First we met some friends at an ice cream shop and then went to the park.

It was really iffy there for a while, waiting to see if the wind was going to cooperate. We thought about leaving so many times because the girls were cold and it was getting later and later. We ended up staying and it was SO worth it.

Andy had asked them beforehand if they’d need any extra help. He’s always been really fascinated by hot air balloons (I think if he had the money he’d buy one, ha!).

It was too windy to go in the air (the rides were scheduled for another time, this was just supposed to be tethered “lanterns” about 50 feet up. They were trying to keep them on the ground but got airborne a few times. :) Andy said the whole experience was so fun.

SO FUN.

It seems both like yesterday and a lifetime ago that we were all just college kids. Now there are 9 kids between us. (Most of whom we made watch a movie last night so WE could eat cake and play.)

Nicky, you need to open up a dessert shop. Seriously.

Monday night we met our Lewin friends for a picnic dinner and fun times at the sprayground. Perfect ending to a hot day.

How were YOU the Fun Mom this week? Link up your Fun Mom Friday post’s permalink below. Anyone can join at any time! Full FMF info can be found here.

Please, as a courtesy, and as you are able, remember to leave comments at all the FMF posts you visit.

No blog? Tell us your Fun Mom Friday story in the comments!

This is my college hallmate and I, (bridesmaids, too); her first and my last. I hadn’t seen her at all this pregnancy (and probably months before that) but we had dinner last night. Had to get the bellies in a photo before it’s too late.

Both boys. So fun.

But yesterday was different. It was the first summer swim day and we spent time with friends in the water. Arianna LOVED jumping off the side to me – the girl has no fear!

And, we got a little loved on by the sun. (Yay!)

(yeah, whoops)

My sisters have gone home for the summer but they left us their gas grill. Hello, culinary heaven.

(BBQ chicken, roasted red potatoes, freshly shucked corn… mmmmm……)

Oh! I’ve had a couple people ask and YES! I am planning on hosting Fun Mom Friday again this summer. We’ll start next week.

Hope you’ll join us!!!

I have this pair of Lucky Brand maternity jeans that somehow got mixed in with Dolly’s stash, which I inherited.

(At least I think I remember her mentioning she didn’t know where they came from. Well, they’re MINE NOW. Bwa ha ha ha.)

Anyway, they are Great Pants. Except for one not-so-little detail – the fly had no zipper and was just a folded-over flap of denim. (Think boxer shorts.)

Now, if you know anything about the state of a maternity waistline (or lack thereof), you know things are a bit…um, tight. Enough to pull on ALL the seams of a pair of pants. When there’s an open flap, as it were, things are extra unfortunate.

On Tuesday I mentioned all this to Lisa when we were at Chick-Fil-A in case she happened to wonder why I was obsessively pulling the tank down over the front of my pants. (And, for the record, that’s what I did the majority of Tuesday, held my shirt down. It got tiresome.)

ANY-hoo, I did take the un-lazy way out and stitched the fly shut yesterday. We’re having a bit of a cold snap and so the jeans have been making a reappearance.

I texted her after just so she’d feel better about the state of things concerning my maternity jeans. I shall now offer proof:

And now you can rest easy.

We had a surprise party and actually pulled it off.

A couple of funny things inevitably happened. He showed up at home on Jim’s motorcycle, borrowed for fun (what else would Andy do on his 30th birthday?). But that meant his car was still at the office. Which we needed to “go out to dinner.” So my mom and I had to squeeze in picking up his car along with all our crazy running around town for last-minute party stuff.

Logistically, it was interesting getting her and the kids out the door BEFORE US when they were just “going to the park.” Thankfully Andy didn’t ask too many questions. I already felt like I was in the hot seat, trying to come up with explanations/excuses on the fly.

Then when we were trying to leave, the heavens opened and TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR ensued. What in the world?! It wasn’t even raining over by the church! The highway was slooooooow going because of poor visibility. I thought we’d never get there and it was doubly frustrating knowing tons of people were standing around waiting for us. Oh and THEN, my sister and two of my kids (finishing up the last of the food when we left) passed us on the highway. Me, trying not to laugh, PRAYING Andy hadn’t noticed.

When we got off the exit I made him lay his seat back and cover his eyes since I forgot a blindfold. He thought we drove way past the church and was a little surprised when we ended up there. Everyone had parked in the back so the entire parking lot looked empty. I told him we had to just pick something up someone had left there for us and then we could go to dinner. Ha. Worked like a charm.

So it all worked out in the end.

(I love my baby girl but) I cannot tell you how relaxing it was to just SIT and CHAT and EAT and not chase or feed anyone. I love parties where the dads play, too.

Andy’s first house is closing today. We are SO thankful to be on this side of the process! Lots of lessons learned and I’m sure more to come. He kept telling me through the job hunting that he had a feeling we’d be pleasantly surprised “when all this is over” and I couldn’t help sometimes but to smirk. I KNOW God is faithful and I KNOW He always had a plan for us. But sometimes it’s hard to see and it’s hard to keep going, blind and without any sort of reassurance.

