Barnes and Noble was the first of many stops during our Girls Day Out. We continued on to the mall which included lunch, making wishes at the fountain, a ride on the carousel, picking a few selections from the penny candy store, and playing at the playground. I love my girls. They still think it’s cool and fun to hang out with me. I’m going to hang onto that as long as possible…
Cam’s first Boy Scout Camp welcomed him with a blizzard and 14 degree overnight temperatures. Although he was chilled to the bone, he still managed to learn knot tying and first aid. What a trooper!
Dads squeeze kids hard while hugging them, and they like it. Dads give “horsey rides” and buck off the kids, and they like it. In this case, dad is wrestling with the bunch. They are getting smashed and held down, and they like it. That’s what dads are for.
As a stay-at-home mom of 6, finding a good read to escape from reality is all I can do for sanity sometimes. I just finished Book 2 of the Hunger Games Series. I read both books 1 & 2 in less than a week. My mom asked me if it was “uplifting”. Not really. Is it a self-help book that will be useful information to help me in my life struggles? No. Does it make me relax and escape into another world. Yes. That’s all I really for right now then.
This is what cabin fever looks like. Today it is snowing, although it is almost May. 7 months of bone-chilling weather calls for a little creativity when it comes to inside-play, which Matti has no shortage of. Today it has come in the form of building huts, holding plastic sacks in the wind to see them fill with air and dance around, and plastic-sack races.
Brookie sung her little heart out at this Spring’s Choir Concert. She is in the front row, 3rd one from the right. If it was up to her, she would be in piano, choir, dance, cheer, take art classes and gymnastics…to name a few. She is naturally talented and has a lot of interests to say the least!
Since it seems like we are always behind the camera, here is a small glimpse of us showing off a sample of the kids’ hard work!
Since Cam, Brit and Matti were going to be gone on Easter this year, we decorated our Easter eggs a few days early! Cam created a few, then got bored. He’s definitely a “tween” now. It’s sad watching Cam grow out of all the holiday traditions we have done over the past 10 years. (Sniff, sniff)
This is Harley’s bed. This is Matti in Harley’s bed. Not sure how she fits in there, but she does. Maybe this is in preparation for working for some contortionist or magic show in Vegas. Either way, I’m just glad she can get out. She also puts it on her head, which has earned her the new nickname, “Boxhead”. Matti always can find a way to bring a smile to our faces!
Wyatt loves bugs. What 6 year old doesn’t? So we ordered him some ladybug and butterfly larvae. Just happens that the only day we don’t bother to check the mail, we receive a package in our mailbox with the larvae that says, “Live Bugs, Open Immediately”. Luckily they were still alive! The 5 caterpillars (in the cup on his dresser) have turned into beautiful iridescent chrysalids. In about 7-10 days we should have 5 new pet butterflies!
As our week visiting cousins comes to a close, I can leave without a doubt that memories were made, family relationships were strengthened, and the longing that we could do this more than once or twice a year grew. Each time we visit one another, I notice with the kids that there are more teeth missing, they have grown a few more inches and individual personalities are more prominent. But one thing stays the same. We genuinely love one another’s company and look forward to our next visit.
Cameron, Jake and Drew at The Woodlands Children’s Museum
This girls club came complete with signage and theme song which goes as follows: “Peace pop girls are the prettiest ones, Peace Pop Girls are so much fun! Peace Pop girls are Number One!” And of course, no boys allowed!
…The kids were running through the sprinklers and having water fights in Texas. I can’t think of a better Spring Break activity during the 90 degree weather we were enjoying. Especially since we haven’t had sprinklers out since last August! We topped off the day with homemade ice cream and a BBQ.
Meet “Lizzy”. Despite being nearly squeezed to death while being passed around after her capture, she hung out on the back porch while we ate dinner. The kids kept checking to see if she was still out there periodically throughout the evening; and she was for most of it. We are not used to these little green creatures running freely in our backyard. Catching lizards was one of the most fascinating parts of our visit to Texas.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Britney and Kaylee practiced their hand rhymes. The words have changed, but it brought a smile to my face to see them do what I did with my friends when I was their age.
…Or take me out to 4 ball games in a week, I should say. Cousins Drew and Jake kept us hopping from ball field to ball field during our week stay in Texas. These boys eat, drink and sleep baseball! Below, Jake is scoring a run for his team, the Rockies.
While Justin was just about to catch some “zzz’s” late one night, he was suddenly startled by a loud noise. He grabbed his gun and slowly crept out to the living room. He turned the corner, flipped the light on, and this is what he saw…
…our cute little grey kitty innocently staring right back at him. She must have jumped on the keys to get to her perching spot. I think he was a little jumpy sleeping alone while I was out of town.
