"The Bigger and Better 'Saturday Crew'"

So ever since Heaven's birthday back in February (* EDIT - BAD ADOPTIVE MOMMY!  Heaven pointed out that I made a boo-boo...  Banana's birthday is in February...  Heaven's is in April.  Hey!  I'm on medication!  What can I say!?!  Heaven knows that I love her even if I tried making her older than she really is ;-), we've started a weekly tradition.  Every Saturday (I think we've only missed one!), Heaven, Booger, Banana, Buddy, and Ka-Diva come to my house and we spend the day hanging out and doing one fun activity.  We've done everything from walking to the park a couple blocks from my house and "exploring" the "woods", to watergun fights, to Easter Egg decorating, to decorating stepping stones, and more!  I'll be going back and posting our Saturday adventures as I have time because I don't want to forget anything.  :-)

It's been a little complicated trying to maneuver everyone around.  The day tends to start with me driving over to Heaven's to pick up her, Booger, and Banana.  I bring them back to my place and get them settled.  Then I head over to my sister's house to pick up Buddy and Ka-Diva.  We do the whole thing in reverse to get everyone home.  It's a little hectic, but it's worked out pretty well.  That is, until I got Chunky Monkey.  That's thrown a little kink into things because my car isn't quite big enough for three carseats!  The Saturday Crew is bigger and better with the addition of my little Monkey, but we're having to be a little more flexible with transportation. 

To be honest, (and I'm a little embarrassed to admit this), I am seriously contemplating getting an SUV with third row seating.  Yes, I am single.  Sure, half of the time I don't even have a foster child.  But it would be AWESOME to have the flexibility to fit all seven of us in one vehicle and be able to actually go to places that are farther than walking distance from my apartment.  These kids are in my life for the long-haul, so I should be a good Aunt Tammy, Mimi, and Mom and accommodate my kids, right?  ;-)

Anyhoo...  I digress...  ;-)  Back to today's adventure and our "Bigger and Better" Saturday Crew...

I wasn't sure who was coming today with the holiday weekend and all.  Christy had just brought the twins over and I was getting them and Monkey ready to swim when Heaven called and said that Booger and Kelly were dying to go swimming (I don't blame them.  It was close to 100 degrees today!).  Kelly was off this weekend, so our group grew from our original six to eight with the new additions of Kelly and Monkey!  Buddy and Ka-Diva were really excited because they are in love with Heaven, and they think that Kelly is really cool because he plays with them whenever he's around.  "Did you see that Kelly can do HANDSTANDS in the water!?!"  ;-)

We spent a good 2 1/2 hours in the pool this afternoon and had a blast!

My favorite 6-year-olds on the planet!

Ka-Diva and me...  And I thought she was smiling...

Girl is the "Funny Face Diva!"

Me and my handsome nephew...  :)

Ka-Diva with two of her favorite people...

She loves her some Heaven!

(and what I wouldn't give to be as relaxed as Banana!)

Buddy with his Heaven...

Heaven, Banana, and Booger...

(Note Kelly - goggles and all, playing in the background ;-)

Ah...  The rough, rough life of a 3 1/2-month-old...  ;-)

And my little Chunky Monkey...

Swimming is exhausting stuff!

Gotta say, as far as I'm concerned...  This is the way that foster care should be.  People coming together for the love of some amazing kids...  Best part of the day for me was when a random guy asked if Buddy and Ka-Diva were Booger's big brother and sister and Heaven replied without pause...  "They're cousins."  :-)  Have I mentioned lately that I love my life?  :-)