Weekend Perfection

This weekend has been everything that I could have hoped for. After being away from the beloved family cabin since October (this is the first time EVER that we have not been up there at least a couple times in winter) we decided to make the trek up to enjoy the weekend. It is a long drive. About three hours. And for the majority of it the boys looked like this:
The last half hour was tough on Ben but his older brothers tried their best to make him laugh and keep him occupied until we got to our favorite "up north restaurant". It is a combination bar and restaurant and the bartender just happens to look like Santa. Not only that but he makes the boys their own special drink called a "Sucker Punch". It is orange juice, pineapple juice and a bit of cherry juice topped off with a sucker stuck in the straw. The boys always know when we are getting close and can barely contain their excitement.
Not only did they get their special drinks but the owners also added a pigeon coup in the back where the sillies come right up to the window. The boys just couldn't get enough of them. They were so cute!

Oh, and video games! Did I mention the video games?
After the boys were done eating like champions it was only another 20 minutes until we reached our cabin. Whew! At last!

The rest of the weekend went by in a blur. The boys watched daddy put the pier in.

Played around on the four wheeler and went for rides.
Went fishing with daddy and grandpa. Enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

And even roasted some marshmallows.

It was so much fun. The boys were absolutely amazing throughout the whole trip. They listened well, slept great, ate a ton, didn't fight, whine, or complain (except when it was time to go). I was just so proud of them. It was the type of vacation that makes me feel like I'm living a dream. A beautiful, rosy-colored dream.
Even the ride home was fun. The boys only managed to sleep for a little bit but were so patient for the rest of the way. When we were about a half an hour from home Tommy said, "This twip is takin' forevah! We shoulda taken an aiwpwane!" Okay, buddy. But you're buying!
Yesterday morning we got up and got the boys ready for the Memorial Day parade. It was a beautiful 80 degrees outside. Absolutely amazing weather for Memorial Day in Wisconsin. The boys were able to wear shorts and sandals for the first time this year. They were so excited and had a blast watching the parade. There were firetrucks and loud drums. It doesn't get much better than that for little boys!
Then we went out and bought some gorgeous flowers for our yard and spruced and planted the rest of the afternoon away.
After that we went to a cook-out and then to the park. It was nonstop action this weekend and the boys managed it wonderfully.

This past weekend I saw myself as the kind of mother I always want to be. I was fun and loving. Laid back and carefree. I was even patient! I wish I could be this mom all the time. And I'm working on it. I really am.
But I wake up this morning to 45 degree weather and cranky boys and I find myself struggling to maintain a good attitude. Struggling with my own tiredness and the boys' sass. And I'm struggling. But I'll keep trying. Trying to turn my mood around so that I can turn their mood around. I'll reread this post, and look at the pictures again to remind myself how good these boys really are. And I'll turn this around. These sassy little monsters are really good boys. I'll keep telling myself this until I remember it is true. And I'll remember the mom that I was this past weekend. And I'll keep trying.