Thursday, April 28, 2016

Rest and Recovery!!! Our Quad Wednesday and the Day After.....

Our Wednesday started off a little earlier and ran a little later than normal.
Amber is away for a few days enjoying her third annual Quad Mom Trip so we stepped up to the plate for an extra few hours!


The very first thing we did was sort the large platter of shells I bought recently at a Goodwill!!!
When Logan was looking at them last Sunday and found the green glass frog - it scared her!
She was quick to point it out to her siblings so they would not be frightened!!!
The kids were MOST fascinated by the starfish so we had a little nature lesson.
Did you know that starfish eat and poop the very same way? By turning their stomachs inside out???
They eat and poop out of the same hole!
While that may not be all that interesting to YOU, let me assure you - kids LOVE to know stuff like this!!!
Also you can cut up a starfish into pieces and each piece will grow into another complete starfish!!!!



After that we decided to go for a little walk around the block!
The weed flowers were another point of interest!!
I need to study up on those!!!


We stopped to admire all the pretty flowers on our way around the corner to visit a dear neighbor.


It was her birthday and the kids wanted to say Happy Birthday to her.
They practiced all the way!
This is the sweet neighbor that did a gardening project with them earlier this spring.
They each have a healthy spider plant hanging on the back porch of their house, thanks to Tamara!!!
Harrison remembered the yummy snacks she served and mentioned that on the way up the driveway!
Lunch was not far away so I cautioned him against asking for snacks since we were just stopping by for a minute and not even going inside the house!
They were wonderful and wished her a very happy birthday and we were back on our walk within minutes!!!


Love this kids!!! The fact that they are so well behaved makes all the difference in us being able to take care of them like we do! Hats off to their parents!!!!


Granddad was working outside so they wanted to work, too!!


We managed to get a little mud on our feet but that was no problem!


Lunch is served!!!
Grilled hot dogs! Isn't that one of the best smells in the whole world??


Granddad ate his share!!!
While I cleaned up after lunch, the kids chose the books they wanted to read and Granddad put down the blankets in the den. Nap time is at least two hours and more like two and a half.  They don't actually sleep all this time but they have quiet time until  I get in there and then I read and then we all nap! We read the first chapter of  'On the Banks of Plum Creek!'


After naps I had NO structured plans or agenda!!!
The kids were allowed to just free play and they had such a good time! They played 'Cat' where they followed me around meowing and rubbing up against my legs. They played house in the alcove of my sewing room using the sewing machine cabinet door to portion off their 'house!'
They picked up twigs and threw them over the fence. Sorry, Stephanie. I didn't think you would mind! They were small twigs and thrown with very little force. Still, Louis Dean made them throw them over the gate into the front yard instead!

I prepared supper and we ate outside once again.
The kids LOVE eating on the deck so we do that when possible.
The small chairs fit them perfectly!


We took them home for baths and bedtime and I am happy to report they were in bed by 9:00.
We left as soon as Mike arrived and were home and I was in bed by 10:00!!!!
And that's where I stayed for the next 16 hours!!!!


Can you believe it????
I didn't SLEEP that long but I just was NOT ready to get up and put my feet on the floor and do grown up things like cooking and cleaning. So I didn't. I didn't even make up the bed!
I DID empty the dishwasher and wipe the counters whisking everything back in order.
I prepared plates of leftovers for our lunch, played Scrabble and Words With Friends and totally RESTED and recovered. We give it our all on Wednesdays so Thursday is our time when we make no plans and just recover!!!


As I was browsing through Facebook, I lingered long over this photo my step son posted of the front pasture at the ranch. Oh, how I long to BE THERE!!! Soon, I hope!!!! Very soon!!!


My sister, Luann, posted this photo of the Swiss Pastry Shop located in Fort Worth, Texas.
She knows how much I love apricot pie and they have started making them again!!!
I.must.needs.go.there.


My main accomplishment today was filling out the final Medicaid forms and I DID it!!!
They are all but ready to put in the mail!!!
As the quads say, "Let's DO this thing!!!"


I sat out an admired the work Louis Dean has been doing in the back yard.
He is so close to getting the gazebo up I can hardly stand it!
But rain is in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow and he had some things he had to do before that happens. So much 'stuff' is outside and he has to secure it with tarps or putting lids on tubs and barrels and such. We are a work in progress but we ARE making progress!!!


So goodnight from me to you!
I'm returning to normal life in the morning!!!



15 comments:

Jutta said...

What a good way to recover Linda!

