Weekly Wind Down {New Window, Midnight Feast Sleepover, Crazy Colored Hair, Big Fig} Feb 19-25

 Another Sunday, another morning with this little dime in our bed at wake up time....

Natalee had a head cold so she stayed home from worship.  I came home after service so she wasn't alone so long and Mike and the others stayed for classes.  We just did Sunday things - some rested, some read, some played.  We relaxed and reset for the week.  In the evening, Ameliya and I went back to a beautiful worship service at church.

Monday was a regular school day.  Natalee balanced her weekly schedule with getting plenty of rest to kick the head cold.

I started my Monday with a balance of teaching and getting some household tasks done.  This week I decided to make two gallons of milk into yogurt as one isn't lasting us the week when the kids eat it for breakfast 2-3 mornings a week.  

The weather was gorgeous Monday and I noticed a couple days before that my bird friends were back for the spring.  My cardinals are back, the blue jays - and when I went out to fill the feeders I set my merlin app to see what all it caught - what a full yard!

We worked through school but also logged about four hours outdoors.

So nice to be reading our history outside again!

I took Zayden to wrestling Monday evening while Mike ran the home ship.  On the way I asked if he wanted to hold my hand and he accepted....treasure the moments.

Tuesday morning started colder as a front moved into Iowa....and as we woke up we had a message from maintenance saying the contractor was coming to replace our front window.  

While this was a stressor I wasn't upset honestly.  The window was in terrible condition and we have fought moisture all winter and a rotten window frame.  It was beyond time to be replaced and I'm thankful.

It was chuckle worthy given my prayer for patience Tuesday morning.

We moved school to my room or the kids' rooms and stayed warm enough by keeping the doors shut.

Plot twist....the new window didn't fit.  Ha.  Slight delay but they did get it in eventually and are coming back next week to trim it out.

Bonus - the new one opens and has screens on the side panes.

Mike took Mia to her OT appointment at his lunch break but we canceled Natalee's early morning appointments so she could rest and to ensure we didn't overly share germs.

A day of needing my children to be quite independent and play and not have my attention meant my little attention seeker needed to velcro herself to me to get through Tuesday evening.  We ordered Pizza Hut for Tuesday pizza night and watched a show instead of games.  I owe my kids a couple good game nights as the last couple of weeks have been kinda lame.

Wednesday was drizzly and gray.  We did school and got all our tasks done in good order.  

I made an early lunch and just planned leftover pizza for supper so it seemed like we waited forever for evening church time to arrive.  

The Brummer boys came over and I used colored hair gel in everyone's hair for Awana crazy hair night.

What fun!

Mia was pretty pleased with her tri-colored braids.

Mike and Natalee stayed home from youth group and she watched a Mandie movie while we were gone.  She was some better Wednesday night but it was a gym game night and I didn't think running around was maybe the best step in recovery.

Natalee was improved on Thursday so we kept her hippotherapy appointment in the morning.  After a couple weeks of cancelations for weather she was very glad to be back in the barns.  Her regular therapist was back from maternity leave, too, and Natalee was glad to see her smiling face.

Evie and I did school while Natalee worked.

I went down to put away a few decorations and get out some spring things after we got home and got sucked into a couple of hours of cleaning in the basement on accident.  I found a few things I'd tucked away for Evalynn and she was happy to have new activities.

Thursday evening Mike took Zayden to wrestling and I took Xavier to basketball.  Both had been canceled for weather the last couple weeks so the boys were glad to be back.  Next week is the final week for both activities.

Friday Mike took PTO and I got up and around bright and early to go with a friend to a one day homeschool conference in Pella.  It was so very good and encouraging - my brain is really too full to unpack it all here but maybe in it's own blog post I'll recap it eventually.  I enjoyed several of my sessions, appreciated browsing the used curriculum sale and booths, and needed the break and pick me up to finish our school year strong.

Mike and the kids had a good day at home.  They watched a couple Lego Master episodes and when I got home Zayden and Ameliya (and Evie, she'd like you to know), took up one of the challenges from the show and built their own big-fig (instead of mini-fig).  I absolutely adore it and treasure their creativity.

I mean seriously...

