If you are not blogging, what are you doing?

I am reading, that is what.  I have been addicted to reading two books, The Sparrow and then it's sequel, Children of God.  When I say addicted, I could not stop  reading them.  I could also not stop thinking about them.  I even dreamed about them once or twice.  I would read the books during my lunch break at work.  I read them while Abby watched her show at night.  On our car trip to Wilmington, I told Matt the whole plot line of the first book and then began reading the second book out loud to him.  I am normally not into science fiction (except for the Twilight series but I think that is more tween drama than sci fi) but these books did a great job building an alternate world and making me interested.  The main character lost his faith and then refound it.  I could not get enough.  So that is what I am up to when I am not on my blog...well this, and working, and raising kids, and trying to keep the house clean and the cats fed....poor cats, they at a lot of late night meals when I wanted to finish just one more page.

Weeknight Dinners

 My neighbor Jen texts me from time to time and asks if we want to combine resources for dinner.  On the nights that I actually check my phone, I say yes (my friends know that am pretty bad about checking my phone...my bad, I am just forgetful).  These nights are a God send.  Jen will bring over whatever she was cooking.  I throw together half of a meal and we combine whatever dinner resources we have to feed the mass of kids.  Here is a sample of one night:  baked potatoes, carrots, chicken, wheat thins, left over spinach dip, grapes and honeydew melon.  If Jen wasn't here, I would only be feeding my kids grapes and potatoes and milk (they would only eat the grapes).  Together, we are giving them a well organized meal that they will actually eat. 

As we prepare the meal, the kids entertain themselves.  Harper still hangs out with Jen and me.  Harper is trying out some melon in the picture below.

After dinner, we sit out side and talk as the kids run around and burn off energy.  I think Will snapped this picture last week on either Tuesday or Friday.  Please notice the kid toys and the kids scattered about.  I think we look relaxed.

Please Note: Mag Ridge families are invited over anytime.  All you need to bring is something to contribute to dinner and your kids to play with my kids.  Text me first, but be prepared for a few days lag time in the reply.

Mom and Dad share everything

The whole Perryman family was riding in the car.  I handed Matt 5 dollars because he had a meeting the next day and didn't have money for the tolls. 
From the backseat, William asked: "Mom, why did you give daddy your five dollars?"
I said: "For the Tolls."
Will said: "But Mommy, that was your five dollars."
I said: "Yes Will, that is okay.  That is Daddy's five dollars also.  Mommy and Daddy are married.  That means we share everything."
Will said: "Everything?"
I said: "Yes, everything.  We share money, our cars, our house, our room.  We even share our kids."

That made Will laugh.  Then a blessed moment of silence as Will processed these thoughts.  This is when Abby piped up too.

Abby said: "I think you should just share one kid.  MEEEE!!!!"

I think my middle girl needs some more attention.

Harper's Head Bands

Harper likes to wear headbands.  I think she likes to wear them because she has to rip them off of Abby's head and then Abby screams like a crazy woman.  I am so proud of Harper, she is learning cause and effect. 

Harper hasn't quite learned the correct wear them, but she has her own style. 

She is teaching our neighbor Kevin how to wear them too.

You two wear those head bands proudly.

Abby's 4th Birthday

Abby is 4 years old.  My little lady has grown into a feisty, original, hilarious little girl.  For her birthday, Abby and I put together an Afternoon Tea.  Here is Abby at her birthday party looking like a little lady in the amazing party dress that my sister bought for her.  Abby has worn it to school twice now.

Check out the party table.  Abby and I set the table and got the goodies arranged together.  We put it on the table together, Abby and me.  Abby didn't help a bunch, but she did put out the napkins.  I cut, chopped, set, sweated and cleaned.  It was her birthday, so it is okay that I did the lion's share of work. 

Because her birthday this year happened to fall on Mother's day,  we decided to invite the mommies to join us (me).  The little girls ran around outside in their pretty dresses.  The mommies sat in the kitchen in our pretty dresses.  We drank pink lemonade and wine.  For clarification, the little girls drank pink lemonade and the mommies drank wine.  My neighbor was outside and took a picture of us all together.  I have decided we need more events to wear pretty party dresses!

Paw Dad's Challenge

Nana and Paw Dad came to visit for Matt's Birthday, Abby's Birthday and Becca's Birthday.  As part of their pile of presents that they brought for everyone, they brought butterfly nets for the kids.

My mom offered one of Paw Dad's quarters to the first kid who could catch a bug.  This kept the big kids busy for at least 20 minutes as they ran around looking for bugs.  Harper chased after the big kids for a while and then just decided to sit on the deck with her butterfly net.  I don't think anyone caught a bug, but Paw Dad had the quarters ready.