Incoherent Minutiae

I've tried all day to organize my thoughts into something coherent.

I had grand plans for this blog post. Fun picture of the kids, or maybe something about the family history I've been working on.

But nothing has really gelled into place.

I walked 5 miles this morning. The weather was a bit cooler, and I'm just so grateful that my ankle has healed and doesn't give me any pain any more so I can go on an adventure ... the only one I'm allowed outside of my house right now.

We are trying to get into the swing of schooling at home. I've been homeschooling Sam and Madeline, of course, but now Rex and Sariah are home as well. The school district is gearing up to return to grading next week. Should be loads of fun.

Yes, that was a bit sarcastic. I've already been overwhelmed just by adding Madeline's schoolwork (learning numbers and ABCs) to Sam's school work this year. Adding two more kids to the mix is a lot. It'll even out eventually. But right now I feel like all I do is school work in one form or another.

I guess I did have an additional adventure today. I ventured out to the store. I had an order to pick up at HEB and then a prescription to pick up at Target (plus the things that didn't make it into my HEB order because the store shelves still have issues and the HEB curbside order limit can be challenging for a family of 8). It's exhausting to shop these days. There are fewer people, but the emotional toll is greater ... I get anxious about the things I touch and the air I breathe and the things I might be taking home to my family. And as much of an introvert as I am, it's just plain awkward and depressing  to keep so much distance between myself and others.

But, bright side: the store shelves are showing signs of catching up and being fully stocked again. AND this way I'm forced to plan ahead and not fly by the seat of my pants and be at the store eleventy times in one week.

I sat down tonight with my scriptures to prepare for Easter. This was probably the smartest thing I did for myself all day long. Right up there with pumpkin bread from Kneader's that I didn't share with anyone tonight.

I brought Madeline home a new baby doll. She's been loving on one who is at imminent risk of becoming decapitated. She wanted to fix it with tape today. Sadly that's probably a no-go. Seeing her face light up at the new doll was priceless.

Also, Caleb is turning his hair blue even as I type.

Tomorrow should be fun!

Mom's Camera Roll

I haven't posted in several days, but I have been taking pictures, so this post will be heavy on the ... erm, photography.

Madeline's big thing right now is being a big kid like all the older brothers and sisters. Lucky thing Sariah is a reader now and likes to read to her.

Mom convinced Nana to make chocolate chip cookie dough. Madeline got to reap the rewards, and she was a very happy camper. :)

Big brothers are pretty amazing, too!

Isn't she so very grown up?! She helped carry the groceries in!

Now, if you want to talk about a toddler's dream come true: the Nissan dealership here in town. For reals, people! A dedicated children's room with kid-sized chairs, a lot of toys (not just one little obligatory thing), and m&m cookies. She didn't actually want to leave....

But if the Nissan dealership isn't available? Hello, goggles!

The photo credit on this one goes to Sariah. She's been experimenting with the iPad. She is also responsible for the following pictures as well.

We've been practicing spatial reasoning with pattern blocks. What? You can learn while you play????

One of Sariah's creations.

Pajama Day

School day in pajamas in bed. Um....because we can.

Another Reader

Sam read me this whole book tonight!! He's coming along quite nicely. 😍📚

Party On

So we let the littles--Sam and Sariah--have a Christmas party tonight since they are homeschooled and don't get to do that with friends very often. The guest list kept multiplying this week.

Let me preface this by pointing out that I've had a very long and stressful week. It started on Monday when I cried at the YMCA, and then there was Tuesday when I got really frustrated about my dumb thyroid, and then there was today. I was so stressed out by two hours pre-party, that when a collections lady called about my adult daughter's hospital bills (which we've been arguing about for MONTHS), she listened to me recite my daughter's identifying information, and then said, "You know, I'm not sure now is a good time to talk to you. Would you like me to call you back next week?" Yeah, the collections lady. Guess I sounded slightly hysterical. And when the lady calls back (again) next week, I will have to apologize. Get in line, lady. It's been one of those weeks....

Anyway, the party was pretty fun. As crazy as it sometimes makes me feel to have small people following me around 24/7, I still enjoy children and like to be with them. Once I got past being humbled because I was unable to get my house clean to my satisfaction (even though Bob made a very valiant effort while I was completely melting down AND he was being assisted by the Toddler Tornado), I really enjoyed being with these little ones and being a part of their joy.

And by the way, I'm super thankful for Caleb and Lizzi and their three friends for essentially running the entertainment of the party. I owe them...something. I hope it doesn't cost money.

I didn't get any pictures of the party itself. But I did get pictures of the aftermath.

One of the moms said, "They've destroyed your house!"

I hear you all laughing, you know.

What? You don't think this is any different than my regular housekeeping? I know. It's an improvement.

Dang, I hate it when you're right. ;)

Also...Madeline thinks the blanket Grammy sent Sam should have been hers. She kept trying to pull it from Sam while she screamed at him tonight. We hunted down the one Grammy made for her, and then she was somewhat mollified.

As Promised

Sariah finally allowed me to take her picture with her rocket ship. I thought she did a great job with whatever the heck you call that thing on the end....

And as soon as I got the camera out, Madeline needed in on the action, lol! So much fun!

Skates and Appointments

Sariah earned a reward for her reading endeavors over the last couple of months. Daddy took her and a couple of friends to the skating rink here in town. They had bunches of fun learning to skate. Isn't she beautiful!?

And this morning we had to go to some doctor appointments. Madeline thought it was the coolest thing ever that the table and chairs were just her size.

Successful...ish

Yesterday was a brilliant homeschool day. We got some awesome stuff learned and accomplished. I was feeling pretty proud of myself.

Yeah, cue the call to humility. Today was supposed to be equally brilliant.

But first...here's my FB post from this morning.

It was just an almost traumatic day. After the dishwasher guy left, I opted to eat candy with the kids, nap while Madeline napped (except I finished a book instead), and basically waste time. Sometimes it's just too much, ya know?

The one really awesome thing was getting to talk to Hannah. She's so excited to go to California. My weather app said it was 79 degrees there today. I'm jealous. And I'm really thankful for the stranger who loaned their phone to her. That makes my heart smile.

Hannah with her mission president and his wife.