Help Wanted

Help me, wise readers. I need ideas to entertain 6 children ranging from 10 yrs. to 8 mos. (Mostly the 10 & 8 year old- I know what my kids think is fun). We are going to New Mexico this week to watch 2 neices and a nephew for the brother & sister-in-law who were nice enough to babysit for us while we went to England. I think it will be fun, but am a little worried about filling the time so their kids aren't bored. I don't want to go too many places- my husband will be working & the thought of going out with 6 kids alone gives me facial ticks.
Suggestions???
Help me... you are my only hope.

Cars Party

D is a cars movie fanatic. He wears cars shirts & cars briefs, takes a bath with cars bubbles, sleeps in cars pjs under his cars sheets. He has a cars backpack, can quote the whole cars movie, listens to the cars soundrack, & can't wait for cars II.

Here are a few pictures from his cars party.
We played "red light/green light" and had a "cozy cone challenge" where the kids raced backwards like Mater, used sidewalk chalk to make cars whatever color they chose (like Ramone), bounced a cars ball, weaved in & out of cozy cones, stopped at Luigi's for a "tire treat" (aka mini chocolate donut) & then raced to the checkered flag at the finish line. They had lots of fun & wanted to do it several times- I think mostly for the donuts. It was a great day for my favorite cars nut.

Beautiful Bride

My sister was married this last weekend. It was a great trip. We are so happy for her & loved seeing all my siblings together.
My grandparents were able to come also.


Here are just a few of the 13 grandkids...

Dr. Mom

Actually, my title should be "Med student Mom" because I am no expert at keeping children healthy, but I have been learning a lot more about illness lately than I want to.

The baby has been sick for a month and a half. He's had croup, a 3-week long cough, ear infections in both ears and now, pneumonia!

On the internet, I read that most bacterial pneumonias can be cleared up in 2-4 weeks. Viral pneumonias take even longer. I was not encouraged. I was really hoping he'd be feeling (and sleeping) better soon. I am sooooo exhausted playing nurse in the middle of the night for weeks on end. But, my brother (flight surgeon of the year, by the way- I'm quite proud) put in pretty long hours as a Med student, so I guess if I want the title, that's part of the territory.

Spring?

It has snowed quite a bit here lately. I like spring snows because they usually are more wet & you can actually make things such as...

and

Here are a few Easter pics. It snowed on Easter too.

The kids enjoyed decorating this bunny house- thank you, G'ma.

Painting eggs

I have a sweet Easter story. Usually D is more interested in justice than in mercy for his sister (as in "mommy, do you want ME to put her in time out?"). But the other night, she wouldn't stay in bed & I told her if she got out again, I would put her stuffed puppy in the top of my closet. (Great discipline tip from my sister-in-law... take away toys when ignoring rules & have to "earn" them back by doing something extra). Anyway, D is still awake in bed when I make this threat & responds "Don't worry, if you lose your puppy, I'll do something nice for Mama & get it back for you."
What a sweet illustration of what the Savior did! No matter what the proverbial "puppy" represents for us, we have an older brother who loves us and has given us hope to have what we truly want returned to us. What a joyful event to celebrate.

More pictures of England

I still haven't had a chance to go through all our pictures (the kids have been sick & we are severely sleep-deprived.) But, here are more shots from our trip.

Is tha' a bear?

We are back from visiting the UK & we LOVED it. It was much colder than we were expecting, so my brother loaned us this adorable bearsuit for the baby. When were were hiking, some English school children passed us. From the back, all they could see was a brown furry head w/ ears & paws dangling down. One of them asked (in a cute English accent) "Is tha' a Bear?!" In a land where everything amused us, we were happy to provide some amusement as well.

Big Ben & Little

1,000 year old castle

We loved this bakery- especially the name. My husband is holding a sign advertising "Hot buns".