Wonder Woman, Mother's Day, Scout Hike, Dent

Last Saturday Ben got to go to his best friend Andrea's birthday party and Wonder Woman made an appearance. He was quick to inform me when he got home that he knew that wasn't the real Wonder Woman. But the way he said it almost sounded like he was wanting to see if I would confirm that fact that she was indeed a fake. I didn't ;). He had a fun time learning how to be a Super Hero and hanging with his friends.

All of Saturday Lucy kept telling me that she was so excited for Mother's Day so she could give me my gifts. She also informed me that her guest teacher this past week told her mom's like to get breakfast in bed. We have church early in the morning so I tried to dissuade her from this, I was going to have Tyler make my traditional crepes after church. Lucy, however, was very insistent that I have breakfast in bed so she made me a bowl of cereal and brought it up on a cutting board (we gave away our only tray in the move). She was a little disappointed that I had already got up and showered but I pacified her by hopping back in bed. After breakfast I came downstairs and was given lots of pictures and stories made by the kids, a nice card, flowers, a yoga mat, and a cactus statue (because of course!)

Church was nice, we Primary people all got a break and were able to go to Relief Society third hour. The Bishop presented us with a nice message and then we got to eat and socialize. After church I took a short nap and then requested a nature walk with the kids. There is a trail just across Commerce Road from us so we decided to go check that one out. Penny was not a happy camper at first. She kept informing us that she "hates walking" and cried for a bit but soon she remembered she likes sticks and rocks and she started to have fun. At the end of a trail we discovered a large pine tree that had a platform up high in the branches. None of us were brave enough to climb all the way up to the platform but all of us had fun swinging from it's branches. On the way back Lucy decided her legs were tired and whined A LOT. But this was a true representation of motherhood. Some really crappy parts but a lot of fun too.

After the hike I took a bike ride with the boys while Tyler made me amazing crepes. All in all it was a pretty good Mother's Day.

Monday I subbed and on Tuesday I babysat for a friend. She has a one and a half year old and he did really good while I was finishing up cleaning the house but once I was done he kept insisting on leaking his bottle all over my clean floor. He's little, it happens but this just served as a reminder of how spoiled I am with my older kids. I don't know how I survived all those years with little ones- they are tough! 

On Tuesday Steven had a field trip to the Adventure Park in West Bloomfield- basically a ropes course. He had a blast and has been begging to go back ever since. Unfortunately it's $25 a person so I am not sure when he'll get to go there again. I think Tyler would love to go there with him though.

Wednesday I subbed again and then Steven had a 3 mile Scout hike that I joined in on. I made a giant mistake and thought the hike was at 7. I realized at 5:45 that it actually started at 6. Tyler was still at a Dentist Appt so Steven and I rushed out, leaving Ben in charge. Thankfully all the kids survived- probably helps that they were just able to watch TV the whole time.

The hike was great and as the sun was setting it felt kind of magical. Michigan is just so pretty and it is moments like these that I feel so blessed to be here. We saw an owl, a toad and bunnies- super neat stuff! The only drawback was part of the path was flooded- several inches deep. We managed to use some branches to get through without getting too soaked but Steven, at one point, informed me that he wasn't going to cross it. What is funny is that a large group a girls came by and just tromped right through it. I think that provided him some encouragement to just go.

Thursday I got my tire fixed (it had a screw in it) and I went to a Minute Clinic because I have yet another ear infection. The Dr there thinks it's allergy related. I don't know, it's just annoying and I am hoping I don't become a frequent patient for this. I really would like my ears to stop itching so much and then getting full of fluid, neither sensation is fun.

Friday I watched my friend's kids and she sort of had an accident in my driveway. She went to punch on the brakes so she wouldn't hit my car but instead she punched on the gas and ran smack into the back corner of it. It seems I am not allowed to have pretty things. She was so embarrassed but I informed her of all my way more embarrassing accidents and I think that helped. Tyler ended up coming home so he could take off the back part- it had got smushed against the tire. Basically he popped out the dent in the bumper and fixed the part the best he could so it doesn't look too terrible for now. Eventually he says he will replace the back part. My friend has offered to pay to fix all the damage which is super nice but not expected. Here in Michigan insurance is "no fault" which means each party pays for their own damage regardless of who did it. If she didn't know me, she wouldn't be paying so I'm not sure I'll let her- accidents happen as I know from experience.

And I also almost burned down the house Friday- quite a disastrous day. This electrical outlet has always been a little worrisome so I never use it but without thinking I put my charger in there. When I realized what I had done, I went to take it out and sparks flew. Seriously freaked me out! Somehow I remained unharmed and so did my charger. 

Friday night the boys went to the Priesthood Commemoration Campout and the girls and I went out for Frosty's. I mostly did this because Thursday had been Muffins with Mom but I didn't feel like hauling all 4 kids to this crowded affair and then rushing the boys to school. So instead I promised Lucy a special dessert with just us girls and this worked like a charm. Afterwards we came home and watched "Paddington." It was a nice girl's night!