And yet here we are.

Welp, I’m meeting a friend for tea in just a bit and have an OB appointment later this afternoon. (So I guess I should at least wash my face.) Oh, speaking of OB appointments, I haven’t gone to any in at least 2 months. Sick kids, no babysitter, storms, no power… I had to cancel several times. That glucose test? Still haven’t had it. I thought I could squeeze by without it since I’m rather close but no, the nurse wants me to take it anyway. (Ugh.)

And G sent me a coupon for kids-eat-free at Chili’s so I’m thinkin’ we’re going to do that tonight. Celebrate Andy’s first closing – why not? (He can eat vegan there, right? ;) Besides, our 9th anniversary is tomorrow and he turns 30 on Thursday. Enough to celebrate for an entire week, yes?

I haven’t mentioned this here yet but I’m sure a lot of you are wondering about the on-going status of Andy’s job search. He’s been in a real estate course these past couple of weeks and takes the state exam tomorrow. It’s been busy – he’s gone all day in class and then he studies all evening. I was SO glad my mom was here for the majority of it. They did a practice test at the school last Friday and he got a 98% – so I’m not too worried. The plan is for him to work as the buyers agent for a friend of ours (also a realtor but pretty much only sells.) They’ll be a team of two and I know it will be good. I told Andy I just want to eat and wear cute shoes.

Arianna’s finger – doing well! The stitches aren’t quite all dissolved so it still has to be wrapped up. (But we did ditch the splint after three weeks.) I tried to wrap just her finger but she had it pulled off in about 3 minutes. So hand it is.

The kids have been loving this weather, and are pretty much staying outside the entire day. Andy took Drew and Madeline on a long hike over the weekend and he said they did great with NO COMPLAINING! I’m pretty sure I’ve complained on every hike I’ve ever been on. (ha) Right now I can barely manage the grocery store without feeling completely sore afterwards (doesn’t help when I had to cross the store three times looking for lighter fluid). I’m definitely entering the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy.

Lighter fluid – yes, the Lewins came over for BBQ on Friday night. I love having them over because I don’t feel pressure to clean first. Love friends like that. We stayed outside mostly anyway, and ate on the deck. I love spring! (And I’ve been wishing all weekend I had taken her up on that offer to leave us some of her homemade chocolate pudding pie.)

Okay, the people are calling. Here’s to a good springbreak!

We had a little mis-adventure on the way down, involving an interstate accident, completely stand-still traffic, and one very full pregnant bladder. We did make it to a gas station bathroom in the NICK of time; I was very thankful.

The kids played and pushed the limits on getting muddy; we just chatted and ate and watched the (EIGHT!) kids. Soooo sad they are moving so very far away.

Arianna did not know what to do with Austen. It was hilarious, her staring at him and batting his hands away when he tried to reach out and touch her.

If he was on the floor, she was fine – even liked popping his paci back in for him.

This was the best we got of all the kids:

Funny that we have a photo like this from so many different stages along the way. I would dig them all out but that might make me cry. And them leaving is sad enough!!!

Now, some of my closest friends have moved away; others are really busy with all sorts of things, and we all have new things to deal with like school schedules and carpool and lessons and sports.  And, let’s face it, many of us have a minivan full of kids — and they are just harder to cart around spontaneously.

ANYway.  I still do have Nicky around, and we’ve been friends for a long time.  I called the other day and just invited her over for coffee and muffins while the “big” kids were in school.  (It worked out great because later her little boys stayed at my house while she went and picked the others up.)

(She doesn’t know I took these – ha!)

Seb was hilarious – apparently not camera-shy AT ALL.  Wearing Drew’s old sweater, too, of course.

They were perfectly content watching Adelaide color (but did NOT want to join in).

Showing me her “scary face”:

(And then my camera battery died.)

It made me remember how much I enjoy doing things like that. It certainly doesn’t have to be elaborate to be a sweet time of fellowship (and really good friends don’t care what your house looks like). All that to say, I’m completely inspired to start doing little things like this again.

Drew’s been making some huge progress with school, it’s always so surprising to me how very fast they learn.  This morning there was a sheet of paper left on the table, a list written in big black marker:

Drew

daddy

Madlen

Adlaed

ereon

mommy

Andy and I had a good chuckle over that one.  I’m gonna stick it in the to-keep box.

Arianna (aka ereon) has been taking steps, up to about 6 or 7 in a row.  The most hilarious thing she’s doing now is waving – which is totally awkward with her big fat paw stretched out to the side and then she shakes it from side to side.  Gets a smile every time.  She loves to clap, too.

Adelaide’s busily anticipating her 4th birthday, “when she can go to school.”  I said to her the other day she’d only get to go if we have the money for her to go.  So then yesterday she brought me a huge pile of change she pilfered from my purse and said “here’s some money, Mom, so I can go to school.”  So matter-of-fact.  I had to laugh and not tell her that was nowhere near enough.

God continues to shower us with little blessings, usually in the most unexpected places.  Public thank-you’s to the H’s, RT & friends, Dolly, Alli.  May you be blessed today.

