More Adventures with Friends

Caelan started her first nannying job this week. She did some job shadowing the day before and then dove straight in for seven hours of kiddo care the next! We were so bored at home without her, that we just had to think of SOMETHING to do while she was gone ;) Hello, Kids Bowl Free program! We grabbed our bag of bowling shoes (they all still fit, except Brennen's--he had to go the rental route, but Graysen benefited from his like-new hand-me-downs) and met our friends--so, so many friends--at the bowling alley.


As six moms and one dad (brave Buck :) tried to organize 30 teens, tweens, and toddlers, the bowling alley workers' eyes just kept getting bigger and bigger. It was a little chaotic because we didn't have a plan for organizing kids into lanes (and the computers specifically assign a lane to the number of bowlers on each individual family's membership), but the kids didn't notice. They were just thrilled to be together--again!! On like eight lanes, whew!



Buck and Graysen ended up bowling with the younger crowd. Buck was so patient and helpful to the little dudes. They would run with all their tiny might to the foul line and then drop the ball *thump* to let it slowly . . . slowly . . . sloooooowly . . . progress to the end of the lane (usually in the gutter :) Buck helped them sort through turns, which ball was whose, how to use the red plastic dragon slope to get the ball to roll a little faster, bumpers up, bumpers down, and finally how to take silly selfies to go along with their names on the score screens. THIS was a big hit! I think he's their new hero :)



Gabby found her girl crew and they had a great time. Brennen and the older boys formed a team, which would have been perfect if I put six games on our lane (that's why G$ bowled with Buck and the younger boys). 





Because everyone was so spread out and the abilities were somewhat lopsided, not all the games ended simultaneously. As we approached hour three at the bowling alley (to complete two games), we all got bit by the hungry bug. We listed off several different Mexican restaurants (because these are often the easiest to manage with the special food needs in the group), and then I remembered a new one in the empty mall. Buck was thrilled! This one carries the name of one of his favorites, and I'm sure our subsequent business made their budgets for the week :) It was perfect though, the kids could spread out at all the empty food court tables. The long-local moms could reminisce about this empty shell once being "the place" to be when they were growing up. "I never thought I'd be eating with friends here, again!" said one, nostalgically.





The younger kids soon headed for the dilapidated children's area, while the older kids went to dig through bins in the junk store. We found them quite awhile later still finding "treasures" and (ew) trying on wigs (not my kids though, lol :) We, surprisingly, found a few items--like compression socks for Buck's feet (which have been hurting him badly the last couple weeks) and protractor/compass sets to replenish our geometric supply. Brennen found a few old XBOX games, so now they can play more sports than football, and I found a High School Musical gameboard with included CD for one of Buck's cohort buddies. He knows all the songs and the dance moves, and it has kind of made him a legend among the youth group. I mean, for a dollar? :)



So, we really hadn't intended to spend six hours roaming around town with our friends, but that's what happened! The boys brought a friend home to chill 'til youth group, and Caelan needed to be picked up from her first day with the three wee amigos. She said it went well :) But pretty much no sooner than we arrived home, we were packing up the music to head to church for worship team rehearsal before the youth grand finale and senior night! (Okay, technically we're meeting every week this summer, but it's more informal than during the school year). 

The youth pastor from our former big church taught the lesson, and it was excellent! The kids really responded well to him and we had a good discussion afterwards. In fact, the girls and I were there for more than three hours talking and discussing plans for the summer and changes for the fall (Buck and the boys headed home about 30 minutes earlier). That was a whole lot of socializing for one day, let me tell you! But we had a good time connecting with our friends. Also, we skipped baseball, because it was a late game and we didn't want to rush out of youth group to get there. Turns out, the team won! Go team :)

Hot off the press! New good friend pics that just arrived in my phone!

Memorial Day

After enjoying church together as a family, we spent much of Sunday catching up on outdoor chores, my list was long, but we accomplished almost all of it! With the amount of storms—like significant storms, all the boys’ ballgames were cancelled last week—it’s tricky to snag a patch of sunshine for yard work and chickens. So we were extra thankful when Monday dawned sunny (after yet another gnarly storm, but not as gnarly as the hail-fest that followed Monday night). Graysen kept busy building horseshoe back stops and pouring sand inside to keep them official. Gabby took care of putting the new (cheap) cushions on the chairs to replace the old (cheap) moldy, shredded fabric version of two years ago. Looks nice! We also spruced up the inside of the house as we prepared for 20 plus friends to arrive (most of them under the age of 15 : ) 

Buck and Brennen kept popping up from the downstairs couch to look out the window for any arrivals, like whack-a-mole heads. Buck said, "I want to see my friend. Can you text his wife and see when they will be here?" I said, "You have his number, text him yourself, goofball :)" Finally, their efforts were rewarded! Our new good friends and their seven kiddos arrived first. Then our friend, Lisa. Then our pastor’s wife and their five kids (he was at a conference with all the other pastors in Florida). We were bummed that another small group family wasn't able to join us, but they still had company in two from their son's weekend graduation.

