Ethan and Ehlana:
We’re beginning this update from the end of the last one; so we’ll try to keep this round of story time in order.
By the time our cousins, friends, and babysitters began to arrive at our house, we had our chores finished; and only needed to help out with getting overnight bags and other gear up to the guest bedrooms and then semi-host some play time in the back yard while waiting for dinner to be delivered or readied. Pizzeria pizza was popular with all of the kids and teens in the house, and while that wasn’t true for all of the side dishes; we were happy to get in on the wings and other options to go along with the awesome pizzas. Mom and Dad had some parental support for getting us set up with dinner, but then they all left us in the capable hands of our babysitters.
We probably won’t get Jessica, Lindsay, and Geraldine taking care of us for many – or any – more times, since they all have jobs that pay more than they can make for babysitting, but in this case, they get paid pretty well when watching the gang of us; they get to have boyfriends along to share the adventure with; and get to spend some time with favorite younger siblings or friends too. They also had help with younger teens, but while Ryan Bassett and the others likely had a few dollars sent their way by the parents; it seems strange to think that we’ll still get a new group of younger babysitters for the couple of years or so we’ll need before it will be our turn to take those jobs for our cousins and their friends. Keep in mind that babysitters are just for show for us in the first place; and we could have safely taken care of ourselves by the time we were three or four! ;^)
Moving along, our babysitters managed to keep the food games with Zack and the other usual culprits under control, so dinner was a lot of fun; we followed that – and the clean-up – with bike riding and park play adventures meant to tire out the kids; and then we were home again for movies in the living room and video gaming in the lounge. All of that was a blast; we didn’t have any major annoyances or problems; and our babysitters are so experienced that they even managed to have all of the younger kids in their rooms and sleeping before Mom and Dad got home from Nathan’s birthday party. That was a bit earlier than usual for them because they weren’t also designated drivers this time, but they had fun despite the ‘early’ night; and wanted to get enough sleep to keep up with the gang of kids they had to feed and get ready for church this morning. We were still awake when they got home, but having quiet cuddle time in pairs while watching a last movie with our babysitters. Their arrival ended that last bit of quiet fun for us, since our babysitters were ready to go home then; and we didn’t try for a co-ed sofa sleepover with so many other kids in the house and went to our beds then too.
***Happy 8th Birthday, Leah!***
Our cousin’s birthday adventures didn’t begin until after Tai Chi by the river that was a blast thanks to the extra exercise buddies, but then Naomi and Brianna led the way for Leah’s special birthday wake-up call that included a couple of little gifts to help out with getting her day off to an awesome start. We were more-involved in the work for the massive birthday breakfast, but Mom and Dad also had help from Naomi’s, Leah’s, and Brianna’s parents as everyone pitched in to keep the birthday fun going for Leah. The girls had some extra time allowed for getting dressed up and doing mini-makeovers while the guys took care of the clean-up, but we all managed to get to church on time too. Some of us would have enjoyed having naps by then, but as far as we know; none of us fell asleep during the service or Sunday school. On a side note, we want to mention that Mom had to make another ‘bonus’ donation in the offering plate; and we continue to wonder how long the local pool sharks will continue to test her before conceding defeat and admitting that they will never best her at billiards!
Moving along, we were at home for a snack lunch because none of us wanted to eat very much; and then we spent the afternoon at the Ayres’ home for Leah’s birthday party. She had awesome weather for that with a high temperature just shy of eighty; so all of the games and minor adventures on bikes, in canoes, or at the park collectively added up to a lot of awesome. Uncle Nick and Aunt Deborah opted for feeding Leah and her party guests at the Inn; we went to the late buffet so that store owner family and friends could be with us for that; and they had the river view private dining room for that last blast of party fun.
Okay, that was the last of the party fun for us, but Leah is only having Hailey with her for a birthday sleepover, and while Aiden was welcome to stay here with us; he’s opting for a night when he gets his parents to himself instead.
Moving along, that dinner was as awesome as always; we took Silkie for a walk and some front porch visits after getting home; and then Mom did a Magi lesson with us before sending us upstairs for Jacuzzi or bath time while Dad needed to get quite a bit or work done and she kept him company and worked in the office too. We’re cleaned up and ready for bed now; so you’ve got pretty much all of our news for the day.
Before we wrap this up and head for our beds, we want to include a Cassie and Michael update. They were busy all weekend with studying for their final exams; that’s what they’ll continue to do over the coming week; and if they are having much fun beyond their academic adventures with their friends; those stories are apparently too-hot to tell to their favorite pre-tweens! We are very happy about the countdown to having them home – if only for a short time; and we can also hope that we’ll actually get to spend some time with them while they’re here.
Those stories will have to wait for us to actually live them starting a week from Friday or Saturday, and we don’t have anything to add for tonight; so, until next time...
...this is Ethan and Ehlana Proctor; live from the hidden home of the Magi of the Light – and May the Magi Force be with you!
