- This morning Camryn and Reagan were in the kitchen pretty early making scones. I had made scones that last time that Camryn had spent the night so I guess that she liked them enough to request them again. Well, actually Reagan requested them last night. I told her where the recipe was, and then she asked me to ask Campbell if she wanted to make them. I was quite surprised to hear them working in the kitchen this morning.
- I did jump up to explain one tricky step in the directions. Somehow, their dough was crazy moist where my dough was fairly dry and flaky. I was pretty worried about their end product, but it was delicious. I think that it was actually better than the ones that I have made. I guess that Reagan has herself a new job.
- Other than making scones, there wasn't much that happened this morning. There were a few chores, and Whitman did some school work. I have to get that boy reading, riding his bike and swimming. Those are his summer goals, and we might just make 2 of the 3. Fingers crossed.
- Right before noon, we loaded up to take Camryn to meet her mom. Then we ran two errands-Lowes and Walmart. Then it was on to the pool. There were pretty few folks there today. I did get in and worked on Whitman's swimming with him.
- Whitman loves the bottom of the pool. He would rather sit on the bottom than anything else. He can stay on the bottom for a long time because he can hold his breath for a very long time. He rarely comes up coughing or sputtering. Now, he did really well today sometimes. It was almost comical because he would almost really be swimming, and then the next time he tried it, he couldn't do it at all.
- At the pool, we were reminiscing about the kids swim lessons. One day during their lessons, Anderson got upset and started crying. I asked him if he remembered that. Indeed he did. He also added that he cried "until his goggles filled with tears." Does that just break your heart? Now, I did just read that days blog from June of 2013. He did cry, he got over it and then swam across the pool. I don't think his goggles were actually "filled" with tears nor do I even think that he was wearing goggles!
- After I got out of the pool, pretty much everyone else did too. I stayed until they blew the whistle the next time because Whitman and Campbell were still having a big time. When we left the pool, we did stop at Planet Smoothie for a free smoothie. My intent had been to stop at Dairy Queen but I didn't think that we needed two treats.
- Back at home, the kids finished their chores and put on dry clothes. I went up to the treadmill, but I have a puzzle going on up there. Last night, the big girls were kind of fussing at the little girls. So instead of having to get on to them, I just went up there to work my puzzle. Of course, I could hear their conversations and everyone was much kinder while I was up there. I came down telling Robby that I was going to have to keep a puzzle up there so I could go "hang out" with the kids when they are teenagers.
- Though today, I didn't have anyone that I was listening to, I was just stalling while working the puzzle before getting on the treadmill. I am getting close, but lands sakes my last few pieces are tricky.
- We ate supper at the Wilsons. Shannon had most of the supper, and I brought the rest. We ate while we watched the Hogs play baseball. It was fairly loud when they did win the game.
- It was late so we skedaddled out of there. It took a bit to get these kiddos into bed, but when we finally did, I think that everyone just crashed!
- I am actually pretty sure that I do not remember this morning. There was laundry, dishes and working on Whitman's school work. I have a few Bible story books that I want to read to him this summer. So each day, I will give him the option of what to do first-reading book, papers, Bible story book, etc. Every day, he picks the Bible "because it is the most important." There is no arguing with that logic.
- Everyone else has a bit less school work than him. They have to read each day for 20 minute and do 3 math problems. We also brought home a bundle of Jr. Ranger books from our trip, so they are working through those each day.
- Speaking of school, I have planned and gotten ready for the first week of "light school" for everyone but Whitman and Keaton. This thrills my soul. Now, once that is finished then my goal is to completely redo the school room. That will take some work!
- I spent some time cleaning this morning, and Campbell and Keaton helped me make baked beans. Gracious though, my beans just don't get thick like Nonna's beans. I am going to have to have another bean making lesson.
- This afternoon was spent cleaning the floors while the kids finished up their chores. It is fairly nice to have a clean house even if it is just for a little bit. The house did stay clean for a good while because soon the kids were outside with the neighbors. They stayed outside until the McGuires and Penningtons came over for supper.
