Visiting The Henrys Days 1-3

Packing for an 8 day vacation for a family of 6 should not be done the day before you leave.  You'd think I would have realized this, and started packing earlier, but I didn't.  Life is so busy these days.  The day before we were scheduled to leave, I was finishing laundry while I was putting kids to bed.  Kevin packed our roof bag, and I was gathering up bags of randomness (humidifiers, night lights, medicines, sippy cups, and my iron just to name a few).  We had about 10 hours of driving to do on day 1 to make it to our first stop on our Spring Break trip.  We were staying with our dear friends, the Henrys {Nathan, Sarah, IJ, Freda, Frances, & Gabe}, for a few days at their home in Virginia.  They have 4 kids (2 boys, 2 girls) ranging in age from 11-5, and my kids were looking forward to this stop as much as Kevin and I were.

Our goal was to be on the road by 6am Saturday, and we backed out of the drive way at 6:15.  We've been later, so I was happy with our departure time.  We made a quick stop by Donut Bank for breakfast, and fed the kids in the car.  We headed east and enjoyed watching the sun rise through the foggy skies.

Our first stop during the drive happened in Louisville.  I realized I hadn't packed any toys for Austin to keep him entertained on our drive, so we let the kids out for a potty break at Target, and I raided the dollar bins, and toy area.  We also picked up a couple $4 DVDs for the kids to watch because I forgot to switch out the DVDs I already had in my van.  I'll point out the obvious, I wasn't as prepared in the packing area for this trip as I have been for other trips!

The drive east was very mountainy (I had never traveled through West Virginia) but really pretty at the same time.  Austin seemed to go through periods of being very upset/frustrated that he was in his car seat and we figured his ears popping from all the elevation changes were probably annoying him.  About 3 hours outside of Louisville, we stopped for lunch at a McDonalds in West Virginia.

1

At McDonalds, the girls were slap happy and entertained by the hand dryer!

The Devines had entered Virginia

After lunch, Krissy and Austin both took good naps and we were able to do the last 5 hours of driving with out stopping!  We got to the Henry's about 7 o'clock that night (they are an hour ahead), and she had dinner ready and waiting on us.  It was chicken spaghetti, one of our favorites.

We all stayed up late that evening chatting, and getting sleeping arrangements worked out.  Hayden, Allie, and Krissy slept in their boys room, and Kevin, me, and Austin slept in their girls room.  Their kids camped out throughout the house (which I felt bad about) but she assured me they really enjoy sleeping on the couches and blow up mattresses.  My kids would probably think it was cool too, but I still felt bad!

Sarah is the epitome of  welcoming - and hospitable - and sincere.  She cooked every meal we ate (and we were all so wowed by her cooking I kept asking for recipes), she helped me wash our laundry we wore, she spent 3 hours with me at the local MEC clinic, and made her house feel so much like home.  I love being around her because I am always learning so much from her (her parenting skills, her cooking skills, her house keeping skills, her decorating skills).

Our three days with them flew by and we hated to say goodbye.  Here's some pictures from our days in Virginia!

We visited their church on Sunday and did a group picture at their house after service.

Kevin was obsessed with their rooster, Sampson, and the chickens.  I did love hearing Sampson crow in the mornings!

They convinced me I needed to hold the chicken.

Hayden took the fresh eggs into the house.

Funny story about this beautiful apple pie.  We had warned Sarah that we weren't fans of apple pie.  I had actually never tried it, but for me it was the consistency of a warm mushy apple that turned me off.  Kevin dislikes all pies of any flavor.  But this apple pie had actually won her an award, so we were anxious to try it.  I did like the crust, and the chewy gooey consistency of the cinnamon filling, but I didn't like the apples in it.  Kevin didn't love it either.  And we both really wanted to like it.  I'm positive it's the best apple pie I'll ever try. 

I caught these three playing in the hammock.

Krissy enjoying some ice cream

Hayden on the back deck enjoying an apple.

Her chocolate cake that was amazing!

These three were playing on top of a rock pile. 

Allie loving their dog Tracker.

Austin was grumpier than usual, and I was convinced he had an ear infection.  My doctor wouldnt call in a rx unless he was seen, so Sarah and I took him to a clinic and 3 hours later, we found out he had a double ear infection.  No wonder he was so grumpy!

The moms/babies did some shopping one day, and the dads and older kids went fishing and exploring a park that was just down the street.  There's a small farm and the kids were able to see and pet a baby lamb that was born the day before.

The Henry's got a new puppy a few weeks before we arrived.  She had to wear the cone because of an accident she had, but it made her face so squishy and she was so lovable!  Her name is Virginia.

We all went to Bass Pro after church on Sunday.

Charlie Update

We've had Charlie for four days now.  He's been such a fun addition to our family!  I've forgotten how playful kittens are!  Charlie has entertained himself with a candy wrapper, a receipt, and our broom (along with numerous cat toys!).  He's constantly exploring and smelling and figuring his new house out!

The kids adore him and can't seem to let him breathe when he's awake. (Sidenote:  I put him up in our room several times a day so he can get plenty of potty breaks, naps, and food!).  Several times I've caught Allie holding him, rocking him, and whispering "It's ok, it's ok."  She calls him her pumpkin. 

Harry doesn't feel the love for Charlie that we do... yet!  Charlie loves Harry and wants to snuggle and love him.  There are still lots of hisses from Harry to Charlie, but there's been encounters with no hissing and growling so I'm encouraged by that!  Just tonight they were tackling each other.  It doesn't sound too loving, and it really wasn't, but it was the most interaction they have had and I think Charlie loved it!  Harry is intrigured by the playful kitten but usually keeps his distance.  Maybe they are turning a corner??

