Last Sunday: Every Sunday after lunch we ask questions about church to see who was paying attention. Things like who spoke, what they were wearing, who did what in the story they were telling, which songs we sang, who said the prayers, etc. I toss an M&M to whoever knows the answers. Our garbage man gave us a big thing of peanut M&M's for Christmas. :)
I thought of it to motivate Spencer not to be on his phone during church but the little kids love it and have paid strict attention and know all the answers. It's so good for their memory skills too (and mine.:))
I got a personal letter from Elder D. Todd Christofferson after I sent him the kids' birthday wishes and my letter. In past years it's been a typewritten letter to the whole family so it was fun to get a handwritten one to me this year. We also got an anonymous card with a $50 gift card to Walmart in it. We can't figure out who it's from!
Doing some fun Sunday games a friend gave us.
I love looking at her long, beautiful hair.
Relative Race party!
The new season started today and we were so excited since all our favorite shows haven't had new episodes since COVID.
Monday: Samuel is taking a Lego class so we used his funds to buy new legos. We never get new toys not on a birthday or Christmas so the kids had a great time playing with them while Spencer and Alexis were at their first musical performance.
Makenna put together a camper one that included a cute family and a tiny lego baby.
Samuel put together helicopters.
Kaitlyn put together an ice cream truck.
Thomas is working on the Mario Legos.
Anderson, Tilly, and I worked on another camping scene with trees, a picnic table, and motorhome.
Tuesday: Bad pic of Spence but I loved Makenna jumping on his back and adoring her big brother.
Wednesday: Alexis and Kaitlyn made us a delicious Brazilian breakfast with pao de quiejo, tropical fruit & mango, yogurt, and granola. We studied Brazil this week and got great meals provided by them. Coincidentally, Kylie went back to Brazil on Friday!!
Kaitlyn's breakfast.
Twins for the day. Kaitlyn combed their hair matching.
Thursday: Andy hurt his neck and went around all day lying his head on this pillow, even while walking or eating.
Luckily he's doing better now.
Dropping Alexis off at opening night. Every practice I drop her off I see scores of girls walking in in their peasant costumes holding their laundry baskets with more costumes in them. It's so fun to see. Unfortunately the day I take a picture we're a tad late and we miss the crowds.
Before Kaitlyn's haircut.
After I trimmed it.
Friday: Madalyn surprised us by getting a ride and coming home for the weekend to see Spencer and Alexis in their play. As soon as we got home from picking her up where we met her ride, she showed the kids pictures of her new fish and other fun things she and her roommates have been doing. I had been calling the kids for lunch and found them all gathered around her, loving hearing about the college life.
After lunch Madalyn played the piano and we danced.
Then the girls played chutes and ladders, Tilly's favorite right now.
Then we had a reading party. We ate popcorn and chocolate and all read books.
Reading parties are my favorite!
Spencer went skiing all day so when he got home he was thrilled to see Madalyn. I loved hearing them talk and watching them hug over and over. I'm so glad my children are each other's best friends.
Another Brazilian dinner made by Alexis. So happy to have 9 children at my table!
Madalyn, Makenna, Kaitlyn, and I went to see Hunchback.
Spencer is on the far left playing the piano.
Alexis dance and sang in the aisles and on stage as part of the ensemble but I couldn't take pictures during the performance.
Talking to the cast members after the show. :)
Saturday: Tilly wanted a selfie of us having clips in our hair.
After lunch we again played music and danced.
Cousins came over without their parents for the first time ever and we had a fun, big dinner with them.
I was also babysitting 2 kids so there were 17 kids. :)
These girls sing beautifully; I could listen to them all night.
The boys meanwhile did a video game party.