Exercising, Fiesta, Fundraiser

This week me and Tyler started something new- we started doing YouTube 30 minute workout videos each morning. This means we have to wake up a bit earlier which has challenged our non morning personalities but we succeeded for the week! I am so out of shape and have been sore everyday since we started but the level of soreness has improved some since the first day so that's promising. We also started reading scriptures in the morning. On nights when the boys have basketball or scouts, scriptures weren't happening so the switch has been good at getting us a regular again. I am hoping we can keep at these new routines!

I spent most of Monday and Tuesday preparing for Bunco since I was hosting the fiesta this month. I did take a little break at one point and walk Penny (and her friend we were watching) down to our neighborhood beach. When the weather is good and the skies are blue, Michigan can sure feel dreamy. 

Tuesday night was my Bunco party and I only snapped one picture- my friend Melissa who won the mini sombrero. She was nice enough to pose for me. We had two no shows and one person who had to leave early so the Bunco playing part was short lived- we only got through 2 rounds. I also made an enormous amount of food. I made 1 enchilada per person plus 2 extras but a lot of people just ate a half of an enchilada. I had so much left over afterwards so note to self to make way less next time. Overall though, I think the party was a success. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food (I even got asked for the recipe), and the decorations and the prizes (there was a lawn ornament that several people wanted) so I feel good about it. I also feel extremely relieved that it is all done. Hopefully I can go another 2 years before hosting again!

After hosting Bunco Tuesday night things sort of calmed down and I didn't have too much going on. That was probably a good thing because both of the girls seemed a little out of sorts this week- needy and cranky. This meant I had a lot of time to give to them. Penny and I did several walks when the weather was good. She looks pretty cute in a helmet.

Friday I subbed for a fourth grade class and they were alright. The day was busy with a presentation about students with special needs, an engineering class and extra PE so that all helped the day fly. There was one kid who had an attitude reminiscent to Steven and I had to teach some Government things that I was unsure about but I made it through! I feel like I wing it way more here than I ever did in AZ and  I am not sure if my brain has lost too many cells since then or things are getting harder or what. Thankfully people still keep asking for me to come back.

Friday night the Young Men and Young Women had a Fundraiser at the church. The food was good, there were fun games and face painting for the kids, a fun presentation by the Bishopric and a silent auction. I donated my salsa and some handmade note cards and were glad that each of my items got bid on. It always makes me nervous to put my stuff out there but I am grateful for nice people who at least act like they want it ;) I also got us four hours of babysitting for $25 from a sweet older couple in our ward. I know they are going to dote on the kids so that'll be fun to use. It's crazy that $25 for 4 hours is such a deal- when I was babysitting that's how much I made for babysitting for 5 hours. Things are so much more expensive now.

And today, Saturday, the temperatures have dropped and it's rainy outside. Good ole Michigan and it's bipolar weather, you'd think I would be used to it by now. Ben was at his BF Andrea's birthday party this morning so I took the rest of the kids to the library. They had some fun photo props out that the kids of course had to put to use.

And right now the kids are fighting like cats and dogs and I am ready for it to be Sunday so maybe, just maybe they'll remember it's Mother's Day and treat me a little extra nice because seriously, the fighting 😑

Bonus Post

A bonus post! Yesterday we did end up ordering a new front door and we ended up planting a garden! We planted only carrots and onions because this is our test run and we thought we should keep it simple. We also planted some bell peppers indoors. Already we have had a critter get into our garden and dig a small hole, so obviously we need some barriers. I am hoping in the next few months something will grow!

To reward ourselves for our hard work I took the kids to Dodge Park. They wanted to walk but it was pretty warm and I figured the girls would wimp out quickly so we compromised- we parked at the library and took the short walk from there. The kids had a lot of fun on the seesaw and we tried lots of different combinations seeing who would fly up in the air each time and who would weigh it down. 

Walking back to our car, we had to take a picture by the creek. It was such a pretty Michigan day.

Looking so handsome in his glasses. He cleans those things constantly- he is so anal about them being perfectly clear.

Something else that happened Saturday...While I was working on this blog, I thought the girls were nicely playing mommy and daughter in the guest room. When I went to go check on my plants in the bathroom, I found the girls trying (and failing) to wash off nail polish that they had gotten all over their hands, arms and Lucy even got it on her legs. Lucy had done a pretty good job painting her nails, it just appeared she got carried away and decided some of her fingers and her legs need polish too. Penny had just gotten it all over her hands. It was a giant mess. They also got some drops on the carpet and I found that nail polish remover just spread the mess. I ended up sort of getting it out with hairspray and windex- thank you internet. 

