We were all happy to be home and so excited to see KitKat again.
Month: June 2020
This hotel room is a rarity! We almost never have a bed for each person (well, almost each person). It’s going to be so much harder when Ben outgrows the pack-n-play.
This boy loves hotel rooms and all the things he can get into.
Card games with Gram.
Morning cartoons at Gram’s.
I love that they all still fit on this swing!
Today we did all the things at Gram’s house. Thankfully Aunt Lissy had planned well in advance and had all kinds of supplies ready and waiting. We started with huge bubbles!
Then everybody changed into swimsuits and we got the water balloons ready for a cousin water balloon fight. We did make a few rules to give the littles a fair fight but everybody had a great time.
Once everyone was cleaned up, it was time to do a little early birthday celebrating. Gram had cake, balloons, and presents. Kaitlyn was in heaven.
Everyone voted to head back to the pool today. The weather didn’t look the best but we took a chance. We swam, it rained, and then we swam some more.
Pool!
Pool!
Pool!
Pool!
When we were coming up with things to do this week, we were digging deep and remembered spending the days of our youth at Lake Glendale. We confirmed that it was open during COVID and planned to spend today there. The weather was a little overcast but we drove to Southern Illinois anyway and thankfully the sun came out after a little while. I’m not sure my kids liked this lake as much as the pool or as much as our lake back home, but at least it was something new and something out of the house!
Today we visited a childhood haunt – Lake Glendale.
One of the activities that is open for business in these crazy days – putt putt! Gram was kind enough to stay home with Ben. Melissa and I took the other five kids and we made it through the entire course. It was quite a wild ride though!
Putt Putt!
I think this guy would happily spend the entire day outside if possible.
Public pools are closed (obviously) but Melissa had thankfully worked out a deal with my Dad. She just checks in with Mary and then we can use his pool. Having a pool was perfect today. The kids loved it!
After lunch and some down time, we got the kids outside to create a chalk mural. I have been seeing them all over Facebook and instagram, but my kids haven’t seen them and definitely haven’t created one. I thought it was a pretty cool afternoon activity!
Swim!
Swim!
Swim!
Swim!
We arrived at Gram’s house last night and the cousins were there and Gram had Chick-fil-a nuggets. After an evening of playing, we got tougher again today for more time together. We can’t do any of our usual activities so Melissa was assume in creating a new list of things for us to do. Today wasn’t crazy but we tried out hoverboards and played around Gram’s house while the adults did some talking.
We made it to KY!
We made it to KY!
Granny had the best activity planned for today. One of her friends had told her about spray foam that could be purchased at Target. Granny went and bought as many as possible (two bottles) and we made sure they were passed around between the kids. All of them seemed to love it and had a great time spraying each other and running wild.
Granny had foam!
Granny had foam!
This is obviously a different kind of visit than normal. We haven’t left the house except to go to the farm. That means a lot more time in the kitchen and time in the yard. That’s in addition to the normal games and old toys the kids like to play with. Ben helped Granny make breakfast. Teague helped cook dessert for Father’s Day.
We did a lot of celebrating today. Father’s Day was obvious but Granny also had cupcakes to celebrate Kaitlyn’s upcoming birthday. She loved the attention!
Happy Father’s Day!
A picnic on the farm.
Granny and Pop live in Collierville but they have a farm father out. It’s land that has been in Pop’s family for years. He rents out the house and uses the rest of the land for his own uses. Today the boys did a little shooting, fishing, and even got to practice their driving in the truck. Then we all had a picnic.
The kids and I have felt rather isolated in Grafton and we were definitely ready for a change. We have been planning a trip to visit family for a while and as soon as we could get everything ready after school was gone then we headed out. The plan is to visit with Granny and Pop for a few days and then drive on to Paducah and visit with my Mom and the cousins for a little longer. Obviously this trip won’t be anything like our normal trips, but at least we will get to see “new” people.
Today we arrived in Collierville and we spent the day playing outside. Pop had left a pile of dirt in the yard for Ben to play in. There were all kinds of riding toys for the kids and Alex even practiced his fishing skills for when we go to the farm.
Every time I see Alex on this bike I smile. It’s been around for ages and ages.
Teague loves when he visits Granny and Pop he gets to drive around the yard.
Everyone loves being outside at Granny and Pop’s.
Ben’s getting a driving lesson from Pop.
This child is truly the easiest. He rolls with everything we throw at him. I’m just hoping he fits in this pack-n-play forever. Fitting one more person in a hotel room is rather tricky. Right now he just needs a blanket, a lovey, and he’s out like a light.
We are out of here – time to visit some grandparents!
Pepper was scared of KitKat initially, but they are definitely tolerating each other. Ben loves having a little fuzzy something to snuggle. He is quickly learning how to be gentle.
KitKat rarely finds a moment alone in the house.
KitKat rarely finds a moment alone in the house.
As hard as I try to hide the boys’ recorders, the kids always seem to find them.
KitKat rarely finds a moment alone in the house.
KitKat is getting lots of constant attention.
Ready. Aim. Fire.
Just a little driveway fun today.
I was promised a kitten for my birthday but it proved very difficult in these COVID days to find a kitten. It seems that everyone is adopting kittens and puppies. To make matters even more difficult, we really only wanted one kitten, not two. Because of the demand, most organizations are requiring any adoption to be of two kittens. After months of searching, a friend finally let me know there were kittens at her horse barn. We were so excited to pick one out and we brought it home today! After much discussion, we have named our new addition KitKat.
COVID playdate. If you look closely you will see Alex and his friend – safely distanced. They are having a playdate, outside and still apart. They both have electronics and sit close enough to the house to play their games…
Teague has found a way to get all the cooking supplies he needs without asking for my help.