And my favorite part of having Charlie is when the kids got to bed, he jumps in my lap and sleeps with me until I go to bed.  And I've taken some of my favorite pics of him during this time!

Kevin's worked a ton since we got Charlie, so he's anxious to get some time off so he can play with him and snuggle with him while he naps.  He did take Charlie to the vet this week so they had a little time to bond.  Hopefully this coming week they can make up for the last week!

BFF's

It's very clear that Hayden and Allie are the best of friends.  They really love each other and they are each others favorite playmates.  They encourage each other, comfort each other, love their weekly sleep overs together (Hayden sleeps on the girls floor on Friday nights), and it melts my heart to see their love for each other.  They do argue, and fight, and wrestle... It's not always picture perfect.

Yesterday I had to go to Hayden's class to do some prep for his spring party on Friday.  The class was watching a movie so he had no clue Allie and I were even in his class.  When his teacher went over and whispered to him to get his things ready, he flashed us a big smile!  We waited out in the hall while he gathered his papers and books.  He came out to the hallway and said he needed to go to his locker to get his backpack.  He held out his hand for Allie to hold, and then told her she wasn't allowed to run in the hallways.  It made me smile.  They walked to his locked and when he had his backpack he put his arm around Allie shoulders and said, "Do you want to go in and meet my class?"  I told him that was so sweet of him to ask, but since they were watching a movie, now wasn't the time.  

We left school and went to Allies dance class.  Hayden played with the toys for the kids, but frequently went over to the open door, and stood in the doorway until Allie saw him.  They'd waved at each other then go back to doing their activities.  

I love how he loves her, protects her, and is proud she's his sister.  I know as he gets older he won't want his little sister tagging along because that won't be cool, so I'm cherishing these moments while they are here!

(We went to DQ for an after school snack before we took Allie to dance class!)

Welcome Home Charlie!

This morning, Kevin and I made the short drive to Oakland City.  We were scheduled to pick up the newest member of the Devine family at 11 sharp!  I woke up several time during the night thinking "Today is the day!"  I kept telling myself to go back to sleep, but it was hard!  I had been waiting to meet Charlie since January 18th; that was the day we found out he was ours!

I signed our kitten contract, and was taken to the kitten room.  I was surrounded by so many little fuzzy kittens.  You can just imagine how much I hated that (yeah, not at all! I could have stayed there the rest of my life and been a happy camper)!  Charlie wasn't very interested in checking me out at first.  Some of his sisters were climbing up me and smelling me, but he was content playing with his litter mates!  After a few minutes, he did get curious about me and came to smell me.  I'm not going to lie, I did feel bad taking him away from his brother and sisters!  I've loved watching the whole litter grow, so it was a little bittersweet for me to leave with him. 

Pictures from our ride home!

I carried him to the door, we said our goodbyes, and we headed home for him to meet our crazy crew.  I had told the kids they needed to be quiet when we got home.  They did good for a few minutes but all the excitement was just too much for them to contain.  Austin excitedly shouted "MEOW!" and was ready to catch himself a kitten.  It was conveniently his nap time, so I laid him down before he had a chance to actually "meet" Charlie.  Krissy, Allie, and Hayden just kept wanting to hold him.  It's hard to watch a fluffy new kitten explore your house and not touch him, but they did a pretty good job letting him explore.

Harry came out to see what all the commotion was about and he wasn't amused.  He did hiss a couple times, BUT they did get about a foot from each other and they were both ok with that.  Charlie seemed to immediately relax when he saw another kitty.  He started exploring and playing more.  Harry ran away, and Charlie was being extra frisky for the kids.  He played with all his new toys, explored his new bed, and the kids (and I) were just soaking it up!  It's been almost 8 years since I've had a kitten, and our kids have never had a new kitten to love.

Krissy keeps saying, "I wub (love) him!"

A sad/funny story:  I was SO excited to put his new kitten collar on him!  It was one of the first things we did when he settled down.  The collar has a jingle bell on it, and Charlie kept hearing the noise and thought it was a toy.  He tried several minutes to get this "toy" on him, but gave up. 

One of the breed characteristics is the hair on the tips of their ears.  He has some great ear hair!

I'm excited for the kids to go to bed tonight so I don't have to share him with all the little people :)  Be prepared for kitten overload the next few weeks! >^..^<

Twice as Nice Consignment Sale

I know, this looks like a mess, but I assure you it's a gold mine!!  This week I put in 8 hours of volunteer work to help set up a consignment sale in Evansville. It was my first time helping, but the volunteers get to shop first, and that made it worth it to me! 

I brought home a 46 item haul ranging from pairs of shoes to outfits to bike helmets.  If you divide my total spent by the number of things I got, I spent $3.50 per item.  That's a pretty good price for a pair of shoes (some were brand new!) and a bike helmet!  It's a little high for a T-shirt, but I tried to get things that either were brand new or looked brand new.  

The girls could not wait to try on their new clothes.  Krissy couldn't get past her Minnie pjs.  She's worn them evey night they have been clean! Oh and the sandals... She has been wearing them everyday.  She was not happy I made her put on boots to go out in the snow.  Ah... two year olds.

Allie got several cute dresses!  About half of my haul was for her.  Krissy and Austin will mostly wear hand me downs, although I did pick up several outfits for each of them.  Hayden's size clothes are slim pickins.  I got about a dozen items of clothing for him, which is was a success in my books. 

I'm already looking forward to the fall sale! :)

Hayden the Organizer

We were in a cleaning mood today and I passed on the bug to Hayden.  He, with zero promotings from me, decided to organize my "junk drawer"!

 

I was impressed with his organization skills!  I think it's time to give him some more responsibilities :)