I’ve been feeling a teeny bit twitchy lately because this “extroverted introvert” has been camped pretty solidly on the “slightly too much togetherness time” side of the aisle for weeks now.
NOT actually complaining, because obviously on our wonderful vacation, there was naturally a lot of togetherness time! And that’s a great thing.
It’s just that since we returned I feel like I’ve either been working or with people almost constantly and I kind of just… need a minute.
Ivan’s mom is in town and stays with us about half the nights.
World Cup games last week meant we (my immediate family) were spending pretty much every evening (together! Or in some capacity of togetherness) watching those.
Friday night we all went downtown for the Argentina game! OMG that was a crazy nail-biter game. Super fun ambiance though and we had a great time.
This meme made me laugh:
Over the 4th of July weekend we went to my parents’ house overnight from Saturday -> Sunday. (Well, all of us except Ethan. He had fun plans with a friend and since we did not have fun plans, we said it was okay he stayed back.) We basically opted out of our usual traditional 4th of July celebrations because my parents are RIGHT in the thick of packing/ actively moving! Instead of our normal parade-BBQ-fireworks combo, we spent the day bubble wrapping things and packing boxes and then just went out for dinner to keep it simple. 😊
We were so happy to help and I think it made a big difference. Packing up a whole house has been a LOT for them. (They have movers scheduled, but the movers mostly just actually move the things. There’s a lot of prep/ packing that has to happen, first.)
One of the only “4th of July” pictures I took:
We had considered going to our usual fireworks at night, but it had rained and felt damp and “mosquitoey” outside and we all felt lazy, so we skipped them. Fortunately we caught some right from their back yard, so I can at least say I saw some fireworks. 😉 (We watched some on TV, too.)
Sunday we headed home by midday but then dove right into some essential household tasks. WE NEEDED GROCERIES. We never did a full shop since our trip! So I went to Aldi and Woodman’s and got allllll restocked, thankfully. I assigned Ivan a big flower bed to weed while I was gone. Haha. He begrudgingly complied. 😉
Then, Mexico played in the evening! We all went to Ivan’s brother’s house (along with his mom) and watched the (sad) game there. His mom and Ivan’s brother’s girlfriend made mole (with chicken and rice and beans) and it was sooooo good.
We got a cute pic of all of us in Mexico gear but my SIL hasn’t sent it to me yet. Ended up being well after 10 before we got home, I think.
Then of course, Monday… back to work. 😩 It wasn’t a long weekend for me- I had to work on Friday. (We get a “floating holiday” for the 4th to add to our PTO bank- which I am happy about!)
I did sneak out Monday though on my lunch to meet up with my parents at their NEW HOUSE, which they officially closed on Monday morning!!!
I helped my dad unload a van full of stuff and took some cute pics of them. They don’t officially move in until Friday when the movers bring the furniture etc. 2 more days!
Monday night we took my mother-in-law out for dinner (with Ethan) and watched the (also sad…) USA game at our Mexican place.
I feel like I have a list of approximately 1 million personal things I need to do but no time or space to do them!
I’m trying to just…. be cool. I KNEW this summer was going to be crazy, between multiple trips, my parents’ move (they absolutely need support and I am beyond happy to give it to them), my mother-in-law in town, the World Cup! (surprisingly disruptive to normal life, lol!) and then my sister and family arrive in like, 2 weeks!! All wonderful things.
AND ALSO, a liiiiiittle above my threshold of where I kind of max out on family time. 😉
But again, that’s okay, and I wouldn’t actually change anything.
Next big events: my parents’ actual move celebration on Friday (eek!! Can’t wait to actually see it with some furniture inside! That will be their first time sleeping there) and then Ethan’s 18th BIRTHDAY on Sunday (omg omg omg!!!!).
Daily Gratitude:
I am grateful for a good workout last night. I walked to the gym at 7:45 p.m. (!) and lifted from 8-9 pm. Haha. It was a gorgeous summer evening for a walk, though, the gym was quiet, and I enjoyed the uninterrupted time.
