filthy kids

Since we have moved here to this neighborhood my kids are filthy dirty. Jeff is already trying to figure out some way the kids can wash their feet before they come in the house each time. Anyone have any ideas of a door mat foot bath?
We have used more band aids in a week than we normally used in a year.
I don't want to complain because it means our kids are just running a muck in the back yard and having so much fun.
Our neighbors here are incredible. The gifts and food have not stopped coming. One of the girls families brought us some flowers and made us heart brownies.

I guess I should have heeded my own advice since I had given Annie Kate this talk before we moved that just because we are moving into a bigger space does not mean our life will be all better. It does not mean we will still not feel lonely or miss our friends.
My broken pipe that was running on Sunday seems to be fixed and I am recollecting myself. A gal in our congregation had Caroline over today and it meant the world to me that she spent the time to track down our phone number to invite her over.
I have learned that the only way we will survive is if we buy the otter pops instead of the ones that come on sticks. We can go through a few boxes each day if I am not careful
Here is a sampling of what my back yard looks like on most days - dreamy!

These were the kids today that talked Jeff into giving up unpacking for an hour to take them all to the pool down the street. He loaded them all up in the truck and they had such a great time.
They then all came to the basement to watch the Bee movie and we ended the night at 11:30 with smores around the fire pit.

We are one blessed little family and I welcome being the home that can finally start giving back to the neighbors - we have been taken care of for so long and I have been trained by the best.

better get to sleep the gang will be jumping on the tramp as soon as the sun comes up!

(oh and the biggest thanks to everyone who took the time to comment on my hitting the wall post - blogging is a key factor to getting through any move)

... and here is Nora's wise advice for hanging pictures.

"Museums hang artwork on walls 58" on center. That is, the center of the picture or grouping should be 58" off the floor. Measure to 58" and then be sure to add the additional inches to the hang wire.

Seems like that is too low, but it isn't!

You may want to trace the shape of the object out of paper, tape it to the space where you think it should be hung and see if you like it. If not, readjust! That's what Martha would do :-) "
*Nora in Chicago