Lyra on the counter

I woke up at 7 when Robert came through the front door. I helped get Sammi ready for school – lunch bag out of fridge – and then Caleb and I walked her to the playground where she waits for the bell to line up. While we waited Sammi and Ruby, a friend from school, took turns sitting in a spinning chair and getting dizzy. We left after watching the teacher take her class down the sidewalk and into the school.

Missoula County Court House

Caleb called the place that we will be dropping our car off to and after getting hung up on three times finally got an appointment scheduled for the afternoon of the day we leave in the early morning, but it was better than trying to push our schedule up by three days. I tell him he can have some Grumpios for breakfast – making a reference to the bad mood this stuff puts us both in and the comment Robert made about Caleb’s ‘I just woke up’ face.

Jessi at work

Caleb, Robert, and I sat around the table filling out a crossword while Jake and Lyra read more of the paper and Jake shared his input while getting Lyra Cheerios. This lasted until 11 when I got the last of the coffee, a half cup, and made a piece of toast. Caleb asked if I was hungry and Jessi recommended Romaine’s, but Robert wanted Vietnamese. We took him with us, a local GPS, to the courthouse to get our title cleared of the lien (that will be in the mail in 2 weeks), then to the bank where Jessi works to find out about a power of attorney (she is one but there would be a conflict of interest with family) and we need to go to the library to pick up the form.

Caleb at Vietnam Grill

We decide to walk to lunch first. About three blocks away is Vietnam Grill – two pho’s, a rice noodle, some dirt flavored water with four lemons to mellow the taste, and a coffee with condensed milk. We walk back to the car where Robert and I will wait since there is still plenty of time on the meter while Caleb walks the six blocks to the library. He gets it signed while I get shown the bathroom in the back of the bank. We wave to Jessi on our way out as she is going back in from lunch since she forgot hers at home.

Caleb and Robert – gunsmithing

We go to Robert’s so that we can print out the USDA inspection forms that the dogs will need signed so that they can fly. The lady that books the tickets has harassed Caleb about the forms, but they are only valid for ten days so we have to get them close to when we leave and the tickets can’t be bought until seven days till. I’m hoping by dropping them off the day before that they will arrive before us and be waiting there. It will be stressful enough on all of us being apart, let alone having any other difficulties or delays.

Sammi in the playhouse

Caleb got out his pistol and rifle parts and had some good father/son time learning just a bit of what his dad went to gunsmithing school for so many years ago. At 5pm, we leave so I can check on the dogs. They are doing great and the girls are in the backyard in their playhouse. Sammi waters the yard and runs around while Lyra plants some more seeds and beans in their fairy garden. We start thinking about dinner and go inside to look up ideas. We settle on Sean Kelly’s – Irish and Indian food.

Lyra in the fairy garden

Jessi gets home and goes over the crossword while we order sweet potato fries, pub chips with cheese, stuffed beef patties, tofu with curry, a reuben for Caleb (that I try), and a warm brie salad for me (that I can only eat half of). While all this is going on, the neighbor is moving and giving Jessi boxes of frozen meat, stuffing, fruit cups, oatmeal, spices, condiments, jars of peanut butter, drinks, tiny cups, paper plates, and bleach. After the girls finish their dinner they have mandarin oranges for dessert and Sammi shows Lyra some stretches from class – anything to delay bedtime.

selfie in the backyard!

I know the importance of naps, playdates, school and its related activities, and grandma’s house. They are breaks from your kids so you can clean, sleep, or relax. Movie time helps out around here and I applaud Jessi and Jake for finding time for hobbies, exercise, friends, and family – and ways to include the girls. Sleep will come quickly tonight. Teeth are brushed, pajamas put on, and beds climbed in for kids, puppies, and adults. I’m in a room surrounding by breathing noises and tummy burbles and soft light.