- Robby and I woke up fairly early this morning because we were anxious to try out the new air fryer toy. We both took our showers and then went to work in the kitchen. Robby made cinnamon rolls. Then the boys helped him with air frying doughnuts. They were actually biscuits which we air fried and then dipped in cinnamon and sugar. Overall, they were good but not really like doughnuts.
- By the time that breakfast was over, everyone had on their church clothes. The boys played on the xbox for about 10 minutes, and then it was time to load up for church.
- After church this morning, we celebrated Graham and Lilly's birthdays at Grannymom's house. We sang Happy Birthday to them and then devoured cake. Afterwards, the kids played a few rounds of spoons outside and then played Old Maid inside.
- We headed home earlier than usual because Reagan's Bible study was at 3. When we made it home, we had about 10 minutes before leaving again. She had to take my sewing machine today for Bible study. Unfortunately, the bobbin keeps messing up and even did for Nitzia. (Any suggestions greatly appreciated.) I had told Reagan that Nitzia would know more about my machine than me, but even after rewinding the bobbin she was still having troubles.
- Reagan's Bible study is wonderful. They have lots of fun-tonight they decorated cookies, sewed on a notebook and began sewing a bag. When I picked her up, we hurried home because the others were all waiting on us to head to the pool.
- The Kamps were at the pool so the kids were delighted to have some buddies there. Robby had packed hot dogs for everyone so we ate those during adult swim. We stayed until they closed the pool and then came home for showers.
- Once everyone had finished their showers, we started on dessert. We had more Oreo delight for our dessert tonight. As the kids were eating it, we watched a Facebook video. The person on it said that someone had a "previous commitment." Campbell asked what a commitment was. Whitman looked at her and said, "you know, the 10 Commitments!"
- The kids had just a bit of downtime before it was time for bed tonight. Tomorrow is the first day of school so everyone needs quite a bit of rest.
- We woke up around 5:30 to a darker than normal house. The power was out. Robby read that there had been a big storm and many folks were without power. We had no idea that there had been a storm last night, but all of the kids said that they woke up and heard it. Good thing that the kiddos aren't scared of the thunder and lightening or our room would have been filled since we heard that the storm was sure a doozy.
- We dozed for the next few hours until sun rise. Then kids were in and our of room, and we had plenty of text. I could have slept for hours more, but finally had to get out of bed. Every time my room was quiet again, I would fall back asleep and have a crazy dream.
- I worked on my morning chores in the darker house. I did walk through closing blinds when I normally walk through opening blinds. Robby did plug up the generator since the Entergy site said that it would be tomorrow at noon until our power returned.
- Pops had a tree and lots of branches down and requested the boys to come and help him. He offered to pay so they jumped at the chance. Keaton rode along with Robby on his errands. While they were gone, Reagan caught up on some sleep, and Whitman was my helper.
- The lights did come back on before Robby came back home. We waited until lunchish to go outside and get to work on our yard. We didn't loose a tree but gracious there were plenty of limbs. We had worked pretty hard one night this week picking up branches and got to do it all again this afternoon.
- The boys arrived just as we went out to work. They were already hot but did work incredibly well. Reagan also did great along with Keaton. Whitman did pretty well himself. He worked some and would wander off for a bit. It was incredibly hot all day today, and we all were sweating buckets.
- We worked until probably about 4:30. That is when Robby ran the kids to the gas station for a drink while I had shower. Then they came in and started cycling through the showers. Pops was already here cutting the watermelon when Robby just went inside to take his shower.
- We had at least 37 folks at Graham's 10th birthday celebration. We began with Robby's grilled hot dogs and burgers, which was the best burger I have had. We also had chips, watermelon and potato salad, which the people devoured.
- Then I divided the players into 4 teams, and we played kickball! I was on Graham's team and not only did we lose our first game, but we lost the loser's bracket game too! Ha! I don't think that he minded too much. In between the games, there were popsicles.
