Saturday was one of those days. You know, the kind where you want to sleep in, but have to get up even earlier? And then it’s clean the house, do the laundry, work in the yard.

But…

How wonderful it was to have the Diva come over and work with the Drama Queen because she was singing in the praise band for the first time tonight. But what made it even more special? When the Talented One started talking harmony with them; giving them suggestions and then singing along with them and helping. What a moment!

And then, taking Chicken Noodle Butt and the Drama Queen outside with me and teaching them how to trim the rosebushes. And we talked and laughed as I shared memories of trimming rose bushes with their oldest brother. Which took me down memory lane…..

And having chili dogs and guacamole outside in the backyard; just sitting in a circle laughing and talking.

And working on Bboo’s hair while watching the four youngest playing baseball in the backyard. Laughing while we listened to them screaming “run, run….get the ball, get the ball!” And remembering baseballs and soccer balls crashing through the same window through the years.

And finally, playing Super Mario races half the night; laughing as I kept falling off the cliffs and rainbow road (or whatever it is called), and getting inked or struck with lightening.

In our hectic life, these are the type of days I long for. I’m so glad I was blessed with one this weekend.

It’s one of those Saturdays where my brain just needs to take a step back and relax from all of the hoopla of the previous weeks. This summer has been pretty crazy; mostly spent working, but well worth the task at hand! I had originally thought this last Saturday before school started would be one of ….oh, I guess I don’t know.

The plan was to pick up Chicken Noodle Butt and the Princess and take them to see the Smurfs. Then, we found out the Good Looking One had to have his wisdom teeth pulled, so it changed to bringing them over to hang quietly while he sleeps his day away.

Instead, first thing this morning we got the call for him to go in early for his surgery. Hubby and the Talented One drove him while I took the Smart One to Karate and picked up the other two. On the way home, we stopped to stock pile with popcycles, jello, pudding, yogurt, juice and school supplies. (Hey, I get what I can when I can!)

The Good Looking One was nicely settled in my bed by the time I got home. I took a look at our pathetic looking dog who desperately needed to be groomed at a not so cheap price, so decided to do it myself. (He’s still pathetic looking, but at least he’s not as hot.) The Princess spent the next two hours helping me while the others watched a movie…until Bboo spoke up with,

“A snake is loose, isn’t it?”

That’s when I noticed the Drama Queen and the Smart One walking around quietly with a flash light.

They both glanced my way; knew I wasn’t going to fall for anything less then the truth and Bboo had already figured it out by the quiet way they were searching.

Indeed, a snake was loose. After a thorough search, the Smart One went to take a nap and the rest of us just carried on; knowing eventually the snake would show up.

Just a bit ago, the Talented One came calmly walking out of his room holding up a snake.

Apparently he was taking a nap when he felt something crawling over his arm.

Since he’s the one who first talked me into allowing a snake in this house, there wasn’t much he could do but catch it, let us know it’d woken him up, and then put it back into its cage.

Yup, we’re having just another typical Saturday in the Vivas household!

This week has been tough on my poor hubby. He’s had to put up with his family. By Thursday, I’m sure he’d had enough of,

“Dad…I need this.”

“Honey, can you go get that?”

“Dad, did you remember my…?”

This week was project week. I love a project based school, but there are some nights……

I’ve been sick.

Bboo was sick.

We finally made it to Thursday evening…which meant Friday was coming, which meant a weekend was near!

After dinner, all we had left was to make a ton of peach cobbler for the Drama Queen’s project the next day. They were working on different foods from different countries and she chose America. I nixed the hot dog and said it had to be something real…and could be prepared the night before because although hot dogs may be an American food they certainly weren’t going to earn her an “A” and there was no way any one at school was going to cook them for her. So we decided on peach cobbler. Then we had to go through the 1000 reasons why we weren’t going to make it for the whole 5/6 section of school. (She lost that battle.)

I lost the battle of thinking we weren’t making extra for the family…one of which had to be gluten free for the Smart One. (BTW-it was delicious…and I couldn’t tell him “no” because the poor boy had hurt his elbow in wrestling and was in quite a bit of pain)

We finally get ready and realize we need butter. So dad goes to the store.

We get it all going and dad finally sits down…only to be informed that she is also supposed to provide plates and forks.

Back to the store he goes again.

By the time he gets home, we’re almost done; I’m grouchy because I still can’t breathe after a month of bronchitis, when suddenly.

The dog starts throwing up.

Again.

And again.

The only time she ever gets sick is if she’s found chocolate. You’d think she’s be smart enough not to search out something that makes her sick, but she will search for it anyway.

We finally realize by the looks of it that she’s gotten into the Smart One’s bag of chocolate cream cherries. And we find the half eaten bag outside in the back yard. She’s not happy because she’s sick. He’s not happy because she stole his candy.

Poor hubby isn’t happy because his wife is sick, the dog is sick, his son is hurt, and the Drama Queen needs too much tonight….oh..and to top it off, the Talented One is sick. Really. He’s gone to bed early because he feels terrible and we’re keeping him up as we deal with the dog.

We finally get the kennel by the door so she can go in and out and head to bed.

Leaving hubby downstairs…with the sick dog, sick son, and hurt son.

By morning, very early, I might add, it’s apparent that sick son and hubby have been up all night. The poor man finally resorted to bringing in the kennel because the poor dog was so miserable. And then he got a pillow and laid next to it on the floor so she would be comforted. (And he says he doesn’t like the dogs…yeah right!)

Apparently she threw up all night.

So did the Talented One.

I get up and get ready for work and school…only to have the Drama Queen inform me that she’s found vomit under my desk. I’m in the shower…can’t help.

Hubby gets up and cleans it. I tell Bboo that daddy has earned a day off because he has officially won the “My Family is a Pain in the Patooty” award! We go downstairs and tell him that he’s earned the day off and that he and the sick child can sleep all day.

And I leave for work.

A short while later, I receive the following text,

“Roxy should feel better soon. She just pooped two mountains on the carpet. Major yucky. I just sold her on Ebay.”

Yeah, the carpet cleaner is coming on Tuesday. And no, he really didn’t sell her on Ebay.

They eventually got some sleep and we went on our with day. Turns out the Smart One is in a sling and I am on more meds.

And this is why we just say, “It’s a Vivas Thing!”