Saturday

This morning started off early.  Amelia needed to eat at four, and then at five Burke came in.  Steve took him out of our room and watched a show on the couch.  I slept 30 more minutes, and then Steve left for his YM bike training.  I laid on the couch with Burke and tried to go back to sleep, but it wasn't very effective.  The other kids woke-up and it was officially time to start the day.  I needed to go to Target, so I had the kids get ready to go.  While I was trying to do something with my hair Burke came in screaming in pain like I've never heard him scream before.  He had jammed an inch and a half long piece of broken Q-tip into his ear.  It wasn't bleeding, but I called the Dr anyway.  They said to bring him in to make sure there was no damage.  We ran to Target and then up to the Dr.  To my surprise, we had a credit to our account, so I didn't have to pay a co-pay.  That was a nice surprise.  We were called back to see the doc, and he checked both ears.  No damage.  Good.  We came home, did a quick house pick up and then Steve took Burke for his day off, and I took the kids to the library.  It was fun.  I was able to find a few good used books at the Friends of the Library shelf for only 50 cents.  I love good deals.  Tommy went to a birthday party, and Steve and I went to Costco.  All of the kids have been reading almost all day.  It's been great.

I'm teaching Gospel Doctrine tomorrow.  I'm a little overwhelmed.

11th Day of Summer Vacation

We had a great day today.  We went swimming, Tommy played at his friends house, we took the kids to have an ice cream, we went to the Ward party.  We just had a nice day.

10th Day of Summer Vacation

Today was our second no electronics day this summer, and it went much better than last week's.  I loved not having the extra noise, and the kids found time to read and to find their creativity.  I was able to sit and read.  Burke asked if he could watch a show and I told him "No, we are not watching TV today".  Instead of throwing a fit he said "awh" and walked away.

Everyone is over the stomach bug.  We are going to have our make up camp day on Monday.

9th Day of Summer Vacation

We've been quite busy.

Tommy had fun at Cub Scout Day Camp.  Then Sunday, Amy was sick, and Michael thought he might be sick. I stayed home with all 5 of the younger kids and Alexis and Steve went to church.  Monday was the first day of Girl's Day Camp.  It was really fun.  I love these girls, and I can't believe how grown-up they've become.  I was a little sad when we started because this will be the last year we do this until Amy turns 8.  I've really enjoyed doing this the past few summers.  So for day one we worked on a sewing project.  There was a cute and simple bag pattern in one of my quilting magazines that was perfect for the girls to sew.  Alexis and I picked out the fabric at Hobby Lobby, and all of the girls really liked it.  For lunch we made breakfast.  Coffee cake and french toast, yum.  Day two of camp they finished their bags and I taught them how to patch a hole in jeans.  For lunch, we had nachos and macaroni and cheese.  I taught them how to make a basic cheese sauce that they could use for both.  Today was supposed to be day three, but Alexis woke up sick.  We tentatively rescheduled for Monday.  

 While we were doing our thing, Amy and Burke were with Grandma Cindy, and Tommy and Michael were in the front room building a Lego project.  They finished it in two days.  It turned out really cool.

It's the Black Pearl

 I Never Want to Be Done

I have six great kids.  I love them so much. No, we don't have a perfect life.  No I don't have endless patience.  Yes, there is yelling and arguing between the kids.  Most of the time, though, they are best friends.   They play well together.  They love each other.  Why would I want to be done having kids?  The joy far outweighs any agony.  I feel blessed by the Lord each time we bring a new baby into our home.  I know I'll never feel like we should be done having kids, but I have to be done sometime.  I feel good about the dynamics of our family.  We are in a good place.  

Nature Girl

Amy was invited to go to a movie with Aunt Kelley and Logan this morning.  After the movie, Kelley took the kids to Chick-fil-A for lunch.  In her kids meal, there was a little nature book on how to identify a few types of trees.  When she came home she wouldn't put the booklet down.  She put this cute outfit on and became Nature Girl.  She is so cute.

She's crying because I told her to smile a real smile.  She said she didn't know how to smile.  I thought her crying was just as cute.