These Days

My sister asked me the other day to watch her kids one afternoon. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to because we already had an appointment scheduled for Perry. She commented that it seems he always has an appointment. And I wholeheartedly agreed!  And if it's not an appointment for him, it is Kacin or baby who has something scheduled. I looked back at my calendar over the last month and on average we have 5-6 appointments (this week it was 7!) for our kids each week (therapy, doctors, team meetings). That's not including classes, sports, and activities. That is just our life so I've never stopped to think about it until now. But no wonder I can't stay on top of all the things I want and need to do. Ha! But these kids, and all that comes with them, are the best full-time job I could ever ask for.

We had a break through yesterday! When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Perry answered “a firefighter”!! It was the first time he has not told me either he is not getting bigger or that he wants to be a Perry. Our sweet boy is maturing so much.

Layla and Perry came home from school with these amazing spring pictures. 

That bow! Right in the middle of her head! I can’t stop laughing. I promise that was her own personal touch to her picture day look.

Saturday morning snuggles in Perry’s bed (aka avoiding chores).

Good thoughts from good ol’ Gretchen.

We took a spring break morning to visit the science center.

We went to the craziest neighborhood egg hunt (pick up off the grass). It last a total of 90 seconds before all 4000 eggs were gone.

Perry had opening day for little league! He is thrilled to be playing baseball again this season. 

We had another spring break morning with friends at the zoo. As you can tell, Perry was thrilled by the goats—ha!

Kyler spent some time on his own in the kitchen and made a banana cream pie with graham cracker crust. Yum!!

We love these toys for baby on her bimbo tray. And she always has someone entertaining her, too. But I also love these pictures because in the background you can see the boys hanging out with some of their friends. I think this particular night Eric and I taught them how to play poker. With pennies.

I caught these two at the piano. These girls are so precious together.

NY, part 5 (9-11 memorial, Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central Terminal, etc)

After Ellis Island, we continued our walking tour. We passed the statue of the girl facing the bull, Federal Hall, NYSE, and stopped at Trinity church to listen to a choir singing.












Everywhere we went, Lorane was always really careful to avoid all of the grates.


We ate lunch at the Shake Shack for the first time.






We walked through this beautiful mall.












Then we spent a few quiet minutes at the 9-11 memorial. This was a beautiful, special place.


















We thought this was cool—the modern glass building next to that beautiful brick building.


We walked to and across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Chalonn graffitied the bridge. 

We took the subway to Grand Central Terminal.












We grabbed more NY pizza for dinner and ate it in our hotel lobby before heading back to Lorane's house on the train.


Goodbye, New York! I really did love spending time in that city. I think (if we didn't have 5 kids) I would love to live there for awhile. And if I can’t live there, I will just have to go back and visit. I feel like we saw a lot in two days, yet we just skimmed the surface. There is so much more to experience in that city. I hope it’s not too long before we make it back!