Here's Why You Haven't Heard from Me Much Lately:

Whew! I am worn out! I am taking a break from packing in order to print some maps and directions, but I decided that my brain needed a break as well! (: Drama Queen had her birthday party today, which was loosely based on a luau theme. She and her 15 buddies had a ball. (Yes, I know that's a lot, but it's so hard to choose who not to come when she has so many friends.) There were many more that were not able to come. Here are a few highlights:

Playing "Fish, Fish, Shark" (Duck, Duck Goose):

Playing a fun relay game:


For Lunch - Octopus Dogs:


(I know they look gross all tangled up together, but they looked cute on the plates!)

Okay, this REALLY looks gross. It was supposed to look like an aquarium. I think it better resembles a lake that has been used as an illegal dump for radioactive waste. The Finding Nemo fruit snacks swelled up and looked a little grotesque. Oh well. The kids liked it!


We had so many girls that we had to put them in two separate rooms:


Okay, I know Disney princesses don't technically go with a luau theme, but here's how you take advantage of a bargain (7 bucks!):

Finally, those who know me in real life will get a kick out of this mistake the bakery made on Drama Queen's cookie cake (I didn't bother to look at it when I picked it up):


Well, tomorrow we're off on a whirlwind trip! We are so excited. We have rented cabins in Canada with Hubby's family and we're going to spend a week together fishing, swimming, and just hanging out. The kids and I are taking the scenic route so we can visit family along the way, then Hubby will fly up and meet us.

Y'all, I have worked SO hard packing for this trip. You have no idea. I used to be terribly disorganized and almost always ended up pulling an all-nighter any time we went somewhere. This time HAD to be different, due to the sheer amount of stuff we need. You'd be so proud of me. I had the kids' clothes packed a week ago! I have been organizing, doing some serious laundry, making lists, and setting things aside to pack. (All the while planning the luau party to boot.) I was feeling pretty smug and proud of myself, until something came along and did THIS to me:

I had no idea that a little old wasp sting could cause so much pain! I've been stung before, but it was always a non-issue. I never had a reaction like this before. My arm has felt like it was in a vise due to muscle cramping, and the pain has kept me up for two nights straight. (Think of the feeling you get when you get a tetanus shot, then multiply it by a factor of, say, 1000.) I had to go to the doctor to get an antibiotic for infection. It has made it hard to lift or even move my arm, so it has been so hard to finish packing. The trip to the doctor and naps to make up for the loss of sleep haven't done much to help me accomplish anything, either.

So, here I am again, staying up late to get ready for a trip. At least it's not my fault this time!

I will probably not be back on the blog for nearly 3 weeks. I look forward to posting pics of our trip and telling you all about it when I get back!