Weekly recap -- SPRING BREAK!

This past week was really nice. We didn't go anywhere and we didn't over expend ourselves.  With four kids, we have to choose our battles wisely.  Plus, lets be honest, there isn't really such a thing as "vacation" when you have small children.  It's basically doing life and getting out of your normal routine in a new place! Ha!

*We celebrated Benjamin's birthday by having our neighbors over for donuts and playing outside all morning.  We truly love our neighbors and they have all become dear friends in the small amount of time we have all lived near one another. Benjamin loved being made much of and especially every time we sang "Happy Birthday" to him! 

*Patrick took half of Monday off so we could all be together and have fun.  We went to Target to spend a gift card that B got and to Hideaway for dinner! We ended the night playing at the park and enjoying the beautiful day!

*Tuesday we went to Myriad Gardens with some friends.  It was so windy -- but the boys had fun playing and running around.

*Patrick took off Wednesday through Friday so we were looking forward to being all together.  Patrick and the boys got packed up to go camping.  They headed to Lake Arcadia around nap time and set up camp while the littles napped.  After Elise and Caleb woke up, we went out to have dinner with the boys and enjoy some family time.  Elise reached a max a little earlier than I thought she would, so we headed back home and went to bed! The boys had a great time and enjoyed camping -- again!

*Thursday and Friday we just laid low and did some things around the house. Patrick took Benjamin and Andrew to see Zooptopia and they ALL enjoyed it! We got McDonald's for lunch one day {which is super rare for us!} and headed to our favorite park to eat and play. And I think we went out to dinner one night. It's a blur. ;) But we enjoyed being together.

And all good things must come to an end... BUT Spring Break left me super excited for summer with my kiddos.  I can't wait to enjoy and do things and not be pregnant in that mix.  I really love that these are my people.  The Lord is so kind to know just what we all needed -- each other!

Weekly recap!

There are a lot of things I've missed writing about simply because I don't have time.  My time is precious, my people are precious...but I don't want to forget things I could write down. In an effort to revive my blogging to recap our days, I'm going to do a "weekly recap".  Not for you or for the world, but for me.  :)

I do hope, along the way, to remember how much I enjoy writing and post more than once a week.  I want to share the things I write and post about on instagram because that's become a journal of sorts for our days.

SO this weeks recap:
*Last Sunday we participated in the the Parent Commitment service at church. It was sweet to be surrounded by people that love us and that we do life with.  While on stage, I was pretty sure Andrew was going to escape and try to play the drums and Elise was dancing and clapping.

*Elise has the most fabulous and helpful and calm days.  And then other days are nothing short of exhausting and full of tears and tantrums.  We went to Target for groceries and she screamed and cried for the entire 45 minutes we were there.  It is altogether humbling, humorous and embarrassing as people stare and look away. A tender and gracious "thank you" to the momma who had two boys with her and simply smiled at me and said, "I know. We have the same days." Camaraderie in motherhood is a hidden treasure and a super empowering.

*We moved Caleb into a crib this week and I think he's been sleeping much better. He still wakes up once a night.  Generally from the hours of 3am-7am he doesn't sleep too well.  But I'll happily take the hours he sleeps before that! He goes to bed between 8-9pm.

 *Caleb does not like solid foods. He doesn't like baby food or mushed up table food.  I did find out today that he likes french fries! HAHA So, I just need to add salt to all things. He's been trying some mum-mums and other expensive and weird tasting introductory baby things. Still not a fan.  He purses his lips and looks away. Oh well.

*I really enjoy my Mondays and Wednesdays with just Elise and Caleb.  Having two is such a break from four!  But Elise loves to be my helper and Caleb is super easy.  Plus, they both nap so I usually have about an hour during the day to be alone.

 *Benjamin's birthday is over spring break {TOMORROW! I'll have a SEVEN year old tomorrow}, so I took a cookie cake to class on Friday afternoon to celebrate with his friends. Blue icing on the cake = blue mouths!

*Benjamin is SUPER into space right now.  He wants to be an astronaut when he grows up and we read about science and space a lot.  They made rockets in class this week to go along with the book they read about the moon.  To say he was excited was an understatement.  Also, since decided he wants to be an astronaut, we have been able to encourage Benjamin to work really hard at school and pay close attention.  He typically doesn't care too much about whats going on, but we've seen so much improvement now that he has something to work toward ;)

He didn't want a birthday party, so he asked two friends to go the science museum with him.  It was a perfect way for him to celebrate without feeling overwhelmed or pushed beyond his limits.

*Caleb is 7 months old today! He is growing and healing so well. He is such a delight! He weighs 18 pounds and 27 inches long. He laughs and smiles a lot. He loves his paci and blankies and his siblings! He enjoys being held and being outside.  We all really, really love this boy!