seriously?

As you probably know, I am a mom of 16. That's a lot of kids. It was a lot of pregnancies (there were a few losses too, and one little stillborn). So it's been busy through the years. Now there are only four kids at home, but also four pets. Two beautiful Labradors, and two kitties. On Saturday morning, Paul got up before the sun rose, to go hunting. He let the pups outside quick, and well, they got tangled with a skunk, and yeah, they got sprayed. He didn't go hunting, he gave two pups a bath. They've had three baths so far, with baking soda and dishwashing liquid and peroxide. The furniture covers have been washed, the floors mopped with bleach, we've burned wax warmers and turned on diffusers. It just smells faintly of skunk in here. I have a super sniffer, I can detect the faintest of odors, and it's driving me batty. Anyway. As soon as I finished washing dishes and putting things away and sat down in my comfy chair with my coffee this morning, THIS GUY starts meowing frantically to get in. I get up, with a tiny sigh, okay a huge one, and let His Magesty in...as soon as the door opens, he walks every so slowly, I guess that's why they call the modeling walk the "cat walk". In no hurry, he slinks in the door, already purring and begging for food and fresh water. I no sooner sit down and he's begging to go back out.

My girls went off and had lots of fun this weekend, they played laser tag and went go-carting. Camille fell and twisted her knee, it popped out of joint and went back in. Benjamin had to give piggy back ride, but she didn't want to come home. She stayed there for bubble tea and fun with her friends. It's a bit swollen and she needs to see an orthopedic dr., dang it. Miss Margaret has had some health issues come up, and since it's her story to tell and not mine, I'll leave it at that, but I did watch baby Tennyson and Wulf on Friday. Yesterday, all 12 of the kids who live locally were here to visit! (also 4 spouses and 6 grandchildren). We had crockpot roast and gravy with potatoes and carrots, and oven roasted butternut squash, and roasted asparagus, brussel sprouts and apples. I made two pumpkin pies, and one sugarless pumpkin pie.

Benjamin had a turn holding baby Tennyson. Isn't Ben a handsome guy?

I like this pic, with the tire pump lying there on the floor (Wulf, I blame Wulf! He likes to explore and find things and get them out:)). The three granddaughters eating together with Josh and Molly, and Ashley and Ben and Emily.

Elise (love her red curls!) holding her baby cousin Ophelia, with Wulf, and Molly.

Messy fun. I made these kids some jello jigglers in building block molds. They played with them a bit, ate some bites, it was fun.

Margaret, Sonja, Evelyn, Ben, Jonathan, Emily, Molly...

Lydia playing with the Waffletown blocks.

Evelyn with Tennyson. So I guess things still get a little bit busy around here!