First things first: happy birthday, Dad!  And happy new week to the rest of you.  How were your weekends?  Ours was busy – even for us.  It started early, with “Grandparents and Special Friends Day” at the kids’ school.  None of our grandparents or friends were available this year, so Steve and I were reppin’ for the insane playdate posse.  The school planned a full morning slate of activities – first, playing and tours of the classrooms (Steve went to kindergarten this time, since I spend so much time with Peanut’s class as part of my room parent responsibilities, and I spent some quality time in preschool with Nugget), followed by an all-school chapel and then the spring concert, which was a show tunes theme (my favorite!).  Nugget’s class sang Edelweiss, Peanut and friends performed Do-Re-Mi, and the whole early childhood program came together for So Long, Farewell.  The kids had an early dismissal, so we all went home together and Steve and I spent the afternoon trading off one of us trying to keep them quiet while the other took work calls.  It was a hectic afternoon, and we were much relieved when the kids’ favorite babysitter pulled into the driveway and we were able to take a well-earned date night, which ended up being something of a bar crawl.  We started at Captain Gregory’s, a secret local speakeasy – Steve had never been there and he thought it was so cool – then went to Brabo and finally to Vermillion.  It was a completely decadent night and we loved it.

On Saturday morning, we were up and out the door early to hit the river for the first time this season.  Our usual kayaking spot, Fletcher’s Cove, was closed due to high water levels, so we took the opportunity to check out a new-to-us launch spot and headed over to the Wharf Boathouse.  It was a great time, and so cool to see the Washington Monument from the water – a new perspective!  We explored the area, then headed home for a quick lunch before Peanut and I were back out the door to see a performance of Winnie-the-Pooh at the Adventure Theatre.  (I had actually planned to take Nugget to this show, and bought the tickets with him in mind, but after the disaster at Huck Finn’s Big River I decided Peanut was a safer bet.)  On Sunday, we had another early morning activity planned – a trip out to the country to pick strawberries and enjoy festival fun.  It was a successful morning, I guess, because we did come home with strawberries.  But it was also a bit of a battle.  The kids bickered, whined, threw tantrums, and generally acted like little jerks all morning.  (Aren’t we rotten parents, making them go to a strawberry festival?)  In the afternoon, Steve wanted to check out a vintage car festival that was going on in our town, so we walked out to do that and – despite two generally grumpy and uncooperative kids, managed to make a nice afternoon of it.  I finally got to pay a visit to the new indie bookstore (and left with an armload, #supportindies) and we somehow managed to cajole the kids for a stop at one of our favorite local restaurants for drinks and bruschetta.  After all that, I’m sure you’re not surprised to hear that I ended the weekend collapsed on the couch.

Reading.  It was also a busy reading week.  I’m continuing to just barely stay on top of my library deadlines, but I did indulge in a new comic this week.  First, though, I finished up Travel as a Political Act midweek, and polished off Provence, 1970 by Saturday night.  (It took longer than usual because a visit from my BFF on Thursday evening and date night on Friday meant two evenings away from my reading lamp, and I worked from home three days this week, which is approximately three hours of commute reading lost.)  On Saturday, my pre-ordered copy of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Freshman Force arrived, and naturally everything else had to wait until I’d read it – it was fantastic, but needed more Ilhan.  Finally, I turned my attention back to library books, and am currently working my way through Women of the Raj, which is fascinating.

Watching.  The only thing I watched this week was my babies performing songs from The Sound of Music in their spring concert – and that was the best watching ever, so really, nothing else could have compared.

Listening.  The usual this-and-that.  Podcasts – the Sorta Awesome summer list episode was obviously a highlight.  And Peanut and I listened to music on our way to and from Winnie-the-Pooh: Offa Rex on the way over, and the Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack on the way back.  (Not what you were expecting?)

Moving.  A couple of gym days this week, plus an hour of kayaking on Saturday and lots and lots of walking on Sunday – not too shabby!  It’s crunch time; summer vacation beckons and I have to be in paddling shape.

Blogging.  I actually don’t know what I am going to post on Wednesday – I don’t have it planned.  So we’ll all be surprised!  On Friday, I’m sharing more snaps and stories from kayaking at the Wharf this weekend.  Check back!

Loving.  Can I tell you about my favorite pants?  I’m completely in love with the Vista camp pants from LL Bean.  I own both the pants and the shorts in both navy blue and army green, and they are THE. BEST.  So comfortable to wear, perfect for hiking, quick-drying for when I’m out on the water – I basically live in them whenever I’m not in work clothes.  (Am I considering picking up a pair or three of the crops?  Yes, yes I am.)

Asking.  What are you reading this week?