Wow! What a week!
We started the week quietly on Monday with just me and the kids. On Tuesday my friend Katie came by to return some things and stayed for a few hours with her kids, which was a delight.
Wednesday, I watched my friends' four kids while she got some painting done. Michael was finishing up lunch when they arrived. I realized that I am no longer equipped for little ones! So I spread a towel and he picnicked on the floor. :) Kaitlin cheered him on when he'd take a bite. She and Andrew were so happy to have a baby in the house! Matthew loved Michael too, but he was busy with the older boys playing Legos (which is why there are no photos of them).
We spent some time outdoors and Andrew kept helping Michael In & out.... And in and out.... (and in &out!)
He was so sweet with him. He probably stayed close to him for an hour, tending to him. And happily helped keep an eye on him if I needed to do something like prepare dinner or help another child. When I saw him with Michael my mind finally came to terms with the fact that Andrew is turning 7. I definitely struggle with not babying my kids. I think it'll always be a struggle for me. I'm grateful for Dan as he is a good reality check/balance to my natural tendencies. I'm planning on volunteering in the nursery with Andrew at church. I think he would love it (he just said to me, "Mama, we need another baby) and I think it would also be good for him too.
When I saw him playing with Michael so sweetly I could just see him working with children as an adult. His gifts are definitely relational ~ his personality is so flexible and sweet. He can get along with virtually anyone and never struggles to make a friend.
I honestly wasn't sure how Kaitlin and Grace would play together. They have different interests and strong personalities but they did so great! They played outside together, and painted together, and then Grace spent time playing with the boys while Kaitlin played with Michael. It was great!
Another photo of Andrew playing with Michael. He was holding the toy so Michael could open and shut the door.
The next day, after basketball camp (Matthew had basketball camp every morning this week) we had Matthew's friend, Stephen over for lunch and a play date.
Then, on friday it was the cousin's turn!
I asked Michelle if she felt comfortable with me taking the kids to the zoo myself and she was. I was a little nervous as my kids are not the best at staying close, but I thought it would be good to break up the day and I was feeling like my kids needed to get out a bit. I asked for one group photo and they cooperated! I also promised Ice Cream for good behavior.
And we were off! I didn't take too many photos as I was mostly worried about watching the kids. But this goat is sort of a tradition and Kaitlin wanted a picture and so I obliged.
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The boys were watching a bear. We were in the "Great Northwest" area and we had the misfortune of being in the middle of a BIG day camp that we just couldn't shake. Once we made it through this area it was better, but it made it a bit of a challenge to keep the kids corralled.
Isaiah was SO helpful. He made all the difference. He was Kaitlin's "buddy", held her hand a lot, and was so, so sweet to her. In fact, she hardly said a peep the whole time we were there, she just quietly followed her boys while Noah rode in the stroller. :) That is, until Andrew got blisters because instead of hearing me say, "Put on shoes and socks and get in the van" he heard, "Put on your crocs that are too small without any socks and get in the van." (You can see in the photo below he is nursing his feet).
We stopped for lunch. As I got up for a photo I said, "Does anyone want to smile?" Isaiah obliged. I took it. :) At this point I was wearing down and asked if they were ready to go home or if they wanted to see more, but Isaiah really wanted to see the Alligators (which were probably the farthest point away from us ~ isn't that how it goes)? But he was so patient and helpful that I felt like he should get to see the animal that he wanted to and we make the trek through "Africa."
It worked great because Noah had wanted to see the bats. He asked me to take a photo. Here you go, Noah!
Isaiah requested a photo here. Here you go, Isaiah! :)
And then we made it back to the van. Whew! We headed home. So the truth is, I was SO tired at this point, I came home and laid down for 20 minutes or so on the sofa. And then we had cake baking lessons with Matthew and Isaiah!
They had fun with this and were quite pleased with their finished product.
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They did great! There was also scootering, bike riding, and a stick throwing contest.
They left around dinner time...Dan looked at me and said, "I'm taking you out to eat." We had a great dinner at a new Mexican restaurant, came home and went to bed at 8pm, and I slept for 11 hours!! I don't remember the last time I did that! It was amazing. :)
The next day we went to our friend Julie and Steve's house for our annual birthday celebration. Rather than celebrating 8 kids' birthdays individually we just do it once in the summer. It works great. Steve made this "blob" for the kids and they had so much fun jumping and sliding on it. It was great!Our kids play so well together and it's always such an easy visit despite the number of kids. Georgia (on the far right) loves to play with the little girls so she is always happy to help with a dress up costume and makes it easy on the mamas.
My kids love to go here not only because of the (six!) kids, but they have guinea pigs, a great dane, a bunny, a cat (they used to have a parrot but it recently died) and they live out in the country with lots of space to run and play!
The little girls have so much fun together. Joy (far right) and Kaitlin love to play dolls and dress up together. They usually disappear after we arrive and we hardly hear a peep from them the whole time.
Julie and Steve recently returned from a trip to France and we were able to see a slideshow of the photos from their trip which was really amazing.
This week brings swim lessons for all 3 kids and Andrew's birthday party. Another busy week ahead, but lots of fun. I love summer!