- Graham wanted oreo delight for her birthday so that is what he had! 3 pans full. Everyone sang to him and then ate as we watched him open his birthday presents. He received lots of cash, many gift cards, some shoes, a pen, lots of basketball cards, nerf guns and nerf bullets and a new basketball. Overall, he did pretty well!
- It was so incredibly hot today. I am sure that all of Graham's other kickball parties have been hot, but this one seemed especially hot. When everyone left, we all went to work picking up. Soon things were back in order, and showers began again.
- Noah is spending the night with us tonight. I am sure that they plan on waking up early to play a bit of fortnight before church. Robby and I plan on waking up early to make some doughnuts in his new air fryer. I bet that one of those group will actually wake up early!
- I was up early this morning, and I would guess that it was because I was excited about getting our Reagan back from camp. One of the first things I did was work on the kids' rooms. I had told everyone last night that we would clean their rooms before we left this morning. The boys had listened and worked on their beds. They had done a pretty pitiful job making their beds, but I let it go since they at least tried.
- I made their beds and then hurried everyone else along in their getting ready/eating breakfast process. We loaded up and headed to OBU at 8:30. I had thought that would give me plenty of time, but as we walked out the door, Robby received a text telling him about a wreck on the interstate.
- I ended up driving to Arkadelphia on a few backroads but we made it to the performance just as it was beginning. We were actually a minute early, but the boys had to stop in the restroom. I could have gone but the women's line was out the doorway.
- Seats were limited but our people had us a few. Keaton and Campbell shared a seat, and Whitman sat in my lap. He didn't last long and was soon asleep. This would have been fine but it was a bit packed in the auditorium and I was hot with his sweaty head up against me.
- First about a hundred kids performed in the orchestra. They played at least 3 songs and were excellent. Next, the Joyworks kids (3rd-6th graders) sang about 3 songs. There were 200 of them, and they were excellent as well.
- Reagan's group, the Jr. Varsity Praiseworks choir was next. I would assume there was 200 of them as well since they completely filled the stage. The Jr. Varsity was made up of middle school kids. (Reagan isn't really middle school yet, but our church wanted her and her buddies in that group this year.) They sang about 3 songs, and gracious, listening to all of those kids praising was so wonderful. I couldn't see a single bit of Reagan the entire time though!
- Finally, the Varsity Praiseworks kids (high school) sang next. They concluded their performance with the Jr. Varsity filling the stage as well. Anytime you have to move 200 kids around it takes time each time. They were good to fill the time with videos and the camp pastors spoke for a minute.
- By the time the program was over, we had been sitting for 2 and a half hours. I know that is a very long time, but the talent was incredible. I was sold on this camp by the time we left...and so were my kids. I hope Reagan realizes what a neat opportunity she had this year.
- Her extra classes this week, other than choir, was photography where she took a few pictures. She said the instructor was really nice, so I think that she might have learned a little bit! Next she had art where she illustrated a bit of song on a canvas. It was hot unloading the trailer to get her stuff and the car barely cooled off by the time we made it to McDonalds in Caddo Valley for lunch.
- There was a bathroom line along with a new girl at the cash register so getting our food took longer than expected. Then my gas light popped on as I was leaving the parking lot so I had to cross the street for gas. It was no surprise that the neighbors had rode their bus home, unloaded and were pulling into their driveway when we rolled down the street.
- Back at home, Grannymom and Grandpa were here. Reagan unpacked and soon found her spot under her blanket with her ipad in her lap. We were able to squeeze out a few facts about camp from her, but I do expect more info to come out in the next few days.
- Tonight Robby took the boys to basketball practice. Then Keaton, Whitman and him met Grannymom and Campbell at the swimming pool. Campbell is spending the night at Grannymom's house tonight.
- Robby worked some more with Whitman on his swimming, and the determination is that he is not ready to go off of the diving board just yet. He did do it once today, but went too deep before deciding to come back up.
- Reagan and I stayed here. She had a smoothie for supper, and much to her delight I showed her all of her school work for next week so she would be familiar with everything hopefully. I was trying to figure out our new Latin lessons when the crew came home from basketball and the pool.
