IN/KY trip, September 2017

We packed in a lot of relatives in a few days! First stop: Grandpa Bill and Tamara's with Uncle Chuck and Andrea coming in from Chicago to see everyone! Andrea was a really good sport with the kids--from listening to their stories to grading their leaps onto the guest bed, she was an instant favorite!

Uncle Chuck made dinner and sat with the kids and made them clear their plates in a super fun way! He brought them a hammock and swing them in it like the fun uncle that he is! I love the way they interact!

Grandpa took us out for ice cream as soon as we got there, bought the kids their familiar foods to have at his house, showed them his cats and art and flowers, and let them run wild through Tamara and his usually peaceful home! Tamara let Olivia follow her around soaking up little tidbits of life--beauty in the shape of perfume bottles and a porcelain doll Olivia plays with each trip.

Friday we hung out with Mutti! Her dog Bug immediately commenced training with the kids as trainers. Andrea and Uncle Chuck kept playing with our little balls of energy. This trip was probably good birth control for them!

Friday evening the kids and I went out to Elizabeth while Nicholas stayed with his mom to do some chores. Aunt Heidi, Isaac, and Asher were there when we got there, so we immediately started playing!

Saturday was a big day! We rode horses, dug sweet potatoes, played in the sprinklers and the stock tank, and had an outdoor movie night! Whew!

Digging sweet potatoes 🍠 

Playing in the sprinkler

Which led to playing in the stock tank 

While the rest of us were enjoying the beautiful day from the front porch

After baths and dinner, we made s'mores

Later Abby and Olivia moved cows using the Kubota 

Then we had an outdoor movie! The kids LOVED it! Leo and Luke jumped and acted out the movie most of the time! They got to bed way too late!

Sunday we visited Mutti again while Jason took a nap, then headed to the zoo with Grandpa Bill and Tamara to end our packed family trip! The kids were exhausted, but got to ride camels and carousels and ponies! Whew! That was a whirlwind, but I am so grateful that our family lets us pick a time to come in and welcomes us as we explode into their space!

Track out!! (Leo's first!)

Jason was in school one week and then Leo and Olivia tracked out. So much for a routine! My plan was for Leo and Olivia to do "home school" on the mornings Jason goes to school so I could work, and we would do fun things the other days. My plan sort of worked! Ha! Here are our track out activities so far:

Friday, September 8: A surprise picnic lunch in Kindergarten to celebrate the last day of the quarter and the book the kids read called, "The Day the Relatives Came." 

Wallaby walk and fun run--I got no pictures, but this is a cute little activity sponsored by the elementary school's PTA and the gym teacher there. It's just a walk around the neighborhood where we get to see our kids interacting with their friends and teachers. Leo was adorable walking with a little girl from his class and another friend!

Saturday: Nicholas built shelves for Olivia's room and the kids were happy to help! And have some playground and inside play time!

Sunday: Nicholas and Olivia went kayaking for YGuides, and the boys and I went to Crowder park.

Monday: The piano tuner came! He's so cool!

We also bought the tank for a fish...

Tuesday: Home school! And Middle Creek Park.

Wednesday: Pullen park

And, we got a beta fish!! It's Olivia's and she is thrilled! Welcome to our family, Treasure!

Thursday: We packed snacks for snack pantry at school, did a little home school, then had a play date with Leo's friend from school whose big sister is friends with Olivia. Jason tagged along!

Plus, we have piano and violin lessons on Thursdays. I was exhausted by the end of the day!

Friday: Life and Science museum 

And then later, we had a play date at Ritter park with one of Leo's preschool friends, Dmitri.

Saturday: NC State vs. Furman--Nicholas got tickets from NC State for being awesome! The tickets were great and the parking spot was close! We brought our babysitter, Ally, to help in case Jason had to take a nap. He didn't, but we had a great time!

Sunday: We were so tired. Especially me! But, I found out Excederin Migraine helps my varicose veins. Yay!

Olivia had a play date with the neighbor and Nicholas and I did some chores.

Monday: Olivia had violin, I vacuumed and mopped the house, and we ran errands. Then we played outside with friends.

Tuesday: Jason had school, I had a room mom meeting, Leo had piano lessons, and we went to Ritter park. We packed for our trip. 

Wednesday: We went to Kids Together playground with friends and then had a play date at the neighbor's! Then we cleaned out the refrigerator and got everything ready for our trip!