Hedged In: Full House

Last week at this time, our little abode was bursting at the seams with houseguests! My dear friend, A (whom I've known since I was 8 and grew up with in Africa), and her four children, and my other dear friend, S (whom I met sometime in jr. high through A), and her two children, came to spend a few days with us last week. They arrived last Monday night, and left last Friday morning. It was a full and fun week!

We took our little, two-bedroom (well, 3 if you consider Shirmy's room, but we didn't really use her room, since, you know, she lives there... :) ) home, which usually houses Jamie, myself, Soph, Riley and Shirmy, quite comfortably, and added two more adults and 6 more children!

Here's the sleeping breakdown:
A and kids in the kids' room. A slept in Soph's bed, her baby girl slept in Riley's crib and the other 3 kids "camped out" in sleeping bags on the floor. A's kids are 1, almost 3, 5 and 6 1/2. They were kinda packed in like sardines, but they seemed to sleep okay and still have a good time.

S and her two kids, ages 1 1/2 and almost 3, slept in Jamie's and my room.

Jamie and I slept on the pull-out couch each night. Sophia would fall asleep in the hallway on the floor (which she thought was great fun, and continues to ask to do this each night), then when the adults hit the sack we'd move her to our smaller couch for the rest of the night. Riley fell asleep in his pack-in-play in our bedroom with S's two kiddos, then we'd move him into the hallway spot after the adults went to bed.

So, there was a lot of moving around, but it all worked and it was worth it to have my friends here! Thanks for putting up with the tight quarters, A and S!!!

Some highlights of the week...

Tuesday Jamie was at work. All moms and kids piled into two vehicles and hit the local mall to play in the food court, then we headed to Target. Everyone did remarkably well for such an outing and we had a lot of fun! While at Target Sophia and A's oldest, N, came with me and Riley. Sophia really has no idea who Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus is, but last summer was given a Hannah Montana sticker at the dentist, and has since recognized her when we're out if she sees her face on "stuff." Well, Soph and N were browsing the girls' clothing section and Sophia excitedly exclaimed to N, "Look N! Hannah Banana!" Told you she really has no idea who this really is. :)

Wednesday Jamie had the day off. Our friends J and S, who we homeschool with, came over for school in the morning. Jamie took all the kids, except the three youngest (so that's 7 kids, ages almost 3 to 6!) out to the backyard for recess. That was impressive enough... but it gets better!

Later that afternoon, around naptime, my amazing husband, let A, S and me get out of the house, without ANY children, for a few hours. That's right, my lone hubby, stayed at home with EIGHT children - 6 mos. to 6 yrs. - so my friends and I could go have a coffee date, Walmart run and take a trip to the local Goodwill. How does he love me??? Let me count the ways... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8! :) He did awesome, it really didn't even frazzle or phase him.

A's birthday was Thursday, and the kids threw her a little bday party upon our return Wednesday afternoon. They had decorated with balloons and were all hiding when we got back to yell, "Surprise!" So cute.

Thursday we kind of laid low. Did a lot of playing out in our backyard and A and S started packing up for their departure Friday morning. After all the kids went to bed, we adults watched, "Dan in Real Life." A and S had both seen. Jamie and I loved it!!! If you've never seen it, it's a great movie.

They all left by 5:15 am Friday morning and were home by early afternoon. What great and true friends I have. They encouraged and blessed me and I'm so thankful for them!!!

Ruthie :)

A few shots from our week 'o fun...

Jamie and all the kids at recess.