A weekly rundown

First of all, I have to ask you, does a cuter Kardashian exist? I think not.

Some might wonder if those are real or not, but those cheeks are 100% all natural. #blessed

This week has been slam-full. Not a single day where we didn't have something going on, and luckily, that has made it pass by fairly quickly. Of course, that is exactly what I wish for, while also wishing for time to stop. Because hormones.

I haven't lugged out the double BOB in quite a while. I've been waiting for Hank to be a little less floppy-necked to use it and he is finally there. So instead of unloading the other double from the back of the car, I rolled the BOB out to the playground up the street. As I was pushing it though, I looked down and felt my heart fly up into my throat. I saw two sets of legs- one set of little tree trunks with tiny shoes on, and the other set barefoot with chunky thighs catching some sun. I had a mini panic attack because this wasn't Sam and Molly. And that's who those little legs and chunky thighs have always belonged to in this stroller. My mama heart cannot fathom that those little legs and tiny shoes are now sitting at a desk in first grade with youth sized shoes on, while the bare feet and chunky thighs have been replaced with size 13 shoes and slim thighs that make her run really really fast. How has time slipped away so quickly? Is this park trip right now going to soon be a blur in my mind too, as I wish for this deployment to hurry up and end? I'm trying so hard not to wish the time away, while also dying a slow death via parental exhaustion.

On Monday evening we had the usual soccer practice and mad rush to get everyone home and bathed and in bed afterwards. I pack Will and Molly a picnic dinner, and make Sam's dinner and set it in the fridge so he can eat when he gets home. While he eats, I bathe Hank, make a bottle, and then take the other three upstairs. I have Molly play with Will while I swaddle and feed Hank and then put him to bed. By then Sam is usually upstairs so he and Molly play while I bathe and get Will into his pajamas. I put Will to bed and then bathe Molly. I try to tidy up upstairs while Sam showers himself and Molly gets into her pajamas. Then we all say prayers and I tuck the big two in. Once that's over with I can run downstairs and start chores and eat dinner and start thinking about going to bed. Ha! My favorite part of the day.

On Tuesday, I picked the kids up from school and took Molly to dance. The boys and I ran a few errands around town while she was there. Since her dance class lets out at dinnertime, we rush home to do dinner, baths, and bed. Lather, rinse, repeat the above.

On Wednesday morning, I had a friend come over for a playdate. The last time she came over, I knocked an entire bottle of soju off the top of the fridge right before she arrived. Of course it shattered into a million tiny green pieces that smelled like fingernail polish remover. So preparing for her to come over was much less stressful this past week. Just a light vacuuming and picking up toys. Way less intense than the shop vac and trying to convince her that I didn't have a major drinking problem at 9am. Wednesday night was AWANA and they did wacky hair and outfit night. The picture stinks but you get the gist of it. Sam went all out wearing Will's clothes and then putting some of his own underwear on top of his head.

I normally make a midweek commissary run while the big two are at AWANA, but I didn't need anything (say what?) so I took the two little guys home, gave them baths, and then loaded their pajama'd selves back into the car and dropped off recycling before picking the big kids up. AWANA doesn't end until 7:30 so that really stresses me out because Hank is normally passed out by 7 with Will and the other two not far behind. As soon as we got home I chucked Will into bed and put Hank to sleep (TOOK FOREVER) before finally bathing Sam and Molly. I was slightly stressed out (ha) and might have frantic-texted Casey too much. (Sorry, Casey!!!! YOU DA BEST.)

On Thursday morning, I dropped the kids off at school and then prepped lunches for Will and myself since we were going to be out til noon. My friend from Korea is leading a Bible study in a town about a half hour from us and I told her I'd do the study with her. Will went to childcare (tears) and I took Hank with me. The study went well and it was very obvious when I picked Will up that he had the time of his life. I've never seen him so excited to show me things, but he led me around the playroom like he's been going there for years. He even did some handprint art, which is the way to my heart. Art from my kids, with their tiny little hands, that I did not have to assist in making. Melting. I got the boys home (fed Will in the car on the way) and changed diapers before putting them down for naps. Before I'd even sat down, it was time to go to the bus stop to get Sam and Molly. After snacks and homework, we headed out to the soccer field for a weeknight game! How exciting! For once we had the chance to watch a game that didn't involve sweating through our eyeballs! It. Felt. AMAZING. The game flew by and Will only tried to fling himself into the on-field action once. Maybe twice. I'll be honest. It's hard to try and film plays for Steve while I'm screaming like a nut and trying to keep an eye on Will and Molly. Hank- forgot about him. Not sure if I was holding him or if he was in the stroller but he made it out alive too. Anyways, all that to say that I did rewatch one of my videos to Steve and noticed Will just toddling around staring at other parents. Also! Sam's team won! They lost their first two games so they were extra pumped over this win.

