Sandwich Party

Parents of picky eaters all across the country are struggling with the same problem.  What to pack for lunch?  Friends of ours were visiting for the week and we had talked about her issue.  How many pb&j sandwiches can you pack before you start to wonder about your child's health?

Honestly, my eldest son probably ate peanut butter every day for the first six years of his life.  He usually opts for leftovers these days.  I suppose 1800 peanut butter sandwiches might be enough to satiate even the most avid pb&j lover.  

I'm always happy to host an event that involves food.  She mentioned a 'sandwich party' and I jumped on the idea.  We spent about an hour making various sandwiches.  Some were pretty healthy and others, not so much.  In the end, we had ten different choices for the children to choose from.  Then, we upped the ante and offered a "Man vs. Food Challenge".  Try (remember, we are working with picky eaters) four different sandwiches and win a brownie.  The definition of "try" was loose.  We felt that even a nibble of dry crust would count, since the previously terrifying sandwich actually touched their lips.

Mostly courageous kids, a load of leftover sandwiches, and rediscovering a love for egg salad makes this event a success for me!

Beads Abound

My friend asked if we still have bracelets available.  My answer is a resounding "Yes!"

The fundraising for Kind Hearts continues.  I donated almost $200 this morning from beads.  Thank you to everyone who purchased jewelry!

School is starting soon and the children in Ethiopia are desperate to be in school.  Please visit my initial post for details: Building with beads 

Leave a comment if you have any questions.  If you don't have a paypal account, leave me a comment and I'll contact you with alternate ways to pay.  Thank you for your interest on behalf of the children in Addis.

Rainy Day

The big brothers are at the Grandparents for the week.  That leaves the rest of us...

bored.

lonely.

bored.

jealous.

Did I mention bored?

Yesterday, I bought hardware to finally install our hammock. It's been in the garage since we moved.  Three years in the garage with creatures that nibbled the stuffing out of the pillow.  I should have taken that as a sign.  The hammock was hardly installed as three eager kids jumped onto it.  Almost all of the ropes holding it to the tree snapped.  The kids went flopping to the ground and we stood there awestruck at what just happened.  It would have been funny if it wouldn't have been so sad. 

My big fun plan for the morning was gone.


On top of it all, today is rainy.

I am trying to get ready for school to start.  I was hoping without all five kiddos I would be living in a world of ease.  To-do lists galore...check, check, check.

I have a million things to do, but the three sets of puppy dog eyes  work their magic.

Ten minutes on Pinterest.  Three hours later, it is two o-clock and I am still in my pjs.  Painter's tape, poster paint, and some paper.  Every step did require my help.  I also had to explain several times that just painting over the tape would result in a big sheet of white paper.  They turned out cute, and I thought that after giving undivided attention to the crafting session they would run to the basement to play with the cushion fort. 

 It would seem that once you offer an activity, if its fun, then the children think they cannot have any fun without the help of you, their cruise director.  Gallon ziploc bags, more poster paint, glitter, and packing tape.  Tidy finger painting.  Certain this would buy me some time, I put together three bags and passed them out.

 

Finally, we drew.  We drew and drew.  We wrote stories and poetry.  We applauded each others efforts.

The sun came out. Since it was already late afternoon and I hadn't showered I thought might as well make the most of the dirty state I was living with.  I pulled out the bikes and took my trio on a four mile jaunt.  I ran, they biked.  I pushed Josiah up the hills, running, puffing, panting, "Please pedal, just a little!"  But we did it.

My check lists remain unchecked.  I am not ready for school to begin next week.  But this cruise director made the most of a dreary, boring, lonely day and got nothing done.  Perhaps you might like to spend a day doing absolutely nothing just like us!