Weekly Wind Down {Sports, School, Outdoor Living, Broken Trike, Birthday Sleepover!} April 30-May 6

Sunday the big kids stayed after church for VBS practice.  We took the younger three to a restaurant for lunch; we were supposed to meet friends but they ended up not making it.  It was a nice quiet afternoon and evening at home - cool and rainy.  Mia and I worked on sorting, purging, switching for the season, and organizing her clothes for the spring/summer.

Matching girls...purple sweats and pink tees.

Monday morning we started school but then took a break for chiro appointments for all 7 of us.  I was overdue and paid for it with a day of pain after my adjustment.

We got "May-Day'd" by friends...I didn't hear them knock but the kids were delighted by their treats and took them along to baseball.

We battled strong insistent winds Monday and Tuesday in the Iowa.  They just seemed to beat us senseless.  We braved them to watch Zayden play some baseball Monday evening.

Good catch, buddy!

Xavier had baseball practice so he stayed in town with our friends, the Fross'.  

Heading home after Zayden's winning game and Evalynn was protesting not getting to listen to the song she requested.

Mike and I had several phone calls come in as we were getting home - one from a co-op friend for me, he talked to his folks, and then our friends, the Paynes, called to tell us they are expecting another blessing in December!  We ate a late supper and then did a quick round of showers, then bedtime.

Natalee had early morning OT/PT Tuesday morning.  We marched forward with school per normal and the wind continued to blow even harder than Monday.

I packed up our supper and we headed to the sports complex for a trifecta of games.  Grandma and Papa Tallman surprised us by coming up and watching the games with us. 

First up...soccer for Ameliya.  Soccer is very hard to take photos of!

She played her sweet friend, Cora!

Next up, baseball for Zayden...

Playing catcher!

Then playing pitcher!  Way to get under it, buddy!

Zayden hit a triple!!!

Then it was time to head to Xavier's field.

Our games overlapped so we round robined between Mike and I as best we could.  Xavier did have a bit of time without one of us there, which I hated, but we tried as hard as we could to keep up with everyone.  Luckily he plays double headers!

Sweet little gals playing during the big boys' game.

And the older sisters/friends hanging out.

Thanks for coming Grandma and Papa!  

The wind finally laid which was a delight.  I took hot water and cocoa mix and that was a hit!  

Xavier eats friend eggs after his games and Evalynn decided she needed one, too.

Wednesday - the wind laid and the temps were gorgeous!

Natalee had hippotherapy.  I read Mia and Zayden's history aloud to them while they played and drew.

We finished this book.  What a fine example of a prayer warrior Mr. Muller was!  This is my second time reading this book and I loved it more this time than last.

Zayden and Mia's science has them germinating seeds...

The kids decided it was warm enough to play in the water and I allowed it.

A bike ride with my Evalynn.  She's so fast.

We did pizza and game night Wednesday night since we had no practices and no games!  That means special drink night for the kids and they always look forward to that.  The choices were juice boxes, zevia, zevia kids, or body armor light.  

We chose outdoor games since it was just so beautiful outside.

Evalynn was so dirty by the end of the night.  That means a good day!

I think Heaven might smell like lilacs...

We had no therapies or appointments Thursday.  A full day at home!  Mia had soccer practice Thursday evening and Mike took all the kids along.  He and Natalee worked through some math and the others ran and played.  It ended up that Mike's dad was back in the hospital, this time closer to us in Ottumwa, so Thursday after he brought the kids back, Mike went down to sit with him for a bit while Sara took a small break.

Friday was a quiet day.  The weather teetered between misty gray and calm.  The kids were able to play outside some and we did our morning time outdoors.  

Evalynn and I ran to the store to get a few things.  She's quite a shopper.

We were all very excited for a night of baseball for Xavier and so disappointed when a little rain cloud canceled it at the last minute.  We came home and ate our crockpot picnic at the table and then just did our evening routine as usual.

Saturday Zayden and I were up and out by 8 a.m. for Theo's birthday party day!  We stopped at Casey's for breakfast and then did our drive.  Zayden is an easy passenger and read until he dozed.

I stayed for awhile to help where I could and visit.

Back home Mike and the other four kids cleaned some house, mowed the lawn, and played outside.  Mike grilled burgers and had them ready for an early supper.

I headed home a bit after lunch.  My body was stiff from driving so I mopped when I got home and then we took a bike ride.  Dad and Natalee ended up having to turn home....she broke an axle on her bike.  She rides lap after lap on her bike almost daily, so we're praying it can be fixed.  It's loaded to see if Papa Curtis can weld it for her.

The evening at home was strangely quiet without Zayden.  I left him at Theo's to go to the school carnival, play Transformers, and have a cousin sleepover.

Picture from Lauren....all tucked in and ready to "sleep."  They played so hard today that hopefully they will sleep.

We had 29 hours outdoors this week!  What a blessing!  

Also, Grammy Sara was able to take Papa Phil home today after a long couple of days in the hospital.  Kidney stones can be a real nemesis as it turns out.  He's feeling better and we are very thankful for that.

All in all a very full week!