13 days(again, got ahead of myself yesterday) till we see D .

Crazy sock day at the playground group.

N. has some excellent "crazy socks".

Z. decided to create her own.

They weren't as lucky today as yesterday and didn't win the prize for best costume.

Yesterday they were ninjas, black masks in 70 degree weather just didn't look real comfy to me.

Poor babes seems to get more sleep in the car than in her bed.

4th child is a lot different than 1st, they have to be more flexible and able to sleep anywhere.
Leaving for scout day camp. He wasn't home till after 10pm. I'm not sure they should call it daycamp. He bought himself a rabbit pelt and laid it on his pillow to sleep. I dont sleep as well with dead things under me but he is a boy I guess and doesn't mind as long as its fuzzy.

T.'s rear end again, not sure why he thinks this is his best side. Anyways, he and Z. were bored without brother all day and took up skating in the kitchen. He actually is quite good on those skatie shoe thingies as long as he has the cart to catch him.

Z. adding to the wheel noise by creating "sckuuuuuurrrrrrcchhhhh" noises. Outside seems like a more natural place for things with wheels but we had a stranger scare today(the kids get tired of hearing me say to stay in back, not believing there are strangers) and besides our sidewalk is awful!

Regret: finding excuses to not go running.

Tomorrow looks like a great day for a jog.

A little rain never hurt anyone, at least that i've seen.

13 days till we see D .

I think only one of us had a great day.

My list was longer than I had time for today.

N: had to visit the dentist.

T: didn't get to play with his friends every second of the day.

S: wasn't allowed to throw books off of shelves and play on the library computers.

Z: finally got some color in her room. She was so very happy!










Tonight is a sleep in front of the t.v. night.
Kids need those in the summer don't they?
Its the next best thing to sleeping on the tramp.
(D. do you remember last year? First attempt sprinklers had watered the tramp. Second attempt I thought they were off but as soon as the bags were down SURPRISE. Final attempt was great till morning when you all came in the house covered in bugbites:) )

Regret today: Obsessing about the "to do's" and not enjoying my time more.

Racing the baby doll around the kitchen.
Attaching the new pad. The old one got too much sun and the ties and seams rotted out. All that is left now is to get someone strong to attach the new top. Until then at least we will be a little more safe.

While I was in the painting mood I finally got the chalkboard paint up by the kids rooms. Its the only spot I didn't mind a black wall but the paint fumes are toxic! I don't know why it took more than 3 years to paint a wall only a few feet square.

15 days till we see Donny

15 days doesn't sound so bad without D .
Mostly gonna post picts today.
Too tired for words.
Not really supposed to be Logans hiney but im not the photo editor here. POUNDERS is the point.

N.'s tree, he gets higher everytime we go. Always wonders aloud how he'll get down.


Boxelder bugs for the anteater.
How exciting could it get?!

Stuffing in as much as possible."Can we come back again today?"
Ice creams the fav. Theyre true Merrills.
Taking stuffing lessons from the others.


joined the 4-H playground group for the summer. Kids made lanterns and had a blast, even with the rain.
T. and mom follow sister up the "red" slide. Shes so excited she cant wait for a picture and flings herself down alone.
No more baby stuffs at the park. Yes we visited 2 parks. It was a Good day. Even visited our own back yard park where S. practices giving mom scares. Is the stethescope a sign she will need a doctor soon, after falling on her head from standing on the swing?
Thinking sticking out his bum for the camera is go darn funny. Daddys boy!

Two weeks without D .


R.'s birthday triangulars were a hit but the kids hate frosting.

I love chocolate frosting(Okay chocolate anything) so I am in trouble.

I hope we run out of grahm crackers soon and I'll be forced to give it up.

We almost made it to church on time.

Any tips on how to get lunch made and served and get myself ready at the same time?

Don't say get up earlier, not gonna happen.

Regret tonight: talking unkindly to Z. at bedtime. Its really not her fault she is itchy and has a hard time settling down but are 7 stuffed animals necessary for sleeping?!

