The more the merrier

Tomorrow it will be 4 weeks since I drove away from my parents home with my niece and 2 nephews, leaving my sister with just her 2 year old so that she will go and get help for her deep depression. I really have felt God's hand in this whole process and feel like I've been given an extra dose of patience in dealing with all 7 children (ages 9, 7 1/2, 7, 6, 4 1/2, 4, and 2). I also feel that my heart has been opened up to love each of them individually and hopefully find the time everyday to express it to them individually.
The kids have been a riot. They really get along well and there is always something fun and interesting going on. Today for example, Ian and Cade were using the metal top and bottom to a Chinese Checkers game as their shields as they threw little bombs at each other. Skyler found some paper clips and safety pins along with other ornaments that he fixed around his neck as a cool looking necklace. The necklace only proved hazardous once when it caught on a toy Heidi was taking from him and a pin came undone and pricked his neck. Scott, Skyler, and Ian all went outside in the rainstorm and came back in soaking wet. Meanwhile Heidi and Sadie were playing some dress up game that fed off of Cinderella (we just listened to the tape in the car) and later had babies that were very sick and throwing up everywhere. At one point Skyler was racing around the house with Cade packed into a cooler that has wheels on it. Apparently Skyler would stop every once in a while and give Cade treasures (some of which were Heidi's which prompted the taking of the toy and the pin stick). Later I went upstairs to find Heidi, Skyler, and Sadie playing with some pirate ships, little people, and clean new clothes strewn on the ground which I found out were islands. I didn't catch all of the goings on, but they included captured horses, pirates, and a poison dart frog. During dinner the food was hot and so ice cubes were used to cool down the chili. This started a round of getting the ice cube stuck on one's tongue and letting it stick there for a few seconds before running out of the room screaming. Skyler was stuck in the middle seat next to the wall and had to really climb over people before getting out. Tanner tried to join in, but his ice cube had too much water on it to stick. There was also a round of wrestling with all the kids which included some spitting on the hands ritual before fighting. The kids are really amusing.
Last night we had just gotten home from out trip to Idaho. Skyler was really exited about wearing his new pjs. I wanted him to talk to his dad first to make sure he needed some. After finding out he could keep them, he excitedly put them on, but then claimed they were very itchy (I had mentioned wanting to wash them first so they wouldn't be itchy.) He quickly pulled them off in the front room with several other family members there. After they started "eww gross" ing him for being naked, he ripped a Target bag and put it around him like a skinny sumo wrestler's loin cloth and started doing martial arts moves. He was so funny although I really had to put an end to it as it was so late.
Cade's quote of the day: "Aunt Kim, Aunt Kim. I'm so hungry for lunch but I don't want anything like fruit."
Assorted tasks Tanner did today: Showing me his dirty shoe, washing it in the sink, then drying it off with the kitchen towel. Emptying some of the food bag from our trip. Trying to fill up a zip lock bag of rice. Biting Heidi in Target so hard that there was an open sore (yesterday). Leaving the house with only a diaper, big mismatched flip flops, and a doll stroller. Filling up the doll stroller with rocks and dirt. Throwing a towel and clothes into the filled bath. Overflowing the bathroom sink.
Downer of the day-- Scott has a really bad cough. I think it's something Tanner had several weeks ago. He didn't go to gymnastics and sat and read for much of the day.
Daily movie I hope to remember: Heidi dancing around the store with her new brown skirt on. Skyler with his cool necklace and rubber band bracelets.