Some soundbites from this past week:

Gunner got swept up in the Ruth-Ann cousin tornado, but held his own. We walked around the block and kissed his chubby cheeks.

Ryan gave him his tractor from when he was a child which I thought was so sweet. None of our girls took to it much.

Later, I bought a 5lb bag of candy to whip out during a movie and it was so obnoxious and large, but we couldn’t stop grabbing from it. Next time I might try a full course meal.

I hadn’t read Crazy Rich Asians, but the movie made me laugh out loud. I’m not a laugher out louder at the movies for some reason, but this one had me going. It could’ve been the sugar high, but I don’t think so.

Once a month they let parents bring in cupcakes for that month’s birthday students, so Ruth picked out a Sams Club number of unicorn cupcakes when she only has 11 kids in her class. So we dropped the leftovers off for the teachers. Ryan was thinking about politics when I took this picture.

She was so happy to a) have McDonalds and b) eat with her little sister.

A couple nights ago, Ryan suggested they start watching “how to draw” videos and we found the cutest one with a dad and his 5 year old daughter drawing My Little Pony characters.

Annie gave up after a few minutes, but we talked her into finishing and they did surprisingly well! Now they are hooked on the step-by-step books and videos, so I bought Sharpie markers specifically for this activity, hoping it will make drawing feel special and they’ll do it more.

Today, I propagated three raspberry bushes and fiddle-faddled around the backyard. It was perfect out. Gertie took a long nap and Annie helped me water those baby raspberries while Ruth and Ryan went to the store. She’s been begging to do something with just him and he bought her a new dress. She was so happy when they got home.

We didn’t want to go in after dinner. So while the girls pretended to be fairies (always) and ran all over the yard, we drew on the front porch with Gertie. When she got fussy, Ryan sang one of her favorite songs and, in the middle of it, Ruth and Annie sat on the porch and we all finished the song together. It was like straight out of…. something. I dunno. Us all singing together outside.  Here are the words, I’m pretty sure I cried until I finally toughened up. Of course, it’s written by the Sherman brothers, whom I love.