- We had BBQ along with some Oreo Delight. It was delicious, and we quickly went through one pan and started on the second pan. Not nearly as good as the oreo delight, but still pretty yummy was my corn on the cob. I cooked it with milk and a stick of butter.
- Reagan was to have a sleepover tonight, but it had to be cancelled so Camryn ended up spending the night over here. I think they thought that they were going to get to stay up late this evening like last time, but nope. We called lights around 11 even though Reagan was just texting me about breakfast.
- The boys waited all day long for the Fed Ex truck to arrive. When it did, they didn't even notice. They had an XBOX in the mail and were beside themselves. It took almost all afternoon to set up and load everything that they needed. Robby hooked it all up in the living room so most of our evening was spent watching them play their games. They had a blast, and even at bedtime they were busy chatting away with excitement about playing more tomorrow.
- There was no sleeping in this morning. By 9, we were on the road to the swimming pool. At 8:30, I made sure that everyone was awake (my sleepers were Keaton, Reagan and Whitman) and started hollering for people to put on their swimsuits, brush their teeth and make their lunches. It was a fairly smooth morning, and everyone was in a decent mood on the way to the pool.
- Our first stop this morning was at Hobby Lobby to buy a birthday present. The girls and I went in while the boys waited in the car. It didn't take us too long so we were soon at the pool.
- It looked rainy all morning long, and a few times it even sprinkled. I moved the towels under the umbrella because I expected the rain to start pouring at any minute.
- The kids had fun because all of the buddies were there. The pool was a bit emptier today probably because of the clouds. Now, also because of the clouds, it was too cool for me to swim so I enjoyed chatting with the other mommas.
- We ate our lunch at noon, and then at one we loaded up and headed for some more errands. The girls need flip flops so we ran into Walmart quickly. Then it was on to Dairy Queen for our weekly Blizzard treats. The kids have gotten pretty good about eating them in the car since they don't like to sit around there. Now, Dairy Queen has also gotten pretty good about getting those Blizzards out before we even sit down.
- We then headed home. Everyone put on their dry clothes and then started on their chores. The boys spent much of the afternoon watching the Hogs play and then baseball was on for pretty much the rest of the night.
- It took Robby a while to get home with wrecks scattered about. When he did make it, I was starving! We quickly made English muffin pizzas. They were pretty delish or maybe we were just starving.
- Tonight we spent some time trying to figure out Campbell's half birthday party. There were showers and more baseball watching. There was even a bit of cooking-Keaton and Campbell helped Robby make oreo delight for tomorrow night.
- Shannon and Brett came over for a bit. We watched one baseball team tie it up so then we let the kids stay up until the end of the game. I am not quite sure how I can eat my ice cream with everyone still awake!
- Reagan slept until after 11 this morning. By the time that she did wake up, everyone else had finished their daily reading and 3 math problems. Whitman had done his school work with me. I had finished most of my chores, and everyone was going about their day. Maybe because she had missed most of the morning, but Reagan was a tad bit grumpy this morning.
- Before too long, it was lunch time. I read while everyone ate their lunches. I think that they practically inhaled their sandwiches because a game of Spoons was next on the agenda.
- The game started off well with everyone being a good sport. Whitman even played and of course he was out on the very first round. The next game didn't go over so well. I helped Whitman play this round. I did his cards, and his job was to grab the spoon. He won round after round. Each time he knocked someone out, they would be a pretty sore loser. Graham and Reagan were the most upset about Whitman beating them. I guess I should play more games with this folks so we can work on the proper attitude to have during a game.
- Now, Anderson and Whitman were in the finals. Whitman did legitimately win, and Anderson even gave up the Dennie Family Trophy to Whitman. I told him that he didn't have to since we hadn't said that this was a trophy game before playing. He didn't care though and gave it to his brother.
- This afternoon the neighbors came out so everyone was outside for the majority of the afternoon and all of the evening. The library was having a kid cooking class at 4, and my plan had been to go with whoever wanted to go. Of course with the neighbors out, no one wanted to go. So Whitman and I just loaded up and went to the grocery store instead.
- The child talked and talked to me at the store. He definitely used up all of his words while we were at the store and in the car. I came home just wanting some peace and quiet. I guess I did get some for a few minutes since everyone was still outside. I did work on getting Anderson and Graham's school stuff ready for next school year, which is quickly approaching.