Caelan, a.k.a. Princess, delighted the little girls with her collection of dresses and baubles. The followed her around in a parade of lace, sparkles, and tiaras. Many things they've long outgrown. The five-year-old, said with her darling little voice, "Princess said I could keep these gloves." Yes, they actually call her princess--I don't know if they know she has another :)

For the next EIGHT hours, our kids played inside, outside, on the hill, in the garage—princesses, pirates, giant Lego blocks, cardboard battles, bubbles on the deck (and in the kitchen :), Xbox (inevitable), sidewalk chalk, football, horseshoes, hold the chickens, climb the swing set, the baby toys came out, the piano rocked-and-rolled, the air-conditioner did its best, but couldn’t quite keep up. Neighborhood kids joined the pack, swelling our outside numbers by another half dozen. The weather was perfect!

We grilled hotdogs and hamburgers; we had a kitchen full of goodness—including homemade apple and strawberry-rhubarb pie. Buck and I were pretty sure neither of us liked rhubarb at all, but that pie was delicious! There was a bowl of pasta salad big enough to swim in, and we went through two watermelons! Ahhhh, summer! By dinnertime, we decided we didn’t want to break up the party, so the guys ran to get pizzas. Soon after, Buck started a fire and the kids roasted marshmallows for smores.

And I'm convinced the swirl of clean-up time left our house in better shape than when we started . . . look at all those helpers!





Thankful for the freedoms we have to enjoy days like this doesn’t even begin to touch the emotions of Memorial Day! God’s love and connections in our lives are so precious.

The First Graduate

Graduation weekend! The much-anticipated, wondered-about celebration of my brother’s academic and life achievements thus far. While the hoopla and plans were detailed and presented well in advance for my sister’s and my high school completions (and my oldest younger brother’s details tolerated with whatever ounces of celebratory revelry he could muster :), Logan’s launch preparations were pretty chill, whatever happens happens, we have a date, we have a place, we have a time. And it worked out just fine!

Our crew headed out Friday morning, arrived at mom and dad’s several hours later, and enjoyed an impromptu late lunch at a taco place. We headed to the hotel to check in for the night, then did a little local wandering. Buck wanted to check out a farm store that is nothing short of massive! There we bumped into Brother Bob contemplating lawn equipment.

Next, the girls and I decided we should check out the nearby fabric shop, because even though we have one in our own town, we were struggling to get there to pick up the fabric needed for a quadruple teddy bear order Caelan has going and a t-shirt quilt project in the works. Of course, Caelan found dress fabric (although she hasn’t finished the last dress she started :), but we got some amazing fabric deals overall.

We figured my parents would be back from the airport to pick up my aunt by this time, so we headed back to their house. The girls helped assemble some graduation decorations, while the boys intently focused on the door magnets mom has for her daycare kids. Brennen, Graysen, and Logan were entertained by this project for a half hour minimum :)

Because we missed the spring 
birthday rush, I made sure to bring along my nephew’s gift. He laughingly said, “This better not be shaving stuff.” Oh, but it was! His enthusiasm nearly matched Brennen’s Easter basket unpacking of the month before. Shaving cream, razors, a cute—I mean, manly—bag to carry them in? What else do you expect from your auntie?? ;)

Pretty soon, my other nephew pulled up in his truck and everyone trooped out to check out his “new” wheels. I remember when they used to get excited about the toys of childhood, eager to show off their trikes, bikes, wagons, or even doll strollers (more the girls than the boys on that one). But now! Now, they’re admiring legit transportation options. So many teenagers where toddlers once were! And in true teenager fashion, Caelan dropped the shared cell phone and shattered the screen—a first for our phones, but not for teens in general . Maybe this is why the phone companies recommend insurance?

Dinner that night was a stack of pizzas, quickly consumed. The cousins (we'll just include the nieces and nephews and uncles in that description) mostly played/watched video games, while the grown-ups caught up. Aunt Ellen did arrive! I forgot to mention that successful airport pick-up.

Back at the hotel, the kids weren’t interested in the swimming pool. It was fairly late, so we decided to get a head start on morning departure necessities. We rigged up a clothes-hanger/decorative bedding screen for the barn-door bathroom closure (which did nothing for the privacy of whoever was using the all-glass shower). We were pretty impressed by the fogless mirror with glow-activating button in the center. Pretty cool!

After an unexpectedly comfortable and solid night’s sleep, we grabbed a very hotel-ish breakfast, and then got fancy for Logan’s graduation ceremony. We had a bit of a drive ahead of us, so we checked out and loaded the van. All-the-while on the lookout for a Starbucks or anything that would sell a hot chai tea (negative on that one), we made it to our destination. 

Walking across a massive parking lot in heels and then climbing a whole lot of stairs in the same proved quite a feat on a chai-less, early morning excursion. But we found seats in the nosebleeds, saw the rest of our family enter several sections over, and waited for the commencement to commence. I felt like the whole experience was quite educational for a homeschool crew. They saw the pomp and circumstance, they heard the speeches and honors bestowed upon the graduates, they endured the stereotypical slow-speaking commendations of the academic world, they listened to the choir sing and the band play, they saw the tassels switch from one side of the graduation cap to the other in that much anticipated graduation moment of “I did it!!!”

