The first couple days of the week were spent finishing our recovery from RSV and colds. We might have been well enough for Monday co-op, but Sunday there was still plenty of coughing and snots and I needed to get a sub to teach my class, so I called it and we stayed home Monday.
Miss Sara sent the apple poetry that Mia and Zayden were going to do in class and it inspired me to have an apple inspired day with the children. After a quick run to Hy-Vee, we read the poems, drank warm apple cider, had cinnamon applesauce (not homemade this time - mom wasn't that ambitious at the last minute), and made apple cinnamon crumb muffins.
God reigned a great dose of patience upon me and I was able to find joy in having the little three make muffins with me. I often get quite anxious at the chaos of children in the kitchen, even though I know the memories are beautiful, but muffin making went pretty smoothly, even with the littlest tot who was quite insistent that she was part of the work!
"cleaning up"
They were delicious muffins and the children were so proud to share with daddy and the big kids. Even Evalynn said, "I made dat fo you, Daddy."
A double batch, of course, because a single dozen doesn't go very far around this house.
Natalee was supposed to present a science poster on the water cycle at her co-op chemistry class and since she had to miss class we video'd her presentation. She worked for hours on this poster. What a lot of people see as just some drawing and coloring, we know is heaps of work because she fatigues and her hand cramps so she has to take frequent breaks. She worked on it steadily in the afternoons for a week. I'm proud of her perseverance.
This was Mike's week to work nights so he went in at 10 each morning and worked until 9 at night. These are always kind of hard weeks, but coupled with lot of days at home, recovering sickness and a whole lot of rain and we had to work really hard to keep any kind of cheerful countenance.
Tuesday, Ameliya and Zayden were well enough to go to gymnastics.
Zayden's shoulder and bicep muscles are getting more defined!
Tuesday was also happy birthday, Grandma Cindy!
After Evalynn's nap we went outside and cleared the flower beds out. They had a few more days until hard freeze, but I decided I would rather do it before it was too cold.
Natalee and Xavier hauled the plants over to the compost and the younger three "smoothed" the dirt for me (AKA dug around).
We were supposed to have a field trip Wednesday, but the rain caused it to be rescheduled. That was disappointing. We were very excited. We kept moving forward with school. Ev helped me with Natalee's mental math.
Ameliya and Zayden learned about the brain in their science curriculum. We made play-doh brains and put the brain on their life size bodies.
Evalynn had a PJ day on Wednesday. We got a package with a big piece of bubble wrap in it and she had a sensory moment.
Natalee had swim practice Wednesday night.
Thursday morning Natalee had physical therapy bright and early.
Since we were done before 9 and Mike didn't have to be to work until 10, we slipped into Smokey Row for a morning treat.
Natalee chose the chocolate chocolate chip muffin.
Back home and schooling.
I love teaching reading.
Mia used some of her down time to make a gift for Grandma's birthday.
A 100% on her spelling test! We thought our day was looking pretty cheery until we realized that I had messed up Natalee's hippotherapy appointment and we missed it. I wrote down 12:10 and it was at 11:20. This was such a disappointment and I struggled a lot with the guilt of that one.
Mia and Zayden putting the brains in their body sticker books.
Playing Skip-Bo on some down time.
Our sweet friend, Kathy, treated us to take out for supper. This was the seriously the sweetest way to love on us. I was exhausted - mentally, physically. Mike was working until bedtime. The day felt blown (I know it wasn't - I know there are bigger troubles in the world - but woosh). The field trip that was supposed to have been moved from Wednesday to Friday got canceled altogether. It had rained all day. I was beaten. We let the children choose whatever they wanted in our town and only ended up driving through two different drive throughs!
Mike was off on Friday and we spent the day mostly prepping for a busy Saturday. The campus put on a trick or treat event for the kids so we walked over that evening.
My cute princesses. Two Elsas and a Cinderella.
My ninjas.
First real trick or treat experience! She caught on quickly.
It's nice to be back in the campus after a year of us not being allowed.
After trick or treating, Natalee went over to swim practice and I got in a quick work out.
Saturday was a busy day. I was up bright and early at 5:30 to get myself ready so that I could get the kids up at 7 and be out of the house at 8. We had family pictures with my side of the family at 9:30 in Missouri, and I cannot wait to see them. They went really smoothly and the kids were all really good. After pictures we had a family lunch to celebrate Grandma's birthday. This was the first time all 17 of us were together in quite awhile.
birthday presents with a lot of help
I haven't seen this hambone in tooooo long. He's grown so much and has a fun personality! So glad I got to squeeze Arthur.
The kids brought their costumes to trick or treat grandma and grandpa.
cuties in costumes
2 black panthers...
teens trick-or-treat differently....but at grandma and grandpa's house they still get the coveted treat bag!
Time to sing to Grandma. Papa made a Reese's cheesecake!
Before leaving Missouri we snuck in a visit with Grammy and Papa in town. The middle three showed off their costumes and everyone collected treats! I think Grammy will soon be losing the height battle to Natalee.
Then it was back to Iowa for town trick-or-treating. We refreshed at home for about 10 minutes, and headed out. Ev was in a snit and we wrapped her in her bathrobe with warm clothes underneath, gave her a baby doll in a stroller, and called her a mommy. It was all she had left after a busy day and that's okay. She rode in the wagon a lot, liked being outside, and loved the candy in her bucket.
Xavier switched to a stick ninja. It looked pretty cool in the dark.
The girls went as ballerinas. They didn't want their princess dresses to drag on the ground since it had been so rainy and muddy.
Zayden stuck with Batman but had to get a new belt because he forgot his other one at Grandma and Papa's.
And I #momfailed at getting a cute, well lit posed photo.
Gale took this one at her house. Ev and I were in the van yet, but it's good of the older four.
As we were tucking the children in after a long, but fulfilling day, and a late night, there was no little Zayden to tuck in....and here is where I found him. Sorting and counting candy. Ha.
The tired mom. The end.
