October 12, 2024-Month of Camping: Trip 2

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We had to wake up a little bit early this morning so we could get breakfast made. Robby cooked quite a bit of bacon plus egg in the holes and chocolate chip pancakes. It was all delicious, and the kids certainly enjoyed it. We don't cook a lot of camping breakfasts, but it is one of our favorite things. 

One thing that is not my favorite thing is allergies. My eyes have itched most of the day today. They will bother me for a few days and then quit despite taking daily allergy medicine. We actually have some good eye drops in the camper which I had forgotten about until tonight, so maybe they will help me.

Anyway, after breakfast, we didn't have a whole lot of time at the campground because it was time to go to the football game. Robby dropped me off. and I bought tickets. Then we found Shannon and found our seats. We were able to get seats in the shade so that made most of the game pleasant.

Reagan came up and saw us for a little bit which was fun. It was right before half time, and then she left to go back to her dorm. I bet that these kids are so tired! The sun did start moving towards the end of the ball game, so we kept moving up a row at a time until we eventually just moved to the car. Ouachita was pretty far ahead of the other team, so it was fine to leave early.

We then came back to the campground for a little bit. Robby and Graham watched football, and I tried to read, but soon I was napping in my lawn chair. Robby and I eventually did get out and run some errands-mystery shops-around Arkadelphia. They were even having their Festival of the Arts so we walked through that. We are all cultural like that-not really, but it was something to do, and it was surprisingly small.

We came back with pizza for the crew. While they ate, we packed up all of the outside things. It didn't take long, and Whitman even offered to help so we put him to work. Once we were all in the camper, we played the game of Billionaire. It is a fun little game which didn't take too long-Keaton dominated. 

After the game, I made s'mores for everyone. Now they have all had their showers, and Robby and I are about to walk Bentley before we climb into the bed. 

Campbell and Anderson went to Raymar early this morning. Anderson had to work, and Campbell did put in one hour at the concession stand, but she just loves it out there. I'm pretty sure that after Raymar they had a slow day, but I bet that they enjoyed a quiet house. 

October 11, 2024-Month of Camping: Trip 2

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This was certainly a fun day. It started this morning with us staying in bed for a good while-Robby worked while I read. Then we took Bentley for a walk around the other loop. We went over a mile, and it was warmer on our walk than it was for the rest of the day. 

We came back and started stirring the kiddos. We really didn't have much time until it was time to leave to see Reagan. We know that we have all been missing Reagan, but we also know that Reagan has been missing Bentley. 

The campus was pretty crazy this afternoon with a band, the marching band, cheerleaders, all kinds of booths plus the cafeteria food was all outside as well. There were people everywhere, but when Reagan got Bentley's attention, that dog has never wagged her tail so much. She was definitely happy to see Reagan, but she was also overwhelmed with all that there was to see.

Keaton, Campbell, and Reagan stayed outside while Reagan finished her lunch, while Robby, Whitman, and I went to the bookstore. I snatched up a sweatshirt on clearance, but we could not find Robby anything at all. I'm not sure who does their buying, but they needed some more men shirts for sure.

We then visited with Reagan a little bit more, before walking her to work. Afterwards, we ran to Sonic for drinks for the crew, and then to Walmart. There Robby did find a shirt, plus we also picked up some garlic powder-we hadn't been able to find it at home. 

Then it was back to the campsite for us. We had some downtime-Robby worked, I read, and the kids put up a hammock. Soon Grannymom, Grandpa, Graham, and Anderson arrived and not too far behind them was Jason, Pops, and Nonna. 

We all had time to visit, and then Robby started on supper. We had our chicken tacos plus quesadillas. I think that everyone enjoyed the meal. I opened some salsa which was delicious so I could have eaten just that on some tortillas. I pulled out all of the stops with my desert too-packaged cookies.

After a bit, it was time to head to Ouachita for our first Tiger Tunes in a few decades. This year was difference since Reagan was in it-she was apart of the Student Life organization. Tiger Tunes is so popular, and I can remember going as a student. Reagan's group were cars, and it was cute. Reagan said that theirs wasn't the best one there, but I can definitely say that it was not the worst one by far. There were some really cute shows which made the evening go by fairly quickly.

