School Days

School is in session! Nick started kindergarten today and the older three started a week ago.  Nick was just a little scared this morning, but mostly brave.  He even wants to go back tomorrow.  My heart ached today, sending another child to school made me a bit emotional.  I don't want to know how it will feel when they are grown; right now I am perfectly content living in my "hoarder house" while drowning in the chaos.

Good Ol' John-boy

John came up with a great plan today -- a game of kickball in the park followed by a BBQ and swimming.  We spent a lovely four hours together.  Best memories: Mom would pitch the kickball crazily when the big boys were up to kick.  Cherie would yell, "STRIKE!" and Mom would do it all over again.  While swimming that same little mother and sister of mine squirt every member of the family, including the elderly (Dad lovingly got after Mom for squirting his parents, but she and Cherie just giggled louder than ever) and infants (at one point Kimmie and Olivia hid behind the grandparents for some relief).  I told them they had to get out of the pool and spend some time on the side, so they squirt me.  I suppose it is best that I am an inferior to both, because they would never obey me as their superior, and I don't need two more kids of THAT kind...Just so much fun.

Sunday Afternoon

Today was Ashley's last day as a resident of Utah, and the last Sunday of summer.  32 people, snacks on the deck, blanket on the grass, and a walk around the block ended the summer splendidly. 

 

 

Laundry Room Shelf

My laundry room shelf used to be home to practical items -- soap, the dirty dish cloth bin, the shark accessory bin, and the bank for loose change.  Now, it is completely impractical -- a shelf of with my   babies (oh, I did leave the soap because it does not fit in the cupboard).  My darling babies remind me that the laundry can wait, but they can't.

Eaves Dropping

I overheard this conversation during the cousins sleepover last night:

H:  "Do you want to go to Hawaii?"
M:  "Yes!"
H:  "Well, you have to be careful about ear affections, that's when puss comes out of your ears."
M:  "What is puss?"
H:  "It's affection."
M:  "Oh, you mean goo?  Like when your earring hole has crusties?"
H:  "Yes.  You have to be careful when you are on the airplane."

It seems as though both parties know about infection.  Its a good thing, because 1st graders need to be prepared for all types of affectionate infection.

Pinterest Novice

I finally created an account on pinterest, because there I found this crafty solution to our headband dilema.  This is an oatmeal container with a candle holder glued on the bottom.  

Problem:

 Pinterest Solution:

I will probably make a couple more for a cute grouping.

News

Meg ran her first 5K yesterday morning.

Eddie now plays in the sit and spin, and we stayed home from church today with his first fever.

Seamstressing

While embroidering some towels for a bridal shower gift, I sewed through my finger.  The kids were concerned, but after I told them it didn't hurt they thought it was pretty cool.

 The gift turned out pretty cute.