I have a lot of catching up to do here!

Friday was a horribly long day at work! I thought my boss was leaving early that day so I was going to high-tail it out and get a jump start on my long 4 day weekend. Not such luck... he stayed so I had to stay until my normal time of 4pm. Bummer! I was going to caravan with friends up to the lake for camping but I ended up having to drive by myself but it wasn't so bad.
I left work, picked up the kids, stopped at the liquor store , went home and finished loading up the car and headed on out.
We went camping on Lake Viking which is a private lake about 2 hours north of here. Great private lake that is well maintained. We set up camp right away, visited for a short while then we all hit the sack. Slept fairly well, waking to cars when they passes close to the tent and my aching hips even though I was on the air mattress.
Saturday morning we ate breakfast and then went into town and did several errands. Bought fireworks, bought second hand swing trunks for the boys since I had forgot theirs, went to the grocery store... got back to camp and got everyone ready and we went to the beach. The lake is a typical Missouri lake with its green-blue water that you can't see much into. The beach at the lake was nice because the bring sand in and make a nice sandy beach instead of pebbles or worse yet - rocks! They had a sign posted that said there was a $50 fine for children 8 and under swimming without a life jacket. So Henry played the part of a 9 year old boy, Lincoln had his life jacket and we all swam briefly. Then we headed over to the pool were we could all enjoy the cools of the water on this 98º day. After while Lincoln grew exhausted (as did Henry and I both too!) so we headed back to camp with some more friends that met us at the camp ground. I took a brief rest to gather my strength then got up and joined the gang. We soon made dinner - HyVee brats YUM! and our dessert of smores. Henry, Lincoln and I slept GREAT that night and were roaring to go the next morning. After we packed up camp we headed out to the parents house of one my friends. They have 800 acres and operate a real farm, meaning he has crops and that is full-time job. I didn't get to see the crops, although I would have liked to. I did get to see plenty of goats, including their 1 week old babies that are small enough like seem like large puppies. We were able to pick them up and snuggle them too. They had a barn cat who had 2 kittens and the kids all go to take turns on "Bucky" the horse. Henry and Lincoln of course had a grand time and were both strutting around like they were real cowboys. Just as we got back to the house Henry started itching and scratching his belly. I looked and he had hives. Poor kid, in just a few minute he was covered from his neck to genitals in tiny hives. I gave him a quick cool shower, dosed him up with some Benadryl and put ice packs on his back and stomach. He seemed to feel better and ate lunch but he then he became grouchy and irritable so we quickly left and headed back for home. Turns out he was just overly tired as he and Lincoln feel asleep quickly in the car and stayed asleep for the entire trip home.
Monday we all slept in and had a nice, slow start to the day. We all eventually got around and picked up Henrique & Bryant and went to see the new version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We all enjoyed it! Lincoln did quite well but did ask to leave a couple times but I was able to get him back into the movie and he did enjoy it.
After the movie, Henrique wanted to go home (reasons still yet unknown) and the rest of us went to the pool to enjoy, again the 98º HOT weather!
Monday night we went to Lidias as she fixed us dinner - fried whole Tilapia - YUM! Mariela, Arturo and my mom joined us so it was nice to have all of us together for a meal.
Tuesday morning the boys and I met a lady up north and I picked up 2 new ratties. I've been told that my current hairless rat Sweetie may be grouchy and turning mean because she's bored, lonely and needs rattie companionship. So I fixed up Patty/Butter's old cage that was sitting unused in Henriques room and put Sweetie in that. In cleaned out Sweeties cage and put the 2 new rats in it. One is a dirty white, called Havana I think, and she has dark reddish eyes. The other one is what the call hooded - she is white except her head is a brown and has a wide brown stripe that goes down the middle of her back that ends at her tail. They are both very friendly and tickle me with their whiskers. These rats are bred and sold for pets so they have been handled from day one and are used to humans. I still find myself flinching around then since I've been nipped by Sweetie several times and she's drawn blood. OUCH!
After that I was informed by Celso that he and Lidia would not be joining me and the boys for lunch as was previously discussed the night before at Lidias. So the boys and I went over to Marielas & Arturos as planned and had pupuses with them as planned and watch the World Cup. After we were done Celso came over and ate and shortly after that the boys and I went home and Lincoln I took a nap. Just as I woke up Celso got there and hung out for a while.
Lidia dropped off the boys and we set up a few "driveway fireworks" but about 7 or 8 the cops rolled down the street and called a halt to all t he fun. BOO! HISSSSSS! Now what am I going to do with $30 in fireworks? aaaahhhh!
Lidia then picked up her boys and said she was headed to the Target parking lot (?!?!) to set her fireworks off... ooookay, fine. Celso left and it was our plan to meet him at the hospital to watch the Great Mall fireworks... well, oops, I forgot my cell phone at home so we never did manage to meet up. Turns out he was there watching them... we were there watching them, appearantly close to each other but yet far enough apart that we never saw each other. Bummer.
Today I'm back at work... with Henry. I am able to take him out of daycare (the FTC) for 2 weeks and not pay... so I'm taking him out this week and won't have to pay for it. A small break... but... grumble grumble... I checked my bank balance this morning and it was in the red!!! AAARRGGGHH!!! %#$#$#^%$)%^& !!!!!!!
Tonight - nothing!
Tomorrow night, if the weather warms up, gulp, can't believe I have to say that but today it only reach 83º... but if it is warm tomorrow night we'll go to the pool .
Thursday night Henrique & I have book club - which I just finished reading our book: "Time Stops for No Mouse" by Michael Hoeye.