Growing up...almost

Little guy has given up naps for the most part. We were all getting ready for our last night of Awana this last Wednesday. I was making dinner and the kids were getting pajamas on since it was pajama night.

When dinner was ready I went to find this little boy who had conked out on the couch. Sometimes life gets to be too much and you need a little siesta. We figured since he had his pj's on he decided it was as good a time as any to give in to the exhaustion.

Wordless Wednesday

(Listening to tunes in the grass.)

I'm just panicy!

For mother's day this year Steve's mom requested help on her property in place of a gift. Each family would spend a couple of hours working from a list of projects. We went over on Saturday afternoon to work on her strawberry and potato beds. Nana shares her strawberries and potatoes so this gift of work for her also gives back to us later in the summer.

The kids worked with us but we also gave them lots of time to run around and play. A favorite past time at Nana's house is to look for snakes. And look for snakes they did. (Harmless ones of course.)

They formed a small snake pit out of a pile of sand to keep the snakes in. It was much larger than the beginning of one you see above. Unfortunately, however, the snakes had other ideas and wouldn't stay put for observation for very long.

The kids would be weeding or doing other jobs and suddenly one would cry out, "Snakes out!" They would all come running to catch the snake and place it back into the pit.

Fun was had by all. The kids came home tired and fell right to sleep. That is until a small knock was heard during the night on our bedroom door. A little boy came to my side of the bed scrambling to climb in saying, "I'm panicing. I'm trying not to but I am just so panicy! I keep seeing snakes and sand and it's creeping me out!"

The hum

It's that time of year again when you hear mowers and tillers. I love that sound.

The garden is an empty slate. I have all kinds of ideas for this year.

We spent four hours cleaning up, edging, blowing off and weeding out front.

I love our property in the spring. It's park like and peaceful. The dull roar of the mowers and tillers don't bother me. They come with the promise of BBQ's and time with friends and family. Now I'm off to the store to get pizza making supplies and a movie. A nice reward for a job well done by my family.

Oh laundry, you must not like me

While Steve was working on the hammock...

and the older kids were hanging out...

the younger three were doing this.

I'm glad they had a great time. On one hand, I am all for times of creative, unstructured play.

Laundry, on the other hand, could be a challenge this week. ;-)

Lazy Sunday afternoon

What a day! It was in the 70's and we loved every minute of it.

There was lots of time to play and enjoy the weather. A very good thing for us because rain is predicted for the week.

It was one of those days where everything was at peace.


We laughed, played, walked, took pictures and relaxed.


I think it's time to start working in the garden. It's a little early for many things but we are planning to plant potatoes this week.


Look at those apple blossoms. Would anyone like to come over for apple pie this summer? Happy Monday!

Passing the time

I'm not much of a game person though I do try to indulge my kids here and there.

Steve, on the other hand, loves games. He tries to play games with them more often.

Nice way to spend a rainy Friday evening, eh? (Phase 10 is our favorite card game.)

Here we go again

Last year we emptied the kids rooms in what we lovingly refer to as "The reclaiming of the kids' rooms '09". We recently just moved the boys back to their old room and I had some stellar mother moments during that process. I will spare you the details but please trust me, it was ugly. Wow, boys. Just sayin'.

Today we are in the midst of working on the room that belongs to our girls. It amazes me what gets collected, stored or shoved here and there. No amount of reminding them of the work that will come if the room is bursting at the seams again seems to help. Every. Single. Item. Is. Precious.

Sigh. I will be one happy camper when this garage sale is over in a few weeks. We have been removing more from this house than ever before. I am hoping to wave the flag of victory over clutter sometime in May. I will enjoy it while it lasts because I did not just fall off the turnip truck. I am well aware that same flag could be seen at half mast come June 1st. Wish me luck.

Works For Me Wednesday

I do a lot of cooking around here. 3 meals a day x 7 days = 21 meals per week x 7 people = 147 servings. One thing that I do not take for granted is that Steve enjoys cooking meals almost as much as I do.

The kids know that every Saturday breakfast will be a creation from Dad. Last week it was homemade biscuits and sausage gravy. Oh so good. There is no reason to go out to eat for breakfast when you can have this! Steve gets to cook, I get a break from cooking and the kids love what Dad makes. And that's what works me!

Gift that keeps on giving

My parents gave us a membership to a large science center this past Christmas. It is a great gift. We can go as often as we like and it's good at many other museums. We spent a good part of this last Saturday there.

I didn't take very many pictures since we were too busy doing. With the weather being very rainy it was also very busy. I spent a lot of my time counting heads making sure we didn't lose someone.

The older ones were able to drift from us a bit more this time since they are trustworthy and careful. Not too far yet, though. But my lack of pictures of them is proof.

We did get this one of all of the kids. This tall guy was pretty cool to see up close. Em cracked me up with her pointing behind her, mouth wide open. Too funny. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for such a great gift!