ding dongs

A few nights ago, I was upstairs helping Sully back to sleep and the doorbell rang. Paul was just barely home, so he answered it. There was no one there. Just this box of Ding Dongs and a little note that said "You've been ding dong ditched". So fun! Paul opened the box last night (after lecturing me on how poorly I eat) and he ate 4 ding dongs in one sitting... So, THANKS to whomever dropped these off for us!

free carnival

Two Saturdays ago, the kids and I were driving to Home Depot to do the kids workshop. On the way there, they spotted a few bounce houses and asked if we could stop. The bounce houses were in a parking lot of a new medical group that recently opened, and I figured it was probably a private event for the families of the people who work there, but I told the kids I would check. Well, it turns out that the event was a promotional thing they were doing that was free for everyone. What?! So we went and it was GOOD! Bounce houses:

Organic turkey burgers, apples, juice, water, pretzels:

Face painting:

Police and fire fighters:

Free games (with prizes) and crafts:

Cupcakes ladies walking around handing out cupcakes:

Meeting J. J. Moses (one of the very few football players I have heard of before) and Don Trull, they thought this was how Matix was pronouncing his name, ha!:

Balloon animals:

Snow cones and popcorn:

And everything, every single thing, was free. What? We were there for about 4 hours, and by the end, I was tired! Solace was content to be in the baby bjorn the whole time (except when I took him out while I ate lunch), but my back and shoulders felt it that afternoon.  I was so happy we found this little carnival, and we had the time to hang out there all day.

preschool

We had preschool at our house 4 times last week. It was busy, and loud, and fun. I love being able to watch first hand the way my kids interact with their friends. The highlights of our days were the kazoos we just got, making our snacks into smiles or mustaches or eyebrows, playing with the new (to us) potato heads, and working together on the 60 piece puzzles - the kids were SO proud that they could do that many pieces.

Next year, I will be teaching preschool for Hawken's age (entering kindergarten in 2015) kiddies. The group of kids who have enrolled are SUCH a good group of kids. I am excited to start... I know it's still months away, but I have been having fun collecting things and ideas for the school year. 

good day.

Today was a good day. Paul had his first half day off in 13 days. Granted, he has to work all night tonight for a 17 hour shift (what?!), but he did have part of the day today off, so we got lots of good daddy time.  In the morning, Hawken had preschool here, and loved telling his friends that his daddy was home. Then Paul sold his old car, hooray! Then at naps, when Solace was fussy (sick again), Paul snuggled with him, so I could take a nap, yes please! Then after nap time, we all went to the children's museum, again. We were there yesterday too. We love it too much. ;)  Paul had to leave from there to go to work, but the kids and I stayed waaay past bedtimes and had a blast. Sweet Solace is still working on getting better, but was loving all the snuggles he got at the museum, while I chased around after the big kids. When we got home, everyone crashed out hard. And who doesn't love to see a sleeping baby...?

These pictures were from a couple days ago, but he pretty much looks like this all the time. He won't fall asleep on his back, but sometime during his rolly polly dream time, he flips over, so I can see that oh so sweet face of his. I couldn't possibly love this baby any more that I already do. He is pure perfection.

color clix

We got these "Smart Links" toys in a kids meal from Wendy's a few years ago. They were, and still are, a favorite. The kids build and create things for hours at a time. They love this type of open ended play.

We only had a handful of the smart links, so I started searching for them. There is a compatible toy called "Color Clix" that I found on Amazon and bought them. Well, since that package arrived, we have been building all day everyday.

I am teaching preschool this week, and on Monday and Tuesday, the preschoolers had a chance to try them out, and it was fun for everyone. I am already thinking about buying more, simply because they are amazing.

nutella and notes

The kids made Paul a treat one night. They knew they weren't going to see him for a few days, so they left him a nutella toast. Very sweet. He ate some of it and left some for the kids, along with a thank you note.

The kids were excited about the note. I was confused though, because in the note he said he left some for the kids, but as you can see, there was only a plate and a few crumbs along with the note... Sakina!  That sneaky pup has a sweet tooth.

flowers

The vomiting has stopped, and the bad behavior too. Thank goodness. We got cough drops yesterday, and for the first time in EIGHT DAYS, Paul got to see 3 out of 4 of the kids. Sully was already asleep. He got home for a few minutes of our family home evening, and teeth brushing and bedtime songs. The kids were in heaven. It was the happiest 30 minutes of their week.  Also, Texans have been celebrating lots, since Texas Independence Day was on Sunday, and the rodeo is here in town, and all the trail riders have been showing up. It's very exciting.  Matix painted this picture of blue bonnets, the Texas state flower.

And, speaking of flowers, I am loving my little flower bud vase that Colleen got for me. It is perfect for all the little tops of flowers that the kids pick for me. Thanks!

Also, speaking of Colleen, she is going to be getting MARRIED in a week and a half. What?! So exciting!

today

I have had a hard day. Full of vomit, and coughing, and time outs, and bad behavior, and never ending laundry (see vomit comment). Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest. A day to go to church (which I didn't, again, see vomit comment).  A day to enjoy life and family. But today, the only member of my family that I really want to be with, is working.  All the others keep talking back, and throwing up on me, and NOT SLEEPING... Perhaps tomorrow will be better. Here's to hoping.

new car, again

This isn't supposed to happen as often as it has been (twice in 6 months), but Paul bought a new car. We haven't sold the old one, but after it broke down, again, he decided he needed a more reliable car. After some investigating, he went with a Prius. We had to finance it, but it's perfect. Thanks Dad for the help finding the best one. 

The kids went with when he went to pick it up. The three biggest got a ride home in it. Hawk was mad in the first picture because the car seats weren't installed yet. Can't be unsafe, even just for a picture, you know.

They wanted a picture with Sully in it too. Of course. 

Let's all hope this car lasts the length of time we need it too. At least 2 and 1/2 years. Please, think long life thoughts for this car. :) Laurel was there too, you can see her arm in a couple pics. She even offered to take a family picture, but I declined... Perhaps I am the reason I'm not in the blog... Have I become a bit camera shy? Weird.