Sunday morning we went to worship and got to hear the rain during the service. It was promotion Sunday for Sunday school and we weren't sure what to expect but it exceeded our expectations. The kids were already excited for their new classes, but imagine what a treat it was to get to go up on stage. All of the 2nd graders receive a Bible, and Zayden got included in that, and was delighted.
The kids are in classes divided by their ages. Zayden is in the 2nd grade class, Mia is in the 3-5th grade girls class, Xavier is in a class specifically for 6th graders, Natalee is in the Junior High class, and Evalynn is in the preschool class.
I was nervous that Evalynn would be timid but she did great! She did take her baby as kind of a comfort measure but she went willingly and had a great time.
(They didn't make the JH and HS kids come on stage. #teens)
After we got the kids settled, I slipped out to go home and prep for Evie's little family birthday party. Mike stayed for class, and everyone was glowing with excitement when they got home.
We dove right into family arriving and helping us celebrate Evie turning three and had a great Sunday!
Monday was pretty much all about celebrating Evalynn.
I think having a birthday on a Monday threw us off a little bit and we struggled to find our groove the rest of the week. We also had several extra activities, so maybe it was just a culmination. It wasn't a bad week by any means - in fact it was good in a lot of ways - just a little wonky.
Tuesday morning my big three year old slipped into my bed and snuggled up against me. All of the sudden my back and side were a flood of warmth. What a wake up to a pee filled bed. Natalee began Tuesday with early PT and OT and the rest of us sat outside in the fall chill while the kids had breakfast.
We worked to find our routine with our morning time. I chose a game Evalynn could play, too, Pop the Pirate.
The middles and I did our history reading on the front porch swing while the big kids heated up lunch.
After school, it was outside we went.
These three made a mud bird's nest.
bedtime lip balm...
I love how she's holding Honey up so her eyes will be open to watch the news.
There was a lot of excitement in the house Wednesday because it was the first night of Awana and Youth Group programming at church. We got through our school {mostly} and got three hours of outside time in before cleaning up and eating for church. We ended the month of August with 150 hours and 20 minutes outside.
Evie carries around the art card and shows each sibling every morning.
I did the girls' hair before church. Working so hard on being a mom who can braid and do cute hair.
Excited faces headed into church! I volunteered in the Cubbies and Mike is volunteering in the Youth Group. I love that we all had a place to be at the same time.
Evalynn had some withdrawn moments and a little bit of nerves but she did great. She was very keyed up anxiously before we left and kept saying "you're staying with me, right, mom?" She eventually joined in most of the songs and had big eyes taking it all in throughout the evening.
Back home to clean up and get to bed. Awana goes until 8:15 so the bedtime hustle is real and I'm again thankful our kids don't have to be up early in the mornings.
Thursday was a busy day. We did need to be at hippotherapy by 10, but we did it! We even moved morning time up an hour and got all our read alouds in before we left! Success! I woke up with a terrible neck, which was unfortunate, but powered through.
Sweet Evie folded all these towels while I read aloud. Without being prompted. Such a genuine mama's helper.
After a couple of weeks off, it was good to be back at hippotherapy.
The other four kids played outside while Natalee was in her session.
She's getting very fast on her scooter - and she's always singing, which I love.
After hippotherapy, we went to the park for a few hours to meet some friends.
We kept Evie awake all the way home and she took a big nap when we arrived. I had to wake her up to go to the chiropractor.
She also got happy birthday mail from Aunt Joanna and Uncle Pat.
After the chiropractor, the kids played outside a bit, then we got cleaned up to go host teen night for our homeschool co-op teens. We headed to the skate park and hung out while the others arrived to meet us. Mike picked up pizzas for everyone and we enjoyed visiting with the teens and getting to know them a little better.
There were a few other kids at the skate park and Evie ruled them all. I apologized to one older teen after she cutely but bossily said "excuse me, please," and basically demanded he move, and he said, in good humor, "no sweat, she's obviously the queen of the skate park."
After we ate, Mike loaded the leftovers and the three younger kids and headed for home. The teens and I headed into the arcade for the next couple hours and they had the run of the place to play until closing. I ended up letting Xavier stay with me. Even though he's not a teen yet, no one loves the arcade like he does, and he's a very mature 12. He knows once doesn't mean always, and thanked me for letting him stay.
We had 10 kids total and I think they all had a good time. We were so thankful they came to us and let us host!
Friday was a slow morning. We were tired after a busy Thursday and had sludge in our blood. We eventually got moving a little, and read our chapter books from our morning basket.
We finished both of these. The Giggler Treatment was ridiculous and not "good literature." The kids thought it was hilarious and it was fine, just not thought provoking. LOL. It was a lot of laughs.
Xavier only wanted to make one load when it was time to haul trash.
suppertime!
Saturday morning was per our normal. Mike went to the square to put out our chairs and ended up staying for several hours to help set up the staging and stuff for the free Christian concert on the square.
After naps, we got ready to go to the concert and headed out. I fed everyone a big taco "lupper" before we left. Evie's last gift from Daddy and I was a backpack that has a carrier for her Honey.
We were early, and Mike treated the kids to ice cream and we got a bag of kettle corn for later.
We checked on our seats, said hi to some friends, and the youngers hit the bounce houses. This one was not very busy and that made it the most fun (for me).
We headed back to our seats to see the opening act, Friday Night Fire, begin and were humbled to hear the lead singer (in yellow) and her brother (to the right) had lost their mother earlier in the day. Knowing she was with Christ, they were able to do their set, and they did a splendid job.
Our chairs were by the Brummer crew. Mike got us great seats!
Believes dunkaroos should be eaten by licking the frosting out first.....
After Friday Night Fire, Josh Wilson took the stage and did a fantastic acoustic set with his loop pedal.
Natalee asked to go up and jam...she's in the tie dye sweatshirt.
Mike hadn't been hungry when we had taco "lupper" and so he went to get food at a trailer....and then the others asked for tenderloins and fries, too. Daddy obliged.
The volunteers handed out glow sticks before the main act started.
Britt Nicole was the main act, and she was such a beautiful role model for our children.
I took the kids that wanted to go closer to the stage to get the "Christian mosh pit" experience, which is more praising than moshing and exactly my speed.
But little hands raised in worship is my favorite.
For whatever reason, Evalynn decided that she could walk up on stage and make conversation with Britt Nicole, while she was singing, and I could not convince her otherwise. Heartbreaker. One minute I was videoing her dancing and then the next minute....this...
She got it together eventually and enjoyed the last of the concert.
Overall, this was a beautiful night for our family. The stark difference between this year's experience and last year's for me personally, was not lost on me. Last year I was in a low place, struggling so badly with the sadness, loneliness, the vast hardship of COVID, and some other tough feelings. This year I felt joy. Gratitude. Hope.
What a beautiful end to a week full of memories!
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