Our Last Week in Review

So, I didn't write much the last week of our days with the kids. I was trying to soak it all in. 

 I didn't want to miss one single thing we had left to enjoy of them.

But I did try to snap a photo here and there so I could remember...

Our Friday pizza and movie nights.

Leo, eating himself into a food coma.

Breakfast animals.

The day that three year old Lucy wanted to prove she's ready to be a mom...

and she put Leo down for his nap all by herself.

All the board games and laughter.

Bay Beach, again and again.

Not sure they could have ever gotten enough...

of the amusement park, 

OR Jaymee Glynn.

Making donuts

that were delicious.

And all those pre-packaged art projects.

Our last being the highly anticipated paper flowers.

And, of course, the beach. 

And that baby.

Missing him terribly is a little easier when I recall

the way Greg and I took in every last second we had with him.

Although it certainly won't ever be the same around here,

we're learning our way back to "just the three of us" again.

One More Week

So today we start the count down as we have just one week left with the kids.

When I look across the table at Leo's little cheeks and his sweet grin, I can't help but remember that next week none of that will be here. I'm trying to focus on the pros of no more diapers, high chair, dressing and buckling and especially being woken up two to three times a night... but it's been just long enough to remind me what and why all of those things are worth looking past when you have a little one.

When I walk through the living room on movie night and see six awkward long summer-stained legs lined up on the couch with toes pointed to the TV, I feel a twinge of hurt for my son who will not so long from now be the only kid left to kick around with.

Throughout the next week we will enjoy our "lasts" for the summer with Kaila, Jada and Leo. It has been so much fun to have them. They are really good, and I am proud of my cousin and her husband for making such wonderful, sweet, obedient, loving, fun kids. 

The Way Things Are

There's something about the continuous kitchen rotation from sparkling to shambles and back again.

Something about a pile of shoes thrown to the bottom of the stairs, by a baby who loves shoes more than most kids love their blankies, while humming what I'm almost certain is the chorus line of a Beyonce song from three albums back.

There's something about original lego creations in stations set up in the most inconvenient and adorable places around the house.

Something about the living room lounge chairs always being rearranged for the ultimate video game comfort.

There's something about a pee diaper wrapped neatly and set on... the kitchen table!

That basement light that you have to walk way to the back to turn off ALWAYS being on.

Something about never having dry cuffs on my sleeves, or dogs in a state other than ravenous hunters in search of floor scraps, and car seats sprinkled with crumbs, books, and Mentos wrappers.

There's something about wearing a little girl's button bracelet and matching toe polish.

Something about that ring of milk in the bottom of the bottle that reminds you why people have those bottle scrubbers on a stick.

There's something about sink baths, and a line up of bikes, and huge stinky piles of tiny clothes.

The way he flirts and giggles when I sing, "he's Leo and he knows it"

Or the way the oldest asks a second time, right after I assure she can go and play, "are you sure you don't need me to do anything for you Auntie?"

The way my own son has stopped arguing with me and completely stopped complaining all together about anything.

The way the middle one can simultaneously light up my life while letting me know that I light up hers, just with her eyes.

Even though I NEED real sleep, I rarely shower until I can actually smell my own stank, and I'm far more easily persuaded to hand over an entire box of glutinous soy filled Cheezits than I'll ever be proud to admit...there's something about all of this that Greg and I are becoming more increasingly aware, as our days as a family of six draw closer to their end, we are going to miss very very much.

Three or Four Kids

I've heard that once you have three kids it doesn't really matter if you have four or five. Never understood that, but who was I to say? 

Last night Jada slept at a friend's house, and already this morning I can disagree with that statement a thousand different ways... it feels like we lost three kids. And not because Jada comes packing with three kids worth. She's actually my right hand girl. She helps the most, smiles and brings on laughter the most, has the most charm and charisma in the house, and eats the least of all of us. 