- They started on showers and supper and soon it was bedtime. It feels like a Saturday to me, but tomorrow is Graham's birthday party so it will be a super busy day around here.
- I knew that we had a very short morning this morning because we were going to try to be at the pool at 10. The kids were already up by the time that I started stirring. Now, we still had time to do some chores and reading.
- My boys thought that they could lose their mind since Robby had left for Conway. Graham acted like he hadn't read a book all summer long even though we have been doing it almost every day this summer. Anderson decided he didn't want to go swimming and just started at me when I asked him to put on his bathing suit. Their craziness started my day just about caused me to lose my mind!
- The kids enjoyed playing at the pool. Whitman is working hard on his swimming though this means that I am almost always in the water which is not where I would prefer to be. I would rather be sitting with my legs dangling in the pool. Though taking of Whitman's life jacket and letting him swim, does get my in the pool quicker. I forget about it being cold and have to hop in to grab him.
- We ate lunch at the pool and then around one, we loaded up and headed to the library. We are now back at 88 library books checked out. It is pretty near school time so I am sure that the number will increase even more.
- Once we made it home, we unloaded our books. Then the girls and I worked on making cookies for Graham's party. I doubled the recipe and after 5 dozen cookies, I decided to freeze the rest of the dough. Hmm, maybe I should have that tonight for a snack.
- Soon Robby was home and went to work on his lawnmower. The kids played outside for a little bit, but eventually we ended up inside eating our supper. After supper, the kids had their showers and then we settled in with oreos and a Bates tv show.
- Robby was already gone this morning when I stirred. He took my car to change the oil. We couldn't just let one car be in the shop, we felt that if one had to go to the shop, then they both should. Now, my oil change was a bit simpler than Robby's work but all cars are healthy now (though I am almost in need of new tires.)
- The plan had been for us to meet our people at the pool, but the rain this morning pushed those plans back to the afternoon. So we worked on our reading, Whitman's school work and chores around the house.
- The only excitement during the morning time was when the termite man came. We were expecting him, but I guess that Robby and I neglected to tell all of the kids that he was here. Whitman walked by him giving him to stare down. I told him that he was looking for bugs in the house, and Whitman quietly whispered to me, "he looked like Daddy." That man had a hundred pounds on Robby and even less hair!
- Anderson came down the stairs followed by Campbell. They both had a look on their face that told me that I indeed had not told them about the bug man! I will do better next time though since I am sure that he might have given them quite a shock!
- At noon, we loaded up for free hot dogs, chips and a drink that The Buzz radio station. It was across town so on the way back we ran by Dairy Queen. The lady at the window was able to name 4 of the 6 kids names. That is pretty impressive, but we just have a few more weeks left on our cards before they finish up.
- The next stop was dropping Robby off to pick up his car, and then we met the buddies at the pool. The kids swam for 2 and a half hours. They could have stayed longer, but I had to get them home.
- As soon as I dropped them off, I loaded back up and headed to the library. I met Sara at her library for an earring making class. We made 2 pairs of beaded earrings. And no, I probably won't ever make them but I sure did have fun. I think it would be a fun craft though to do at Reagan's birthday party. We will see if I can convince her!
- The kids played outside some while I was gone. Robby mowed some until he belt came off. Later tonight while he was working on our ice maker, he moaned that he was tired of fixing things around here. Indeed, it does seem like most things are falling apart! I made some cookies for a snack and the kids ate them while watching some tv before bed.
- This was a fairly uneventful morning. We did accomplish quite a bit even though we weren't in much hurry at all. It was the type of morning that had me questioning my sanity of starting school next week. You know some families are "unschoolers" which they would count video games as problem solving, grammar and reading skills and count slime making as science and count cartwheeling in the living room as physical education and count the reading of the cereal box as literature and nutrition. Basically, that was our morning so maybe I should become an "unschooler" and count it as a day of school.