When it was over, we were able to find Reagan out front-it was kind of wild out there. We took some pictures with Reagan, and then released her to her friends. Robby and I retrieved the cars and picked up most of the people. Then Anderson and Campbell took Grannymom and Grandpa home. They just pulled into the driveway at 11:53. 

We made it back to the camper before the rest of them made it home. Robby and I took a walk around the loop with Bentley, and we all had some ice cream to celebrate the day. 

October 10, 2024-Month of Camping: Trip 2

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Graham left first to go to church for his math class. Usually, his class is at Wildwood on Thursdays, but not today. So his was the first trip to the church house of the day.

Robby was pretty close behind him with Campbell and Keaton for Mother's Day Out. Those two girls never got to go to MDO like the older three, so I guess they are getting their turn now-and they are loving it. They are earning just pennies an hour for their summer camps (so really they are getting nothing in return since they aren't getting anything), but they so enjoy it and would do it for free. That was the second trip to the church today.

I did school with the boys. Today I had a bit more time since the girls were gone, but it still wasn't really enough to matter. I really had envisioned me having a super slow day on Thursdays with them gone, but that hasn't happened just yet. 

Soon Robby and Whitman were heading to Lake Degray. They zoomed down here and set up camp. Whitman had to finish his school work quickly and leaving to go camping was a super motivator for him-so I guess we need more camping trips.

I then made trip 3 to the church house to pick up Campbell and Keaton. Then it was back home for a little bit. Anderson left to go to Raymar to work practice tonight. I made grilled cheese for everyone's supper that was at home-the number was dwindling.

Then Campbell, Keaton, and I left. I dropped Keaton off at the church house (trip 4). She was keeping kids tonight. Campbell would have loved to have helped as well, but she had soccer practice so I then drove her to the field. We were a bit early, but she didn't seem to mind.

When she did get out of the car, I did as well and walked around the fields twice-it was over a mile. Then I went back to the church (trip 5) to pick up Keaton. I was about an hour early-I knew that, but figured that I might be able to read better in the church parking lot-I could since the lights really light that place up. I did have to position my car just right so the light would shine through the windows and onto my pages.

Keaton was a little late so we had to hurry to pick up Campbell. We were there in time to go to the bathroom. Then Campbell joined us for our drive to Arkadelphia. Campbell sat in the way back with Keaton sitting in the middle. That just left me up front by myself which was fine since I just listened to my book and had a good time. 

Robby was waiting on us when we arrived, and now the girls are sitting outside with Whitman already bedded down in the camper. 

October 9, 2024

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• Today was finally Wednesday-the day that I thought it was yesterday. Campbell and Keaton were able to finish up their school work for today and tomorrow while Whitman barely finished his today-actually, he finished math so late that I have yet to check it so I guess we will add that to his pile tomorrow.
• Anderson did some intricate painting on his helmet-I guess I need to take a picture of it. Graham worked all afternoon long. 
• Robby did take Whitman, Anderson, and Keaton went to Defy this afternoon for a little bit with Robby. Those 3 really all enjoy it so much so I am glad they are able to do it for a few more weeks.
• Tonight was Fields of Faith-a worship service at Bryant's football field. Anderson went there, but after Campbell saw how few people were at church tonight she managed a ride with her friends. Graham said that church was definitely empty since everyone was at the other thing.
• We came home and had our supper-and now I'm not sure if I want hot chocolate or ice cream!

