Full day-ish

Wednesday was the last day before Nana and family arrived, and it was a busy one. We had back to back dentist and soccer in the morning, which is way more than I normally attempt in one day.

Avy volunteered to go first, then the other kids figured out their sorting with no input from me. No cavities for anyone, and perfect behavior. The dentist told us they were his favorite kids - hey, awesome! They're mine too! :)

Good job guys.

Hanging out at soccer practice, eating and watching the girls.

And then, family arrived Thursday! Daddy was home all day so we went to the thrift shop for clothes for everyone, then set up the trailer.

Daddy had been BBQing ribs. I'll spare you the picture of those ;)

A hike! Lily knows how it's done.

Theo figured it out before long too ;)

Sweet kids

Avy played with her silly putty for a while, making strings and then bunching them together. Then she brought it to me: "Look Mom! It's a brain!"

Smiley boy.

She looks all sweet here but the next 5 shots after this one were of her "RAR"ing at the camera. You can see it in her eyes....

Blueberry picking! The kids were sick and it was hot, so this didn't last, but Ellie was a devoted blueberry picker and kept it up even as I took the other kids to the bathroom. The independence is real now.

It's a Momma!

Avy made a rainbow at the park.

Ellie recently learned how to bicycle herself, so Dad bought her her very own bike. As a family, we biked to the park - Dad caravan, Ellie, Mom caravan - then to the library, then home. A solid 5 mile bike ride, go Ellie!

Snuggles.

Moar snuggles.

I turned on The Greatest Showman soundtrack, a favorite of our whole family. This is how the kids like to listen. If you haven't watched the movie WATCH THE MOVIE.

Goof.

Bungie Picnic 2018

The Bungie Picnic is a major event for the whole family, one we look forward to for months.

Ellie and Avy got up early and distracted themselves by drawing - Ellie drew the solar system.

Avy made cards for everyone at the picnic.

We biked over (12 miles round trip, rar!) and then tackled the first major event - bouncy houses!

There was BBQ lunch and cotton candy. They'd never had cotton candy before - this was a big hit.

And then there was ice cream. See Theo's face? That's the face of a little boy having the best day ever.

Face painting. Lily is a pro.

And balloon animals. Avy went outside the norm and asked for a crown, and my goodness did the artist deliver!

Surprise packages

We love surprise packages! Grandma Dorothy sent the kids some books and a box of hair decorations, which the kids promptly made use of every single one.

Avy sharing her birthday card (thank you Grandpa Donald!) with the other kids - pushing the button to start the music turns out to be a great incentive.

Hairclips. ALL OF THE HAIRCLIPS.