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St. Patrick's Day and Spring Break

Here in Iowa, St. Patrick's Day always falls on spring break. This year, for spring break, we aren't doing anything special except some pet sitting while owners are away on trips.  I have ended up with a few cute pictures, though. Getting pictures of the girls that they approve to be posted online is getting to be quite the challenge. I understand because I don't like pictures of myself either. I think the girls won't mind me posting these.

Last Saturday, while Dad was busy at work I took all six kids to check out some deals at the outlets. After shopping for some time and not finding many deals, we went to McDonald's to get Shamrock shakes. 




St. Patrick's Day itself was on Monday, the first day of spring break. Ricky was so excited for spring break to start that he got up at 6 am. I was already up at 5, but an early start sometimes makes for a very long day. If I were a cool mom, I would have made them a special green breakfast. Instead, we ate the usual and got right to chores.  The boys helped me fold grocery bags to deliver to all of the little garbage cans throughout the house. 
Brooklyn helped with laundry. 
Sometimes, when we have a break from school it takes the kids a little while to get used to being around each other all day. Sometimes, they fight. 
Sean got his nails cut. This is the second time that Andrew has been scratched by the Angry Beast. He has been asked several times if he has a cat at home. He answers, "No, it's just that I have a little brother."

On Wednesday, the big boys helped me teach a rotating preschool. It was supposed to be at my house last week, but Makayla and Andrew were sick so we held preschool this week. We learned about letter W and focused on wind and weather. We made wind socks. 

Learning about wind that morning was very appropriate, but it was too cold to play outside for very long. 

The last two days have been a little warmer (and by that I mean in the 50's). That means we have gotten outside a little. Brooklyn helped me clean up some of the leaves on the porch by putting them in the house. 

So, that was our spring break. We have had friends over every day (exhausting for me, but fun for the kids). We are excitedly awaiting Grandma Mergenthaler's arrival on Sunday. Rick and I are going on a long trip together. I'm excited for the time I get to spend with my sweetheart--especially since we have both been so busy lately, but I will miss interacting with the kids each day. Believe it or not, I think I have come to love the work involved in mothering even if it is often repetitive and thankless. I am looking forward to a week of not preparing meals and enjoying a warm sandy beach, but I will miss those little hugs and kisses, conversations in the car, the smell of clean baby clothes, dance parties, and working hard cleaning the house together.  I hope Grandma has a great week, and I hope the kids are very, very good to her. She is an angel for coming and spending time with them so that Rick and I can have some time together. 

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