Last week went fast due to the holiday. Tuesday was "catch up from the weekend" with laundry and grocery shopping. The girls are doing well on those trips to the store. Tuesday evening Analise started her swimming lessons. We are trying another place that came with recommendations. Day 1, I was very pleased! There wasn't much of the "blow bubbles in the water" but instead "let's practice our strokes and learn to swim." She did great! She wore her goggles, wasn't afraid to put her face in the water, and she actually can stay afloat for a short period of time. Finally! The other two played with friends while we hung out. I talked with my friend.
Weds. Brandon went on a day trip for work. He left before we were all up. The girls and I headed to the library to check out more books, and Analise turned in her first finished form. Have I mentioned that I'm not thrilled with the reading program this year? :) Besides that, Analise was given the choice to pick a toy or coupon. Inside I was cheering for the coupon, but naturally she chose a toy. And what did she pick as a reward for all the activities she had done? A sucker! As if we don't have gobs of those at home already! :) I bit my tongue and let her enjoy her sucker. Maisie was very upset she didn't get to pick a prize. We eventually left on better terms.
Weds. afternoon the girls played outside and helped me make banana bread. We then picked up Papa Murphy's and went to my sis in law, S, house to eat with her and the boys. While the men are away, the women get together and play. We enjoyed dinner, and I just love seeing all six kids together at the dinner table. It's so natural for all of them to be together. It dawned on me that a lot of kids don't have this, so I was reminded how special it is. After dinner we went up to the school track and walked/ rode bikes for awhile. What a great way to burn energy! We got home right after Brandon did. He told the girls he had something special he brought home for them...a turtle! They were so excited and loved following it around the grass. Way to go dad! Then mom opened up her big mouth and mentioned that we were a temporary home for this turtle. Once Analise knew what I meant, she was in tears. I knew that being tired was the culprit for the tears, but it was still heartbreaking. We found a container to put him in for the night, along with some grass and lettuce.
The next morning went much better. We played with the turtle, took him over to some friends to share the excitement with them, and then we took him to the fishing club to give him a happier home. I was so proud of both girls. Analise let him out next to the water, and we watched him crawl in and float. He looked so happy. :) The girls saw how happy he was, told him goodbye, and then we left. Simple as that!
Friday turned out to be another busy but fun day. We met up with friends at the park in the morning for a great time of playing and eating lunch there. Analise got to stay longer with her cousins while my oldest nephew joined me. He went with me and the other two to Walmart to get a few things. He such a helpful young man! Analise ended up staying at her cousins to swim in their pool, and it was her perfect afternoon come true! I took my first attempt of making homemade strawberry jam with the strawberries I've been picking from my garden. Despite not following all the "helpful hints," it turned out super yummy! We enjoyed it at dinner with homemade biscuits. After dinner we scrambled to get things done around here. The girls played, Brandon changed the oil in the van, and I got things ready for tomorrow. We then finally took down the crib and set up the new "big girl bed" for Sadie. She was SO excited! She stayed in bed when we put her down. However, at 1 am, I heard her whimpering, and I found her on the floor. Poor girl!
Saturday was date day! Brandon had a coworker getting married ~5 hours away. We dropped off the girls at grandma/pa's for the day. Thank you, thank you! Brandon and I headed out. I drove the first leg so he could get some thing done. We stopped in one of the cities to look for an item we've been looking for for months. It's a whole lot easier doing this kind of shopping without girls. We continued east and got to the wedding with a little time to spare. The ceremony was really nice and Christ focused. Despite the distractions in front of us, we enjoyed it. We left the wedding and went for our own dinner at PF Chang's. Mmmm. Then we made the 5 hour trip home. Left at 9 am and got home 11:30 pm. It was a special time together with my hubby. It was also nice for me to just get away. Sometimes as a mom I get so focused on my family, that I forget life goes on elsewhere. I don't mean that to sound selfish; I just think sometimes I feel like I live in a bubble in my community with my family. It's good to get away, open my eyes to bigger things and come refreshed and ready to see my girls again.
Sunday we went to church, rested in the afternoon, ate an early dinner and then headed to a park to celebrate another full glass of fancy stones. The girls are so excited when we celebrate their good behavior.
Sadie was all about the slides!
Analise's favorite was this seat where she could spin in circles.
Maisie loved it all.
The girls on their duck/goose/swan ride.
Just a sampling of what we've been picking.
Maisie and our turtle friend.
The first thing we did at the park was go for a paddle boat ride...a paddle boat that looked like a swan. The girls enjoyed it, and it was a great set up where I felt all the girls were safe. Brandon and I paddled around the small lake for 3o minutes, and our time was up. The girls were ready to be finished so they could play at the park. One of the highlights was hearing Sadie say her longest sentence yet. She saw the swan boats and said, "Ducky go quack quack."
The new playground was a big hit! It's shaped like a pirate ship, and all the girls enjoyed their time. Sadie took one fall on the cement that earned her a band aid, but that didn't stop her any!
Thank you Lord for another good week!
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