It probably goes without saying that that was a late night. Everyone and their brother needed a shower after that game. See above for labor intensive shower schedule.

Friday morning came incredibly quickly and after getting the big kids off to school, we came home just long enough to make and eat breakfast before hightailing it back to Sam's school for their 6 week assembly. Recognizing the kids for academics, perfect attendance, conduct, etc. We hauled ASS over there and I slapped some mascara on in the parking lot before busting out the stroller and taking the boys in. They started early and we ended up watching from the wall. Then, as quickly as it started, it was over and the kids were whisked back to class! I gave Sam a hug as he walked back to class and then asked a friend if she could get a picture of me with the other two.

Will was not having it. First thing in the morning, he needs to be outside and running around. So we skipped a Starbucks date with friends and headed to the playground instead. It actually did not feel like the surface of the sun, so we all had a great time before heading home for lunch, naps, etc. Molly rode the bus home to a friend's house, so we got our Sam and headed out for haircuts- just me and my boys. Will has been waking up with some WHACK bedhead, so he was due for a trim. Little old lady took off more than I'd bargained for, but whatever. Maybe we won't have to go back so soon. I can't say I enjoy having him sit on me screaming as I am sprinkled with every tiny hair from his head. Then Sam got his hair cut and wanted a lightening bolt. I knew the barbers at this shop are somewhat elderly, so I prepared him for the fact that it might not happen, don't be disappointed, etc. But then the lady said she'd give it a shot! HAHA I thought ahhh what could go wrong here. What could go wrong was for her to ask me to draw a lightening bolt for her. Which she did. And so I drew one. Terribly. Then she did it.

Or attempted to do it. Whatever. That will grow out soon enough.

She asked him what he thought of it and I cringed, waiting for his ultra honest answer. But luckily he couldn't see it very well with a mirror. So I told her thank you and he'd see it later. Let's get OUTTA HERE. I showed him a picture in the car and he said, "Well it wasn't what I had in mind." But he said he got it because his team's name is Lightening and surely they'll win the game with his lightening bolt hair!

After haircuts, we headed to a froyo shop with friends. They both got honor roll and good conduct so we thought, ah let's reward the little crazies. Will was already on a sugar rush from his barber shop sucker, so he was extra pumped up for some froyo with toppings selected by two first graders... We left there in a sticky haze and headed to go pick up Molly from her friend's house. Tears because why can't she live there. Friday is our pizza night (haha because I'm lazy and frozen pizza is $3), so forget the fact that the boys have now had sugar galore, they are also having pizza for dinner. Bathed them before dinner because of the sticky/hair situation, made pizza, and let them eat before chucking them all swiftly in bed.

Hank let me sleep in til 5:40 this morning, which I am eternally grateful for, while also extremely depressed about because 5:40 should never, on this earth, be considered sleeping in. But 'round these parts it is. So. We hung out til everyone else woke up at 6 and then we started getting ready for Sam's game. We had to get there an hour early today for team pictures. We essentially pack like we're spending a day at the beach. Giant sportsbrella (because gingers), stroller, chairs, snacks, wipes, water bottles, diaper bag, bottles, formula, etc. Good thing these games last for an hour because I'm not sure I could justify the lugging of that much shit down a gravelly non-paved road by myself for a 30 minute game like the little kids play. Sam's lightening bolt haircut worked some luck and they won again! Will was not at all interested in sitting under the umbrella and ate all of his snacks before the game even started so that was a bust. Luckily there was a shaded playground nearby and I basically just jerked my head back and forth between watching Will and Molly play and Sam's game. Hank slept for some of the game, praise the lord, and then he had to listen to me screaming in his ear for the rest of the game. They did so well! And it's surprisingly entertaining! I'd love to focus 100% on the game but I'm clinging to the promise that one day I will.

This lasted about ten whole minutes before they headed for the playground behind us.

Another game where we didn't drown in a puddle of sweat!! WINNING

After lugging everyone/everything back to the car and the house, we made a quick lunch and then attempted naptime/quiet time. That ended FAR too soon for my liking and we were looking for something to do to burn energy during the long afternoon hours. I randomly heard that our town has an art park?? News to me. So we drove to town and checked it out.

Not terribly large or impressive, but it was nice out and it was fun seeing a new side of town we had not explored before. We also saw some red leaves and everyone got REALLY excited about fall. Despite the fact that it was 87* out and we were all sweating. Ha!

The kids had so much fun swinging on the two dinky swings at the art park that we went straight home to go swing on more swings.

We had some friends meet us there to play until the meltdowns didn't stop and we all headed home. Baths, dinner, teeth, BED. I've got the kitchen clean and coffeepot prepped. We'll see if I'm up to the aerobic workout known as "mass" tomorrow morning. Will is high energy at 9am.... Pray for me.