This morning, bright and early, my husband and older two sons went to a Father-Son Camp (will be highlighted in next Friday’s collage!).  So, I took the other six kids to a pumpkin farm festival.  It turned out to be so much fun!  They can’t wait to go back –next year, of course.  It was very cold today.  Thankfully the baby slept in the stroller completely covered up by my picnic quilt to keep out the cold.

This evening we went to the library to pick out some movies to watch.  Each child got one–so we have Elmo, My Little Pony, Hermie and Friends, and A Bug’s Life.  :)

1.  Last Sunday we hosted a houseful of people for my husband’s 50th birthday party.  It was such a blessing having so many people to celebrate my husband.  He received a special gift  from his parents–a photo album/scrapbook of pictures and mementos from his babyhood until now.  It gave me some ideas of what to save so I can make one for my own kids someday!  This beautiful cake was made by Lovin Oven Cakery.  See another of their cakes here.  A couple of other people gave us gifts of free babysitting–they know a good gift to give us!

3.  Update on our beautiful baby girl:  I put her in her crib at night for the first time this week.  She slept for about 4 hours.  The next morning she had a well-baby check-up.  The doctor said she weighed enough (16 pounds) to sleep 10 hours in a row–but that, of course, it was up to me if I wanted her to.  Last night she slept 8 1/2 hours!  I finally just went in and woke her up  because I needed her to nurse.  The doctor also said that she is also performing some 6-month milestones, at 4 months.  She holds herself up really well on her arms while on her tummy, rolls both ways easily, stands and sits well with support, and rakes with her hands.  I’m wondering if she’s trying to beat her oldest brother’s record of crawling the day before he turned 6 months.  No, I don’t need that record beat!

4.  My little “ballerina” girl, who loves to dress up.

5.  Upward Soccer for 3 of the kids.  I’m on my own with them tomorrow since their daddy is camping–and it’s going to be so cold!

9.  That’s one way to wipe the kitchen table!

I have been given a huge blessing this week.  I found a young lady, a recent homeschool high school graduate who hasn’t started college yet, to come and help out with the little ones in the mornings.  She is great with them!  They’ve already done crafts, play-dough, painting, reading, and played at the park.  She’s using some activities from Before Five in a Row.  And I have been able to really concentrate on my older kids’ schoolwork, which has really been a challenge so far this year.

My 2-year-old used the potty a few times.  I’m not pushing it, but am so glad that he’s showing interest!

My grain mill broke a couple of months ago, and I finally got it back yesterday.  I’ve still been making bread, but with store-bought whole wheat flour.  I’ll be glad to grind up some wheat again next week.

Exercise update:  I’ve done 2 work-outs this week and plan to exercise on Saturday and Sunday.  Next week I go to my first T-Tapp seminar!

What God’s been teaching me this week:  Encouragement and praise will yield better results than criticism and expressing disappointment.  May I remember this and practice it more and more!