Seventh Grade Volleyball

Today was Odell and Ekie's very first 7th grade volleyball game. They played Austin. It was very fun to watch them play!

Odell

Ekie

Naomi, Grace, and Anya watched with me. Joyce was there also and left before I took a picture. Joyce was terrific showing her support and cheering the girls on. Elena was so kind to occupy Joel and Lily at home so I could go.

Flowers outside of the school.

Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

Compliments From Ekie

Ekie snapped a few pictures of the kids playing outside the other day.

She is a budding photographer!

Odell

Josh

Grace

Joel

Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

Tuesday What Did You Bring?

Well...just normal-ness, I guess.

Thanks for asking.

Ha ha.

My mind isn't flowing cleaver-ness except in making up words that really do not exist.

I gave Josh, Anya, Naomi, and Ekie had a multiplication fact test today and for a job well done I thought they would enjoy making a special treat.



Melted chocolate, smooshed up pretzels, peanut butter, and mini marshmallows combined in any ratio will never fail.



See, told you so.




Always love the colorful paper route complaint slips. The pretty cheerful colors almost make me forget they are complaints. It is kind of like Marry Poppins when she sings:

A Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
The medicine go down-wown
The medicine go down
Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
In a most delightful way




Three buds

Zach H. Alan and Josiah



This was my day.

Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

The Cuteness of it All

The costumes

Naomi, Odell, Ekie

Alan, Josiah

Joel, Grace, Josh, Anya

Lily, Pooh, Dad

Pooh

The candy

Lily

Odell

Naomi

Joel

Anya

Ekie

Grace

The cuteness

Lily, Grace

Lily still smiling. So far no emotional sugar crash...maybe, just maybe, this will be the year...come on Lily keep that smile!

Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

Happy Birthday Ekie!!!

Happy 11th birthday Ekie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had a 'small' group tonight for part of Ekie's celebration.

Ha ha!

Yes!

In most families eight kids is a biggish birthday party.

Here at our house it is a quiet vacation.

But the absence of the older kids did not mean less love for Ekie!

The seven bigger kids came just in time to eat cake.

Their timing was 'spot on'!

Grace in her birthday clothes from Grandpa and Grandma.

Ekie in her birthday outfit from Grandpa and Grandma.

Mom's (that's me!) outfit for Ekie. She is SO fun to buy for!

Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

Helpers

My helpers mixing

The loaves

My secret sample

Shh...don't tell

I do not really want to share.

Very tasty!

Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

Give Me A Shake!!

Our local dentist gave some of the kids coupons for a free shake at McDonald's.

Hurray!

I thought today seemed like a good day to use them and me (no surprise) enjoyed a coffee drink.

It was a nice walk to Micky's.

Ekie, Odell, Naomi, Anya, Grace

I like that the big kids still enjoy walking with me and all the younger kids.

The older kids have pretty full, busy lives so it is not often they are home so thank you Alan for joining your old mom and the *little sibs!!!!!!!!

Joel, Josh, Lily, Alan

*Little meaning all kids 11 and younger. Of course I know Lily is really the only little child but you know what I mean...they were all little once upon a time.



Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

Hopscotch Anyone??

"We will play",they call out.

Grant's turn




Odell is next



Go Ekie!



Good job Naomi



Ok Dad! You are up!



Well Dad. You left a few kids speechless with your hopscotch talent.



But I am one proud wife!!

You are the best dad around!

Warmly,

A Patchwork Mommy

Rocks All Around

Tuesday evening a few of the kids and I went rock hunting at our local county fair grounds.

The weather was so nice and the evening sky was so pretty!!

Lily by one of the fair buildings



Grace



Grace's rocks



Anya's rocks



Joel's big find












To keep things real here is what I cropped out of the picture above. Anya was mad 'cause she could not sit by the sibling she wanted to.



I cropped Anya out because I wanted to remember this day as picture perfect. It had not been a picture perfect day at all. I was either angry or crying for a lot of it. Mostly angry. This little rock hunting excursion was a fun oasis even with Anya's crabby face.

~Smile~

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy