Happy Birthday Hannah

 It's here at last...summer time! And along with that is Hannah's birthday. She turned 5 on the 21st. We spent most of the day together, even though she had school. I volunteered and her whole class went for a walk to the park, where we picnicked, played games, and had a water balloon toss. I have had a busy week and a half and really needed some sleep, so after Mike suggested it this morning, I decided to go back to bed after the kids were all on the bus. Welllllll....that didn't work, lol!! I crawled back in and though it felt lovely, I also felt guilty for not getting something done, so I got back up, showered and went off to meet Hannah at the school. We had a quick supper and she opened up her gifts and then we were off to soccer, where she had fun playing with friends she has met there. Colin's team tied their game, which is definitely better than a loss...right?

I got back last Friday from the most terrific week!! I had won a member scholarship through our union (UFCW) and it was an all expense paid trip to Mississauga to learn a bit about computers at their training center there. Sunday morning before I left, I was so nervous...I had butterflies and felt nauseous all morning! It was a 3 hour drive for me, and I checked into the hotel at about 3:30. Not sure yet if I would have a roommate or not, I left for our orientation with a kind man who offered to taxi some of us there. Had a great time meeting the other 11 people who had also won and learned that I would not be sharing a hotel room, but would have it all to myself. Was a little giddy when I got back (half a bottle of wine shared with a good friend I met, Lorraine ) and had a tough time deciding just which of the two beds I would sleep in that nite, lol!! A little jumping on them helped me pick the one furthest from the door, yet closest to the air conditioner....it was stifling outside to say the least!

The whole week was spent learning, eating, drinking, eating, drinking, playing pool, drinking...and pushing our stalled car off of a busy six lane highway! Everyone there was so kind and we all gelled like we'd known each other forever. It's an experience I will never forget and I count myself very lucky to have taken part in something that was so far out of my realm. I hardly ever stray far from home, least of all to meet strangers! I barely had time to miss my family, thank goodness...until Friday when I called home and Hannah answered and she just sounded so grown up!!...like she had aged since I left 5 days earlier! I wasn't the only one to get a little teary eyed though as we said our goodbyes, and received lots of goodies from the union.

Since I've been home, I have been working and took us all out to Pizza Hut Friday when I got home. Saturday nite after work, Mike and I and the two youngest went out to visit with friends whose wedding we attended the Saturday before. They needed help finishing off a keg they had purchased....and well...who were we to refuse!! More sleep deprivation for me,as I had to work the next morning and was still trying to get caught up on all my sleepless nites at the hotel. Finally when I had today off, I spent it at the school so still have nothing done around the house, and I need to be getting ready for visitors this weekend as we have my mom and sister down to celebrate Hannah's birthday with family.

Getting tired just thinking about it, lol, and no wonder it's after 2 in the morning here, so I better get my tush into bed, as 7 comes early to get the kids ready for school!