Will I never learn?

We spent a grand weekend doing lots and lots and lots of fun things.  But I did not bring the camera to a single one of them. 

But that is not what I need to learn.

I need to learn that because I married a Moncur, there is no such thing as "a day off." Because while it means a lot of fun to be had, it also leaves me exhausted and so far behind in my housework that I can hardly bare to even get started on catching up.

here is run down of what we did over Presidents Day Weekend:

Friday we went skiing at Alyeska.  It was awesome. We had at least 10 inches of new powder and I had my best ski day ever. Ethan and Olivia did as well. No one cried. Everyone still wanted to go back out after lunch, and no one got hurt.  Carter is in his 9th year on the slopes and can ski the whole mountain effortlessly. He has definitely inherited his dads skills. 

Saturday Olivia had a birthday party for Picker and Puker's little sister.  She was so excited to go that she asked all morning if it was time yet.  I had some emergency school play things to take care of. This included a trip to Salvation Army for a new costume and hosting an impromptu practice with 6 of the 7 lead parts.  See an emergency has taken one boy out of the state so Carter has moved to his part and a new boy came in cold and took over Carter's old part.   Oh and the play started performances today so there was no time to lose.  With the drama teacher out of town for the 4 day weekend, and because she is my good friend, I got the kids together at the church to go through the new parts with all the key players.

Then Saturday night we went to South High's performance of Phantom of the Opera.  I falsely reported that they were the first HS to ever put this on...that is because the news report we heard on Chanel 2 said that (ps- Chanel 2 also always gets the weather WRONG so I do not know why I am surprised they let me make a fool of myself on facebook).  Turns out they were the first HS in Alaska to put it on.  Anywho, they did an amazing job.  Simply amazing.

We took all the kids to it too.  See a few weeks ago Olivia and Ethan found the CD in JaDee's truck and have been listening to the Phantom soundtrack non stop.  So when we heard on the news that it was going to be performed by a high school, we thought it would be perfect to take the kids too.  We were right.  The props were awesome. The chandelier fell, the boat moved, the phantom had an ugly face and the singing was great.

Sunday was church.  In my new calling as Stake RS 2nd counselor I get to go to all the ward conferences. And since the drama teacher I was helping out is also the Stake RS president, I got to speak for her at this weeks ward conference event.  Let me just say I have never been more nervous in my whole life.  I have taught, spoken and even sung at numerous church events. But never as a "Stake" leader co-teaching with a member of the Stake presidency in front of complete strangers who only know me as a "leader" who is likewise supposed to have all the answers and deliver words of inspiration.  I hear it went well and no one knew I was nervous.  I think they are just nice.

Monday was Snow Mobile day.  It started off with a broken trailer and a quick (OK it took over an hour) switch a roo with a borrowed trailer from a friend.  Then one of our "vintage" machines was having troubles all day and then Carter took a climb up a pretty steep hill.   He made it up the hill, but launched himself and the machine across the road at the top and into the 10 foot ditch on the other side.  He landed mere inches from his friend who just did the exact same thing and was climbing up the ditch to tell someone.  We are lucky and grateful the boys are OK.  Moms were worried. Dads were proud of their daring boys and superbly powerful machines.

Needless to say we came home exhausted after spending an hour digging machines out of 2 feet of powder and getting them back up out of the ditch.  Then we came home stinking of exhaust and sweat and spilled hot chocolate, so we showered late and went to bed in hopes of starting off the week refreshed. Somewhat.

This week is the usual Moncur whirlwind with a final dress rehearsal with the new part; 4 performances; a cast party; costume mending; makeup applying and finally videoing and photographing the event. 

Also on the line up is Blue and Gold Banquet complete with a cake made and decorated by the father and son team of JaDee and Ethan.  All I have to say is that after all the bonding we do as a family, I am not so sure I need cub scouts to come up with more ways for us to spend time together as a family.  We do a pretty good job on our own and quite frankly I need another thing on my to do list like a need a hole in my head.  However, Ethan does love cub scouts more than Carter ever did so I guess it is worth it.

We also have the usual line up of homework, carpool, and a dinner I need to make soup for.  I am hoping to get at least 2 more XC ski runs in this week...I went last night. Plus I need to bind a quilt for my dear backpacking buddy Catherine, who just had her 5th child and will ahve to forgo any more bear experiences with me this summer as she will be nursing her wee one (all 9 lbs 10 oz of him at birth; hardly anything "wee" about this baby!).

And lest you think I am super woman, my house is a M.E.S.S. We ate pizza 3 times last week (once was homemade, once as leftovers from a late play practice and once from Moose's Tooth on the way home from skiing...but Moose's Tooth is so much better than regular pizza it hardly counts). And JaDee did all the laundry on Saturday. So I do not, indeed I most definitely do not, "DO IT ALL."  With every give there is a take.  

I am also on my 3rd or 4th reading of Gone With the Wind. Can I tell you that this is by far one of my all time favorite books.  Some people love Pride and Prejudice. I have to say GWTW is my obsession book.   Our book group is reading it for March and the discussion is at my house so...

I better add that to my list.