Cousin Extravaganza Summer 2012

Sigh!  I know I said this before, but I will say it again.  I am SOOOO happy my sister is only 4.5 hours away these days.  Because of the shortened distance we were able to arrange for her girls to come visit us for a whole week.  I admit, I was a little nervous at the proposition of having 6 kids in my home for a whole week (I say six because I wasn't able to take off an entire week of daycare).  Last time I had 6 kids it was a disaster.  I was very surprised that it ended up being easier than I thought.  In fact, it was almost like a break.

Why?  Jody's girls were incredibly helpful.  Jessa, the oldest, asked me if she could help me cook.  She vacuumed for me, she loaded kids in the van for me, and she helped entertain my littlest daycare lady, especially when she was fussy.  I'm not used to getting help during the day.  It was pure bliss!
Jody trained these girls well.  I didn't even have to ask.  They just did it all on their own.

Our girls were over the moon about their cousins being here.  Instead of hanging on their Daddy every night and talking off his ear, they were off romping around with their buddies.  It was a break for him too!  They slept in a tent we had set up in the basement for them the entire week.

Here's a summary of what we did:

1.  Crafts, crafts, and more crafts
2.  puzzles
3.  Movies
4.  Picnic by the lake,
5.  Fed the ducks at the lake.
6.  Saw a fish feeding at bass pro
7.  Played at a park.
8.  Went swimming
9.  Hunted for snipes
10.  Made a giant tent with blankets
11.  Played doctor
12.  Worked on multiplication tables (with Jessa)
13.  Taught Jessa 2 songs on piano
14.  Story times
15.  Attended pet day at the library
16.  Fed fish at the fish hatchery
17.  Glorious reunion with baby brother at Chipotelle
18.  Fun at the science center
19.  Jammy run to MacDonalds for ice cream cones

It was a fun filled jam packed week.  About the only thing the cousins didn't like was the fact that they discovered Aunt Darci was a stickler about eating veggies and waiting to eat until the prayer was finished.  Other than that, I think they really enjoyed their visit and we sure did adore having them here. 

This was supposed to be a giant flower, more like a giant flop

Another giant flop, supposed to be  yarn balls.  Oh well!  At least we tried!

Checking out the critters at the fish hatchery

Petting the armadillo at the fish hatchery

Hard to believe Gracy and Kadyn are one year apart!

All SIX kids feeding the fish at the fish hatchery.  Grateful for a mini van for without one, this would not have been possible.

They barely all fit in the tent. 

Jessa's craft invention...goggles!

Say Cheese!

Digging for bones at the science center

Picnic at the lake

Best of buds

Watching and feeding ducks at the landing

Watching the fire and light show at the landing

It was nice to spend a little time with my sister for a day before she took everyone home. Brennan was in tears when they left.  I hope we can make this an annual tradition.

The Key to Your Child's Heart

Why I chose this book?
I was browsing the parenting section of our local library this time.  All the other books came from Springfield.  Our library doesn't have many choices.  I had another book picked out but then this one caught my attention because of the author.  The author of this book has a son that spoke at our church the Sunday before.  His son was a good speaker so I thought, why not?  Turns out he is from Branson.


What did I like?
Interesting parenting ideas in this book I had never heard of before.  Food for thought.  This author is also VERY honest about things like spanking and goes into great detail about it in his book.  Sometimes it's hard to find authors who are willing to discuss spanking in their books anymore.  There is so much fear out there about being labeled a child abuser that people just don't go there anymore.  This author goes into details about how to use it appropriately.  He also recounts several personal stories to help the reader be able to understand more easily the points he is trying to make.  Keeping it personal helps keep the reader connected to the published work, I believe (to a degree, more on this later).     

I also liked how the author stressed how important it was to swallow your pride and apologize for your kids when you known you have screwed up.  He also gives some sound advice on how to open a closed spirit.  I trust his suggestions to be true as he has had many, many years counseling families.  Interesting stuff.



What didn't I like?
Some of the stories the author shared about spanking did make me feel a little uncomfortable and I felt were questionable as to whether they should have even been included in the work.  Although I totally understood the point he was trying to make, it almost seemed a little risky to share such information to the general public.  Therefore, the one thing I liked about the book was also the same thing that made me feel a little uncomfortable.  Wierd huh?  I guess the only way I could explain it is that I was thankful to see an author explore the topic, but I felt some of the information he shared should have remained private.  

