Sunday Treat!

Hello all!! We had a fairly relaxed weekend. We did a lot, but in a non-stressed fashion which is always best. Yesterday we decided to walk all our errands, which took five hours but nearly two were spent at a new park.

Today we cleaned house and I am so proud of the kids! Tristan, Sam and Keagan are all really big helpers and actually do a really good job cleaning. For those of you that don't know, we live in a stairwell. This means our apartment is one of eight that share the same stairwell (and washers and dryers). No one in this stairwell cleans the stairs (this is our third apartment here in Mannheim and at the other two we had a schedule and took turns). So, I pay my kids to clean it. Last week was their first time doing it, and it showed, but THIS week it looks like a grown up did it! REALLY clean!! So, every weekend that they want to do it, I am happy to pay them as I was honestly embarrassed by the condition of the stairwell prior to them cleaning it. Keagan doesn't do the stairwell cleaning, but he helps around the house and he is SUPER GREAT at cleaning up the playroom, putting everything away neatly (and quickly usually).

Avery is getting happier and happier and she talks SOOOOOOO much!!! I really have no idea where she gets that from (wait why are all those fingers pointing at me???) She loves to talk to us, but she will also talk to her mobile, her toys or whatever. I don't think we can take her to movies anymore she talks so much (though we are gonna try, cause Shaggy Dog comes to our theater this upcoming weekend).

Tonight we started what may become an occasional Pilch tradition. You are looking at it in the picture... sundays for dinner on Sunday!!! I let each kid pick an ice cream at the store (though they can eat all three if they choose), we made brownies to put under the ice cream and toppings to put on top (and a banana for Tristan and I). The kids and I LOVED it... but you would be surprised (at least I am) by how quickly they finish eating even when told they can have as much as they want. All of us ended up throwing away part of our dinner! Me, the ice cream LOVER threw away half of what I had in my bowl (and not because of any dietary restraint... it was just TOO sweet-didn't know that was possible). Anyway, it was great fun and easy cooking so maybe every third or so Sunday we will try it again. It is a nice way to end the weekend. Well, Avery needs a talking companion and I have just the person for the job...

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you don't have too many boogers in your nose (I am running out of things to hope for you).