This lifted load in her absence does not spur on sorrow by any means. I feel like I could get a part time job in place of her. Maybe I'll sow something this morning. :) 

I guess three would have been a whole different story for us. Though I wouldn't have traded four for a thing. 

Two Weeks Left

I haven't written in a few days, and for that reason I should. 

We have enjoyed a nice weekend at home. We had a showing for the house on Friday, so I spent most of the day cleaning/cooking/feeding/taking care of Leo. It was kind of a lot messier than I thought. :) 

It feels good to have things closer to how they used to be, but at first it made me sad. I felt like I was getting a foretaste of what it will look like when the kids are gone. I know that we will ultimately be happy to get back to the way things were before... but for a time it will be strange and a little hard getting over them. 

I can't imagine how hard it will be for Zeek. To wake up everyday with no kids to play with. No kids at mealtimes, and no one in the back seats of the car with him. :( I feel bad for him for that. 

And although the girls spend most of their time with Zeek, I will surely miss having girls! I'll miss Jada being my little helper in everything I do. And I'll miss keeping an eye on Kaila's heart to make sure she's okay inside, not just out. Our talks. The giggles and fun. 

And then there's Leo. I don't even want to think about it. I know that I will get over him the fastest, because it will be easier for me to appreciate losing the kind of work load he comes with. But the initial letting go of someone who has very much become like my own baby over the past month will be pretty rough. For so so so so many reasons. 

On Saturday the kids had our favorite sitter Alyssa come for the evening while Greg and I went out. They did well with her. We knew they would. 

And today, we just hung out. The kids watched their "What's in the Bible" series, played minecraft, and what other than, PLAYED PLAYMOBILES. It rained most of the day. 

The house is slowly but surely getting back to it's better state of messy. The big kids toggle between their playmobile and minecraft obsessions. I'm finally getting used to making and buying the right amount food the first time. And after a few days of Leo waking me 3 and 4 times a night, he is back to only once again. AMEN! 

Tomorrow, my best friend and I are getting together here to cook all of our dinners for the week at once. If nothing else, it will be a blast. All our kids are going to make a desert, do crafts, and play play play. 

I can't wait! 

BEACH DAY!

We finally made it to the beach with the kids.

The weather was amazing. 

The kids loved playing in the sand.

They especially loved confiscating abandoned play sites.

We went with our good friends, the O Family.

We did a lot of cuddling with the littles...

And we got a lot of sand on and in everything!

Lucy got swimmers itch on her legs 

(the only case from the day)

And we took cute pictures of everyone.

The big kids got ice cream. 

And when we packed up to head home, 

of course, my three oldest stuck their noses right back

into there current favorite reads. :)

It was a great day with very little hassle or drama

and TONS of fun in the sun!!! :)

Mid-week

 This is from our scavenger hunt the other day: 

It was fun, and had all the kids on a mission in the woods. 

Lee was called a "cute little girl" one too many times, 

so he got his hair cut at the barbershop.

He screamed most of the time, so it's not the best, but it works.

He's still super duper cute. 

He loves all the windows in the house that go the length of the walls.

He's always peering out at some wild animal, with a dog at his side.

He's a love.

We went to Bay Beach with our friends this week. 

We were there for longer than any of us thought. 

Leo loved the car ride, and when it was time to get off

he stood with one hand in mine and the other reaching for the car.

He looked at me as if to say, 

"why would we EVER leave this?" 

If we didn't have 8 kids with us, I would have gladly let him ride

them all afternoon. :)

Our days and routines are getting better and better. 

The girls love structure and purpose.

Although, I let them do pretty much whatever they want for most 

of our days home, they still come to me all proud

to tell me how they cleaned this, or set that up, or 

"you won't have to worry about THIS Auntie... we already did it for you!" :)

So sweet. 

They are all playing well, and loving their time together.

Today, we go to the grocery store (our home away from home),

the library, and the dog center for dog food.

Tomorrow, if the weather permits, we are FINALLY hitting the beach! ;)