Picnics + Working = Tired

Saturday was our stake Pioneer Day picnic at church. Jared took the kids because I actually had to work (my side job). I took the kids last year by myself because Jared was working. The kids had lots of fun then and were looking forward to going. I was already committed to my "gig" before I knew the Pioneer picnic was the same time. Jared only worked half day so that he could take them. I had to take off before he got home, so my friend and neighbor, Lisa, came over and watched the kids for an hour.

Jared was so tired when he got home, but happily took them to the picnic. He worked two Mexicana flights Friday night and didn't get home until 2:30am. He had to get up at 5:30am to go to work Saturday morning. When I came home, he crashed until dinner was ready. I know he will want to do the same thing when he gets home tomorrow because he will get even less sleep tonight. In fact, he will be spending the night at the airport. He's working the two Mexicana flights, has a private aircraft at 3am, and then starts his shift at 6:30am. He used to have nights like this all the time, but not as much anymore. They have really been cutting back on the overtime. With the rising prices, everybody seems to be cutting back.

Anyways, the kids had fun at the picnic. Jared tried to take some pictures, but the batteries in the camera died. They didn't end up having lunch there. The line was really long and then when they went back, only chicken was left and Faith and Cayden didn't want chicken. They came home for lunch instead.

I was at a picnic too, but I was about an hour away at Champoeg State Park for a company picnic. I occasionally do clown work and this was the third time I've worked since we moved to Vancouver. It's been 8 months since my last job. I am very out-of-practice. I think the three times I've done it here might be the only times I've done it since Cayden was born, except for face painting at the State Fair, which I haven't done for 2 years. I just do it when they need the help.

I had a fun time doing it though and I really can't complain about the pay. It can be hard to get all ready and travel 45min to do an hour birthday party. Sometimes it doesn't seem worth it then. I like doing the picnics and events where I'm there for 3 or 4 hours. It's more worth the hassle that it can be sometimes. Since I don't do this very often, my "face" changes every time I get dressed up. I can never remember or I don't like what I did the last time and I still haven't found the perfect "face" for me. What stays the same is the costume, the eyelashes, and the hair. My hair is too thick to fit in a wig, so I just always pull it up. I think it can be less scary for the kids who are afraid of clowns. I try to be more of a cute clown. I don't want kids to me scared of me.

I had fun being "Daisy", but I was glad to be home. I was gone five hours, but only worked three. It felt SO good to take off the eyelashes and let my hair down! I cleaned up and then started dinner while Jared took a nap. I wanted to sleep too because I had a headache from not getting to eat. I was also pretty tired. Being around so many kids and being extra perky and bubbly can really drain my energy. It was a long day for both Jared and I!