How to Kick off summer right - Lot of Sun, Sugar, & Water

Now that our summer sitter is here to stay (at least until #7 comes), school is out and summer feels a bit more official. If fun was measured in wet clothes, pounds of sugar and square inches of sunburns then we definitely kicked off summer 2021 right. 

First popsicle of the summer

Lady C with her supposed to be popsicle but came back with an Hair-head. All the eyerolls and no more unaccompanied snack bar trips. 

To recap the last week of school (which I underestimated with the amount of crazy - as I thought the two weeks prior were going to be crazy) 

Last day of school pic

First day of school pic just because

Tuesday - swim practice

Wednesday - summer swim practice that got rained out and end of year school party that didn't get rained out. Insert ALL the wet clothes and fun times on the bouncy houses without mom checking in because she couldn't bear the thought of all the wet and dirt and grass coupled with hot dogs and Icee Pops. I won the cool mom of the month award for not nixing it because EVERYONE knew I wanted to

Thursday - E's voice recital followed by skillet cookies because I would have been terrified singing in front of 75 people. Weekly voice lessons were a success!

Friday - end of year swim team party and free play in pool. Tacos, chips, cheese, cupcakes and more water. Another night of fun especially for the big girls

Saturday - Open Water swim meet. Never been to one. It was pretty stinking cool and crazy and terrifying at the same time. We drove 2 hours to the meet. E swam the 2K - that would be 2000 meters, in a lake. Imagine a lake with three buoys in it spaced about 333 meters apart. Then insert 50 or so kids and send them out to swim two laps around the buoys. Its worth noting the 13-14s swam 3K and the 15 and ups swam 5K and the really really brave swimmers swam 5K then 3K then 2K!

The brave 2Kers 

E finished in about 40 minutes which I think was pretty good for her first open water meet. She claims she'd do it again. I was more nervous about her not finishing and the 2 hr trip being for nought. 

This was the start of the 2K. E was in the first wave of swimmer because her coach (thankfully) submitted a time for her so there wasn't as much traffic as a few of the other waves. 

The specks are the swimmers. It was really hard to pick out who was who but their coach was able to spot them from a distance - because she's the best. 

A, C and J were dragged along for the trip. I can't say I'd have them come again because it was really hot by the end of it. J had fun cheering GO GO GO and eating unlimited snacks. 

Just some perspective... having kids brave enough to even attempt the swim made me super proud. 

Then R and M were up for the 800 M 

M was reluctant to do it in the first place but was less than a minute off from 8th place medal. 

R said she was really scared but was glad she didn't have to raise her hand for one of the boats to pick her up! Same girl! Same!!!

To recap my thoughts on the open water meet. I think it is really a mind over matter. I got this. I'm going to finish. I did finish swimming a 2K or 800 so now I can basically attempt or do many other things - whether swimming related or not. All the proud for the girls and I hope it remains in the swim circuit of meets for our swimmers. 

Just to make things SUPER interesting the weekend before Lee and I decided to rent a pontoon boat on Sunday. I suppose it is one of the perks of having church on Saturday nights (but I really will be glad once we have liturgy on Sundays again). We aren't afforded much family vacation time because #poolseason and Lee isn't much of a beach guy - but he is a boat guy - we found out. 

J perched in his favorite spot

The girls couldn't get enough of the tube

C wasn't big on the lake but had a pretty good day

A hated the girls on the tube because they fell off but once he realized they were having fun he was better. He was coaxed on the tube once but not for long. 

They rode the tube as much as they possible could 

We did eventually pull them off every so often for food, drinks and sunscreen - they still ended up with burnt legs

It was a family day for the books and I can say we will definitely be doing it again before the end of the summer. 

We finally got to go for our Open Water meet treat (because we were rushing to church after the meet itself) E got Peppermint Moose Tracks, R got Chocolate and M got Play Dough. Yes I made them wear their shirt from the meet and it kept their clothes clean. All the proud for these girls. 

Pascha 2021

We made it thru Lent to Pascha! The kids have been enjoying chocolate milk from a local-ish (90 min away?) dairy. I used to keep the frig stocked with it in college. Also extra desserts and no shortage of candy and other sweets.

Holy Week was strange but leaps and bounds better than 2020. Because we are borrowing space we actually had Pascha matins and liturgy Saturday afternoon instead of Sunday morning. Such is the life of a mission church but next year we should be in our own space as the domes were placed on the roof this week.

I found these dresses last year and they didn’t disappoint. They were waaaaay longer than I imagined so I’m glad I didn’t go a size up for M. I compromised with E who’s initial dress reaction was repulsion by get her some heels to go with it. That was a curious shopping experience. For someone who doesn’t love shoe shopping (but I do love a fun pair of shoes) E was trying on 4 and 6 in peg heels - as her first pair - we agreed on a slightly smaller height wedge sandal. She was thrilled and can be caught checking them out on herself. Next time I’m sending her shoe shopping with her godmother. I found the boys shirts to coordinate with the pink print on the dresses and for bow ties from Etsy. I will say I think I’m going to have to sew (gasp) a stitch in the back of each dress because the opening in the opening is waaaaaaay more than I would have imagined. 

Probably one of the last marching girls pics because E cannot bear it. I’ve had to include her in festive dress selections and the ones we are eyeing for the next year - they are being given coordinating options so they can’t say they totally hate them (looking at you Christmas 2020).

I hid baskets this year since we were home Pascha morning. It was like Christmas in one really intense 5 minutes of screaming over new socks, chalk, frisbees, junky cereal and candy - and of course the tradition peg dolls. A and C got one and I ordered a Shining Light doll for them and J but I ordered too late - shock! I think I did a pretty good job on cereal and everyone’s favorites. Apparently they aren’t sharing boxes - except with those who have created a pact with. I can’t say I totally blame them because I see they have to share lots of things in a bigger family so I’m trying not to force this sharing and respect their favorite foods - even if they hoard it.