I also felt this book leaned more towards advice and suggestions for parents of older children not children my children's ages. 

What did I take from it?
One of the ideas that this author pressed A LOT was making contracts with your family.  The children help draw up the contracts.  They basically become family laws.  Any time a law is violated, the parent can then refer to the contract that the child has helped create and sign off on and therefore, the children become less combative about being punished for violating the laws.  Sounds a little wierd I know, but I thought the idea did have some merit and if you read the book you'll see why.  The laws of course are solely based on biblical principles as the author is a strong Christian.  Also, children are more willing to comply to laws they helped to create.

If anyone in the family feels they have been falsely accused, they can request a family hearing.  The family as a whole gets to decide whether the accused individual is lying.  The author claims the truth almost always comes out in these hearings.  Again, weird concept, but I couldn't help think what a wonderful lesson in the judicial system and how it works. 

This book overall was a good book and I think worth another read when my children are older and I can try out some of the suggestions.  It was a quick and easy read. 


There you have it!

Night Light

Why I chose this book:
I saw Dr. James Dobson's name on this book and thought it'd probably be pretty good. I read a book of his awhile back about raising girls that was fabulous!


What I liked:
Honestly, I didn't realize this book was simply a collection of devotionals for parents; I just saw the author and grabbed it unknowningly.  At first I was disappointed, but then after I started reading it I really enjoyed it.  It had A LOT of personal stories that made it very interesting and easy to relate too.  Many of them were stories by different authors.  There was a lot of sound advice in it too. Since it was devotionals, it made me feel like I was doing my part to keep in the word daily as there was a scripture on every page.  The book is designed to be read over a much longer time frame obviously, but since I had a limited time with it because it was a library book, I read as much as I could in one day.    


What I didn't like:
Although this was an easy read, the words on the page were smaller so it didn't go as quickly as the others I have read this summer.  Not sure this is necessarily a bad thing though.


What I took from it:
I should have wrote this review as soon as I got done reading it, or jotted down some notes as I was reading it because there was a lot of good stuff in this book.  BUT...here I sit two weeks later and I honestly can't remember one thing that really stuck out at me with this book.  It was all good, just maybe not as memorable because I didn't have any true light bulb moments when reading it.  


And there you have it!

4th of July

Our fourth of July was what is starting to become our norm (with the exception of last year when Jeff and I got away to Chicago).  We set off some fireworks with our neighbors and that was about it.  We could've seen a big display the day before down town, but remembered too late.  Confession, I was actually glad about this.  I'm not too keen on big town displays.  I hate fighting the crowds for these things.  I'd rather go see a big display at an event where it is built into the program like let's say....a labor day K-State football game.  So needless to say, I wasn't too bent out of shape about not getting to see a big display in town this year.  Jeff thinks I"m a big ol' party pooper in this department.  What can I say? To me the fourth of July is more memorable when you get to do the hands on stuff with your kids in a culdesac.  These days, you can even buy some decent fireworks to put off in your own yard.  No crowds and right in the comfort of your own driveway.  That's my kind of fourth.

Now with that said, I will say we didn't splurge for anything too big this year as we were scared of starting a fire.  So we stuck to some basics and a few shower fountains. The kids loved it.  Our neighbors joined us as they do every year.  Good times!

Great idea guys, let's put our stash on the electrical box.  Eek!

Nice hip!

Those snakes were always my favorite as a kid too.

I have to add that Jeff opted to take a couple days off and get stuff done around the house.  He asked me to make a honey do list (a first).  So, to document that he actually did my list, here's a picture for proof.  I hope I can make more lists like this in the future.  It was oh so nice!

Oh, and I almost forgot.  I had the girls make icecream which was a complete flop.  We used our blizzard maker for the second time. The first time it leaked and I lost everything.  The second time, Kadyn accidentally ate a piece of rock salt and then lost her appetite and didn't want any icecream.  Needless to say, I decided it was time to retire the icecream maker and just stick to store bought.  It seemed like a whole lot of work for a very little pay off.  The thing literally made about a cup of icecream.