Blondie's Journal said...

I get worn out with just a few hours with my granddaughter Elsie! You really give it your all X 4! Great job.

I hear you on the sleep and staying in bed. I can easily sleep 12 hours, and do! But my sleep is interrupted, not very sound so I think I really lose time. I can't stay in bed long after though, nor in my PJ's as there is always someone stoping by. Most of the time I get up, get the house presentable, shoer, get dressed and get a little make up on (I'm a real ghost without it...all that German blood). And then sometimes I get back into bed with a throw and book for 'looks'. Ha! Why am I like this???

Love to those kids. Love hotdogs. Love LD and his energy. Love you and all the ways we are so alike!!! :)

Jane

Kathy said...

After your busy Wednesday you deserve 16 hours in bed and a restful Thursday. After the last few busy days I've had, I may do the same thing tomorrow! Can't wait to see that gazebo up and decorated. It's getting closer every day.

Linda said...

Your most important work is the time you spend with the quads and you do a super job. LD looks whipped in the picture of him with all the kids and Kailey in his lap. I really don't much care for sleeping and I sure don't like staying in bed. I wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed, put my feet on the floor and off I go to see what that day brings.

I'm thinking the quads are about ready to start giving their mom some grief about afternoon naps. You're really going to have your hands full when that happens. I do like Amber's idea of having them each spend a little quiet time. Even if they don't sleep that would be good.

The weather in Texas appears to be unstable. May be just as well to wait about putting up the gazebo except I'm sure you are anxious to have a roof over everything again.

No doubt tomorrow you'll be back in the game. Will be interested to see what you get into.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Love your Quad posts!

I'm glad you were able to stay in bed and recuperate! LD is quite a hard worker. My Tim is like that and I'm sure he's going to be like Louis Dean when he's retired!

Bluebird49 said...

Wow--you and LD work so hard, and I know you're sure glad you found one another. Please stay safe and healthy, for those kids are gonna want you at their graduations, you know! I know there's a special place in Heaven for y'all--helping them, teaching them, and reaching out to help so many others. Your art, his music just go so well, too.❤
I hope the waiting game won't be too long for Medicaid, and then a happy place for your mom and assurance and peace for all of you with her! God always provides a way.
I smiled when you said, "I must needs go!" Mama and Grandma used that a lot.

Arlene G said...

Can't wait to see your new gazebo Linda!! Send us some of your rain. We are a bit dry here and I hope to put in my annuals tomorrow. I hope you get your mama sorted soon. Seems most of these processes are hurry up and WAIT!! Marvin goes on Medicare in October so we are going to find out what it is like to have Uncle Sam taking care of him!!

Susie said...

Linda, You are right about the quads...their parents have been raising them right...I think their grandparents have helped plenty. :):) Most kids that age would be running off in 4 different directions while trying to walk. LOL. You and LD are teaching the children many things they will forever remember. They will have a love of music, art and reading. I do not blame you for getting rested up. It will be nice when you have your gazebo finished. Blessings for a great Friday and enjoyable weekend. xoxo, love you guys, Susie

Changes in the wind said...

Love how you make everything so special:) and that last picture is something to just stare at.

Vee said...

You folks do more in a day than an army! Always doing all you can to brighten the days for your family, each other, and all of us out here watching in amazement.

(Sorry...I was interrupted while reading and just when I was nearly finished. in case you ever wonder who sits out in your yard for hours at a time.)

MadSnapper said...

from all the post in the past, this day was your normal day. your days are filled with fun and laughter and kids and family and all kinds of good stuff. got a chuckle out of the throwing sticks in the yard next door.. love the FIRE... hope the weather is not bad for you... good job on resting up

Wanda said...

Oh my goodness, Linda..I've missed so many of you posts. I must get busy and look at all the previous posts next week when I hope my life will look more normal.

Love you quads...and how they love to be with you. Since all our grans are highschool or older I miss those little guys...playing, reading, discovering things. Hey I learned something from you today too.
Love and Hugs, dear friend.

BeachGypsy said...

You are such a blessing to the children and they are learning so much from ya'all. Making life long memories for sure!

Pondside said...

Those quads are getting so big! I'm always happy to read about how well-behaved they are - a credit to their parents and so much easier for you and LD!

Penny said...

You deserved a quiet day after such a hectic one the day before! I love that Louis Dean is just quietly working away on the gazebo foundations all the while, he is such a hard worker, I have a lot of admiration for his work ethic, and your too! You are both an inspiration! X