The Party's Over...

All good things must come to an end, even my time with the cute Bassetts.  I had a fun week with these lovely children, and I miss them now that I'm home.  Did I mention that Ava spilled an entire container of pancake syrup one morning while I was taking a quick shower? Yep, Shelly, that stickiness you feel will never completely go away.

And all those extra miles on your car? You know how good my sense of direction is! I only got lost EVERY time I ventured out. Thank goodness I had Jordan to point me home---that girl is a living, breathing, GPS. I'd be 3 miles from the North Pole with a carload of kids right now if not for Jordan's directions. Kailyn, I love how you love to read. Even if I think you've drowned in the shower because you've gotten lost in a book while waiting for the water to warm up....

The boys were especially fun--I haven't had enough little boys in my life. One day when I told the kids to turn the TV off lest their brains turn to marshmallows from too much drivel, Caden brightened noticeably and said "Marshmallows?!?! Can I have a bowlful??" Chase is the sweetest of three year olds, full of smiles and hugs and one very funny bathroom accident.

 I forget how hard it is to take care of a family. Shelly left me with enough prepared, ready to cook meals for the week--good thing or we may have starved before I pulled a meal together.

Even so, mornings came way too early...

and occasionally, chaos was king. Nevertheless, the Bassett children are obedient, helpful, and (usually) so nice to each other. I just kept thinking what HAPPY children they are.
Thanks for letting me spent time with you!

 Now that I'm back home, I've had to hit the ground running. I spent time with my local munchkins,

who couldn't wait to tell me everything I missed about their lives while I was gone. (Makayla: "Look! My hair grewed when you were gone!")

 

A disgruntled Makayla because I took Hailey's picture first.

When I got home, I discovered Stan had surprised me and de-popcorned, textured, primed, and painted the upstairs ceilings----the hallway

 and the three bedrooms. Gee, Stan, maybe I should leave you home alone more often!

But it's ok-I had a surprise of my own for Stan. He painted this picture several years ago, then framed it with an inexpensive, white and shiny gold frame (wish I had thought to take a picture!). Since we are in the "Spiffy Up the House" mode, I left the picture at the framers-the result was even better than I hoped.

Now Stan's painting looks like a masterpiece, don't you think?

 Those scriptures belonged to his Grandpa Jones, and the violin was Amy's.

 I ended the week with leadership. Among other preparations, I assigned myself to make 6 simple, identical posters advertising our upcoming RS temple day, one to send home to each building in our stake.

My counselor helped set up the all important sign-in table,

and the main table. Before I left for the Bassetts, my presidency and I made a tile like the one on our table with our theme in vinyl letters  to send home with each of the ten wards/branches in the stake.

Between trips to the Emergency Room, my adventures in babysitting, ward visits, and church assignments and meetings, it's been a busy month.  I feel a looonnnnggg nap coming on......

Party at the Bassetts! Weekend Edition

On Saturday morning, Alarm Clock Ava let us sleep all the way to 6:17. Thanks, Ava! Once again, Ava was horrified surprised when I was the one to greet her in the morning.

Caden told me he had peeked out the window and the sun was rising, so I didn't need to worry he was  getting up in the middle of the night like last time. Then he ate some cereal and took a little nap.

 Jordan still needed to rub a little sleep from her eyes, too.

Kailyn set about making pancakes, Isn't she growing up?

Shortly after his power nap, I found Caden in the bathroom, diligently polishing the chrome. He told me he wanted to clean the bathroom now so he wouldn't forget to later. In about 20 years this little man is going to be a catch! He's quite keepable now.

In the afternoon, Kailyn had a play date with a friend, and the rest of us headed downtown for a free family fair. Jordan got her face painted with a butterfly, 

Caden was a tiger,

and Chase got a dinosaur painted on.

Ava had a good time watching it all from the comfort of her stroller.

 Ta-dah! The three exotic painted faces.

I've decided Sioux Falls is the blow-up toy capital of the world.

This fair had a couple of  bouncy slides and toys.

Even though we just did this yesterday, the kids were happy to do it again.

We stood in line for about 20 minutes to get a clown to make a balloon pet for us, but just as we were almost at the front of the line, the clown announced he was done for the day. Caden's comment? "Oh well, our Mom doesn't like us to have balloons anyway."  

That was a little more charitable than what I was thinking.

