Every year I have at least one large yard sale. But this year, two days before the scheduled event, Jet and I decided to donate all of our yardsale stuff to Justin (my almost 17 yr. old nephew) and his fund-raising yardsale. (his missions trip to England)
Ah, sweet relief!
I can't even describe the immediate impact that small decision had on my well being. Because even though I was willing to press through and do the yardsale (making money for a new front door), it was fairly stressful...
especially with four small children underfoot: one of whom is preparing for her end-of-the-year testing and needs lots and lots of one-on-one time reviewing math concepts. one of whom is teething hardcore and only wants to be held. and another who is going through a growth spurt and only wants to nurse.
A new front door has nothing on my remaining sane. ;)
Saturday late-morning, we all hopped in the car to go to my parents house, where Justin was having his yardsale.
Even Toby, our dog, went along.
Before having children, Toby would hop in the car and go with us. Once the babies started coming, he became a very sad little puppy. remaining at home, tied up in the backyard, watching us with sad sad eyes every time we drove away.Needless to say when we invited him to jump in the back, he was one hyper-happy dog! especially when he got to go "swimming" in the creek behind my parent's place.
Raegan, on the other hand, proved quite content just hanging outside...
with Justin.
This picture was late afternoon, when the yardsale crowds had thinned out. He decided to start weeding one of the back flowerbeds
Raegan was ALL TOO happy to "help"
Can't you just see the sheer adoration she has for him?
And he was a complete sweetheart with her. letting her throw dirt at him and pretending to throw some back. I'll give you one guess who initiated that game. *grin*You could hear her laughing loudly from the front yard. It was all I could do to not stand behind the tree and just watch the two of them interact.
By the time we got home, she was completely caked in dirt. and dead to the world.
Jet just layed her in the family room floor, where she stayed sleeping
...until she heard a loud commotion in the kitchen: Her sisters shouts of joy over what we were preparing for dinner.
Charis (6 and a half)...so very ready to dig in and eat!
If I remember correctly, I had to ask Selah to stop screaming, she was that excited! Why were my some-what picky eaters so thrilled? Because this was on the menu. As THE Main Entree.
When I was little, my parents started a delicious little tradition. Banana Splits for dinner during the summer. Woohoo!!
If memory serves me correctly, it only happened half a dozen times in all my growing up years, but it made a *big impact* on me. So every year (at least once during the summer) Jet and I surprise the girls with a Banana Split Night.
Yes, I realize it's not even summer yet. But what can I say? I love me some icecream!
And they LOVE it! (yes, that is a dryer rack filled with cloth diapers in the background of our deck...but they're clean diapers, promise!)
And even though Raegan looks like she's being tortured...???... she enjoyed every minute of it. saying "Mmm. I like it! It's good!" after every. single. bite.
