First week of April

The first week of April was really crazy, but fun. We did our standardized tests in the morning and spring mommy dates in the afternoons. We also rearranged bedrooms, getting new bunkbeds for the girls and giving their old ones to the boys.

 A friend introduced us to Brr Berry in December and that was the #1 choice for our dates this year. Three kids wanted to go there. Monday Spencer and I went and enjoyed a cup of frozen yogurt with delicious toppings.

 Tuesday Thomas went to Toys R Us and played on the power cars there. The same friend who introduced us to Brr Berry has one of these and Thomas has wanted one ever since he saw it a year ago. It was fun watching him enjoy himself and chatter away.

After Thomas I took Kaitlyn and Alexis. They wanted to go together and picked Brr Berry. They had to wear matching snowman shirts even though it was a hot day.

 Wednesday we cleaned the boys' room walls before putting the girls' bunk beds in it.
Nathan is working long hours these days, getting home after we're in bed, so no, he didn't help us, but the kids and I had a great time working together and figuring things out. We're used to doing big projects like this ourselves.

 We took down the girls' bunk beds and moved them into the boys' room. The top bunk fit easily through the door.

 The bottom bunk, not so much. It took us a long time to figure out how to get it out of the girls' room. We finally did and then were stuck holding it above the banister. It wouldn't fit into the boys' room and we didn't want to go back into the girls' room. Just as we were running out of strength holding it Kylie had the bright idea of taking it apart. So we unscrewed an end and was able to get it through the door that way. Whew!

 Setting it up in the boys' room.

 Makenna watching us from her lazy bean bag chair.

 The 4 girls sleeping on the floor now that they have no bunk beds.

 Thursday the new bunk beds came and we got right to work putting them together.

 Kylie's definition of reading in bed. :)

The four girls got matching nightgowns that day too!

 This was as far as we got in putting them together that night. Alexis is sleeping in the top bunk. Kaitlyn and Madalyn are sleeping where the double bed will be. We hadn't gotten the mattress yet. Kylie is sleeping in between them.

 Friday we got them all finished and the mattress arrived. Again, Alexis is on the top, Kylie and Madalyn on the double that can also fold up into a futon couch, and Kaitlyn is on the crib mattress to be used as a trundle.

The boys in their bunk beds. Spencer was thrilled, at age 8 1/2, to finally move out of his broken toddler bed. A friend in Texas gave us these beautiful twin quilts and matching lamp shade about 7 years ago. I thought we'd have beds for the boys long before this so I've kept them all this time, anxiously awaiting to use them. I found a matching nightstand at Target and love the boys' new look. (It was dark when I took this picture so I couldn't see where I was aiming or else I would have been straighter and gotten more of the room in.)

Nathan playing with Makenna on a rare evening home. Like I said, we're usually in bed when he gets home but this night Makenna and I were still up so he got a little bonding time.

That first night of sleeping in their new beds the Easter bunny came!

Saturday morning.

Checking their goods.

 Kylie made these Easter bunny cinammon rolls Saturday ngiht, which we baked Sunday morning.

The kids slept in their beds for one night before we had company. My parents and two of my sisters cameon Saturday night. Here Trish is braiding Kaitlyn's hair for church Sunday. She did all of the girls' hair (minus bald Makenna) nearly everyday in fancy braids. She's awesome.

My mom and sisters plus my five daughters.

The first family picture we've had since Makenna was born 2 months ago and it didn't even turn out. Don't do pictures after afternoon church.

My girly girls. (I do like my boys but they were done taking pictures and wouldn't cooperate anymore.)