Saturday evening we enjoyed a piano concert,

 followed by bath time. Chase is upset because Caden won't let him help do Ava's hair.

Two bathed and sparkly-clean Indian Princesses.

Shelly has been reading Anne of Green Gables to her girls. I loved this series as a child and it's been fun to take over the reading for Shelly and remember why I loved them.

Just to mix things up a bit, Ava got up at 12, 2, and 4 during the night Saturday to Sunday. After being up for an hour from four to five, she finally fell back to sleep and slept till 7:30. Unfortunately, Grandma did not have that luxury as the second wave of children began to arise. Family life is not for sissies!!!

Somehow we made it to church on time. Most of these accessories did not go with us, much to the disappointment of Cowboy Caden. I must admit--after last night with Ava, I was worried about staying alert during church. Fortunately, the Sacrament meeting talks were amazing, the boys were wiggly, and Shelly's friend took Ava during the meeting so that I could focus on the squirmers.
I think I'm going to make it through this, my next to last day. 

Party at the Bassetts!

Shelly and Ken invited me to come to their house for a fun time. It wasn't long until Ken and Shelly sneaked off. Something about Mexico, vacations, blah, blah, blah.... Bye Ken! Bye Shelly! Just so you know, when the cats are away, the mice are going to play!

Caden immediately offered to show me what a techno wiz he is. Seriously, does everyone under the age of 30 have an extra gadget gene that the rest of us were born without?
He had no problem streaming in Puss 'N Boots,

Ava enjoyed demonstrating how she likes to flip her head to make her hair fly.

While Kailyn and Jordan were at school, Caden and Chase kept themselves busy with workbooks.

We ended the day on Thursday with a rousing game of "Clue". Team Chase/Grandma won, and we didn't even resort to cheating!

The next morning, Ava decided to send out a 5:30 am wake-up call. Yep, break me in gently, Miss Bedhead! Don't forget, 5:30 Sioux Fall is 4:30 Billings time.  I wish I had a picture of her shocked and appalled face when I was the one to get her out of bed instead of her Mom.

 No wait, I really don't want to see the face again--you kinda hurt my feelings there, Ava!

It was hard to stay mad as she frantically signed "more, more, more"! Apparently the 7 cups of cereal, aplesauce, mashed kidney beans, yogurt, raisins, milk, and peaches she had last night were inadequate.

The fun thing about these Bassett children is that if ONE child gets up, they ALL get up. That story I told everyone about how it was still the middle of the night didn't convince them. Kailyn and Jordan have learned to tell time, dang it! If they all appear to be watching TV at the breakfast counter, well....remember it was 4:30 my time, I'm still recovering from that head injury, and it was an important, character-building 30 minute cartoon called "Adventures in Values". Have I mentioned I have a head injury? By the way, the Bassetts have only one station on their TV and even that is iffy. If the world falls apart while I'm here, can someone email me?

 

When breakfast (and the tv show) was over, it was almost 6:15. The girls have today and Monday off of school. That left time for computer math games and

 reading. I'm surprise Kailyn has a book to read, since I'm pretty sure she reads 23/7.

Then it was off to Xcite---a cool indoor playland for families.

Like Chucky Cheese, you can spent a year's income on tokens to play games and earn tickets.

Here are the three youngest Bassetts, demonstrating how to get the most value from a token.

 The place also had several fun bouncy toys.

The kids played for several hours on the toys.

Even Ava had a grand time bouncing...

...and squealing in delight when Jordan and Kailyn took her down the slides.

The kids traded in $700,312 in tickets for .50c worth of candy. Wow. I did not see that coming!

Of course, we had to stay and eat their delicious food. Think Chucky Cheese leftovers-type quality.

We ate here because apparently Kailyn NEVER gets hot dogs, and Xcite has 3 varieties.

Poor Ava, up since the crack of dawn, could hardly keep her eyes open during the meal, but kept on chewing the food I shoveled in as she napped. After lunch, we bounced for another hour, then...

 used ALL of Shelly and Ken's free ice cream at Burger King coupons. Jordan suggested it. Said we need to celebrate Grandma's being there. How could I argue that?

 It's been a long, active day, and a few of us were having a hard time staying awake on the way home. Despite several attempts, I could not wake poor Chase for an hour after we got home. I know how you feel, buddy! Just don't mess with my go-to-bed time tonight!