Snakes and catterpillars.
N. wanted to try out a summer activity recipe. They turned out yummy.
Summer rain on the tramp(it seems like they have been living out there this month) is always fun and slippery. They were dancing and singing.

T. wouldn't stay in the yard for "family sundays". His friend has kittens and a new bike, I cant compete with that. Sadly I had to lock the gate to keep him in, he was so determined since he already had his helmet on and ready. I hope I know where the key is or its gonna be a long summer going thru the house to get around the front.

Relieved another week alone is over.
Excited to see family at the end of the week.
Hoping to see the end of nearly 2 weeks of consecutive rain, we have mushrooms in the grass.
What a beautiful place it has made our valley though!

13 days without D .

What started out as a stormy gloomy morning turned into a beautiful summer day.
I got D. alone almost on Skype, what a treat.
Typically there are monkeys jumping around mumbling or yelling playing with the camera.
We had a little birthday party for Roo.
The kids think its crazy to have it without her here but I couldnt pass up the day without a celebration.
Once again glad that our church service is at 11:30, gonna be doing some sleeping in tomorrow.

Regret: not getting my emails done.
Icerinks are chilly places for breakfast.



N: Loved skating this morning. Didnt want to take off his skates. Made a cardboard car with skulls on it. Reminds me of someone else I know. Fell asleep on his floor while waiting for sis. to get out of the bath. Hasnt done that since he was 3or 4 years old.


D. Jr.

How do we get off of here?

Trampboarding with a buddy using the extra car cardboard.

Out.

Z: Also skated her heart out. Found 2 friends right away and stuck right with them. Also decorated her car with skulls. Heard the new neighbors puppy whining and tried her best to play thru the fence. Whined herself that its unfair we dont have one. Has a puppy ,its even named, all picked out at cousins house just waiting to be snuck home.Went to bed with curlers in her wet hair, cant wait to see the floof tomorrow.

A princess drawing skulls? Why not?


Im going over there to play with the puppy,please. Fine. Humph.

T: Skated till he had blisters and still wanted more. Was the official "babes" pusher on the ice. Drinks so much chocolate milk and eats so many snacks a day our cupboards and fridge are empty, again. Fell asleep right after skating and a little tantrum about chocolate milk, right on the stairs. Stayed asleep for 4 hours. Worried mom that he would be hard to get down tonight but was a cute little angel. Misses daddys story time!

Asleep!

"reada me buks mom!"



S: Ate half or more of moms pancake breakfast! Finally got mom to figure out something she loves to eat. Is nearly as dangerous as T. these days and insists on sitting on cupboards or standing on her highchair seat. Hates being as low as the floor. Got a new nickname from T. today, "Babes". Isnt quite as good at chores as the other kids, infact she is a downright trouble maker, unloading dressers and throwing toys out of their containers. Has the cutest gremlin face youve ever seen though.

Mom says"Sit down" . S. just gives a little smile and stands taller.
Gremlins.

Roos bash. Thanks to Andj for the triangulars reminder in one her blogs. Choclolate cake, mini style, yummy.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow and what it might bring.
I just wish it could be german pancakes.

12 days without D .
Busy day.
Not enough time to write it all down.
Going to a pancake breakfast with the kids in the morning.
Includes free ice skating.
Were excited.
Did I mention its at 7:30.
Not enough time since I'll be needing some sleep to skate!

Regret today: Not applying sunscreen to myself after doing it to the kids.

Picts. today were all from out side.
I love that place.
All it needs is a hammock.
Mom requires reading time even in the summer, the big bully.
N. isnt as irritated about the homework.



S. has found the trampoline, watch out!
Peeking thru one of the unsafe holes(mom isnt tough enough to assemble the replacement).

T. and S. looking for mom underneath. S. has daddys concentration tongue too.

N. creating "levels" and "worlds" to conquer on his outdoor videogame.
When Z. cant beat her brother she just makes up a secret level for herself.

T. worried he wont be caught after falling from his attempt to be like the big kids.

Classic T. face "Haah Haah" I did it myself (and didnt even die ) after mom didnt even try very hard to catch him.




What a wonderful place we live and what wonderful kids I have.
My life is full of Love.