- Whitman did work with me on his reading book this morning. He has 24 lessons before he finishes that blasted thing. Since I have done it 6 times now, I do know the stories by heart. However, reading with Whitman is a bit excruciating. He can't focus and wants to talk all of the time. All of that to say, our reading book time probably won't be during our school time like it has been for everyone else. His reading book time will probably have to be later in the day when things are a bit slower.
- Around lunch, I read a few books to the kids. One was all about poop! Yep, the boys loved it, but the girls not so much. After we finished eating, the kids finished a few chores.
- The girls and Whitman did go with me to the pool this afternoon. Whitman practiced swimming and even swam the short length of the pool by himself. They swam for a good while until there was thunder. We waited around and then swam for 30 more minutes before running to the dollar store to buy a few things for Graham's party. The girls and even Whitman bought Graham a present. I am not sure what they picked for him because I didn't like the looks of one guy in the store and was on high alert until we were back safely in the car.
- We arrived back at home just as the boys and Robby were going out to work in the yard. We unloaded the car and then joined them. Anderson mowed the front yard, Graham mowed some in the back, and we all picked up many, many sticks. We worked for a long while and came in just about 20 minutes before it started pouring here.
- We headed up leftovers for supper. I know that it sounds like we eat leftovers every single night; it feels like we eat them every single night too! After supper, we waited around until it was time for us to head to a movie.
- Yep, we loaded up our 5 kids and took them to a movie at bedtime. Probably not the wisest thing to do, but it was fun. We saw Incredibles 2. The boys and Campbell loved it. Keaton slept through half of it. And Whitman was terrified through most of it. At one time, he loudly asked, "can you turn the movie off?" Good thing there was only us and one other lady in the movie. And we were the only people in the entire place when we left.
- It was almost midnight when we made it home. The kids quickly put on their pajamas, brushed their teeth and crawled into bed!
- Robby and I were almost the first ones awake this morning because we had to take his car to the shop for some repairs. Anderson and Graham were awake when we left. By the time we made it back, I text Reagan to urge her to get herself ready and do the rest of her last minute packing. She quickly wrote back replying that she had already done all of it.
- Indeed she had, we had about 20 minutes when I returned before it was time to drop her off. She is going to Praiseworks this week at Ouachita. It is what used to be Young Musician's Camp when Robby and I were her age. When I was in the 4th grade I went to Young Musician's Camp, and Robby was one of the counselors for our group. When I came back to school that fall, I guess I had a slight crush on Robby because I told all of my friends that I was going to become Mrs. Tara Jo Dennie when I grew up.
- Reagan's buddies, Alyssa and Kaleigh, will be her roomies so I am hoping that they have a wonderful time. Now this camp is one that you could bring phones too but since Reagan nor her buddies have phones, we won't know what is happening all week long. The other moms going won't be around the big girls much so I doubt that we will get frequent pictures like we did for their mission trip.
- After dropping her off, Keaton, Graham and I ran to Chick-Fil-A to pick up a few thing and then to Redbox to snag a free game rental for the boys to play with. I don't think that they played with it very long today though.
- Back at home, we started on chores and reading for the day. Soon Pops came to pick up Graham to take him shopping for his birthday. He had a list of things he needed to pick up, and they quickly found them and started working on his Christmas shopping.
- Keaton, Campbell and I baked some banana muffins right before lunch, Then we ate our lunch for a bit. I served my treadmill time until Nonna and Pops brought Graham back from his outing.
- Later, Keaton, Campbell and I ran to the store for a little bit. We picked up stuff to make Graham's birthday dessert-oreo delight. We will have to make that in a few nights so I will have time to thaw it and cut it before the party.
- After the store, Whitman and Keaton helped me make Huevos Rancheros for supper. Whitman, bless, did have 2 bathroom accidents while we were cooking so that slowed us down a good bit. I am not sure if his tummy was upset or not, but he has been fine since.
- Everyone enjoyed our supper-tortilla, black beans, salsa, an egg and cheese on top. Who wouldn't like all of that! It took us a while to clean the kitchen, and afterwards the kids headed outside to play with the neighbor.
- They stayed out late enough to need showers again before bed. We cycled everyone through the showers and then herded them all to bed.
