Babysitters

I have finally built up a list of great babysitters. Right now I have four babysitters who I can text on a moments notice. Unfortunately only one can drive... but the younger they are...the less "life" they have and more available they are! The kids do really well with having a babysitter. I have even found that Beckett does great since he is at home. I have been on this frantic pursuit of finding multiple sitters since Beckett is so difficult to take places. Our summer is filled with softball games and practices with not only Faith now, but with Eden too. If we have to take Beckett, we keep him strapped in his stroller which does not make him very happy...as you can imagine. On this particular week I am needing a sitter four different times...which means I will spend close to $100. I want to mention that when I used to babysit I was only paid $1 per hour and $.50 for each additional child. This would mean $2.50/hour for my kids. I pay around $8 an hour and usually round up. I try and pay well so the sitter/s will want to come back. It isn't very often that the sitter has all 4 kids. It is normally 3 since I am running (mostly Faith) to practices and games. I also have to splurge on a sitter because Kyle is often gone with work, travel and his "mancations." I have a friend (that reads my blog) that pays $10/hour for two kids...that is too much...right???? If I have to pay $20 an hour for 4 kids then I am DONE! I can't wait until Faith is old enough to stay with all 4!!! "Yay" for great sitters and "freedom."

WICKED!!!

A few months ago, a friend of mine (who also happens to be be Faith's BFF mom) asked me if we would like to go see "Wicked" in St. Louis and spend the night. Of course I said "yes" immediately. However, she was keeping this a secret from Emma (bff) until the day we left. This was hard! I managed to keep it from Faith until a week before we left and then I had her swear to keep it a secret. It was a surprise and ended up being a VERY fun trip.

I had already seen "Wicked" twice in London but it was phenomenal and I was looking forward to seeing it again with Faith. I can honestly say it was just as good as the first two times. I am always amazed that there is more than one person in the world that can sing like the people in these shows. It is a gift that I covet.

We took the train, checked into our hotel and then went and ate at "The Old Spaghetti Factory." I am still dreaming about that place...the food was so good! Afterwards we took a horse and buggy ride. After "Wicked" we went back to the hotel for some sleep. It was a long day and night for two eleven year olds. The girls had sung songs from "Wicked" for their school program so they were familiar with the story and music. The next morning we headed to the "Arch". Faith and I had never been there so we were happy to see something new. We didn't go to the top (line too long) but we did enjoy the free museum underneath. After that...we ate lunch and headed home.

It was so fun to spend some time with Faith without everyone else. She is growing up so quickly and is so fun to be with. Faith and Emma are crazy together and they make me laugh. I am so appreciative to Amy (Emma's mom) for making all the arrangements and inviting us.

Our Summer Plans!!

Every summer I try not to over schedule ourselves...but with four kids it is hard. Here is what everyone is doing.

Me...taking everyone to everything :)

Faith-softball (2 games a week), softball clinic (1 day), band camp (1 week), piano-Faith is also going to be an asst. for Eden's piano class and will be getting voice lessons in exchange :) Faith is also going to start cross country...we will see how that goes!

Sawyer-Scout camp (3 days), chess camp (one week), soccer camp (one week) and piano. He is also still doing eye therapy which is once a week.

Eden-Piano and softball. This will be Eden's first year trying "Pre-ball." I don't think she will enjoy it as much as Faith. Eden will be very worried about her hair and getting dirty...should be interesting. She will have 2 practices a week and one game every Sat. morning.

Bex-being dragged to everything.

Kyle-2 (long) camping/boating trips planned with friends.

We also got a pool pass again this summer. We all really enjoyed this last summer and it will be something fun for Beckett.

I am also having a sitter one or two afternoons a week so I can do whatever.

The highlight of our summer will be both of my brothers visiting with their families. We are SO EXCITED!!!! I haven't seen my oldest brother or his family for 2 years. They start arriving at the end of this month :)

I have a headache now and feel like I need to go and look at my calender.

A few photos from Eden's kindergarten program and Faith's 5th grade recognition

School's Out!!

Last day of school May 2010


First day of school Aug. 2009

We had a very fun Memorial Day weekend. Unfortunately I took ZERO photos of our fun. I find when we are at social gatherings I tend not to get my camera out because I am too busy talking or chasing Beckett around. Kyle, Faith and Sawyer got up super early on Friday morning to go fishing. The rest of us met them at 1 p.m. to go tubing. This was Beckett's first time on the boat and he loved it. He even tubed with myself and Faith. That kid is very adventurous. He has no fear. We camped that night with friends (in a tent :)) and went to the beach the next day. We had so much fun. On Sunday afternoon we were able to get together with some of my family that I haven't seen for a very long time. My aunt and cousin came to visit from Florida and D.C. It has been YEARS! We got together with my other cousin, his kids and grandkids and my parents. They are all the nicest people and it was so enjoyable to catch up. I always wonder why we don't make more of an effort to get together more often. Today is our first official day of "nothing". However, we have already done some schoolwork and practiced piano this morning. Faith didn't wake up until after 10:30 and I had to wake her up...what a life! It was nice to have Kyle home for a 4 day weekend. We even went yesterday and got new cell phones for myself, Kyle and Faith. Kyle and I got Blackberry's and I am pretty excited about it...oh the little things. Faith got a phone with a texting pad, which she really wanted.

So...the last month of school was very fun. Eden had a kindergarten program. It was just her class and it was very sweet. She did a great job. She had to memorize several songs and had a few lines on her own to say. Her teacher got pretty emotional which made me emotional. Eden said her favorite part of kindergarten was her teacher. Sawyer said his favorite part of 3rd grade was spelling. Faith had 5th grade recognition last week as well. They put their kindergarten pic. up first on the big screen and then switched it to their 5th grade pic. while they handed them their "diploma." It was fun to see the changes in all the kids. I am still in denial about Faith going to jr. high :( Faith's favorite things about 5th grade were the field trips and social studies. They all had a great year! Faith got straight A's. She even managed, once again, to get a pull-up in P.E. (which is all she needed for an "A"). With a lot of effort from Sawyer and myself he managed A's and B's in his subjects. I don't think I have ever studied or done more homework this year that what I have helped Sawyer with. I am very scared for 4th grade...ugh!! Eden got all "3's." They all love school which is such a blessing! They all had amazing, caring teachers this year as well!