The children and I went to Amanda’s house last week and Jason (her hubby) was home so we left the little ones with him because Amanda wanted to show us the fabulous bike trail/river walk by her house.  I was expecting an easy, meandering stroll…..um…yeah…so we ended walking for like 2 strenuous miles carrying Sarah (who gets heavy) the whole way.  That probably sounds like nothing to most of you but I am an out of shape woman, apparently.  I was hot and tired by the time I got back but Amanda, Jacob, Ethan, and Grace were still practically running.  Of course I was also the one holding Sarah most of the way……….

It was a beautiful walk, by the river which was wide, smooth, and flowing fast. 

And here is a darling little video of the most scrumptious baby.  I had found my gentle Sarah in the kitchen, playing with an open box of bow pasta (she took it from the cupboard herself, she knows how to open the lower ones).  She was so dainty about it and took one piece out at a time.  I was trying to teach her how to say thank you and if you listen close, you will hear her try to say it.  She is a little mockingbird.

This has been a very busy day so far.  David, Caleb, and I made chocolate chip cookies.  We mixed it all up then realized I had no baking soda (used the last of it on those pancakes).  So we went downtown to buy some and of course I had to make use of the trip and ended up getting a cart of groceries.  It was all worth it, the cookies are fantastic!   David chose the recipe because he said the last ones I made he did not like because “They made me have a bad taste in my mouth all day.”  While we made them, David said he felt like a chef.  It was the apron he was wearing (Star Wars), the apron made him feel all professional.  The only thing he did was crack the eggs and turn the mixer on and off……….

 J and E had baseball practice from 12-2 so we dropped them off and then went to the library and the park.  Would you believe it’s only 47 degrees outside.  I’m ready for some warmth and sun, please.  After we picked the boys back up (who were filthy from sliding into bases) we came home.  It is now quiet time.  Caleb is sound asleep on the couch.  Sarah and Seth are in the cribs upstairs, sleeping.  David is playing, Jacob and Ethan are reading their Science lesson.  Soon we will do the “floating egg” experiment, which I am sure will be quite thrilling indeed.  Oops, I forgot Grace.  She is also in her room, reading a book she checked out of the library.  I have a biography about Loretta Lynn that I am reading.  I just finished her first one and now I’m reading the one she published a few years back.  Did you know she was a grandma by the time she was 29.  I just can’t get over that.

Oh, and when I was at the library I gave the names and ages of my kids to the librarian.  The town drama coach-lady is trying to find children to act in her productions.  Grace wanted to do it, but on the way home I gave the boys the news.  With much loudness and drama, they told me that they would not do it, absolutely not, no way, no how.  “If it was Lord of the Rings, I would think about it.  But not Little Red Riding Hood!”, said Jacob.