They are a motley crew, aren’t they?
And today is day one of a long-anticipated week of spring break. Anticipated by them. Not necessarily by me.
So, in an effort to not totally disappoint them on the very first day, I allowed them to indulge their tent building fantasies.
And then proceed to jump right into the middle of it.
I think they all really enjoyed it. I certainly hope they did.
After all, I knew what lay ahead.
Playroom re-organization day.
Or, go-through-everything-and-donate-what-nobody-plays-with day.
I was bound and determined to fill at least several trash bags with toys we could live without.
All the kids are pretty good about giving away toys they’ve exhausted. We talk a lot about giving things away to kids who have a lot less than we do.
We don’t really talk about the kids who have a whole lot more. Not very productive.
Of course, there was a little playing involved in this afternoon of organizing – a – plenty.
And some especially exciting discoveries.
Like two of the exact. same. car.
Yippee.
I’d say, overall, the kids found this experience to be much less painful than I they had anticipated.
Vivi’s favorite new-found treasures were the food stuffs.
In fact, everyone managed to unearth something they enjoyed.
Occasionally, two people wanted to give some love to the same toy. At the same time.
And fighting ensued.
One naughty booger managed to pass most of the time reading a book.
Of course, usually reading is great. Just not when you’ve read the book multiple times.
And when everyone else is making an effort to at least fake-organize.
The playroom has the best natural light in our not-so-well-lit house.
There are lots of big windows in this room and in the afternoon the light that spills in is lovely.
So we stopped cleaning momentarily.
So I could take a few pictures.
Because I think my kids are so cute.
And I just really don’t have enough pictures of them.
Right.
Actually, I was pretty glad to take a break from all the cleaning and organizing myself.
And I always love seeing how silly I’ll have to get to coerce a smile or two out them.
Today proved to be not much of a challenge in that department.
Everyone was pretty jovial.
I’m secretly hopeful that this week of spring break will give the kiddos and me a chance to hang out and get some stuff done around here.
Clean out some closets. Do a little spring cleaning.
Eat a little ice cream.
I know what you’re thinking.
I’m dreaming.
And you’re probably right.
Having all the kids home all day seriously challenges my mothering skills.
And typically, my skills prove to be the lesser competitor.
Then, throw in my half-hearted effort to tackle some spring cleaning, and chances are slim I’ll be the last one standing.
Heck, after a full week with all the kiddos home, I’ll be lucky if the house is still standing.
At least we’ll have an organized playroom.
And smiles on our faces.
And ice cream in our bellies.
The end.
Cuteness galore! I miss all those faces!!!!
The light in your playroom is amazing! Then again, you have some pretty amazing subjects to shoot as well. Your kids are so beautiful and you can see the happiness in their eyes. Love it! =)
was your older son in school this week?
Aww…I was thinking the whole time I was looking at the pictures..what amazing light in that playroom!! And then I was thinking..you are going to need a long nap after this week! And then I thought…you are truly blessed!!
When your done feel free to stop over for some ice cream and then maybe we could clean our playroom together!
Enjoy the week! I 'm sure it will be a busy one!!
What a beautiful post. And beautiful children
When you said "And I just really don't have enough pictures of them."
Even if you take ten thousand photos of your children, it's never too many, because when they are grown and married with kids of their own, you'll cherish each and every one…the close up of their little nose that you take every single year at least once a year, those tiny little toes that you take photos of, their pudgy little fingers, their smiles, from each side, from the front and back…….close ups, far away's…….they are all, each and every photo, something to cherish.
Those are some beautiful kids, and some really awesome natural light!!! 🙂
YOu know I love your kids & I think they are amazingly adorable…always!! But let me take this chance to say: GIRL! YOU have some serious writing skillz! 😉
GREAT post!!
such a cute post to read…your kiddos are beautiful! way to go on throwing in some organization in day…maybe they'll never know if you try it again tomorrow..ha! 🙂
Such a cute motely crew!! Can you send them over to my house? I have a playroom that is in serious need of "organizing!" Hehe
Total cuteness overload…I don't know how you can stand it!?! 🙂 That Shep has a smile that draws me in EVERY time…he is such a cutie pie. But that Jude of yours…man-oh-man, he has the sweetest face! Could we work something out and pre-"arrange" a marriage with Khloe to one of your sweet boys?! ;o)
Seriously, you have the most beautiful children. I never tire of seeing those sweet faces on her. They light up my day, so I can only imagine how they touch yours!!?!! 🙂
Hugs,
Tanya
What awesome light and great photos of your beautiful children. You make cleaning up look like fun! Just wondering, how do you organize and display all the photos you take?
Love all the pictures!! Hey, when you guys are done cleaning and organizing your house…Come on over and have at it with mine…just kidding (sort of) =)
Thank you for your comment, I am still shocked by the miracle!
Hugs,
Amy <><
OH MY!
The cuteness is killin me!
Thanks for posting those smiles!
They brightened another rainy day for me in Hong Kong!
Love & Blessings,
Kim
Yeah yeah yeah – all that stuff about 'mothering skills not being up to the challange'…..well there was a big bunch of joy going on there – just in case you missed it – so….yeah yeah yeah….
hugs – love it – aus and co.
Beautiful and brave and inspiring and…..tiring.
Enjoy the ice-cream and…oh yeah….the giggles too.
Happy Spring break! Hope it's a fun week for you! I have followed your blog for several years now and have a question regarding fund raising.
After almost 4 grown bio. children, we are on a 3rd adoption! We added a baby (13 mos.) in 2006, another daughter (18 mos., special needs cleft lip/palate) in 2009, and now we are adopting a 13 year old boy….all from China. We had no plans to adopt more after the girls, let along an older child! But, as we are often finding out, God has other plans! Needless to say, after the 2009 adoption, which we are still paying off, we are adding again and having to do some fundraising! We are planning a couple raffles, and I was wondering if you have any thoughts concerning raffles…how long should we run them. My husband thinks we should go for a month, so that the word has time to get out and passed around with family and friends. I was kind of thinking a couple weeks and make it more urgent. Timing wise, we are looking to travel sometime this summer, so the whole thing seems more urgent to me…..
I would like to know your thoughts….if you have time!
Thank you and God bless.
I can be emailed at spritetribe@yahoo.com
Beth
Cute,cute!! We need to clean out our toy room sooooo badly…and the basement…and their rooms…never ending.
I'm looking forward to Day two's adventures.
I just love your blog, your heart for your family, and the ones who still wait in China. I also like that you crack me up, usually more than once a week! Thanks for being a blessing!
Hey, I think Shepherd looks like he's put on a pound or 2. Is there any update on how he's doing?
I am really surprised you didn't have everyone dressed in their hiking gear for a long walk? No? Didn't load up the 5 passenger jogger? What's up with that?????? I'm a little disappointed in ya…
heh.
🙂