Some days seem so much fuller than others! Mine have been more full than usual since Friday. So full that checking in with my blog and my blog friends has been tough to squeeze in. I’m going to take a few minutes before the next half of the day begins and we’re off on another adventure.

I agreed to have Brooklyn and Jillian spend the weekend with us while mom and dad went to the NASCAR race in Kansas City quite a while ago. What I didn’t have planned when I agreed to that was the amount of bus time I’d also be putting in at the same time.

Friday was spent driving kids to Kearney for the Nebraska State Cross Country meet. We had one qualified runner (who placed #19 in 120 Class D runners) and about 20 fans. It was a beautiful day for such an outing! The little girls rode along and were the perfect little troopers! We left at 7:30 a.m. and didn’t get home until almost twelve hours later.

Fans watching at the finish line.

Jillian sat with me while Brook and Taylor were chasing after the runners.

I was up and out the door yesterday before anyone else even started stirring for my next bus adventure. This time, I was headed back to the school to pick up our JV volleyball team. They were headed to a local all day tournament. The girls at home were left to tend to each other. The only necessary for them was a 1:00 birthday party for Jillian. She was headed to a pumpkin patch and would be gone most of the afternoon. I had purchased tickets for the five of us to attend a show at “The Rose Theater” in Omaha for the evening – starting at 7:00.

I wasn’t sure how the day was going to fall into place. I worried about the time getting late with the tournament. If the girls had won enough games to compete for first place, there was NO WAY we were going to make it in time. As it worked out, the girls played for 3rd place and the game ended at just the perfect time for everything to work. By the time I got the bus parked and got home, the kids were loaded in the van waiting for a driver.

While taking the bus back to where I picked it up, I came across another “time ticking away” concern. Harvest is still happening in our neck of the woods. However, it’s winding down fairly fast. I had to keep reminding myself that it would all work out the way it was supposed to…and it did.

We didn’t tell Brooklyn and Jillian what we were doing so the surprise factor was in place. I was hoping they wouldn’t be disappointed. The live theater production we saw was called “The Borrowers”.The Rose Theater is a beautiful piece of architecture dating back to 1927 – “Omaha’s premier venue for the performing arts for children and families, housed in a beautifully restored 1927 vaudeville palace. The Rose Theater is home to the Omaha Theater Company – the only resident, touring, professional theater company in Omaha and one of the largest in the country!” I think they really enjoyed themselves – anyway, they said they LOVED it!

Poor Jillian was so tired. Every time she would fall asleep in the van, we had to wake her up. After the show was over I asked the girls where they would like to eat supper; they started listing all the fast food places. We agreed on McDonalds and cheeseburgers. While we were walking out of McDonalds, Jillian thought maybe we should hit Pizza Hut before heading back home. 🙂 It was a fun evening and now Brook and Jillian can say they’ve seen a live theatrical production (even though after only 15 minutes had passed, Jillian was ready to leave).

I promised them a picnic lunch at a local State Park this afternoon. I guess I better get to the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! Before I close off, though, I’d like to wish my mom a very happy birthday tomorrow! She is spending her special day with her sister in Kansas City. I hope they have a fun day doing something special to celebrate! Happy 71st birthday, Mom, I love you!