Thankfulness 5

1.  Safe journeys to KC and back for hubs and nieces
2.  Nieces that are sweet, well behaved, and helpful
3.  Excited daughters about being with cousins
4.  4 cousins sleeping in a tent downstairs
5.  Fourth of July fireworks in the culdesac
6.  Fellowshipping with neighbors
7.  Rain
8.  Sparklers
9.  Talking nieces into going down waterslides
10.  Helping niece learn multiplication tables
11.  Sharing family stories with nieces that involve their mother
12.  A new lock on basement door, NO MORE BABY GATE!
13.  Finally taking the plunge and placing membership to church
14.  Hearing my daughter say summer was more fun than she thought it would be
15.  Seeing grass com back to life after watering
16.  Bug spray for flowers
17.  An upcoming day with sister
18.  Doing crafts with the girls and nieces
19.  Hearing nieces request a Bilberry family tradition aka "jammy run"
20.  Not having to entertain children each night thanks to nieces to play with
21.  Being able to cart 6 children around thanks to mini van
22.  Having an older niece who puts little ones in the car seats without being asked
23.  Nieces helping with daycare kids without being asked
24.  My husband's sense of humor
25.  Having a husband who is willing to run an errand for me before he returns from work
26.  Being more financially comfortable than we were two years ago
27.  A 3 year olds sincere, thoughtful, and sweet prayers at the dinner table
28.  A 3 year old's sweet mousy voice with mispronunciations (will miss this someday)
29.  Reopening another room to the daycare thanks to reorganization
30.  Having goals to make life more exciting
31.  Dreaming about possibilities
32.  A repaired sink
33.  A 6 year old that met all her swmming goals and now set a new goal to go off a high dive (first we have to find one though)
34.  Small wet footprints on the pavement at the pool (sigh)
35.  Making a  deal with niece to motivate her to learn her multiplication tables
26.  Seeing kids get excited about a meal that that they say smells so good it's making them hungry
27.  Knowing we still have several weeks of summer left
28.  A new bicycle rack on the back of Jeff's vehicle
29.  Having a helper to clean bathrooms
30.  Keeping my house clean most of the time

Parental change

When my girls were first born, I took sole responsibility for them.  I knew Jeff felt a little powerless to to help care for them.  I'm sure many men feel that way when they have wives who choose to nurse their infants.  This is probably because in a man's mind, the only reason an infant cries is because they are hungry.  We all know this isn't true, but for my man I think that was his line of thinking  LOL. 

Anyhoo...I did everything.  I fed them, bathed them, changed every diaper, etc.  The only thing Jeff really pitched in on was playing with them.  And as they got older, I was the main disciplinarian.  I was OK with this. I was so excited about being a mother and proving myself that I WANTED to do it all.

Then sometime after we moved to Branson when my children were around ages 3 and 5, things started to change.  I mean, a mother can't possibly go on doing EVERYTHING and not start to feel burnt out at some point.  I got to that point.  Between caring full time for other peoples kids and doing it all on my own with my own kids too, I was ready for a break.  Somehow, naturally Jeff just kind of started slipping into a slightly different role.  Not only was he still being their go to parent when it came to playing, but suddenly he was getting up with them every weekend and making their breakfast so I could sleep in.  He offered to watch the girls more often, so I could just get out and about.  He occasionally threw together plates of leftovers when I was busying myself with something else.  He'd offer to go get groceries because I was busy cleaning the house. 

On top of that I also realized that it was OK to ask for help.  I was part of my burn out problem.  It wasn't that Jeff wouldn't help, it's that he didn't know I wanted it or needed the help.  Communication people!  I asked him to start putting the kids down to bed.  I asked him to make supper when I just didn't have it in me to cook...again.  I asked him to switch the laundry for me while I was out and about.  I asked him to start helping me discipline the kids when needed.  I asked him to draw their bath water.  I  asked him to help out in the toilet training process.  Unless you're a mother, you will never understand just how exciting it is to hear your little 3 year old call out from the toilet for her Daddy instead of her Mommy.  Sweet relief!

All this is to say, I'm proud of my man.  These past few years he has really stepped up to the plate.  I still carry a pretty good lion share of the house work and primary care for the kids, but he steps in where he can.  Where I am lacking, he fills in.  We're a pretty good team, my hubby and I.  The best part is, when I pay him compliments for taking care of the girls he just replies, "I figure it's my special time with them."  Sigh!  I'm a lucky lady.

