The last few days

I think because I am trying to get out of the condo as much as possible (it's really an apartment!), we have done a lot of exploring over the past several days. I think it was Thursday night when we took a drive after work and drove down to St. Augustine so Nathan could drive up the A1A along the coast. While in St. Aug., we went to Vilano Beach where you can drive your car out onto the beach. It is really cool, but I can't say it will be a beach that we will go to relax by the ocean and run in and out of the water. It seems too "dangerous" for that. The sand isn't that soft and the waves are more like surf. We saw a couple of guys with their boards out there. The breaks are big and they come right up to the sand. Mac was a little nervous about the noise of it, and you could actually taste the salt on your lips because of the mist the waves created. We did meet a couple from Beech Grove though. That may have been the night when we got home, Dutch had torn up a bag of trash that I accidentally left in the kitchen. There was trash and food everywhere. I started to scold her, you know..."Bad dog, Dutchie. Bad girl." Then from behind me I hear Mac start in on her...screaming..."NO, NO DUTCHIE. YOU NO DO THAT 'GAIN. BAD GIRL DUTCHIE. NO, NO, NO, etc.etc." I couldn't believe. I thought to myself, where did he come up with that? Where did he hear that kind of tone? Where? Who> Wait a minute...Just as I came to the realization, Nathan so lovingly said "That is YOU." WHAT, NO! COULDN"T BE!!! I would never yell. I am not a yeller. Maybe I am a yeller. OH GOD, I YELL!!!! I don't want to be THAT Mom. So I am being more aware of my own tone with Mac and others.

We went to church with the president of Nathan's bank. Cindy and her husband Dan invited us to go. I was excited to see this church because we passed it the first time we were here in Jax for the interview. It was a nice service, but I want to see some different churches too. We then went to a country club for lunch with Cindy, Dan and another co-worker Tony and his wife Dianne. It was lovely. Eli slept, as usual, and Mac was pretty well behaved. I have to admit, I was nervous! They both went to the nursery and we had no problems there. Mac was happy to go and Eli was voted "the most perfect baby" by the ladies and gentleman in his room, because he slept, ate and slept some more with no crying. (I already knew he was the most perfect baby.) :)

Mac, Eli and I met with our playgroup again yesterday. We went to another park that is near here. More Mom's and kids were there this time. It was a lot of fun for Mac and Me. Again, Eli slept! Next week we go to the zoo. Mac wanted to go that day. It's hard to understand what a "week" is at 2.5.

Finally, I have been researching pre-schools. I think I am leaning toward a church based pre-school. Of the ones I have called and visited, there is one in particular that sticks out. And, they have ONE spot open for the fall for a Tues/Thurs. schedule. We are going to take it! And they have a Mom's Morning Out program too for kids over age 1. So I can put Eli there too one day so I can get my hair cut or go to the store. Yippee!!!

I must say, I knew that I was spoiled having family and friends around to help with the kids when I had an appointment. But, I didn't realize just HOW spoiled I was. It is tough not having family/friends around. I knew that it would be, but I didn't realize how tough.

Here are some pix:

Eli hamming it up. Mac and Daddy at the CC we joined.

Keep reading. I posted 2 today. ;)