Also during our night prayer we start with singing Christ is Risen from the dead... which we sung (to seemingly no end at Matins and liturgy) and it’s such a fun song to sing and I really appreciate it bringing attention to liturgical season we are in and how Pascha just isn’t one day - it’s a season to celebrate just like we prepared for it during the Lenten season.

Linking up with Rosie... just because

It’s a great day to be NINE

A few days ago R turned nine!

She requested pizza for her party because we had eaten tons of spaghetti the week before and mac and cheese for her actual bday because well it was Cheesefare week.  

E made her cake and it was great! They are working on the cake decorating badge in AHG so E was thrilled to put those skills to the test! She almost spelled Rs name wrong but did a few little corrections and it was good to go.

R was super hard to shop for because she never really said he wanted anything other than headphones. The siblings sparked more American Girl playing with there gift and she FINALLY got some books to read from us - as well some other neat things from friends and family. 

R is still the most laid back - except when she’s not and whatever it is means the world is ending. She is sweet with her younger siblings and probably tolerates Cs antics better than the rest of us. She is often the last one up on the weekends and marches the the beat of her own drum in the mornings - very particular about how and when things are done. Rs nose can often be found in a book and she is completely zoned into the book and zoned out of everything else. She has taken to swimming and I’ve heard lots of hard work praise from her coaches.

She is our pink-loving, second child who is just what our family needs.

Six Pack of Kids - Thoughts on One Month In

This was the first - and probably only - six kids pic we've taken so far. The hospital didn't have a couch in the mother-baby room so we had to get the first kid picture at home when J was super new. Fast forward one month - how! - later and it probably wouldn't look too terribly different. 

If the walls could talk around here they would say that J has been loved into the folds of this family. They would say littlest sis has the best nickname for him so far - Joe-sis - but has already corrected herself to the proper pronunciation of his name - which super hurts my feelings. The walls would tell you the biggest sister adores this little guy and has been known to rush around the house to get ready for school just so she can hold him for a few minutes before it's time to go. They'd say that big brother was mortified of Mama feeding him for the first time and begged her to put her shirt down. 

For this mama, it is hard to believe that J has been in this family for a month but in some ways he's been here the whole time. He's a pretty great baby and I really like him - despite his tongue tie which is making nursing more interesting that normal - but will be remedied here before too long. Sometimes I don't know how he has passed him hearing test with all the crazy antics that go on around here - this week was no different but that's for another time.

We have been showered with love and support and gifts and food from so many family and friends over the past month it is pretty overwhelming. No more overwhelming though, when I catch myself literally having to count my blessings to make sure they are all in the car or in bed or where they are supposed to be. 

This last month with a six pack of kids and as a family of eight has been wild and crazy - as it was before J graced us with his presence - I really couldn't imagine our family without him. I've already learned so much from him being here and I can't wait to find out what the next month and year will look like with him. 

He's a keeper. 

Christmas 2018

Scenes from Christmas... 

The Saturday before Christmas the girls' school went caroling at a retirement home.

It was a really good experience for them and they went around and spoke to residents when the singing was over - and there were lots of donuts to go around. 

Then Christmas Eve rolled round and we survived vesperal Divine Liturgy... 

I didn't do Christmas outfit pics this year on our Christmas card so I took everyone's individual pic just because. The girls outfits are from Janie and Jack that I ordered nearly a year ago (on super sale). I wished E could have had a size up especially because she actually likes this dress but whatever - and yes I ordered next year's dresses already. A's shirt and bow tie I found on Amazon and they aren't the best but they match and that's all that matters. 

On the way to church I realized I had forgotten the Christmas pajamas at home but Jibbe saved the day and we met her at the cousins house Christmas Eve and everyone was good to go for Christmas monring pics

They cooperated twice and waited a while to open gifts so they are troopers. 

Christmas Morning...

We ate some breakfast before present opening which helps slow things down because even I get overwhelmed by it all. 

There were mimosa and poinsettia to go around plus 2 egg bakes, coffee cake and crumb cake

We did secret siblings again this year and it is always lots of fun for the kids to pick something they think their sibling would like. 

E and R received beds for their dolls and they were thrilled. 

M received a Shopkins bike - though she thinks the wheels are wobbly

A is cruising on his Paw Patrol bike even though it is a hair big and we are forever grateful for Uncle Kev who put them together. 

We visited my grandparents later in the morning which was nice we could see them on Christmas now that they live close. C was the star of the show. 

After snacks and insanely great lasagna there was chocolate fountain/fondue for dessert - which was a huge hit. We had a great time at Grammy and Grandpa Joe's and made some good memories. 

The next day we headed to Jibbe's for Christmas round two on the second day of Christmas - this is after I let the big girls take over decorating the tree. They love it and got alot of ornaments up so I didn't have to do all the work!

This is where C stayed for the entire day basically. The kids had lots of fun opening gifts and spending time with cousins (so much fun I didn't take any pics : ( 

Lee and his brothers and Jibbe cooked up quite a meal - with my favorite ever blue cheese and mushroom sauce. We took a family walk to the park down the road and then loaded up for a quick ride home. 

The outside of the casa.

I love the snowflakes so much and I'm glad there are hooks in place for next year!

I lit the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve

Then on the 26th I decided I'd put some small white lights to go with the big colored lights and I REALLY like the way it turned out. 

There's nothing like waking up early and sitting in the dark room with the tree on. 

Now I just need to figure out how to keep it up as long as possible : )