Family of 6

Some friends of ours were going out of town and asked us if we would come and stay with their  3 girls: Amy 14, Breanna 11, and Emily 7, almost 8.  So this past weekend we went from a family of 3 to a family of 6!  It was really lots of fun.  The girls are good, funny, and lots of fun to talk to.  I forgot to bring my camera so no pictures, just thoughts.

Day 1 - We had dinner together, played board games, got the kids showered and off to bed.  Hazel had woken up that morning with a really bad cough and a super runny nose, so that night when we all laid down, Hazel woke up.  And stayed up almost all night.  It was really rough.  Around 3:00 am, Emily woke up too and couldn't go back to sleep. She nearly scared Justin to death by standing over him before he was awake. Finally around 4:00 am we had everyone sleeping until around 6:30.  Those 2 1/2 hours were golden.  

Day 2 - Kids successfully off to school so Hazel and I headed back home so that we could get some sleep in our own beds.  I also made an appointment for Hazel, and it turned out she had strep throat.  So we then ran and got some medication, dropped some things off at a friend's house, and then went back to get the kids off the bus.  That afternoon we just played around the house, ate pizza, watched movies, etc.

Day 3 - Park time!!  The day was beautiful, so we loaded up all the kids plus a friend from down the street, and went to a  nearby park.  I got to drive the family mini van, which was pretty cool.  We all played on the playground together, made up our own games, ate a picnic lunch and then headed home.  Justin had promised them that we could play Chubby Bunnies so he ran by the store to get some marshmallows.  I sadly had never played before (even at girls camp) and it showed.  I was the first to go out.  It really was lots of fun to kick back a play like a kid.

Day 4- We had church in the afternoon so we just chilled around the house in the morning.  We made Utah Scones, which is a lot like a Puff in my family and watched church movies online.  After church we ate a roast with some mashed potatoes.  Yummy!  Then the Breanna and Emily played in the big spa tub in the master bath (Justin and I got to take a dip earlier that morning during Hazel's nap, it was so relaxing!).

Day 5 - Kids all off to school by 7:40 and in the car to be home and unloaded by the time Avery got here at 8.  Mission accomplished!!  After Justin got home from school later that day he went to the doctor and found out that he also had strep throat.  

Things Justin and I learned while being there and being a family of 6:

 - Bigger houses mean bigger messes

 - Bigger houses mean lost 1 yr old.

 - We may not be cut out to have 4 kids! The girls were great, that is just a personal note to self.

 - Girls love to talk!

 - No matter how good kids are, they will push the limits with babysitters. I think it's natural.

 - We need sleep to keep our sanity.

 - Must own a Spa Tub. Best thing ever!

 - 1 o'clock church is fantastic with 4 kids. (we even got there early)

 - Family trips to the park are fun.

 - The kitchen is the center of the home.

 - Closets work great as bedrooms too.