Date Nights

Sorry no pics, thought never crossed my mind, but it has been a fun weekend at the Bilberrys.  Jeff and I hadn't been on a date since February/March (so long I can't remember)?  Anyways, we were due.  Last time we went on a date our neighbors were kind enough to volunteer to watch the girls.  They LOVED it.  So we asked again.  They were excited about spending time with the girls. 

Just to give you a little background, our neighbors (Roger and Teresa) are a sweet older couple (40's/50's?).  They have never had any kids, so to spend time with our cuties is a real treat for them.   Anyways, it is a win/win situation and we only have to walk a couple feet to get to their house.  Friday night they had big plans to take the girls out for pizza to the fun spot.  They also paid to let them play in the big ball pit while there.  Later Roger dropped off the ladies then headed to work.  When we arrived to pick the girls up for the evening we found the girls decked out with fairy wings and wands that Teresa had bought the girls and some other goodies which included new 3-D fairy cups, a reusable activity place mat and huge coloring books.  Can we say spoiled?  Let's just say with that kind of royal treatment our neighbors have quickly become the girls' favorite baby sitters.  Anyone who loves our kids as much as us is considered family in our books.  Love Roger and Teresa!  She later sent me an email thanking me for letting the girls stay with them and had taken a few pics of their evening together and sent them to me.  Sigh!  They're so sweet it makes me want to cry.

Jeff and I went to supper at a really nice (and way too expensive) restaurant.  It was so nice to have uninterrupted conversation.  We showed up late to the movie we had intended to see, Snow White and the Huntsman.  Our back up plan was to see Magic Mike (I couldn't believe Jeff agreed to that back up plan).  I suggested it to be funny, and I think he was humoring me.  Anyways, turned out to be a bad back up plan as Magic Mike was sold out. There was literally a line of women from the entrance to the door waiting to get in to see it.  It was NUTS!  We had a good chuckle about it.  We did end up getting to see our choice flick, even though we missed the first 5 minutes.  It was a good movie.  Afterwards, we headed back to pick up the girls and spend a little time with Teresa before we called it a night.

Saturday was date night for the girls.  It started with Dada and both girls doing some little kid bowling at the fun spot and then we split up, each of us took one girl and made a night of it.  Kadyn and I ate at McDonalds (someone HAD to get the toy in the happy meal) and went skating.  I enjoy skating although by the end of the night I was exhausted and my feet felt like they were getting close to forming blisters.  I have to admit, Roller skating uses more muscles than I remember, and it is a good workout.  I worked up quite a sweat.  No wipe outs for me, thank goodness, a couple almosts though. I admit. Kadyn and I ended our night in the drive through back at McDonalds to give thier limited time smores baked pies a try.

Jeff ate at Freddys with Bren and went to see the latest Madagascar movie. Jeff ended up getting Bren some strawberry icecream on the way home from their adventure.  Yum!  The girls had a great time!

Sunday we spent performing "operation clean/reorganize."   Jeff even indulged me and gave me an allowance to go out and buy a new shoe organization system.  I was super tired of having to baby gate the hallway from a certain one year old so that she wouldn't get into my shoes and chew on them.  Now we have a nice bench with storage inside.  Hoping baby doesn't figure out how to get into it.  My theory is out of sight, out of mind.  We shall see.

Something about being in Teresa's home that inspired me to give my house a thorough work up.  Granted, she has no kids and it is really easy for her to keep a clean and organized home, but it still inspired me to move things around to make it more functional and homey.  I always do this every couple of months anyways.  Kadyn helped me clean and earned some money for her help.  It really did make things easier to have her help.  She doesn't do as thorough a job as I usually do, but she's getting better at it each time.  I keep thinking how easy life will be when BOTH girls can help out around the house. 

So anyways, we had such a great weekend!  Jeff and I were talking about prayer the other day and I mentioned that the thing I do the most when I pray is thanksgiving.  I have an incredible life, not perfect, and not lacking trials, but none the less, still INCREDIBLY blessed.  I am so grateful to God for providing me with my beautiful home, my beautiful family, a wonderful community and town, and the ability to get out and do some fun stuff every now and then.  This weekend was proof of all of that!