I am such a Sucker

So with the move and everything, I have A LOT to do everyday. Which is why I told Kirsti I couldn't come on her field trip. This morning, she begged again. And I told her, "No." I explained I had to go grocery shopping. I explained that the beach costs money to get enter. I explained that I had to switch the phone and Directv to the new house. I explained all our belongings have to be moved to the new house and this house must be cleaned with just a few days left. I explained why I was too busy to chaperone her field trip. After I dropped her off, I started thinking. Does it matter if I do the shopping in the morning? Am I really too cheap to pay the $5 entrance fee? The beach they were going to is only 3 houses away from our home. How long goes it really take to make a few phone calls? Is it fair that I went to Ethan's field trip and skip hers? And then the kicker; her bus drives by the same time I am getting the kids ready to walk out the door. As Matthew waved madly at the bus and I could see her waving inside, I decided. I threw the boys into the stroller and headed for the pedestrian entrance. To my frugal joy, the gates were open but they weren't yet collecting the entrance fee. And the look on Kirsti's face was priceless when she saw us walk up the boardwalk. They played at the beach, the water area, and had ice cream cones and we were done by 12:30.

And now for the rest of the day- it was hot so I sat down to cool off and write my shopping list. I also swapped my boys' sandy, ice creamed clothes for clean ones. By the time I was done and headed out it was 1. I got 1/2 way to the store and stopped at McD for some lunch. While sitting in the drive through, I went to grab my wallet only to realize I had taken it out and left it in my camera case for the field trip. I had enough cash for dollar sandwiches, but not enough time to go home for the wallet and still go shopping. Now it is 1:30 and I spend the extra hour cleaning (aka taking a nap). Pick up the kids, kiss Peter good bye (still on nights), make the needed phone calls, and start cleaning out the 3rd floor. Remember, it is 90 degrees and this house has no air. The good news is I must have lost 5 pounds in sweat. I finished completely cleaning out the top floor with just enough time to run our belongings from that floor to the new house, load it into the right rooms, grab dinner (McD's twice in a day), and get to cub scouts on time (aka 20 minutes late). I enjoyed sitting in the air conditioned church for that hour. Now we are home. Now all I have to face is completely cleaning the house tonight and shopping and cleaning out the 2nd floor tomorrow (no biggie, right?). Isn't moving fun (and the look on Kirsti's face was STILL worth it)?