And ending with a funny...Penny calls her shorts "short sleeve pants." When we were at Walmart the other day I was getting Lucy some shorts and Penny began to get very upset because she wanted new "short sleeve pants" too! Tantrums are no fun but the fact that she was crying out for short sleeve pants kind of lightened the mood.

Our Neighborhood Beach, Bike Rodeo, Glasses & Farewell Play Date

Sunday the weather was warm again and the girls came downstairs after church in these super styling outfits! They are always mixing patterns and sometimes I fight it but since it was a Sunday, I let it go. Honestly they are so cute they can pull off anything, ha ha!

With the weather being warm I decided to take a bike ride with the kids to our neighborhood beach/park. They had a blast swinging and playing in the sand at the volleyball court. The lake water is obviously still too chilly to get in but it is going to be super fun when summer comes. As the weather warms I am more and more happy with our home choice. Such fun things to do with the kids here!

Tuesday I subbed for the first grade class I sub for a lot. I decided to just use some bribery since they had been getting a little wild the last couple times I had been there. So after each lesson and activity I picked 2 star students and they got to pick a prize out of the box. I hate that I am such a briber but it really made the day go nicely. 

Wednesday I met with the new Primary Secretary and went over what I did as secretary. I felt silly later on when she told me she had been Primary President, pretty sure she knew a lot of this stuff already. I ended up staying at her house for a few hours. Penny and her son Jude really hit it off and I had fun getting to know her since she just moved into our ward a month ago. It was weird this week when my phone reminded me to do prayer and talk reminders and I didn't have to do it. Part of me thought I should do it because she may not be up to it yet but I had to remind myself that it's not my responsibility anymore. It's interesting that I am having a hard time letting go of something I never really loved doing. 

Wednesday night we had the Cub Scout Bike Rodeo and I totally failed to document it. I am super disappointed in myself since I have pictures from the last couple years but now, not this year. I spent too much time socializing apparently. We have a new family that joined the den- they aren't members but their kids go to Kurtz with my boys. Their son is friends with Steven and their daughter is also in the class I sub for a lot. It's fun to have some new people in the bunch.

During the night we had a storm and Thursday morning Lucy's school had no power so school was cancelled. I thought she would be excited because she complains about going a lot but she started whining that she was going to miss her friends. She is so hard to please! That morning we ran an errand to pick out candles (as a Bunco prize) and apparently Lucy does not like smelly candles. She wrinkled her nose at all of them.

For lunch, I had planned to meet some friends at Red Robins with Penny so Lucy got to come along with us. They both did pretty good coloring and playing together until the end when they started to get antsy. They fought over my phone so a sweet friend shared hers with Penny. Penny must have sent at least 20 snap chats to my friend's daughter by the time we left- super fun for her daughter I'm sure ;). Then as we were leaving Penny threw a tantrum because I wouldn't put money in one of those car video games. As if I ever do that? At least the tantrum was right by the door so it was an easy out.

Thursday night we had Laci and her kids over for dinner- her husband was out of town again. I thought I was being smart because I made some kid friendly food (hot dog mac) for the kids and adult food for us grown ups (shredded pork tacos). Unfortunately the kid friendly food was not friendly enough for Wesley. He wanted nothing to do with it. He reminds a lot of what Ben used to be like. After dinner the kids had a blast playing outside but at some point Lucy and Steven confiscated my phone and took some fun pictures. Gave me a good laugh when I found them later.

Thursday evening we got a call that Steven's glasses were in. He has anxiously been awaiting their arrival so when I saw that the place was still open, I sent Steven and his dad down to get them. He is so excited to finally be able to see- he keeps telling me how clear and beautiful everything looks. He is also excited because he can now be part of his friends "glasses club." So funny! Tyler did a great job picking out the frames, I was also anxious to see what they looked like.

Friday we had a final play date with my friend Sarah and her son Rhett (the one who had a moving away party a couple weeks back). They are officially gone Sunday so it was nice to have one last hurrah with her. It was pretty much the first big play date I hosted at my house and it was quite the turn out. You can tell she's going to be missed. I was glad the weather was good because the kids were able to spend lots of time playing out in the yard. It was such a good time. We didn't get everyone in the picture because some friends had left but here is our mom selfie and kid pic below. 

Friday night we finally met our neighbor who is across from us on Royal Blvd. She works at as a Gymnastic teacher for toddlers. She actually works at a place that a lot of people in my Ward take their kids. She seems pretty nice but informed us that the people who lived in her before the last ones called this house a money pit- super comforting words. 

Today Tyler is finally ordering a new front door and screen door! Our screen door doesn't shut and blows in the wind so we've been tying it shut. The front door also squeals when it opens and has gaps in the frame. I am so glad the weather has finally warmed up enough that Tyler is willing to install new doors!

Tonight we have a birthday bash for a friend that has a fiesta theme. I am hosting Bunbo next week with a fiesta theme so maybe it'll give me some fun last minute ideas for my party ;)