Weekend Update

Sometimes you just have to go with the flow. 

Sometimes impromptu soirees turn out to be much more fun than the stress-induced planned parties. 

That's exactly what happened Friday night.  We just planned on having Brooke's friend, Victoria, over for our traditional Friday-Night-Movie-Night activity.  Plans changed.

We stayed after school until nearly 5:30 due to a budget meeting (crazy economic times).  

I wasn't planning on getting home that late - neither were the kids.  They look forward all week long to Friday after school so they can have their play dates.  

We brought our other friend, Monroe, home from school too as her mom was still stuck there facilitating the meeting.  No big deal:  Monroe lives across the street and is very accustomed to coming over.  Then I got a phone call from a friend who's new in my ward looking for a babysitter that's not involved in road show (all the youth were tied up at dress rehearsal).   She  needed a break from the kids . . . long week . . . I am one who completely understands that concept.  I suggested, then pleaded, then demanded that she just bring her two cute kids over to my house since we were home anyway with friends over.  That way she could go to the mall and get a much-needed fix of Godiva or whatever floated her boat.  

As she was dropping off her kids, my RS Pres called and said one of my v.t. girls' father is passing away and to see if I could help out.  Sure!  She lives up the street and I could see her kids (as well as the cousins- my other v.t. girls' kids) all outside playing.  I headed up the street, and had all five kids come over too.  

What to do with THIRTEEN little kids - all under the age of 10?  

I took a few of them with me to pick up some pizza at Tony's, our local joint.

Some got electric guitar lessons from John.  Some danced along with the player piano.

Some played Wii, some watched a VegiTales movie, some played baby dolls, 

some (well one) cute little crawling baby discovered kitchen cupboards.

And some entertained themselves on the stairs. 

I much preferred this to playing football on the stairs (that I sent out back).

Here is my friend Melissa, all refreshed and returned from getting her hair done (and a Godiva fix) playing train down the stairs.

It's important to note Ashlyn's dress-up:  it's a Good Ship Lollipop outfit Brooke used for her dance recital when she was Ash's age!  How could that be?

Turned out to be a very fun night.  Even my niece Domonique stopped by to borrow a book (Twilight) and hung out for a spell (and ate pizza).  If you want a party in Newbury Park, you know where to come!

Saturday is a Special Day

Saturday proved to be just as crazy.  Well, almost.

Victoria ended up sleeping over, I went to kickboxing in the morning, then

picked up Madison's friend to go running, took all the kids to the park, then got them to archery lessons, then picked up In-n-Out for lunch, and Golden Spoon, then home to eat and get ready for the Road Show at 3:00.  Right as we were walking out the door for Road Show, the missionaries called to remind me they were coming over for dinner (gasp!!).  

The house is torn apart, we weren't going to be home until 5:30 - I'd been gone all day and didn't have a plan for dinner.  

Since John was busily trying to get the floor finished, he wouldn't have time to stop for dinner anyway.  Looks like it was time for Tony's Pizza again.  The missionaries were THRILLED to have their own fresh hot pepperoni pizza delivered to them at the church in between Road Show performances.  

I was thrilled to have everything work out so well and everyone was happy.  

After we got the friends home, everyone fed, bathed and put to bed, I was able to clean the house and settle down for a Saturday night movie date with my hubby!  

If you haven't seen Fireproof yet, I highly recommend it.  

I am also grateful for John working so hard to get the wood floor in the office installed. 

Next is the living room/dining room!

Saturday is the day we get ready for Sunday:  Ward Conference!  My third one.  I'm having a great time going to the different ward conferences.  We are handling the entire primary for sharing time so the adults can go to a 3rd hour joint meeting.  3 down, 3 to go.