Family fun minus one

Friday was the first Friday in months that Dad didn't have to work. His normal schedule is 4 ten hour days. With all the back and forth he has had to work on Friday's to get close to his hours. He has almost wiped out his personal time off. We were so excited to have him off and with the stress of the week we decided to treat Brother and Sister to some fun. And fun we had. We rode the train into downtown and had lunch. (3 out of 4 of us got sick, but it was the thought that counts) then we went to see Monsters University. (2 thumbs up on the movie, BTW) We did a little shopping before heading back home. It was a really nice time. The kids really needed the attention. Sister made it very clear that she needed some Mom time. She was attached to me the whole time. I was grateful that I was able to just focus on her. With Grace sometimes it's hard because she demands some much attention. I think Sister has just gotten use to sitting back. With Grace gone, Sister took the opportunity to have all my attention. I have to say it was really fun. Sister is such a funny little girl. She is always coming up with the most random thoughts that make us laugh. Brother I don't think liked as much attention. I started to notice that most of his clothes are too small. Then I started to think of the last time I really bought him any new summer clothes. That's when we decided shopping was going to be a necessary part of our day. He was not very happy about it at all. We still managed to make it fun for everyone. It was a lot of fun to see a side of our two kids that has been some what hidden by the need to have so much attention on Grace. It also started to make me some what relieved to have Grace some where safe so I could have this time with Brother and Sister. We miss her, but we are getting to see how bad this has been for so long. I worry about Brother and Sister because they have seen so much of Grace's outbursts. I wonder how it affects Sister especially. She is only 8. And really some of the outbursts have been pretty violent. I just hope that they will remember more of the family fun days and less of the other.