Not Our Final Swim

Jeremy finished his last of 6 finals today. We sure missed him. For the last 3 weeks he's been intensly studying at the law library. The kids got a sneak peak at him in the mornings before he ran out the door to school...and then they didn't see him until the following morning. Sometimes he'd come home for dinner. It was a hurried rush, not relaxing, and he'd be out the door before we even finished our meals (he's a quick eater). It was draining for everyone involved. Bedtime was the worst - the girls would sob for daddy and once they were calm, I was so unmotivated to do the chores alone. The dishes piled up and waited for me to wash them during a nap time the following morning...if I even felt motivated to get them done then. I couldn't fall asleep, alone.



Sundays were glorious though, as those are designated study-free days. We would all soak him in. The girls would sometimes argue about who got to sit on his lap at church or who would sit next to him at the table, but mostly, we were just so happy to SEE him.


After long weeks of this, we needed some re-bonding time. So at Jeremy's suggestion, we were going to the Aquatic Center in Lawrence after his final Final was over with. The girls talked about it for days! The excitement today was palpable. Excitement that finals were going to be over, excitement that we could have Jeremy home without a feeling in the back of our minds that he'd just be leaving again, and definitely excitement that it was time for a swim!


We did need a bit of preparation, worn out swimsuits were to be replaced with new ones. Maddie has been wearing the same one for about 3 summers in a row now and Abbie, well, we all know the story of Abbie and swimsuits. She has three. They have been pakced away because she'd still try to squeeze into them. They just weren't modest anymore...she outgrew them before she outwore them. Funny how that happens so often with kids' clothes.

So today we spent a few hours in search of a swimsuit for the girls (Brayton's good to go). If you have ever tried to shop for a suit in the middle of winter, it's tough. It's obviously NOT swimsuit season.


We went to:
Walmart - zip
Target - zero
TJ Maxx - zilch
Half of Half - nada
Dick's Sporting Goods - They did carry youth sized speedos, but I wasn't about to fork over $60.


Now let me remind you that I had all three kids with me. It took more time unbuckling and re-buckling than it did to get into the store only to find out that they don't carry swimsuits in winter. And it was cold and windy today. Not much fun.


And then we headed to the mall...


Justice - They just got a shipment in, but only one one-piece to choose from (and a huge handfull of bikinis on hangers. Not for my girls!). And I wasn't about to fork over $30 for one suit.


The Children's Place - They too got a shipment in...and had CUTE one-pieces for both girls. It was less than $30 (for both!) and the cashier even accepted my expired coupon. Perfect! Now why didn't I just come here first?!


And we enjoyed the pool thoroughly. It was so fun to have Jeremy back in the family again. We sure missed him...