The Altenhofen 4: Sabattical fun!!!

Ok, well it's only been a week and a half, and flying by! Today is my first day for 'Sarah day' - we pay to keep the kids' spot at St. Luke's for just one day a week, so they will go one day, and I will have a chance to run errands, catch up on stuff, etc (like blogging) :)

So far, it's been an AMAZING break!! I seriously can't say enough how lucky I feel to get this opportunity and as I imagined, it's made me picture staying home with the kids and how great that would be. Patrick gently reminded me that we would have to change a lot of things, and I pictured winter time, which would keep us inside more, so I am just cherishing my time and will remind myself to take more vacation days when we have nothing planned.

Here are some of my favorite things from the last week:

Not setting an alarm!! Now, of course, I have two littles that wake me up, but really nice not to have to wake up early to get ready before they are awake!
Morning walks- I think my favorite so far. I convinced Will to ride in the double stroller with Ellie and we have been enjoying the BEAUTIFUL weather in the mornings and getting some exercise in- we usually do this after breakfast and getting ready - from about 8:30-9. The kids are in a great mood, Will is commenting on all that he sees, I turn my phone on for some music and the kids are dancing away. They each pick one toy to bring and it's been really great!! I must keep doing this while weather is nice on the weekends!!
BEAUTIFUL weather - it's just been awesome. Cool in the mornings (need a jacket and light blanket on kids) and then turns warm enough to get in the pool or water.
Knowing that all I need to do/plan is the days' activities - what time things open, having a VERY light list of what we want to accomplish that day.
Playing with the kids and watching them interact with each other.
Catching up with some of my friends as well

Recap on main events even prior to my break:

Friday - August 14th - Patrick and I got to celebrate our 5 year Anniversary with a fun night out. Thank you Lily Altenhofen for watching the kids! We started by having a class of champagne at a champagne bar I have been wanting to try - Ca Va. It's very French like, with a little outdoor cafe/sitting area, and was fun to kick off the night. Then, we drove over to Novel, which is an amazing, tiny little restaurant that is built in an old house. Very good service and the food was AMAZING. We had two fun appetizers - a fried egg and then yellowfish that were served with amazing flavors. P had the lamb for dinner and I had the scallops (SO good!) Of course I like to judge a restaurant on the bread they serve in between, and that passed as well. Highly recommend. We sat outside, and it was nice weather, but got a tad buggy towards the end. Of course we capped it off with dessert at Westport spot - Murray's.

Saturday - August 15th- went to Powell Gardens (about 40 minutes out side of KC) they have a lego display this summer that I have been wanting to check out. It was a really hot day, and the kids weren't in the best mood, but some very, very beautiful and peaceful scenery.

Sunday - August 16th - Touch-A-Truck at OP Convention Center. REALLY cool and almost free event for kids! It was very crowded though and had to wait in long lines to get in and 'drive' the trucks or tractors, but was fun to meet with Greg and Bri Wessinger while waiting in line :)

Got some Grandpa D time in too later that evening.

Monday - August 17th - my first day off!! Went to the SeaLife Aquarium with two of my best friends from college - Katie and Lauren, and their boys. The kids had a great time and we had some lunch at Fritz' to top it off. Then, we came home to take naps (Will never did fall asleep) and then went to the pool (only to realize it opened at 4:30 b/c school was back in session) so we played at the park there for awhile and then did the pool! Made some cookies with Will - who loves licking the batter off the beater!!

Tuesday - 18th - went shopping for Daddy's birthday present and got stuck in the rain!! We hung out at Top Golf for awhile and luckily got away. The rain kept us inside in the morning, but after naps we went to try out Matt Ross Community Center free indoor play area. It was fun and the kids were mostly mesmorized by the awesome pool they have there! Will be nice to visit there in the winter.

Wednesday - 19th - went to Prairie Fire area - new to KC and down south at 135th and Nall. They have really trendy, modern shops and restaurants and a cool kids museum. The museum has lots of dinosaurs and a kids Discovery room that was fun for them to experience. Will loved the dinosaurs and Ellie enjoyed 'mooing' at them!! :)

Thursday and Friday - I was in class for work. Luckily I can count that towards my hours of professional development - but I tried not to open my computer and just sit and learn in class :)

This past weekend - I had Rhea Lana sale (got a few good finds/deals), then Saturday we did Eggtc, the KC airshow, (I went to Rhea Lana to work the sale shift), met up with my cousin Amber, Aunt Denni and Amber's kids at the park by our house, squeezed in mass, and then celebrated Patrick's birthday at Char Bar in Westport. Really fun place and the food was great!! It was a fun night as a family - and a busy day! Sunday, we met Bill and Marilee for brunch to celebrate Patrick's birthday, P went to hit some golf balls while kids napped, and then we went to Amy and Cody's to celebrate Nolan's 1st birthday!!

Ok - now on to this week:

Monday - August 24th - I had a hair appointment and went to doctor (having some major heartburn flaring up), while Marilee watched the kids - thank you!! After naps we just walked up to the park and played and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Tuesday - August 25th - went to visit my friends Carlie and Caitlin - up at Carlie's house in Liberty. I got to meet her little baby girl, Evie, and the kids all got to play. So fun that my two best friends from college are off work, Caitlin is in town, and I know we have to get together next week again sometime. The kids had a lot of fun, and were wiped out by the time we got home. We just played in our back/front yard until Daddy got home.

TODAY - my plan is to read, my car is getting detailed right now (can't WAIT to feel like my car is clean) get in a workout, do a little shopping on the plaza, and then I head to Rhea Lana from 4-8 to work my last shift (with my sister and some friends to make it more enjoyable)

Here are some pictures from all the events: