#stuffLilysays

Lily: "yeaaa, some kids are little are 1 and 2 and 3 and some big kids are 4 and 5 and 6 and some 'normous kids are 7 and 8 and 9"

Keeping busy

I've been going to a family therapist to help me get my head around the day to day stress of many small voices (it's a wonderful life, it really is, it's just so intense), and one of the things we've identified is that I'm too much of a perfectionist. Ok ok guys, you can stop with the loud fake gasps ;)

So... I'm slowing down. Smelling the roses (or dandelions, as they're proffered me). And... letting the kids do more things in activity form, rather than doing it, perfectly, myself. 

Here are the kids making themselves scrambled eggs and toast for lunch.

Carefully cooking on a hot pad.

After lunch, painting! I bought some super-cheap canvases ages ago and decided it was time for the kids to make some masterpieces for the walls.

Such focus!

Once I shellac the final results I'll post a picture of them on our wall.

To get out the last of our wiggles we walked down the street to an oak tree and picked up acorns.

Smashing the acorns to bits with hammers (good fine motor skill! Ok, I made that up. Good distraction skill!)

Making their own dinners (PBJs)

Dan is sick (because of course he is, he joined our family) and Avy has been taking especially good care of him. He just laid on her while she cuddled him for 1/2 hour.

It's a bigger family now

But really, very little has changed. 

Lily was sick (again) but didn't want to miss out on the fun so we bundled her consumption-style outside to watch the kids.

Yes, she's asleep, and holding herself on the couch with one leg. Poor Lils.

A feeling-better Lily getting snuggled by Dan.

Dan wants to read too! Dad's voice is so soothing....

Mush humans! Mush!

The box is to keep him on one half of the trailer; we find it keeps him calmer while he's adjusting. He's not totally sure how he feels about it, but he sure prefers it to staying home without us.

Good boi.

More slices of life

Everyone was sick during the second house cleaning, so our family restaurant trip came later. Here's Lily adventurously (and successfully) eating salsa while we waited for our food.

Dan's just kinda slotted right in.

Yep, super suits.

Our plum tree was bountiful this year but we haven't made jam since the littles were born. First we tried rotation of slicing.

Dad decided that wasn't efficient and fixed it: big girls halved the plums and took out the pits, and the littles fed them into the food processor. Mom cooked the batches and Dad cleaned! Perfect!

Wrassle the dog time.

Dan is just their speed.

Lily is drawing a picture of Dan.

Limp dog.

The girls started Wilderness Awareness School this month - hence the rain suits. Rain, snow, shine or sleet, the kids are outdoors tromping about.

And so are we! After dropping off the big girls the littles, Dan and I spent 4 hours at the park. Luckily it was a gorgeous first day :)

A new family member

But first a good day: We went to the park, then the library, then the hatchery, and finally a frozen yogurt shop. The kids were in heaven :)

Back to the headliner - no, no more babies (sorry aunties). Instead, our experiment with dog-sitting Lina went so spectacularly well that we decided it was time for a puppy. I already have 4, what's 1 more?

Here we are meeting the prospectives:

And... meet Dan. He fits in very well.

Yea, he's a mellow dog. He has a few hours of super energy in the morning right when the kids do, so I kick them all outside and it's amazing.

Random Lily cleaning the floors.

Trying on our new rainsuits (I'm more prepared for this year's wetness).

Theo's laptop was dead, so Avy shared hers with him. Meanwhile Ellie and Lily are snuggled close and every once in a while Ellie would guide Lily through her application. Also, spot the dog :)

Family bike ride! Including our new member (red chariot).

Isn't the dog supposed to pull the cart? Still, he's a good boy :)