TGIM!

Thank goodness it's Monday!

This past weekend, we hosted a houseful for a weekend of fun. On Friday, Uncle Jim came with Conor and Skylar and Grandma. As soon as the van pulled into the driveway, Tyler went into play mode. There was no stopping until Sunday afternoon! We had a great meal at Mountain View on Friday night, complete with ice cream with sprinkles for dessert. The kids eventually passed out sometime in the 10 o'clock hour after numerous trips upstairs for the parental warnings for quiet!

None of us parents were concerned about the late bedtime. After all, these kids flat out, no doubt, love each other and have a great time together! It wasn't until the next morning at 4:30A.M. that we heard the bedroom door creak and the whispers of 3 wide-awake kids ready to play heading on down the stairs. As tired as us moms and dads were, we corralled them back into the bedroom for a bit more shut-eye. An hour and a half later they were up again, for good!

After getting dressed and eating breakfast, we waited for Papa to come with Frank's Uncle Bill and Aunt Joanne. The plan was for the men to golf for the afternoon and the women to stay at home with the kids. By the time noon rolled around, there was not a toy left untouched in the house and it was time to head out. The men left at that point as well. Luckily the weather strayed from the weekly routine of rain and provided us with some sun and warmer temps.

The first stop outside was Tyler's "worm house". All Spring he has been very into rescuing worms from my garden and placing them into a little area he designated their home. I found bug houses at the dollar store this week and bought three of them. The kids had a blast finding the worms and picking them up with the tweezers. We reminded them the worms needed dirt and the kids filled the containers with dirt and leaves and then kept them out of the sun! Unfortunately we quickly realized that the worm hole was quite muddy (thanks to the days of rain!) and the kids were a mess. Off to another activity-- Slip 'n Slide!

Tyler...

Conor...

Skylar...

A few trips on the slide and the kids were clean again! They even suggested a few trips through the sprinkler when they were done sliding. As you can see in the shot below, boys will be boys...

"Those boys are cra-zee!"

I caught this shot of these two plotting their next trick. Still not sure if I trust them and farther than I can throw them...

We managed to kill almost an hour with the water play. After sitting in the sun for part of that time, I was ready for a trip down the slide. I decided that until I get a fence in the yard I will spare the neighbors of such a spectacle!

Aunt Laurette was not able to make the trip to Wilbraham this past weekend. She stayed at home to take an exam for a job next school year! Good luck, Aunt Laurette! She did send a great arts and crafts activity. The kids painted wooden plates and great boxes. They had a blast making wonderful designs and there was not a drop of paint left when they were finished. It seems that Aunt Laurette was worried about sending paints to our house and the possibility of them making a mess. I have no idea what she was talking about...

Conor, complete with war paint. Did I mention that I set them up behind a bush in the yard and maybe they were not completely supervised? Whoops!

Did I mention these kids love each other? After the paints, it was straight to the tub. For the next 24 hours, they kept up the same pace. Running, jumping, playing, building forts. All I know is that on Sunday afternoon this house had a sign outside that said "Napping House".

Next weekend Frank and Ty are off to New York for the U.S. Open, golf, and Father's Day. I will be here, recuperating!