Day 3

After a blissful nine hours of sleep, I woke up much improved this morning, ready to tackle another day of storytelling, pretend play, and silly songs. The kids were eager for me to be up and about, as they knew we were going to be visiting one of their favorite people in the McLennan universe: Jenny Strayer. And her fabulous playroom, of course, complete with chalkboard wall, race track carpet, and its very own TV and DVD player.

It was nice to chat with another adult for a bit while the kids enjoyed the playroom. The Strayers also have a beautiful back patio where we were able to share lunch before a trip to Rita's for the world's best Italian ice. Annabell and Liam opted for frozen custard, probably because it was the only option that came with sprinkles.

After Rita's we said goodbye to Jenny and came home for our Bible time. Liam picked the story today: "Joseph's Beautiful Coat." The children's Bible version didn't give us much to work with, but we were able to think about the fact that God:

• loves us.
• wants families to love each other.
• does big things through little people. (That one required a little commentary from Mommy.)

We tried naps again today, but I knew from the start I was fighting a losing battle. I didn't care that much if the kids slept, but I was craving a short rest and knew I'd never be able to sleep if they were up. The Mommy radar is just too strong.

When it became clear that Liam wasn't going to stay quiet in his bed long enough for Annabell to drift off, I moved him into my room, thinking he'd settle down with me next to him. The plan seemed to be working at first. I had just about drifted off before I heard him shifting around beneath the sheets. I was almost out again a few minutes later when there was more movement and I suddenly felt a small, warm hand on my cheek. We lay there for a while, Liam pressing his forehead against mine and stroking my face, me soaking up every moment, until he grew restless and started tossing and turning again. Soon Annabell showed up, claiming she had taken a nap even though we'd only left her room about 15 minutes earlier. That's about when I gave up and let them play quietly while Mommy cat-napped. I don't think I really feel asleep, but I did regain enough energy to don a bathing suit a little while later and head outside to scrub the kiddie pool, which did some time earlier this spring as an unintentional birdbath.

With the 90+ degree heat, we had a blast splashing around in the pool. While Annabell practiced her technique with the spray nozzle and Liam ran around the backyard in a wet bathing suit showing off his perpetual plumber's crack, I inflated our smaller, secondary pool so we could fill one with warm water and one with cold. Then we invented a new game: Water Golf. It involves swinging Liam's plastic golf club through the cold water pool in the direction of the warm water pool, thereby spraying everyone in the warm pool with frigid droplets and inducing fits of screams and laughter. Fun game, as long as you're the one with the golf club.

We ended the day by eating hot dogs and hamburgers for dinner while sitting on the back deck in wet bathing suits. Good stuff.