Wednesday

My favorite blog posts over the years are the ones where I document a typical day. So here is our Wednesday:

All the babies woke up about the same time this morning. We went downstairs for breakfast. This morning we had chocolate banana smoothies, English muffins, and graham crackers. While they were still eating I ready "Timmy is a Big Boy" from our Eloise Wilkin story book. 

 After breakfast we headed downstairs for playtime. Last week I created a photo album of many different activities (puzzles, crafts, books, Legos, etc.). The children are then supposed to browse the book and pick an activity. This morning Everett and Ellie chose arts/crafts and Hampton chose playing with the remote control cars. 

 Around 9, it was time for Thatcher's morning nap. Poor buddy wanted to watch Curious George with the big kids. He plopped down in Everett's red chair. However he needed a nap, so he went down while the others watched Curious George and ate a morning snack. I then got them dressed and packed a picnic lunch for later. 

 When Thatcher got up, we packed up and headed to the arboretum around 10:30. 

 Cleaning their feet from the wet grass that got into their Crocs. It was a bright and sunny day!

 At the arboretum we took a hike through the woods and then had a picnic lunch….fig bars, carrots, raisins, applesauce, Goldfish crackers, and salads for Eric and I. It was wonderful. 

 After lunch the children ran off the last bit of their morning energy. 

 Once we got home we put Eleanor and Thatcher down for their afternoon nap. The big boys watched The Little Mermaid in the playroom. I did some laundry, cleaned the kitchen, made an iced coffee, and watched an episode of Top Chef. 

Once all the children were done with nap/rest time, we headed outdoors again. I set up the plastic pool and water table and they did some water play. 

 The big boys had a great time sliding down the slide into the pool, and Thatcher had fun splashing in the water table. 

 After playing in the water we headed inside and I gave them all a quick bath. We then had leftover creamy ranch crockpot chicken for dinner. 

 After dinner we had family worship time. Eric lead us in a few songs on the guitar. 

 And I then read our Bible story. We then said our family prayers. 

 After worship time, it got a little crazy! We had an impromtu dance party (getting rid of the last of our energy) and the kids did a little wrestling. After that it was upstairs for brushing teeth and bed! The babies went right down and I read another chapter in our Junie B. Jones book. 

Another great day! 

Carl Sandburg Home

Our first summer activity was going to Flat Rock, NC and visiting the Carl Sandburg home. It was a beautiful morning and very serene. We had a wonderful time walking along the trails, seeing a short play by the Flat Rock Playhouse players, and visiting the goat dairy farm. We then had a quick picnic lunch and headed home for rest time. The perfect summer outing. 

And also……Thatcher Reid and the goats was amazing! He had absolutely no fear and grew quite attached to a goat named Maggie!

Everett's Last Day of Kindergarten

We are so proud of Everett. He completed kindergarten two weeks ago and has done wonderful this year. I can't believe how much he has flourished in just one year. He entered K a very shy, nervous boy and exited labeled "The rockstar of the kindergarten department." He made many friends and every teacher I can across knew him by name. He left kindergarten reading above grade level and very proficient at math. His writing can use a little help, but that's what summer is for! His favorite activity was library and centers. He also loved art class with Mr.Wince. He had a ton of fun on field day and had a great time at the end of the year party. Overall, I could not have wanted anything more out of his kindergarten year. His teachers Mrs.Sharpe and Mrs.Leddford were wonderful and so encouraging. 

We are so proud of you Everett! I cannot wait to see what the First Grade has in store for you!

Summer So Far

We have had a lovely summer so far. Everett got out of school two weeks ago. Last week was a laid back week at home and this week the two big boys have gone to Vacation Bible School at our church. Other than that it has been a lot of playing. Eric and I have planned one fun activity for the children each week and put it on our calendar. Looking forward to making more summer memories!

Happy Things

My happy things:

Homemade play dough and cookie cutters. 

 Baby Einstein. Four babies later and it is still a hit. 

 Quiet baby play. 

 His cheese face. He's actually saying "cheeessee!!!"

 A sweet Eleanor face. 

 And Thatcher again. 

 Reading High Five magazine. 

 Grilling: chicken and veggie kabobs and corn. 

 Eating yogurt. And a head full of curls. 

Classic Eleanor silly.  

 Ellie's first pigtails. 

 And finally…..it doesn't get much better than this. 

Water Play

It is nearly the start of summer and that means breaking out the plastic pool and water table. Unfortunately on this particular day by the time I lathered them up with sunscreen and got all our water stuff ready they had a whole 20 minutes to play and then a random thunderstorm appeared. Oh well. Looking forward to much more of this!