D-Now Weekend

Last weekend we were a host home for 6th grade boys, Well half of the 6th grade boys anyway. Our job was to have the boys here for 2 nights and one day. They did some sessions at our house and some at church. There were 13 boys and 3 youth(high school) leaders. Foot Locker doesn't have a better selection of boys athletic shoes.

Of course with 11 and 12 year old boys there was lots of eating. and eating. and eating. and eating.

and more eating.

At some point during "chill" time one of the youth leaders CRASHED. I couldn't believe he could sleep in all the noise. He must have been really tired.

The boys had a great time. I was very impressed with how well everyone got along and with the youth leaders. The younger boys really respected and looked up to them. I am very excited about Zane being a part of the youth group at church. The kids there are not there just to have fun and hang out. They truly love Jesus and show it in their lives.

A day downtown

Around New Year we went downtown to the Museum of Natural Science. After doing the Butterfly exhibit, we went across the street the Hermann Park for a picnic. It was such a beautiful day and we had not seen the sun in many days. The weather was just perfect.

After lunch we walked around the fountains and Ty spotted the Zoo train. So of course we went to find the beginning of the train. We had fun riding the train.

We also spotted paddle boats. I guess those will wait for next time.

Guess who I finally met?

The Twins.... Kelsey and Kendall. Their mom keeps them dressed alike all the time. Is there really any other way to dress twin girls? And like all good southern moms they have matching hair bows.

I have to admit I could not tell them apart. They are not suppose to be identical but wow it's hard to tell. Tabitha says she can tell by their foreheads,,,mmm! OK! Still I couldn't tell.

We met up with them at the park and I got to visit with some sweet friends I had not seen in quite some time, while Mia and Ty had fun on the swings.

Something really funny happened while we were there. Tabitha has 7 children. 5 bigger kids and the twins. So I asked Mia if she wanted to play on the climbing equipment where Tab's big kids were playing.

She said, "mom, I don't know anyone." I said come on I'll introduce you to them. She said, "how do you know them" "Mommy, once went to church with Mrs. Tabitha and I know all her kids names." She said in amazement, "A L L those kids are hers?"

What's funny is that the amount of kids on the equipment is the same amount we have in our family. Maybe she's never stepped back and seen our family in such a clear visual.

Mia and Ty really enjoyed holding the girls and loved their little fingers.

I have been chastised by someone, You know who you are, about spending too much time on Facebook and not enough time blogging. So I posted these photos here first.

And by the way if you are on Facebook and we're not friends then let me know. I have really enjoyed FB and re-connecting with lots of old friends.

Kaylee just started writing her assignments down. The teacher dictates what should be written...(Meaning she doesn't copy it from the board) I couldn't stop laughing when I read the second block of words.....

Yes, I agree there were lots of times when I felt this way about homework

It's FLU season

Mia has won the Walling house award two years in a row for being the first one to get the flu. I"ve never been a fan of the flu shot. We've never gotten the flu shot and until last year never had the flu. Then last year Mia, Trent and I got the flu. So the plan was to get the shots this year. But you know how it goes....time passes... you forget....lots of trouble to get 7 people to the doctor.....lots of crying about having to get a shot.....and did I say you forget.
So next year it's Flu shots for everyone...Early!
(could someone please remindme though)

Kaylee Cooks

Kaylee got a cookbook for Christmas called Kids Can cook. So for dinner she made "Going Bananas Smoothies" They were a big hit all around. All the monkies in the house loved it.

Bike Ride

On weekends we like to take to the trails and do a little bike riding. Now, it's so nice because everyone can ride their own bike. We do have a trailer for 2, so if we're going for a long ride then we'll put Ty and Mia in there. Because their little legs get really tired.

Got Coolwhip?

Ty and Mia's idea of dessert. We were having Strawberry Shortcake but all they both wanted was the cool whip. So, Why not?

My Girl is 8

It's hard to belive it was 8 years ago that we were living in Las Vegas. We woke up and it was FREEEZING even in the desert. We drove to the hospital in semi-snowy weather. We thought everything would go quickly but she had other plans. It wasn't until 8pm that Kaylee decided to make her grand entrance.

Unboxing

I read on another blog about a new event that you can find on the web called "unboxing" It is apparently when someone orders a new electronic gadget then takes pictures of each stage of opening the box. Think I'm kidding? look here. Supposedly by savoring each step of the "unboxing" it will build up the anticipation and then you'll be happier with your little geeky gadget. (I personally think it's someone with to much time on their hands)

But, While we were in Vegas I decided to try this approach to Raspberry filled Donuts.
Stage 1 a closed box, full of donuts Stage 2 lifting the lid


Stage 3 deciding which one you'll have first

YUM!

Before
Isn't this what everyone uses their pool table for? I had a hard week with the laundry... I just couldn't see to get it all under control this week. I don't mind gathering and washing it all but I don't like putting it away. So I normally wash once a week (Monday) Simply because I like to have it ALL done at once. I don't like a pile of towels here and an odd sock there. So if I really crack down I can get it all done in one day. I hang all the clothes and then sort the towels/socks/undies into 3 baskets. One for the girls, one for the boys and one for us. Then in the evening everyone works on his/her basket. It usually works well and saves me a lot of time.


After

When I was thinking about this post I decided to throw a little math into the blog, David and Zane will be so proud.
By doing laundry once a week, it means that on one day I wash:

49 pairs of pants
49 shirts
49 underwear
98 socks
20 towels ( we air dry and reuse them, 'cause we're green like that)
49 washcloths
about 20 pairs of PJ's ( I greatly encourage re-runs in the PJ dept)(bribery has even been known to happen on this one)
10 sheets
10 - 15 dishtowels

That's all assuming that each person only wore one outfit a day.......
Whew! I'm tired and it's not even Monday

Great Park Weather

We had a great afternoon playing at the park. It's been so cold and WET around here we were glad for sunshine and fun.

Finger painting

Better not fall asleep 'round here

Here's what happens when you're the only one to completely zonk out in a room full of awake kids. Ty started with putting the dog on his head. Then he moved the dog to his arms. Then Ty looked around the room to see what else he could find. it included a cup, coke can, the kids guided reader books, and a clothespin. I really thought David was just being still and playing along with us, but he didn't know any of it was going on... And to think he was this tired on our first day home after a really restful 4 days in Las Vegas.

rest time

Most days we have some type of rest-time in the afternoons. Granted most days the "big" kids are at school but this day everyone was home. Some days instead of napping we watch a movie. I'm not really sure how much watching is done but it gives me a few minutes to do important things like get dinner going, pay bills, blog, or take a nap myself.