Quad Wednesday ~ Valentine Crafts!

Valentine's Day is almost here! 

Today was my last chance to do some crafts with the quads so that's exactly what we did!

Crafts! A LOT of crafts!

When I was working in the dining room a few days ago, I rediscovered these cardboard frames I had tucked away! They were meant to be used by the older grands but I must have forgot where I put them! The quads painted them this morning!

Amber brought the kids a little earlier than usual since she was planning to pick them up a little earlier than usual. We were just barely awake when they arrived! I woke up, turned on the coffee and jumped in the shower! Louis Dean was drinking his first cup and was still in that 'stupor state.' As soon as the kids came in laughing and talking, our adrenaline kicked in! 

It was pleasant enough to play outside in the back and they have started playing with the little tent again.

They call it their 'camper!'

"Come on! Let's all go get in the camper!!!"

We made Valentine chains for them to use to decorate for their parties.

They took turns painting their frames.

Each chose a different color.

They loved watching everyone paint their turn and offered advice.

"Paint along that edge. You missed a place! LONG strokes!"

They did a really good job!

I used the same brush and just washed it and palette tray between colors.

Kailey was last because I told her she was THE most patient one!

She really ate that up! "I am VERY patient!!!"

Granddad supervised playtime while I prepared lunch:

Chicken Noodle soup and PBJ sandwiches!

They were impressed with the cloth napkins, napkin rings, heart shaped plates and bowls.

Eating at the dining room table is a lot of fun for them and makes them feel special!

Granddad started the BABY POWER cheer when they really WERE babies!!

I read the chapter 'Chimney Fire' in the Little House on the Prairie before we all took naps in the den.

I'm impressed with how much they remember of the stories each week and I think they have developed a real love for Ma and Pa and Mary, Laura and Baby Carrie!

I had set out some things last night that I wanted to do with the kids today.

That little box of 52 Nature Activities has lots of cool ideas!

The kids just naturally started playing in the dirt, making mud, gathering stones and discovering worms all by themselves. The cards were not needed!!

I love LOVE love to hear them talk to each other!!!

I think the quads love playing outside here because they are free to explore and discover stuff! While I wish all the leaves were bagged and GONE, the kids loved rustling through them and even found some toys they had 'lost' when they played out here in the fall!

They like turning stones over to see what's underneath.

When Harrison was gathering up all these rocks, he told Trystan, "These are precious stones!"

Kailey has boundless energy and such a spirit of JOY!

All our crafts from today!

The heart shaped Big Brownie was baked for Dada!

By the time it went home with them, there were some fingertip streaks where they had sampled the powdered sugar!

The frames turned out nicely and I'm certain Amber has some photos for them!

I included one from the photo shoot Debbie of Ladybug from Texas did with them last September!

We made lavender sachets for their Mommy and they all agreed they smell 'delicious!'

Kailey said, "They smell just like your TEA, MeeMaw!!!"

The kids play and entertain themselves very well.

They love Lucy and express sorrow when she barks at Louis Dean. They order her to the kennel when she barks but then feels so sorry for her that they let her right back out.

Granddad fixed that early this evening. Imagine their surprise when they went to the kennel and found it was LOCKED!!! Instead of letting Lucy out, they petted her through the cage and gave her dog treats!!

Granddad had playground duty while I prepared dinner.

We even manage a glass of wine in the gazebo while it cooked!

Pasta and meat sauce with bread and butter for the meal along with milk, and followed by a freshly baked cookie!!! Or two....and in Harrison's case it MAY have been three!!! But he DID eat his dinner! Or most of it!

I am so grateful for this little boy!!!

I wish everyone could meet these special children.

Harrison has such a sweet spirit. Sweet as SUGAR!!!

Kailey is so full of JOY and Trystan is the most CHARMING little girl!

Logan truly has a servant's SPIRIT! This afternoon the children discovered a dead bug - which they called a June Bug - in the dining room floor by the French doors. They were right outside in their 'camper' but they spied that small little dead bug from there! They called and yelled and told us all about it as we were sitting in the gazebo. I went in to deal with it but Logan was already in action! She said, "I've got it, MeeMaw!" She had taken a tissue and picked it up and put it in the trash with the other three kids thanking her all the way!!!

It's been a good day! 

Still and all, I am beginning to feel like the old lady I am!!

As soon as they left, I collapsed on the sofa and Louis Dean gave me a foot massage for nearly a whole hour as we watched an episode of Elementary!

He's in his music room now while I write.

This afternoon he introduced Kailey to the microphone and has organized things so he can have it all ready every week when they are here. He is about ready to teach them a few songs and he is excited about it!!

Our home has morphed from the quiet home of a retired couple into the happy, bustling, busy, exciting, energetic and entertaining place where grandchildren can play, explore and create! This house was ALIVE from 10:30 this morning to 8:00 tonight!!! With their departure, it has once again turned into a calm after all the excitement of the day. I can hear the classical music drifting in from the stereo in the living room. Lucy is snoring behind me in her kennel. Most of the lights have been turned out so the house is only softly lighted by the candles and electric candle lights. I am truly tired to the bone - but it is a happy tired! 

I close tonight's thoughts with the following:

I am grateful for the children in my life!!!

If you do not have any in yours, I suggest you borrow some!!!