Last Friday, I got the boys in for their first eye doctor's appointment since all the Covid nonsense first went down. I'd been holding out on making an appointment because everyone was requiring masks, but things seemed settled down enough around here that I didn't figure that was an issue anymore. Unfortunately, when we got there, there was a huge sign up saying everyone had to wear masks, kids included. I was prepared to leave if we had to, since I still regret not leaving when I was told to mask the boys at their dentist appointment a few months ago (where, ironically, I actually caught Covid, even though I was wearing a mask the whole time), but they were okay with it when I explained that we don't mask our kids.
It was time. They boys' glasses are in serious disrepair, and are way too small for their faces by now, and the lenses are all scratched up... and it was time. We're excited for the new ones to come in.
Atticus apparently needed to have his eyes dilated, but I think it was really just an excuse to get these bitchin' shades.
On Sunday, we went to church again! I actually made it to church and took communion! I cried again. What a privilege. The last two weeks, we have attended a reformed Presbyterian church here in town.
Look! I actually still know how to do my hair and makeup, which was actually a bit surprising to me.
Monday was Valentine's Day. Each year it seems to get a little bigger and a little bigger - we started off celebrating it as a family in Cedar Falls, and Todd would get flowers for the boys to give to each girl. Then a couple years ago, we added it to our feast day schedule and got each child a small gift. Last year, I made waffles for breakfast (heart shaped ones!). This year, we added a popcorn party with pink M&Ms for lunch while we watched Princess Bride. It was a full, fun day, especially for the boys, who each got a G.I. Joe and then spent the rest of the afternoon planning a new stop motion movie they're wanting to shoot with them. (Penelope got a pen pal set, Laurelai got a Bible cover, and the little girls got adorable Valentine's Day outfits.)
The tradition of giving roses is still going strong!
Ophelia slept through the whole thing, but she still got roses.
Achievement alert! Achievement alert! THEY ARE ALL SMILING!!
Here we're all laughing at the fact that Juni pulled the blossom off her rose and was just waving around the stem for the photo. These kids are the best.
Because we were on break from school this week, we planned a few extra things. On Tuesday, we took a trip to Hobby Lobby. The kids had been wanting to use their Christmas money to buy some craft supplies, but I hadn't been confident to take them now that we're back in the swing of newborn nursing sessions every hour or two. But we managed it this week, and other than a little chaos at the register because Callista didn't want to give her money over (and didn't want to be done shopping for more stuff), it actually went pretty smoothly. Atticus bought some paper, pens and watercolors for his graphic novels, as well as some modeling clay. Penelope bought yarn and fabric. Laurelai bought fabric to make a snuggly monster for Finneas, as well as some modeling clay, and Callista got some Minnie Mouse fleece to make a tie blanket with Penelope. Finneas got modeling clay and a dart gun, and Rocco couldn't be left out, so even though his shopping list said "BUNOCLYRS" (binoculars), he couldn't find any of those so he also bought a dart gun. (Juni stayed home with Todd, since we went during nap time.)
Also on Tuesday, we had a chiropractor appointment, and Ophelia turned two months old!
I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this baby. Motherhood gets so much sweeter over time. She is smiling now, and has found her hands. She is still an amazing sleeper, typically sleeping from 11:30 at night until 6:00 or so, and then going back to sleep until about 9:00, when she wakes up for the day.
Wednesday, we took advantage of the sixty-five degree weather and got some work done outside. And just in time, too, since we had a winter storm that night with ice and snow. Yesterday, it snowed all day, and the low last night was four degrees. Weather this time of year is so wacky. Today is supposed to be nice again. Weird. I'm hoping the roads clear by the afternoon, because one of my main goals this week was to take a load of stuff to Goodwill, but now I'm not sure that's going to happen.
The little girls stayed inside with me while the bigger kids worked in the front yard - the boys raked, and the big girls cleaned out the van.
And here are just a few more sights from the week.
I have had people tell me that they're sure kids in large families don't get enough attention. I just smile and mentally call them an ignoramus. They can't help it, I know. They clearly needed more siblings as a kid.
Rocco almost always falls asleep during Story Club, and Ophelia and I both accidentally joined him one night.
I got my Berkey all set up! And the kids overran my kitchen with drying clay projects.
And just like that, our break week is over! It really flew!
