Are They All Yours? OR A Day Out

What a day we had! We (myself and the seven youngest) left home about 9:00 am. Okay, it was 9:14 and we had to make two detours before we even got on the road. We were on our way to the orthodontist for Cora's appointment. "Cora, where is your retainer?", says Mom. "Oh, at church," says Cora. "Why.....?" says Mom. Some things are unexplainable. So after a stop at church for the blessed retainer and another pit stop for gas, we were on our way down the highway.

First stop, orthodontist for one and dentist times three. Trey got to sit up in the big chair for the first time to have those pearly whites counted up, 20 beautiful ivories. He sat for the whole megillah. He got 'em scraped, brushed, and painted with fluoride. He was a cool dude with the shades and a very brave boy. I was so proud of him.

Love, love, love this pediatric dentist office.
They took all three kids at the same time!

Cora is smiling big. She got an a-plus at the dentist.
Not so good at the ortho.
If the retainer doesn't live at home, it can't do its job.

The peanut gallery, practicing their patient skills.
Soon enough it will be their turn.
"How many kids do you have?"

Kloey got all cleaned up too!

After the dentist we went shopping. Oh yes we did, all eight of us.

First off, BJ's warehouse (like Costco). Baby in the Ergo. Micah and Trey in the cart until some altercation where biting occurred which required a two cart plan. Lots of staples were purchased

Then on to Joanne's Fabrics where the girls got to buy beautiful sewing baskets to begin their year of sewing exploration.

Needed to pop into Lenscrafters for an adjustment on my glasses.

Sears is around the corner so we ran in for some vacuum bags and a part that was broken.

Tired yet?

Walmart is down the road so we unloaded and trouped in to get jeans for the girls. They were basically down to a few pairs of shorts and the weather is starting to get cooler. We walked out with pants for the girls and unfortunately a bunch of other stuff like socks and a cute $2 outfit for Rosy. Who could resist?

Who's hungry? We met Lindsey at a seafood restaurant and had lunch around 1:00pm. It's been a long morning but the kids were wonderful. An older woman stopped by our table and remarked at how nice it was to see such well behaved children, a real pleasure.

But there were a few antics at the table.

After we finished lunch, we followed Lindsey to her university to check out her cows and her apartment, in that order. We loved the tour and got to see the milking parlor in full swing. Micah screamed bloody murder when a cow tried to lick him. He might not have the farmer gene.

We took Lindsey to the Dairy Bar and treated ourselves to ice cream cones since we still had a ways to go.

Bye Lindsey. Love you. Miss you until Friday.

We went up the road a few miles and left a napkin note in my brother's door since he had the nerve to not be home. (Over an hour from home so we don't often stop by unannounced.)

Next stop was Payless for shoes. This is my personal downfall in the large family department. I do find it difficult to keep everyone in shoes. They walk in with a size 3 shoe on and then walk out with size 6? How does that happen? We struck out at Payless.

You know what that means? Back to another Walmart. Oh yes. A second Walmart visit in one day. We bought 4 pairs of shoes and a bunch of other stuff that we apparently missed on the first stop at Walmart. An angel encounter made it all worthwhile when a woman asked me if all these children were mine. I affirmed her hunch. She said, "God bless you." I said, "He certainly has."

Okay, we are going home now. Another hour in the car. No wait, I've got to stop at Rite-Aid for those twist up crayons that I searched for all day.

Home at 7:15pm for hamburgers and baked beans.

I don't know where I got all that energy but if felt good to get it all done in one day. The kids rolled with the day and we enjoyed our time together in the big city.

Maybe we ought to go out everyday?