I never did see my brother in his graduation gear up close. I’m hoping someone took a picture (well, I know someone did because they had a green screen set up directly off the stage where the graduates filtered after receiving their diplomas). It was all very well organized, but distant when 400 kids were part of the process. We were glad to be there (even if Buck pretended to snooze through the speeches :)

Afterwards, my nephew, in a spark of genius, rerouted Maga’s plans for lunch to a long-time favorite barbeque restaurant. Our vanload arrived first and got our name on the list. The efficiency of the restaurant was so impressive, the kids barely had time to finish coloring their bunny faces before the food—and the graduate—arrived (he was pretty excited to color too :) Buck was in bbq glory land with his platter of smoked delights. And, since it is assumed you will eat their outstanding ice cream desserts as a required course for your dining experience, the kids were over-the-moon to get to order shakes, sundaes, and treats from the extensive menu options. Thanks Grandpa B!!!

Back at the house, we loaded up all the graduation goodies and headed to the church where the party would be held. It was the perfect location for the wide range of ages represented among the party attendees. The younger kids gravitated toward the giant, tractor tire swing, the older kids made use of the basketball hoop and foosball table, and everyone enjoyed the good food, desserts, and chance to visit. Family from several states converged to laugh, reminisce, and catch up. We met Logan’s friends and classmates and his biological mom and grandmother.

The hours flew by and we suddenly found it was time for us to clean-up and ship out! I cannot believe the team effort of our crew of helpful, efficient kids and teens! They hoisted stuff up the stairs and out to the cars in less time than we thought possible. They repeated the same performance back at the house . . . although some arrived in more exciting ways than other. I’m talking to you A . . . on the back of the Harley with Uncle C : ) “I can’t believe my parents let me do that!!” he exclaimed with a grin stretching a mile wide. Ha! 

We spent a little more time as a family at my parents’ house, giving Caelan ample time to rifle through the treasure-trove of wedding dresses in the basement. She emerged in a cloud of tulle and satin and maga topped it off with a tiara. My brother watched her twirl into a seated position with gown swirling around her and said, “You have to see yourself in her.” Ha, okay, yeah. Maybe a little. Hee hee : ) 

When it started getting late, we grabbed some sandwiches for the road and headed home. Buck was listening to an audiobook for his men’s group meeting, and the kids were really enjoying the commentary on Mark (of the Bible, not one of our many, but diminishing neighbors named Mark :) The book concluded as we pulled into our driveway. Our dog was happy to see us return, although he behaved nicely for our neighbor girl (so glad we have her pet care skills as an option)!



I think we were all a little tuckered out after the busy, eventful weekend. Little Buddy woke up, then went back to sleep on the couch. It was what we all wanted to do that morning :) 

Epic Last Day of School

We did it! We accomplished another year of school at our exclusive-enrollment academy :) There is still a decent amount of summer work to keep them busy (more in a couple subjects than they were expecting, I spent hours on the math for how many lessons/pages per week per weeks of summer), but this week they have off as their official start to summer! It's a good thing too, we are hopping when it comes to things to keep us busy. We were glad that our principal had the day off of work and could help with the certificate of completion award certificates. And that he could take the teacher to an appreciation lunch at our new favorite dive Mexican restaurant.



And of course, we mustn't neglect our annual last day of school ice cream tradition! 





Home from ice cream, we warily watched the sky as thunderstorms moved through the area. I worked on grading while we caught up on missed Amazing Race episodes. Despite the rain, we jumped in the van and headed to the kids' choir booking at a never-before-seen (to us anyway) ballpark. We took responsibility for our new good friends' five younger kiddos, so their mama could take amazing photographs of the choir before the game and during their national anthem singing.








In the meantime, the clouds held steady and the game progressed toward its scheduled start time. Buck and his dad friend kept posting live videos, which came to confused conclusions as the kids just stood waiting on the field for the game to begin . . . seemingly forever.






Finally, the time was right and the song began. They sounded different outside, but still really beautiful! I think they did the homeschool crowd proud! We were about the only crowd there, but it was fun to see their choir name printed on the admission tickets and to see their faces on the jumbotron. Caelan got an extended close up on the big screen. She said the camera guy was so close to her, she decided to just focus on her choir director and keep smiling :)







No sooner did the game start, than a foul ball hopped into Graysen's hands! He was pretty excited :) Buck told him he'd been coming to baseball games all his life and had never caught a ball. What a great day!





As the choir kids trickled into their seats, nobody really watched the game much. They were having too much fun talking to friends . . . which is pretty much what the adults were doing too. We let the teens walk the circumference of the stadium in a herd, and kept the younger kids close. When the sky started looking swirly, we decided to head for dinner . . . with our new good friends!!









Nine o'clock p.m., table for 16 burgers, fries, fried mushrooms, and so much fun! Seriously, a super great day. Love, love, love!