Thursday's Quick Break

What a long week without Austin.  But, we survived.  We always do.  I don't know how.  But we do.

Early out day and five parent teacher conferences on Thursday.

I took the kids for ice cream just after dinner.  (I took them Friday as well.  Saturday we ate a boat load of  candy instead of visiting Peggy the ice cream lady.)

 However, on Thursday night, just before the weekend storm hit, we caught a quick break.  I found my four bigs teaching him a new game.  They sat together for an hour.  Austin was trying to beat Andy's high score.  I don't think he did.

Favorite Holiday

Valentine's weekend was fantastic.  Friday night we had friends over for dinner and games.  A new tradition.   I hadn't laughed that hard in so long.  Enjoying a night with my love and watching him laugh and relax was brilliant.  

 Saturday we drove to "The Resort."  The entire afternoon we jumped rope and played in the pool.
Evening time and we headed for Mexican cuisine.  You might think I didn't get ready for my date, but don't be fooled, I braided that perpetual bun of mine.

 Sunday was lovely and peaceful.

 Monday brought dirt to be moved and an army of happy helpers to help.

 Home again to matching dino pajamas and Meg dressing up baby boy as a girl.  It's funny.

No TItle (Which is a Title)

Just one of those weeks were everything is mundane, yet when I look at the pictures I took I realize that my children make my world marvelous.

Maddie's "kinderdarten" hat.

Eddie's daily vocational training.

Wegetable Wednesday.

Stop it.  I actually put make up on and crimped my hair for our date.  Austin forgot to compliment me.  So, he'll just have the bag lady for the next year until I try that again.

Sunday's weather was just brilliant.  We played outside and went for a walk.  (Those middle children are hard to find.  Maisie's head is between Meg and Andy.  Nick is racing for the slide behind Meg.)

This baby is perpetually teething.  He awakened caked in boogies and so,

this cute little DoTerra humidifier is running constantly beside him.  The essential oils that are being released make my room smell like fall.

It's not often that a selfie can hide the upper quadrants of my legs.  This one did.   Mom and Ash told me that this little ruffled sweat shirt was worth its high price.   I listened.

 These boys.  Their vests and colored shirts are all over this blog and insta, yet I just can't help staring at them.  Where did I ever get four boys?  I was certain when Meg was born that I'd have eight girls.  Little boys are grand.

Bear Mountain

Austin, Andy, Ryan (via the KELTY) and I climbed to the top of Bear Mountain.   It was projected to take five hours.  We summited in 1.5 and were down in the same amount of time.  Our legs were burning and were sore the next day, but it was just delightful to be together.

Bye Bye Birdie

I found this gem.

To Do

When I think back about my life as "mother" I'm sure I'll go to this place in time.  Right now.  A schedule filled with bigs and littles, teens and tweens, and a very busy husband.  This post is simply my routine to do list week after week (actually last week), although incomplete. (How apropos because my  to do list is never complete.)
1. Entertain Ed.  We play at least five cards games every morning once scriptures are completed.  He then plays play-doh while I do breakfast dishes.  He's showing off his"Olaf."

2. Weekly dates with Austin to hole in the wall Mexican joints.  Where I pretend that I wear make up and leather jackets.  

 3.  Feed my 18 pound baby all night.

 4.  Attend YW events.

 5.  Feed my same baby all day.

 6.  Look for new recipes to feed the rest of us.  I tried a collared green twice baked potato last night.  Delish.

 7.  Happily talk on the phone to Dearest and dear sisters.

 8.  Make sure homework is complete and correct.

 While keeping these two happy.

And holding this one.

 Keeping him with his nose in books instead on screens.

 9.  Make all sorts cookies and casseroles and veggies.  I was accused in the market for being a juicer!  No siree, I eat all of these veggies.  I think I had one of every thing in my cart.

 10.  Feed this baby until he is sleeping.

11.  Run 3 miles on Saturday mornings.

 Follow it up with yoga.

 11.  Kiss this baby boy all over.

12.  Kiss this big boy all over.

 13.  Make dinner every night but Friday.

 14.  Bathe those little buns every morning.  He told me to find him...he was hiding.  How could I not?

This is hardly exhausting to post because it seems so routine.  Every night I climb into bed worn out.  I love this phase of my mortal motherhood!

Finally

I pretty much went all through school without receiving a "student" anything award.  I was thrilled that Meg was chosen for December as the IB student of the month.  Her awards assembly was boring, but she deserved that award.  I love her smug expression.

 This girl stuffed six chocolate balls into her mouth.

 This boy played in the snow in our yard!

 This mom made popcorn and cookies for a Sunday afternoon snack.  Thanks, Kimmie, for the Andes mint chips and corresponding recipe.

And, most of these items are insta repeats, sorry.

New Year

 Whilst making the menu for this past week, which means I go around the table and each of the members suggest a dinner entre, Austin requested sushi and was quite serious about it.  I made that happen thanks to Amazon sushi bamboo kit, Walmart for the seaweed, and Bonzai Bistro for the chop sticks.

To be fair, Austin helped me prepare and eat it.  The younger children went hungry, except for the fortune cookies they ate prematurely.

 But not Mr. Cuddles, he loved the rice.

 Am I going to make it again?  Yes.  Do I need a few sides so the others aren't starving?  Yes.