Top 10

May was entirely too chaotic - story of my life - but really - it was ;) And June has been no better. 


So, I've opted for the "Top 10" approach to catch back up to current life! However, I'm not sure what proper order is 1 to 10 or counting backwards from 10 to 1...or I could get creative and randomly order them....


1.  Birthday cake creativity.


Agent P wanted a cake shaped like a car for his birthday cake. In my head, I thought, how hard can that be? Well, as it turns out baking a cake in the shape of a cake isn't hard...but it is expensive. The mold for the cake was $16.99. I love the kid, but wow. Plus, I'd have to decorate it and I knew good and well that it was NOT going to look like the photo in the mold. I'm psychic like that.


So, we did this instead:

Some diligently decorate...some snack on decorations...

2.  A-Dog finished up 8th grade and is ready for High School.  I know many people balk at the whole 'over promoting'. Believe me, I am a firm believer that 'graduating' from preschool, then kinder, then 5th, then 8th and then 12th is way too much. BUT, I am always up for a party so I opted to celebrate. It's not like there was a chance he wouldn't make it to 9th grade, but starting High School is a big leap in life and should be celebrated.

Dad, ADog and Mom

Grandpa, ADog and Grandma

3. 7 hours after graduation - we had eaten lunch, swam, dropped Hank off, packed up and set out for Colorado.  Oh, and we didn't want to drive 11 hours into the night so we stopped 6 hours into it and stayed over night. We traveled with another family so we were able to swap some kids around for a nice relaxing drive (and meeting 3 other families there - yes, you got it right...5 families with a total of 23 people) !  


We got to Pagosa Springs early afternoon on Saturday - in time to unpack, get settled and eat and get ready for white water rafting on Sunday.  Not me, I stayed with the twins because they were to little to go.

Group of rafters

ADog in the teenage boy raft ;)

Agent P with the biggest boys (and Daddy)

They had a blast rafting, but I heard many of them say next time they are doing the 'faster' rapids because it was too tame for them.  I guess there was only about 4 exciting areas of drenching rapids and the rest of the time was just floating down stream :).


4. We played Frisbee Golf.  I know you are thinking - "really? That made top 10??" I know, but it did. I kid you not, it was hilarious and entertaining..and the best part? Well, us ladies had to leave all the kids with the men because it was D's birthday and we needed to take her to lunch. So we 'threw' 8 holes in no particular order and blazed a trail. 


I have to say, it was way more fun than I thought it would be. It was fine to be horrible at the sport because we just played as a team and didn't keep any score :). Apparently, there is a technique...

Mini P was a natural, because she throws balls around the side of her body..

5. We went out into nature. Mostly it was a long drive with a short hike...to get a nice photo of the kids. Or in my case, make an attempt to get a nice photo of the kids.

Why do 3 have their mouths open? I cannot explain...

But there was this one with Monkey and his "monkey-ness"...seriously people.

6. This pile of rock is now spread in my yard. All 22 tons. I will get some "finally done" photos soon.

7.  We are already on week 3 of summer. ADog is playing on the JV baseball team for his high school. He has worked hard to get his starting spot in outfield, hoping he can hang on to it for the quick 4 week/14 game season! 


8. The other 3 kids are doing soccer clinics randomly in June. They are at night so it's not as hot as it could be...but we have been known to say "coach called and said it was too hot". Which really means 'mom and dad think it's hot and don't want to go'. 

Shirt says "Attitude is everything". She has plenty of it...

9. I'm losing steam here...I'm sure there is something...OH - we are getting tile in the house. All but Agent P's room and the twins room - which have laminate wood...all carpet and tile will be removed and replaced with the same tile in the whole house. Wish me luck during this very chaotic time where we have to empty all but 2 rooms of our house :)


10. The twins got big kid beds finally. They are 4.5. But man, when you have to buy TWO of them, it takes a little planning and budgeting ;)! I will get a photo... but they are in bunks that also come apart to be just twin beds. Mini P on top, Monkey on bottom. They are so very happy and it is going better than expected. They also gave up naps (which means mama might be going a little crazy)...the first time in 7 years I have not had a napping kid.


OK, I think you may be mostly caught up. I'm sure your day is now complete!


Cheers!