The Happyish Homestead

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Sick and Tired

That’s the theme for the week.

In the past six school days, I’ve had someone home sick for half of them.

The humidifier has been running non stop and I kinda wish I had stock in toilet paper, cough drops, Benadryl and Hulu.

And that number doesn’t include Bennett, who I spend every waking moment with, and even moments when we’re both supposed to be asleep.

And unfortunately makes the most defiant and weepy sick child I’ve ever dealt with.

It has not been pretty.

I have not been my best version.

But there are still blessings to appreciate.

For example, five of my six kids are at a church activity this morning.

Libby is watching Curious George, so it’s basically the most quiet this home has been for a while.

And I’m thankful for the times that it’s noisy so I can appreciate the times when it’s calm.

Here’s our week in pictures.

Connect Four with Spencer

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Door frame climbing

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She lost her two front teeth.

I think this arguably one of the most endearing rites of passage.

That lisp.

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Two sick boys getting ready to take naps.

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I was like “Libby! Let’s jump in the puddles!”.

She was like “no.”.

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Spencer was more fair game.

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Practicing her grocery list writing skills.

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Sometimes you don’t know what you really want although you’re pretty emphatic about what you want.

Like an orange for snack.

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Crazy haired Libby playing with dry beans.

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I got the top for a table runner put together.

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Spencer learned to tie his shoes this week!

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And we went on a nature walk on Wednesday.

Don’t judge…but one of the highlights for me as a mom is when I’m like: let’s do such and such.

And the kids reply with crying and arguing and victim like attitudes because I’m the worst mom for wanting to leave the house and spend time with them…

And then we all have a marvelous time.

I don’t care who you are…we all like to be right.

We basically found a lot of rocks and golf balls.

But also some pretty awesome sun flare.

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And helicopter seeds

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And a barn

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Spencer with the humidifier

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Some of the best looking brownie batter beater lickers.

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Minutes before she irreparabley tore up a library book.

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Some bubbles

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That’s me in the blue pants reflected in the mirror, standing on the chair, blowing bubbles and taking pictures.

I realize this talent is only appreciated by a certain audience.

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Bennett came to snuggle while I was going through the pictures on my camera so I snapped this picture.

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Libby vacuuming

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And practicing low light.

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Happiest of weekends,

and here’s to new weeks, second chances and short term memory loss,

Katie

Sunday, February 5, 2017

So…

Bryce started his new job this week.

He went from coming at home at 2:30 to working till six and half days on Saturday.

I’m checking Amazon to see what their options for big girl panties are.

Obviously I’m having them sent to me.

I have to be efficient with my time as a seasonal single parent.

In other news, we’ve had a brief break from inclement weather which has helped with everyone’s attitudes.

And then we got struck with a seasonal cough so anything that is happening outside the house is dead to us.

We cycle quickly.

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Bath time

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Piano practice.

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Libby and I were having a day last Saturday morning, so Elizabeth took her to make brownies in a mug.

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Playing animals while waiting to leave for church.

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And we made donuts for dinner one Sunday.

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Assembly line style.

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I thought this one was fun, although super blurry.

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This one is blurry also because there was some miscommunication with the three year old about which direction he was to be jumping.

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Singing at the piano.

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Playing Polly Pockets.

Don’t worry, I realize they’re a chocking hazard.

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Sweeping

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I think she’s secretly an 80s child.

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Enjoying a nice afternoon.

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I wanted to photograph them running so I could work on my shutter speed. So, here they are all lined up.

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Fort building

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Dancing

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Crying

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Jumping

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Seed blowing

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Play dough making

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Cleaning up

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So, the Instagram class I’m following is encouraging some low light practice.

Hence Libby and the fridge.

Actually, Libby always plays in the fridge, I just thought a picture would be appropriate this time.

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I got an electrical spool for free when I was at Home Depot last so I was arranging it with some metal outdoor chairs my neighbors gave me.

And since my kids were forced to do some time outside, Meg put together a tea party…with caffeine free Dr. Pepper and some grapes.

This is not scripted.

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Family dinner

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Thrilled to be paling around with mom outside.

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This one is posed.

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I’m sure your last week and a half has been awesome…as only a week without me can be…

Let me know what you’ve been up to or if you have anything fun going on,

Katie