Ameliya has really been showing what a thoughtful big sister she is lately with last week's tea party and this week a sleepover that she planned for her younger siblings.  She asked for me to put together a "midnight feast" for them and then asked if they could set up tents in the living room.  

Honestly I didn't mind a bit that I got sent to my room by 8 p.m. and I loved hearing their giggles and antics from down the hall.  I even heard Mia instruct the others to brush teeth after they feasted (that was perhaps closer to 9:30 than midnight, which I think showed a lot of wisdom).

We gave the older two permission to read in their rooms and told them we wouldn't be instructing what time lights out was and then Mike and I watched a show in our beds. 

Evalynn came crawling into our bed at around 1 a.m. and the other two were pretty bleary eyed on Saturday but it was still so very fun.

The kids did cartoons on Saturday morning (and breakfast/brunch) and then we went over to a sports card expo at the local mall.  

My big girls and I were twinsing in our shopping belt bags.

We paused our card browsing to go to Xavier's basketball game.  

tired sassy's sleepover hangover was catching up to her

Xavier's height is an advantage in the opening jump ball.

The game was a good match.

After the basketball game, Mike dropped Evie and I off at home.  I washed her up, gave her a protein filled snack, and tucked her in for a long snooze, which she was happy to take.  The others went back to the mall to finish looking at the tables.  Natalee bought a pen, Mia bought a bracelet, and both boys bought ball cards.  Zayden was excited to begin his collection.

He looks a little older today...

We ended our week outside.  After Tuesday - Friday being pretty cold, drizzly, rainy, dreary weather, we were thankful to see 40 degrees today.  So funny how 40 degrees in February is "sweating weather" and we leave the house in hoodies.  Jace and Rogan came over and they all shot hoops, jumped on the trampoline, and enjoyed the free vitamin D.  Mike took Evalynn on a bike ride and then after supper and showers our tired out younger kids headed to bed early and the rest of us finished the night reading. 

Weekly Wind Down {Super Bowl, Co-op, V-day, Book Tea Party, BIG Snow, Swim Banquet, Grandparent Love} Feb12-18

Sunday began with a a beautiful morning of worship and classes.  I thought Evalynn was looking pretty sweet in her little Valentine outfit and denim jacket and asked her to pose for me.

The worship songs were especially lovely and Ev brought a few to tears when she stepped into the aisle just in front of me all of her own accord, and put up her tiny sweet little hand and lost herself in worship.  Holy Spirit dwell in her always.

Being that it was Super Bowl Sunday we focused our day on making sure we were prepped for the week, getting lots of outside time (beautiful day), and eating lots and lots of fresh fruits and veggies in preparation of the junk food night that I allow on Super Bowl.

The last 3-4 years have become somewhat of a "tradition" for us for the Super Bowl.  For this special night all the kids get to choose a favorite frozen "junk" food and their favorite snacks and mom says nothing about who eats what or whether or not they should stop.  Such an exercise of self control for mother.  The only other rule is it has to be easy for mom, too.  I'm not slaving away while everyone watches the game and indulges.  We also keep it dye free.

I made a "boughten cookie charcuterie" and Evalynn was here for it.  "I'll help you, mama!  I'll taste that, mama!"

She could not believe her free reign - what fortune!  

This year's spread choices included Aldi doritos, white cheddar cheetos, chips and Grandma Betty dip, pickles (for mom), dino nuggets, mini corn dogs, soft pretzels and cheese, and pizza rolls, and lemonade to drink.  I even let them eat in the living room until the halftime show and then we had them come to the table.

Chiefs Vs. Eagles gave us a Chiefs win!

Monday brought co-op.  We handled our junk food hangovers very well and were out of the door in good time.

My music/art class finished their sky writing projects.  Very fun!

Then we practiced our rhythm skills and played "I Have Lost My Valentine."

Evalynn in the nursery with Miss Tami.

My preschool class had "elephant morning."

I gave them fresh fruit for snack to eat with an elephant food pick while I read them Elmer.

We painted Elmers of our own...

And then colored elephants...

and used party blowers for their trunks.  (adorable)

Evalynn's "Elmer."  #nailedit

Natalee's STEM class creation.  So glad she asked her teacher to send me a photo!