GRATEFUL KAE 
Oof, I hear you on the family overwhelm. I did the math and between moving in on the 30st of April and next week, we’ll have had 19 overnight stays (mum, MIL, niece, nephew). Plus T and I are off to Portugal on Sunday for 2 weeks, meeting my husband and cousins in the Netherlands for another week. We’ve got one day where the cousins are taking my son/their kids to a theme park, and we’re taking their doodle, and this is the highlight. My parents’ will be lovely, but definitely full on.
Your parents look so thrilled with their new home. I’m really excited for them/you to be closer. You’ll laugh, I bought salsa at the Mexican grocer yesterday, scoffing about what British people think is spicy. Ate some with my lunch and my tongue is absolutely scorched. As a Californian, imported Texan salsa is too spicy even for me.
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Oof, that is a lot in a condensed timeframe. The silver lining is that you are getting extra time with your boys thanks to the World Cup, I imagine? I know you’ve said in the past that you don’t get a ton of time with them now that they are independent teens that can drive. So you are really maximizing time with them this summer before your vacation + WC watching. But a big vacation + a big move for your parents + your MIL visiting + your sister visiting + (I think?) another vacation with your sisters fam/parents to Florida is A LOT. I hope you get a quiet period in there somewhere to recharge your battery.
That WC meme about offsides is so appropriate. Even when it’s a legit goal with no chance of offsides Phil jokingly says, “sorry, that was offsides.” LOL. I’m bummed that the US and Mexico are out – we were bummed that Columbia lost yesterday, too. But so far 3/4 teams in our WC pool at Phil’s work are still in (Morocco, Norway, and Argentina). Although Argentina really put its fans through the ringer yesterday! I was busy with work so didn’t know what was happening until after the game was over!
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Kae, that does sound like a LOT. I mean I get it- there isn’t anything you would want to change here. It’s just a lot all at once. I didn’t realize your parents were moving THIS WEEK. That’s exciting! And stressful, especially for them. Moving is hard- i’m sure they’re so, so grateful to have all the help.
I’ve also felt a little crowded lately. Since my husband is a teacher, he’s off for the summer, and so is my daughter of course. She’s off doing her own thing a lot of the time, but since my husband has had this man-cold he’s been home ALL THE TIME. Summers are always like this. I appreciate the slower schedule, but when school starts it’s always such a relief to have the house to myself.
Oooh- Ethan is turning 18!!! How exciting.
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Sounds like a fun summer! I relate to your post, as summer is feeling more full with limited downtime too. Between the kids’ swim season, more in-office required days this summer, my spouse working more while I’m solo parenting, and the World Cup (we were able to travel across the country for a game!), it is a lot. Can you look ahead and find a weekend day without plans or a work day you can schedule off? I will mark the calendar “do not make any plans,” and just knowing it is there seems to help me.
My in-laws also travel for longer periods from another country to stay, and I love having them visit. I remind myself how good it is, especially for my spouse and kids, and then give myself a pass. I read in bed, work in appointments, and don’t feel obligated to host/entertain for weeks. Easier said than done, but wanted to offer how I approach it.
Sounds like a big summer for your parents too with your trip and a move!
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i can totally relate of too much of good thing, especially human interaction. I need to get back to my cave to recharge afterward.
Yet, i like your attitude of keep reminding yourself how good it all is.
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I can totally relate to the overwhelm. There is a constant tug-of-war in my brain between wanting to enjoy friends and family and fun… and wanting to be in a quiet room by myself.
Congrats to your parents! How wonderful that the move is nearly complete!
My in-laws are planning to stay at our house for a few weeks this summer. Part of that time, we’ll be out of town, so they will be watching the house and the cat. But they are much more laid back about plans than I am, and it’s starting to get to the point where I’m feeling really stressed because I don’t know exactly when they will arrive and leave and when I need to schedule the cat sitter. My husband has tried to express to them that we need specific dates, but they are unable or unwilling to give us specific dates, which is challenging. I know some of that is because of things that are out of their control, so I am trying to chill out, but it’s still frustrating!
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