When the cat's away....

Jeremy has been gone to his National Sales Meeting so I decided to let the boys each have a super sleepover! Rollins invited the whole basketball team over!

 He was so excited! He made this sign to hang across the entrance to his room!

 Mostly they played basket ball since the bulk of the boys were from the basketball team! They played outside.....

 they played inside......

 We had a scavenger hunt too......

 It was a fun night! Lots of smelly boys laughing and happy! Jeremy missed a good time.....just sayin'.

dance it off

It's been an amazing summer so far...and it's just going by so fast...I feel like I am clinging to every moment. Swim team has taken up a big chunk of my summer...and I have loved it but there have been so many times that people just don't show up...or "kinda" show up..and I have been left there picking up the slack...and sometimes I just don't want to. Sometimes I want to go home and spend time with my babies....like tonight. Those in charge of snack for swim practice on this night just bought the snack but had no intention of serving it to the kids. So who gave 3, unexpected, precious hours of her time tonight picking up the slack...you guessed it. Most days I am fine...I just roll with it...but tonight I started adding up all the times I have done this this summer and I was a little frustrated about it...well let's just say it...I was mad...and more than anything I am bone tired. But sleepovers called after swim practice and I knew I needed to change my heart...so we put on music and danced it off...danced it out...danced it up and down down!

The more I danced...the more we smiled...and after a nice shower and fresh pajamas I was happy again...and I'll be ready to do it all again tomorrow! TGFD! (Thank goodness for dancing!)

the girls turn

We have only had two weeks of summer but it seemed like the boys were dominating the social time...I felt like I owed the girls a sleepover! So Sk had Abby  ( her first sleepover ever) and Lauren and Lila invited Lexi and we had some girl time at the Hardy house! 

 They were happy!

 Now I feel like we are more even....the balance is hard with four I am finding.....

boys everywhere

Most days my yard looks like this.....

the more bikes in the yard....the more smiles from Riggs...he truly loves his friends. He just laughs and talks....

but he also listens.......

 They are happy to be anywhere...as long as they are together....

and sometimes...days turn into nights...and they all just love a sleep over...just knowing their time together will go on longer......

I can't always say yes....but most of the time I do......

 I love these boys...and am so happy for friendships....and I can see them strengthening in these summer days.

On the way home last night from dinner Riggs told me all his friends always say how nice I am....I am not sure why but they made me so happy...I was proud of that and so thankful he shared that with me. I want his friends to feel happy and welcome at our house...and I am so glad they do!

Super sleepover

We did it....we had our first Super Sleepover...we have had big ones yes...but this one was super because every Hardy little had their best friend here....and for the first time that included Lila Ray too! Watch out.....she is now officially in the sleepover mix!

We all had the best time! 9 kids...one house....one night....and lots of fun memories! We danced...Riggs was so sweet dancing with Lila.....

The girls had a stage set up...so the divas had concerts, fashion shows, and just so much fun!

The boys headed down stairs for basketball and the girls headed to the kitchen for manicures....

They had glitter from head to toe!

The boys got in on the fun too...and painted their nails blue and white! The girls thought this was so funny!

We eventually settled down for movies....

and popcorn.....Lila and Lexi shared a bowl on this their very first BFF sleepover!

and eventually everyone was asleep....the littlest ones the very last to go.....it was like they wanted to get every second in they could!

aahhhh....sweetness!

Thanks to Jenna we had doughnuts in the morning! It was a great super sleepover! Welcome to the club Lila and Lexi!

Double sleepover

We all love surprises...even if we say we don't...we do because everyone loves to be thought of...we just do. The Timmering and Hardy littles had a sleepover last night and it was so fun! When Jenna dropped them off she said let's have a double sleep over..back to back nights! Why not..it's summer...and it was something they wouldn't expect...so after swim practice tonight we did it again!

They were so happy....and excited! The girls off to catch lightening bugs..the boys shooting hoops in the dark! Don't ever underestimate the joy of an unexpected gift!

School is out...let's celebrate!

Christmas break is finally here! We celebrated with a 12 boy sleepover...plus Riggs and Rollins..so we had a houseful! They had a great time..playing video games, basketball, and watching movies. At 11 I settled them down for a movie..thinking they would all fall asleep. The only sleeper after the movie was my sweet Rollins! At 2 am I cut them off..lights out...goodnight boys! When Jeremy got up at 4:45 to take out Jack..a few of them were still up and playing basketball! Oh my goodness! So it was a late night...but a fun time was had by all and it was a fun start to Christmas break!

Christmas sleepover!

The boys are having their second annual Christmas..school is out...sleepover! The invitations arrived today! I can't wait to celebrate with them!

Crazy Boys

I have to admit that I am so good about letting the kids have sleepovers...and they have many and sometimes there are quite a few kids here. It is so fun and the kids just love to have their friends over! I truly want them to have friends...and real friendships...and know how to be a good friend and that friends make life better! Tonight the boys had a boys night with some of their friends...fun...fun....fun!!!

Birthday sleepover

Riggs has a sleepover tonight for his birthday. It was a night of watching "Hot Rod", a late night run for Dairy Queem Blizzards, and Rheinhart even made an appearance...the boys squealed in fear and delight as he chased them around the house! It was a great sleepover!