October 8, 2024

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• All day long today I have been thinking that today was Wednesday. Once, I even mentioned going to church tonight before someone reminded me what day it was. We zoomed through school-not really, I actually finished around 2, but then spelling with Whitman didn't end until 4-so today's school day was fairly long.
• Graham skipped school today since he is ahead in his math. I never skipped school-ever! So I can't believe that I let them not go to class.
• Anderson spent most of the afternoon again working on his helmet, while Campbell iced her brownies super cute. Late this afternoon everyone but Campbell played a game outside-I believe that it was some form of ultimate frisbee golf. I'm not sure exactly what they were doing.
• Campbell didn't play because she had just taken a shower because she had a party to go to tonight. At 20 til her party, I text her to ask when she was planning on leaving. I got no response so I went up there and found her sound asleep. Her alarms didn't go off so she was a bit frantic, but we got her to the party just a few minute late so all was well.
• She had a cute dessert to take plus they swapped fall scented candles, and she came home with a good one. While she was there, Robby and I ran some errands the entire time that she was at her party.
• Once we came home, the kids devoured some of our leftovers, and I had to check some of Keaton's school. Now, it is bedtime for this crew!

October 7, 2024

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• Mondays are usually a little bit long and today was no exception. Everyone did wake up and get moving this morning except for Anderson. He was in no hurry to get downstairs and start on his school work. He doesn't have a ton to do these days so it was kind of fine.
• By the time that I actually did start working with Anderson, he had already spent a good deal of the morning working on his helmet-he has to 3D print it, then clean it up, solder it together, sand it, prime it, sand it, tape it, paint it and there are probably some steps that I have left off.
• For some reason I was able to do spelling with Whitman early today, but we still had some things to do this afternoon. Since we had finished spelling though, it did make things easier this afternoon. 
• And speaking of spelling, For Keaton's spelling this year, she has to write 3 sentences that I dictate to her each day. We stay on the same sentence until she spells everything correctly. There are hundreds of sentences, but gracious we are stuck on the same 3 sentences. I am going to make her write the words over and over tomorrow.
• I took Keaton, Anderson, and Whitman to Defy today. They all wanted to go. While they were there, I left to pick up an order that Keaton had made at Bath and Body. When I came back, I was excited about reading some, but soon they were ready to go.
• Campbell has a party tomorrow so she worked on her dessert for the party while I was in the kitchen making a chicken pot pie. It was pretty good, but could have been better if it had a bit more liquid in it Overall, I was impressed with it-now, I didn't make the kids eat it so Campbell and Robby were my only takers.
• I think that Graham might have tried some but after working all day at the studio and at Raymar for pictures, he stopped by ChickFilA on the way home to claim his free nuggets. He had ordered new shoes so he went running in those after his supper.
• Now, people are pretty quiet this evening with football on the tv. I'm going to settle into my chair and read a little bit before bedtime. 

October 6, 2024-Month of Camping: Trip 1

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Robby and I slept well again last night and woke up as the kids were getting ready for church. Graham had even text me while I was still in bed getting all of the plans for the day. They left for church while Robby and I picked up the last few things at our campsite and headed home.

At home, we unloaded the camper and straightened the house. Then I picked up the kids from church and met Robby at the warehouse. Anderson stayed at church for his Sunday school class and joined us later.

Campbell and Keaton packed the food with Feed My Starving Children with some of their buddies while Anderson, Whitman, and Graham worked with us. We were with a sweet little family, so it was an easy and fun time packing the food. The two hours just flew by. 

After it was over, the boys all headed home in one car, Robby and Keaton ran a few errands on their way home, and Campbell and I went to her soccer game. We thought that it was off of Cantrell, but after about 100 messages we made it to the field in Maumelle. We were one of the first ones there, and despite the heat, it wasn't totally horrible. I did find a spot in the shade from a light pole. 

Campbell's team was pretty evenly matched with the other team despite losing 1-2.5. Yes, they lost by one and a half points. I say half because the other team legitimately scored but the 95 year old ref didn't see it. And bless him, he sure didn't see Campbell's team pushing the mess out of the other team. And really bless the other team, it took them a whole half before they started pushing back. It was a good game to watch with lots of excitement with all of the pushing though!

Robby brought Keaton home from her Dgroup this afternoon. They made it home just after Campbell and I did. Anderson has worked on his helmet most of the evening, and then we all had supper at the Wilsons. We had lots of leftovers from the camping trip. 

The kids left after supper while Robby and I stayed and visited. We came home too late, and now we are trying to clean up a bit and motivate these kids to go to bed!