Every week I like to take a moment to showcase the moments that brought me the most joy. Sometimes they are awesome activities and other times it’s a sweet moment between the kids. There are always moments that can fill us with joy if we choose to see them with a thankful heart.
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Oh man, what a week! I was so sure we were going to have a nice calm and normal week because we had no plans on the calendar other than a MOPS meeting on Thursday evening. It turned out to be one of our busiest weeks this school year! But the kids were so good, even having to drive around town nearly every single day. They took real naps! And despite the cool temps in the morning the afternoons are still nice so we have gotten to walk to pick the big boys up from school every single day this school year which is a huge sanity saver.
We also had several big moments this week during all the chaos so read on for those!
1. Lost & found cat
Once our cat discovered the wonders of outside, especially the huge population of bunnies in our area, it became nearly impossible to keep her in the house. She learned how to open doors that were barely cracked so we became broken records with the kids about keeping doors shut tight. She would wait near the doors so as soon as one opened she could dash out. Huge pain in the neck!
If she did get out she’d be gone for a night and then come home – just long enough for a quick hunting trip. Until the end of September when she got out one Thursday evening and she didn’t come back the next day… or the day after that.
We’d look around each day and whistle for her but she never came back. I kept checking the lost & found pages online to see if she’d show up but no news. Last Monday I felt a prompt to check the shelter pages and even though we have several shelters in town I found her listed under the first shelter I checked. I emailed them and asked how we could get her back. After providing our location and a few pictures to prove it was her they told us to come get her. She’s now all caught up on her shots, is microchipped so we shouldn’t lose her for so long again, and the kids are thrilled to have her home again.
2. Baking day
I had a stellar baking/kitchen day on Tuesday! There were several items on my list that I needed to get made to make returning from vacation next week go more smoothly. I made cream cheese kolaches, brownies, snickerdoodle blondies, and cheese crackers. I also got a few cleaning tasks around the kitchen completed. Now the kids have dessert options for their lunches in the freezer and we’ve got breakfast ready for one of the little boys’ birthdays next week. I love baking day!
3. Birthday playdate
A friend’s little girls turned one last week and she invited a whole bunch of people to the mall for a playdate to celebrate. The kids were thrilled at getting to play and it was so nice to see some friends that I haven’t had a chance to visit with lately.
4. Crafting together
Mercedes has gotten interested in Barbies recently and saved up her money to buy two this week, “a mommy and a daddy.” She’s so sweet! But she realized that all the furniture she has does not fit her new, bigger dolls. Um, crafty mom to the rescue! I pulled out cardboard from the recycle bin and we got to work. I glued together butter and cream cheese boxes, cut apart a cheesecake box, and wrapped things in paper. She picked out colors and helped hold folds while I taped or glued. So far we’ve done the sink/counter and a stove. Our next task is a fridge. It brings me back to my Barbie days and all the things we would make. I hope she’s always so excited to get creative to solve a problem rather than immediately rushing to the store for a solution.
5. Happy 9th Birthday!
Parker turned nine on Friday! Our oldest boy has hit his last single digit. He chose caramel rolls for breakfast, pizza for dinner, and chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting for dessert. We also surprised him and showed up for lunch at school armed with Costco hot dogs and joined him at recess as well. I know one of these days he’s not going to want us showing up to school and giving him hugs on the playground so we are going to take advantage of these moments while we can!
