Weekly Wind Down {Theo Sleepover, Soccer Ends, Baseball, Outside Time, Garden, Homeschool Softball} May 21-27

Another week down and with it the month of May is almost over.  Life is traveling at exponential speeds.

On Sunday we went to church, then ran to Missouri to celebrate my cousin, Maddie's high school graduation.  While down there we grabbed Theo and brought him back for a couple of nights! 

The little boys didn't stop talking for the entire 48 hours they were together.  I'm not even sure they slept.  They were still talking when I went to bed and were awake and playing when I got up.  

I didn't take many pictures....because they just were happy to be together and didn't come around much.

Monday morning breakfast muffins outside...

sprinkler play - the boys also played a ton of Transformers!

Monday evening I took Xavier and Jace to their game and Mike took the other children to Zayden's game.  The big boys played hard but it was a rough night with the umps.  I love watching my kids "sportsing" but equally was overjoyed to sit with my friend, Jessica, and visit during the game.  Spending time with the Fross family as our children overlap on the sports fields has been a joy.

Zayden seemed tired at his game - I don't doubt, lol - and struggled at bat, but still had a good time.  Mike served hamburgers to the crew a the game and I took Xavier's along for him to eat between his games.  We tried to get everyone to bed a little earlier since Tuesday needed to be an early morning.

I needn't have worried - when I opened the boys' door Tuesday morning at 7 they were already awake.  Ha.  

Tuesday started with our field trip to Boone Scenic Railway.

After we got home from it, the kids went to the trampoline for awhile and burned some energy, and then it was time to take Theo to meet his dad.  

Wild boys for the hour drive....

A tired boy for the drive back....

We got back into town in time to swoop around and grab everyone else and head to the soccer field for Ameliya's last soccer game.  She played her friend, Cora!

Ameliya played defense mostly this year but also spent some time mid field.  It was fun to watch her learn her position and understand the game more and more.

Way to keep that ball across the line, girlie!

Final game means medal night!  

A great season!  Love you, #9!

Xavier and the oldest Fross boys brought their ball gloves and worked on their game a bit during soccer.

Piles of friends.....my heart overflows.

Since it was Mia's last game we treated to ice cream after. 

Cookie dough for the girls...

Oreo peanut butter for Evie and mommy...

Monster cookie for the boys...

And Daddy got a pretzel crunch sundae.

Wednesday was a sleep in day!

Zayden slept until 9:30 and I have no doubt he needed it after his fun couple days with Theo.

Natalee taught Evalynn to play Sequence for Kids.

Natalee's been working through a sign language course online this summer.

We started slow and then went to hippotherapy midday.

Xavier was supposed to have a game but our coaches canceled it, so we had a night at home.  He helped me go over and water the garden....our sweet little crooked rowed garden.  Professionals we aren't, hopeful we are!

The sweet corn is up!

Thursday was another at home day.  Bless.  The kids played hard and Xavier push mowed the lawn.  Evie's "injury" face.  Ha.  I think she was faking.

Evalynn and I went to a neighboring town to Zayden's baseball game Thursday evening.

He played catcher the whole night and did so well.  He *almost* caught a foul pop fly...keep working, buddy - you'll get it!!

He struggled at bat and was very discouraged about it.  

Since Mia's team had the bye Thursday evening (the official last night of rec soccer) her coach planned a parents vs. kids soccer game.  Xavier went along and played on the kids team, Mike was a great sport, and Natalee took some good pictures for me.

A video from Mr. Fross...

The "dinosaurs" (as Mike called them) won the game in the end.

A fun end to the soccer season!

Mike had Friday off as a flex holiday and we spent the day at home doing some things we needed to do and some things we wanted to do.

We started with a trip to the library.

Then Zayden asked me to help him with his batting so I pitched him a few balls....after seeing my pitching ability he called in big brother.

Mike eventually migrated over from what he was working on and played catch/batting with the boys and Mia, Evalynn, and I flew kites.  It was almost too windy but we did fine as long as we didn't take them too high!

Evie's first kite flying memory....I hope it lasts forever.  I can still remember flying kites with my dad when I was little and I never put one up without thinking of him.

Jace came over to play Friday afternoon, and then early evening we headed out to play softball with a homeschool group.

She's a vibe...

Overjoyed to see her buddy!

I got to visit with several homeschool mom friends, which filled my heart up.  Mike helped the younger groups with their games, and the oldest two played a game with other kids ages 12+.  The weather was lovely and it was a pretty near perfect night.

We got home late, got everyone showered, and told them to sleep in if they wanted to on Saturday.  Summer, am I right?

After cartoons we did up some chores on Saturday.  I worked on homeschool curriculum that needed finished being prepped, and Mike and the kids washed the bus.  Since they had the power washer out I kept bringing things around that needed washed....sand table, a rug, some boots.  They all got wet and did a great job.  There was no real agenda Saturday.  

Jace came over to play and we had breakfast burritos for supper.  Our neighbor's grandkids were in town for Memorial Day weekend and invited our kids to play kickball, which they loved.  A nice, quiet, lowkey day....everyone was plenty tired by the end of it and ready for bed!  A great way to end the week!

Boone Scenic Railway Field Trip

Several weeks ago we had the opportunity to sign up for a scenic train ride on the Boone railway line.  We were excited for the day to arrive on May 23rd and so pleased that we were able to secure an extra ticket at the last minute and bring Theo along for the adventure!

The field trip began on Monday for me.  Every adventure with many children begins with good planning!  I made a "custom sack lunch" order form for the children and let all 6 of them fill it out and then I got everything made and packed for our special day.  They thought that was a hoot.

We were up and on the road by 7:30.  We ate protein granola bars and cheese sticks for breakfast in the van on the way.

Arrival!  We had time to use the restroom x8 and get ready to board.  We were in the "black" group train car.

All aboard!!

Ameliya found a buddy, Mia, to sit with.

The seat backs reverse so you can face each other or all face forward.  That was fun for the kids to choose.

Mike sat with Xavier which meant I got to sit with a friend!

The conductor punched smiley faces into everyone's tickets....and there were a lot of us!  Honey didn't have a ticket and pretty soon he came back with one for her.  So sweet.

Lunch on a train!

There was a lot to see.  I suspect it's very pretty in the fall.  The scenic photos are courtesy of Mike - my tummy got wobbly when I looked down too far.

Natalee fixed her eyes out the window at the river and said, "I'm looking for an eagle."  Not minutes later one swooped right in front of our windows and tipped his wings to us.  So special!

The sack lunches were a big hit.  After they ate, Mike took all the kids into the scenic look out car.

After our ride we toured the museum for a bit.  

There was a lot to see in the museum, but not a ton of it was hands on, so we took our time at the exploration caboose outside where the younger ones could play a bit.  A long car ride followed by sitting in the train meant there were little legs that needed stretching.  I took pictures of dozens of signs that I want to read later.

Checking out the caboose commode...

I thought for sure the younger 3-4 would fall asleep on the way home....but only Evalynn did.

This was a fun field trip to finalize our school year!