Memorial Day Fun

We had planned a relaxing fun weekend. It was a last minute decision my sister and her hubby made to come visit us. So we were excited! We had also planned another get together on Saturday however that was canceled due to both the cold weather and my friend getting a newborn baby!

Saturday morning is always pancakes... sometimes it's plain old pancakes, sometimes it's mickey mouse pancakes! 

My sister went off to meet some old friends. Her poor hubby was left behind with us. After sleeping in for awhile, he offered to do some "fixing" for me! My camper needed a new canopy and the fan needed some repairs. 

I have stared at this fan just like this, more times then I can count! I changed fuses, fussed with electrical stuff etc.. nothing. Within 15 mins and totally disassembling this fan my Bro in law was able to tell me that the motor was jammed. Now we know what is wrong with our fan and hopefully in the next couple weeks I can replace it! 

We had late night snacks... 

The weekend was absolutely beautiful! The kids had so much fun playing! 

This girlie has the most beautiful blond curlies... 

Elizabeth was quite proud of her lion! David made a man! 

This was the beginning of the lion, many accessories were added along the way! 

Sunday morning was relaxing. We skipped church and hung out in the backyard. The kiddoes played in the pool and hit golf balls. 

Neighbor kids who skipped church joined us, mostly because my boys were tired of "all those girls". lol 

Little Missy helped me make breakfast. She was quite the little helper! Very much like her momma and her aunt. This child, along with her very opinionated older sister will do big things in life! 

We had a fun weekend and totally enjoyed having family here. My kids miss out on so many cousin activities and family moments because we live so far from family. Fun weekends like this are savored... 

When cousins come to play...

My sister and her little family came to visit us! Yes, we could pass for twins, (except for the fact that she is pregnant and I am not! lol )even our kids get confused occasionally.



They came to hang out for the weekend. The kids were so excited. They love hanging with their cousins, even if it doesn't happen much these days!

We had a fun relaxing Saturday, swimming, hanging out etc... We took the kids bowling before dinner. The kids had a total blast! 

                                  

sometimes losing to your brothers is just painful... 

                                   
                                              

The little ones were barely bigger then their balls. But they tried and they had fun! 

There may have been tired little girls... 

Deeply thinking about  how to beat those boys... 

These two had a blast together all weekend! 

 Bowling is one of our favorite activitites as a family. It was extra fun to have cousins along! After bowling we headed back home for dinner and more fun! 

ahh Summer

I am so looking forward to summer. Lazy days spend with my kids. This year we have a pool. So thankful for that.

The benefit of a big family? You always have someone to play with, especially when everyone is close to the same age! You don't need friends for entertainment. (altho for some reason the neighbor kids always end up here) .

We don't do a lot of summer camps or sports. We are working on connecting and bonding as a family. My kids are all at a fun age and they truly enjoy each other. I have to let go of the mom guilt that comes with not signing them up for all these fun things all their friends get to do. It is a choice I make. A choice to keep them home with me, making fun memories that will be woven into their very identities for life and for future generations. It can be a hard but it is a good thing.

I also find that having them work for about 2 hours in the morning gives them just enough structure to really keep them out of trouble and keeps our household flowing smoothly..

My kids learn about compromises and working together. They are learning how to make relationships work, even with siblings who get on their very last nerve. They are learning the joy of just "being", of enjoying each other's presence and all the other fun stuff that goes along with sibling relationships. 

  

We have to confront and deal with "problems" because we are together every day. We have to make a choice to have fun  or pay the price for ruining the fun. It is important to create calm, healing moments for kids who come from hard places. Sitting in the sun, eating popsicles with your siblings does more then any therapy, especially if you had a hard day and these siblings saw you at your worst and still love you.