Busy.

Busy, busy.

This week has been crazy. I’ve been in and out of town, my mom’s been here, my sisters and brother and sister-in-law have all been over a few times, I met two friends for “coffee” one night, we had a sweet (adopted) great-aunt over for tea:

Unfortunately all I got was a photo of the table.

We grilled over at my sisters’ apartment for dinner last night (supper!) and it was yum. Arianna had her 9 month check up earlier in the day.  Yeah, she’s 11 months.  20 pounds, 6 ounces = no wonder my back hurts.

And then today was just FUN. Dolly brought me Starbucks (this, specifically) and then later we met our friend Jenny for lunch. I didn’t get a photo of Austin but I did get this:

I stepped out on a limb asked our waiter to snap one of us:

That was some perfect weather there, too.  (Oh, see my purpley ruffley purse?  $6 clearance at NY&Co.  Man I love a good deal.)

After that I took Madeline to get her 5-year photos taken (PRECIOUS), got some groceries, made dinner and now I’m about ready to crash.

And it’s only 8:07 p.m.

It was also the longest stretch I’d left Arianna but she did fine with the babyfood and my mom rubbing her back and singing to get her to drift off to sleep. So cute.

Alright. I spent the entire day yesterday laying low, feeling like I was fighting something off. My throat is a teensy bit raw but I have GOT to get moving on this sale, especially while my kids are playing quietly and nicely with the dollhouse. Cheers!

Although, the music should have clued us in. Anyway, Andy took the kids down, fresh out of bed. Only he can pull off wild bedhair, a wifebeater with basketball shorts, flip-flops and a cup of coffee in hand. At the park.

The kids “won” at several different games, prized with (gently used) stuffed animals. [Which may or may not disappear sometime in the near(ish) future.] All very exciting. And then we packed up, made a picnic lunch, and went swimming. Arianna and I haven’t been in a few weeks, so that was fun.

Yesterday after church we played the “lets-see-how-many-kids-we-can-cram-into-one-house” game and ate lunch with two other families. Good friends, good times. We made it home in time to clean up a little bit before GRANDMOMMY CAME! Always an Event around these parts.

She’ll be in town for a couple of weeks so there’s been much rejoicing. The fall children’s consignment sale drop-off starts Thursday, so you can guess what I’ll be doing this week. (Too bad my attic is about 1,000 degrees.)

And these are just because, taken this morning fresh out of the bath:

(Of course, she spit up five minutes later and had to be changed. Life.)

Yesterday around 1 p.m. we decided to invite some newly back-in-town friends for supper and a little catch up.  So pretty much we ran around all afternoon like headless chickens getting groceries and whipping our house into shape.

It was worth it, as always.  Unfortunately I didn’t get the camera out so I have nothing to document the chaos that is 7 children excited to see each other again.  Good times.

And you would think, getting to bed well after 10, they’d be good and sleep in a little.  You would be wrong.  (Looking forward to the early-rising Grandmommy being here in a few days.)

Alright, ya’ll, YOU be good and link up for Fun Mom Friday tomorrow!

Child labor. Love it.

(She also likes to play in the water do the dishes. The counter is a little, um, damp when she’s finished.)

So, yeah. Great weekend. Now back to reality.

There was even a feast of grilled yumminess.

So, I want to know what you did for Memorial Day (and was it what you had planned)?

We got home, threw suits on, and went to a friends’ for lunch and swimming.  (Their pool is heated, in case you’re wondering.)  This one is SO Adelaide:

Another of my favorites (Drew’s face!):

The baby slept in a closet, which was another first time ever. But before that, I got to try out the solarveil sling I bought for use this summer. It was great! (She was a little unsure about all the sibling splashing though.)

Meanwhile, Andy finished the flooring project in the attic. WOOT! So nice. I put the kids down for a nap, crashed on the couch for 45 minutes, and then got up and got ready for our long-awaited big anniversary/birthday date at the restaurant. I even left Arianna with our babysitter. SUCH a nice dinner, yum. And now I’m going to crash into bed because we have a similarly full day tomorrow. Ciao!

Our Valentine’s weekend started out with a BANG: Adelaide spilled an entire carton of milk all over our couch and carpet. Yeah. Lakes of milk. (And I hadn’t had my coffee yet.)

Madeline had gotten it out to put a little in her oatmeal and I’m not sure how it happened, but probably Adelaide just bumped it. Anyway, I was very glad it was almond milk and not cow’s. Our living room now smells a little vanilla-y.

(And yes, I do allow them to eat at the coffee table. Bringing a whole carton of milk in there? Not so much.)

I must admit it wasn’t my proudest moment discovering my living room doused in milk. Drew and Madeline were crying but Adelaide (this is SO Adelaide) huffed and goes, “why you not bein’ my best friend?!” I bust out laughing. Leave it to her to provide the comic relief.

I was also very glad Andy was willing to finish cleaning it up. We were trying to get ready to make it to a tea party.

Which was very fun and very girl-y.