After co-op lunch we went to visit Aunt Annette and the kids caught her all up on our goings on.

She treated the kids to their favorite Valentine's - food!  Goldfish crackers and nutty buddies.

The weather was beautiful.  I insisted that Evalynn sleep on the way home and then everyone went outside for a couple hours when we got home.  Zayden missed wrestling in exchange for the fresh air and Natalee's weekly swim practices have come to an end.

Mike handled supper clean up and showers while I ran some errands and Monday drew to it's close.

Tuesday brought little happy Valentine treats.

We did have school but that was okay because the weather was crummy so there wasn't much to do outside.

Papa stopped by for a visit and Ameliya made invitations for and threw a tea party for her two younger siblings, which was absolutely a lovely gesture.

photos courtesy of Xavier...

thanks, son.

I made our traditional Valentine's lasagna and had the older kids help with salads and garlic bread.

And because it was Tuesday we ended the night with a game...

Wednesday brought a busy day.  Zayden was up early and sat down to do his Bible study with Daddy.

I got up early and hit the ground running.  We got as much group school done as possible since Ameliya and I had a tea party to attend back in Newton.  Several girls of the same age have read the book 100 Dresses and the tea party was to discuss the book.  In a couple of weeks Mia, Natalee, and I will be going to a play of the book.

The tea menu was cucumber, pb&j, or nutella/banana sandwiches, jell-o rolled fruit, cinnamon muffins, and party cups of s'mores mix with fruit or green tea and lemonade to drink.  It was such a sweet time with my sweet middle girl.  Ameliya had her first taste of peanut butter M&M's (trying to find the balance between dye free and living life) - she was a huge fan.

After snacks, a parlor game, and book discussion, the girls were taught to origami fold little dresses.  

Success!  Are they not sweet!?

Mia hadn't had much lunch so I ran her through a drive through and we headed back home to have a bit of down time before Wednesday night church.

Thursday brought weather.  Lots and lots of weather.  

We had morning time while the snow piled up outside.

The snow came down and down and down but the wind was still and the temps weren't terribly cold so out the children went for about 90 minutes.

They dug out the entrance to the igloo and sought refuge inside it when they wanted out of the snow.

It was a beautiful snow truly, even if it did cause hippotherapy to be canceled.  I caught up with my cousin, Brooke, on the phone, and then when the kids came in we finished our school day.

One warm bath for this girl coming up.

It snowed so hard that Mike even got sent home early (rare).  After the kids got all changed and warmed up Mia and Zayden decided to make snow ice cream.

All of the kids benefited from their labor.

Fresh snow day fingernails.

Wrestling and basketball were canceled and it was a nice quiet evening at home.

A wild night....

In addition to Evalynn being up with her ear we had one with a bad dream and one with a wet bed.

The night warranted all the drinks for mom in the morning. (fruit smoothie, latte, big water)

We persisted despite some of us fighting fatigue and got our school going.  

The last week we've been dealing with Evalynn's ear.  Chiro, herbal drops, warm packs....I'd done all I knew to do (she'd had no fever and only complained intermittenly).  Friday I noticed it stank and, whereas the last week she'd only complained of it hurting twice, on Friday she said many times that it hurt and had her finger in it.  I looked in it and it was, well, disgusting.  I took her to the clinic and we got the necessary meds for her.  She did a great job advocating for herself!  "Hi, my name is Evie and my ear hurts."

The kids got a couple hours of outdoor play in the midst of school.

Natalee and I went to her swim banquet Friday night.  A really nice evening for the swimmers and I only caught one photo.

Saturday brought basketball.  Mike got called into work several times so the kids and I did chores, went to the library, and they got about an hour outside before Xavier's game.  Grandma Cindy and Papa Curtis came up and we had a nice visit with them at the house before the ball game.

Xavier had a good game, played good defense, and put some points on the scoreboard.

After basketball, Papa and Grandma treated us to lupper.  It was very yummy and the kids all sat so nicely and visited.  It does get easier when they get a little older.

The kids did early showers and then we let them watch their cartoons since they hadn't done them in the morning.  The week closed quietly with hearts full of more good memories and experiences.