Single Mom for 4!

Ben takes a trip up to Utah once a year for a "college friends" reunion. This year I told Ben to stay an extra day and go to the BYU game with his brother Matt, who had field seats. BYU started off a great season this year, with a win against OU! I knew Ben would have a great time at the game. (If the don't choke) So that put him gone Thursday- Sunday afternoon. So four days of golfing, playing cards, and hanging out with some of his best friends. I'm glad he gets the chance to do it.I really don't mind when he goes. I'm used to him being out of town with all the travel he did with IBM. I run a tight ship, so things get done with or without him here!

Thursday was a little hectic, but not bad. Normally, Ben and I have to shuttle kids to after school activities at the same time. My Mom helped out, by taking Ethan to his music class. Aubrie didn't feel well, so she skipped her 6:00 dance class. So that left plenty of time to get homework done.

Friday, Boston had Grandparents Day. He was so excited. My Mom went. The kids sang songs, and made them a hand print poster. Then the Grandparents were asked to share what life was like for them when they were Boston's age. Because it was Grandparent's day, Boston got to come home early. My Mom and I spent time playing Jenga and Don't Break the Ice with Boston. After school, the kids decided they wanted to paint. I was in the other room, and so Aubrie got everybody set up on her own. Aubrie is so responsible when it comes to stuff like that. Here are the pictures they did.

Aubrie added Ben later, in pencil, to her family portrait! Guess he wasn't there, so she forgot to put him in. Nice of her to think of it later.

After painting, we went to McDonalds for dinner. The kids had fun playing. There was a family that had a son on Ethan's T-ball team last season. So they had fun playing with him, too.

When we got home we watched Free Willy, while we frosted Sugar Cookies. LOTS!!

Then they watched Dragon Slayer (not sure it was the best pick, but they liked it best), while I caught up on journaling.

This morning, Aubrie woke up early to surprise me with breakfast. She made scrambled eggs and pancakes. I made Danny's special buttermilk syrup to go on the pancakes. YUM! After breakfast and a few cartoons we all did chores, piano practicing, reading, etc. Then my my Mom took Aubrie to the library, and then the rest of the kids out for ice cream. Aubrie spent a lot of time playing dress up with Sophia. She painted her nails to match her outfit and everything.

I spent some time getting my handouts for my lesson ready for tomorrow.

Tonight I'll go over the lesson and probably watch more movies with the kids. So far all has gone well. Tomorrow will be the real test; getting 4 kids ready for church all by myself. I guess that will give me a glimpse of what it's like to have a husband in the Bishopric! LOL

Some pics of Sophia at JuJu Berry.

Brain Freeze!

#6

The number 6 represents how many times we have now taken our kids in for stitches (gluing, or staples). Aubrie, Boston and Ethan all split their chins at 3. Aubrie fell off a hammock that her Grandparents had over cement. Boston was chasing a friend in the house and ran right into the arm of the couch. Ethan's chin slammed on Boston's head, as he jumped off the waterfall in our pool at the same time Ben was throwing Boston across the pool. Boston also tore his knee on the staples in the carpet last year, and Aubrie took a golf club the the chin this year. We were all getting ready to hold our breath when Sophia turned 3! We'll she beat them all to it. It wasn't her chin though, so we are not sure if this one counts!Wednesday night, Sophia wanted to take a shower with Ben. She stepped in the shower, lost her footing, and went down on the back of her head. I wasn't home yet, and when I got home I heard Ben calling me from the shower. She wasn't crying. Ben just wanted me to take a looksie and see if I thought it needed stitches. I always err on the side of caution because of infection. I told Sophia she had to go to the Dr. and she started jumping up and down in excitement, saying, "Yeah, yeah, Dr., Dr,!"

Ben took her while I held the fort down and got dinner going. We always take

the kids to an urgent care place, unless they are closed. Ben was in and out in a half an hour. They gave her 3 staples, so they didn't have to shave her head. Ben said she did REALLY good. She didn't even cry. They had to wrap her up in a sheet like a burrito (something they always do there to the younger ones). She didn't even protest that. Every time they put something on her head, (ie antiseptic, numbing agent) she would say,"Yeah, I'm all better". She did whimper and say "Ouch", when she got each staple. But since then, she hasn't complained. What a big girl. She hasn't even asked to swim since since she got them!

Here is the after picture!

Something that happens when the kids get ahold of the camera, "Dress up Sophia and take pictures"!

Finally a "Soccer Mom"

Though I have kept the kids busy doing a variety of activities, soccer never made it on the list. Something about tournaments, Sunday games, and seasons that never seem to end, always kept me at bay. Finally, after much asking by the kids, we signed them up with a Rec. teams that had practices and games within minutes. Tuesday was Aubrie and Ethan's first practice. Conveniently, Ethan and Emmy practice together, and Aubrie and Maya are on the same team. They both had a GREAT time, and did great! Aubrie was working really hard to do her best, and I could tell she was really enjoying herself. I was a little concerned about her taking up soccer since she has so much dance every week, but I think this will be really good for her! Ethan has fun doing anything athletic!