Posts Tagged ‘Brianna’

Last year I learned that some friends from church had started something absolutely brilliant. In fact I was in shear awe of the whole idea and instantly tried to put it into practice. Which actually turned into a lot of talking to friends about how great the idea was and that we all agreed we needed to do it and then nothing ever came from it. We sat on brilliance for months. We were crazy!

Somehow it came up in conversation with friends, Tammy and Lyndsi, after dropping the kids off at Awana and the rest is history.

Our Babysitting Co-op was *finally* born!

Two date nights with the husband and then one night of watching all eight kiddos!

It’s really fun to see how excited the kids get when we say it’s co-op night. They love it just as much as we do because they get to play with their friends! In nice weather we have them play outside until it gets dark and then we put on a movie with popcorn to share. During the cold months we might need to have some crafts/indoor activities for them before movie time.

Having consistent couple time away from the kids is very important to a marriage. Brian and I get to reconnect over dinner, try new things, see movies, go shopping, do fun activities just the two of us!

One of the greatest perks… FREE BABYSITTING!

It has been a true blessing. We don’t have a babysitter, nor could we really afford to use one if we did. The grandparents watch the kids, but I try really hard not to take advantage of that.

Lyndsi took the above picture of all the kiddos the second time we did co-op, a week after Alex had broken his arm on Easter 2010!

Are you participating in a babysitting co-op?

If not, would you start one?

We are blessed to have fantastic neighbors!

The kids  have built in friends and they play just about daily. We consider Cole and Kamryn family at this point!

That being said, the decibel level climbs to levels I wish were not possible.

In the above picture they are playing a rousing game of Super Mario Bros. Wii and I can barely hear myself think.

In fact I would say I’m on the verge of not being able to take it.

No matter how much I remind these beautiful children that they need to use indoor voices the loudness factor creeps up until I feel as though my brain just might implode.

My ipod is the only thing saving my sanity.

While writing this blog post Alex came over to me asking repeatedly for something and I could not figure out what it was.

He brought me over to the freezer and I realized *finally* that he wanted a popsicle.

So being the awesome mom that I am I told him no.

Instead we went out to Wendy’s and brought home frostys for everyone.

All the kids happily consumed their frozen chocolate confections and the noise level was greatly reduced for all of 5 minutes maybe.

Now the game is back on and I can already tell the noise level is rising.

Yet, they are happy and enjoying spending time together!

So I’m about to put my earbuds back in and be happy too!

Happy Friday everyone!

Friday my baby girl went off to 1st grade and rode the bus for the 1st time.

She told me she had a good day.

I’m praying this year goes smoothly for her.

Brianna’s first day of third grade and her first time riding the bus to school!

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