  While Katelyn & Ron were off skiing on Saturday I had a full day to fill with exciting activities to offset grumpy children who didn't get to go skiing. The highlight of our day was a trip to subway for lunch. This is the best bargain in town, folks.
For $13.06 I was able to feed 4 kids a half sub each, leaving them in a blissful state murmuring things like "you are the best mommy in the world". To be honest, I'm not sure Subway really likes us. While Dan & I were ordering I heard the Subway Nazi yell "don't walk on the chairs". I turned around to see Sammy using the chairs as a stepping stone to get to the window ledge. Then, while eating their subs I marveled at how much mess little children could make with just half a sub each to make it with.
I bet it took them 15 minutes to wipe down the table and chairs and sweep up the mess on the floor. Subway's distaste for our family started many years ago, perhaps even before all the Pirates were born. On a Subway trip with Grandma, Dan, then 6, took up the dare from Katelyn to put his head under the pop machine for a drank sans cup. Grandma was unaware of the sinister plot going on right under her nose until she heard the Subway Nazi screaming "Get your head out from underneath the pop machine!!
" I was sick today even though it was supposed to be my day off. I had some sort of weird muscle problem where all the muscles around my middle (like above my waste hurt) - both in my back and stomach. After wallowing in self-pity and thinking of possible diagnoses until around 2 pm it suddenly occurred to me that I could ask God to make me feel better.
About 15 minutes later I felt well enough to make my weekly hated trip to the grocery store. This was a case of absolute desperation - even the "we'll eat it if there is nothing else" foods had been eaten up. As is our tradition, the kids bring in and put away the groceries. (The thought of this always makes me grin as I pay for the groceries - my part of this hated job is done for yet another week)The older kids do this job willingly but without excitement. Sammy on the other hand delights in taking part in this activity. Dan hands him single items and he brings them in with great fanfare saying things like "Mama, this is frozen raspberries! Put them in the freezer". 
