Tuesday, June 28, 2016

High Orange

Caden and Caleb passed their tests on the first try last night to earn their high orange belt. They've come so far in the last 4 months or so here and I'm so proud of them! I see them learning and growing and it's awesome. Way to go boys! I love you!

Monday, June 27, 2016

A Weekend Away

I've been so proud of my girls lately. 

The girls and I took our first solo road trip this weekend to visit a friend of mind just over 5 hours from home. 

Those girls were troopers for the drive; had a great time, and loved every minute of it!

The car ride there went smoothly; and the girls did so well on it.  They fit right in with my friends little boys and played.  Their manners were great, their moods, even better, and Elinore, well she stole the show.

She picked up toys without being asked, she said her prayers, talked up the adults and tried new things.  She got to walk the pony, feed the pony and kitties, hang out at the barn to watch them and she jumped in for all of it! 

This weekend with a friend was a much needed rest for this mom.  We had no scheduled plans, and just hung out together with out kiddos and caught up and rested.  It was relaxing and just what I needed before jumping back into the chaos that is our everyday. 

Elinore being a good big sister walking Ruth from a rest area.

Feeding the pony.

Sitting on a pony! :)

Ruth loved the park. 



Elinore sat like a mermaid on a rock in the front yard.  Her mermaid rock she called it.  This is how mermaids sit she said!


Monday, June 06, 2016

TEN

Caden and Caleb turned 10 at the beginning of last month.  TEN!

I can hardly believe how grown they are.  They are tall and lean and so independent.  They have each grown into their own unique personalities and interests, yet they are still brothers and come together on things too. 

We celebrated by letting them each invite 2 friends over for a sleepover.  I was going laid back on it, but they started collaborating and wanted a camping theme, so we got a little committed to that and had some goodies for them that were camping themed, flashlights, bandanas, glow sticks, etc.  We had a bbq grill on the ice cream cake and had campfire flames aka cheese puffs, and bear poop aka chocolate covered raisins for snacks.  We had a camp fire outside with marshmallows and even though it was in the 40s outside they played outside until 10 that night playing capture the flag.  Most of the kids eventually fell asleep, all but 2 anyway.  Two of them trooped ALL NIGHT.  I couldn't hang much after midnight; Keith fell asleep sometime after 3 on the couch so he could hear them moving around.  They were crazy, and had a lot of fun.  I'd say it was a success!

Do you have allergies?

Every time someone has sneezed over the weekend, Elinore asks "do you have allergies?"

Clearly she's learned about allergy season somewhere and is concerned about others and their allergies now.

It's cute.