise! I already have my daily headache from Logan's non-stop talking.