- When the kids did come in, we all ate supper. After supper, Robby and I went to work. We have been battling ants in the kitchen so tonight, we took everything out of all of the cabinets. Cleaned the cabinets and sprayed them down. Fun times. This took until 10 so the kids stayed up a bit later again tonight. Tomorrow will be an earlier day since we are heading to the pool at 10.
- I really feel like this morning was our first day of summer break around here. Though I guess I could say the same thing about last Friday. So maybe I should say that this was the second day of our summer vacation. We didn't have anything this morning so the kids slept in-Graham slept until 8:40. Graham slept that long, and he is the one who never sleeps past 7.
- Everyone did have to read and do 3 math problems this morning before they were able to play their ipads. No one seemed to upset about that so that made the morning go smoothly.
- I spent my time organizing a closet and organizing my tupperware cabinets. The tupperware was incredibly bad. It is in perfect shape now, but unfortunately, will probably only stay that way for a day or two.
- I did work with Whitman on his reading book some, and did make everyone do their chores right before lunch. We ate our lunch and then headed to the pool. All of the buddies were there so the kids all had lots of fun. Keaton and Campbell enjoyed walking across the street to go to the park during some of our swim time.
- Robby picked Reagan up to take her to her othodontist appointment this afternoon. We made it home just a bit after they did. Everyone helped me unload the car and all of our stuff. Then some had their showers while others just put on dry clothes. At one point in the afternoon, I went to the living room to make sure Whitman had on dry clothes since he had not had a shower. He did and told me that Reagan found him clothes to wear. She can irritate the fire out of him or she can be the sweetest big sister.
- Robby fixed supper while I hurried to shower and leave. The homeschool moms had supper to celebrate Traci's upcoming baby. The kids stayed up the entire time that I was gone. When I came in, the house was super quiet. I guess everyone figured that if they were good, then they would get to stay up later...and it worked.
- Hopefully, after staying up so late tonight will cause them to sleep even later in the morning.
- We woke up this morning with our thoughtful child, Graham, bringing Robby breakfast in bed. I had forgotten to have the kids make cards so this was probably an underwhelming Father's Day for Robby. We did celebrate with our putt putt yesterday, and Whitman is still planning on making his Father's Day pasta tomorrow night.
- We ran a bit later than usual to church this morning. We were barely able to see the grands before sitting down for church. I did briefly remember that Whitman wanted to sit with Grannymom and shoved him towards her as church was starting. I heard every word of the sermon this morning, but I'll bet Grannymom didn't hear to much with Keaton and Whitman sitting beside her! She did say that he was good so maybe he has found a new permanent pew.
- Keaton and Whitman were the only ones to make anything for their dad in Sunday school. It was a form where they filled in the answers. The most entertaining was "My dad laughs when _________." Whitman, of course, filled in the blank with "when I fall off a cliff."
- We then headed to Nonna's house for lunch. Lunch was good, but the highlight was Nonna making Baked Alaska. The kids were pretty intrigued by it all. It was pretty delicious, and we ate all but two pieces.
- When we left there, we headed home to watch the Hogs play. Well, we did some watching and some snoozing during the rain delay. In the evening, we loaded up to go to the pool. First, we stopped at Grannymom and Grandpa's house to wish Grandpa a Happy Father's Day. Then we picked up Lilly and Cash before the pool.
- The kids enjoyed the pool tonight, and the weather wasn't too warm. Robby and I did some trip planning while the kids were swimming. I should probably bring my computer and do some school work, but that won't probably happen since I do feel as if the lifeguards tonight were lacking.
- We closed up the pool. Then we dropped off Lilly and Cash before picking up our supper, Papa Johns. We ate pizza as everyone took turns showering. The kids then had a few minutes of down time before it was bedtime for the crew.
- I just don't understand why my boys don't sleep in ever. It is just odd, and possibly they were switched at birth. Now, Whitman does sleep in so he is probably ours. Robby woke the girls up while I got myself ready.
- Soon we were all out the door and went to pick up Keaton from her sleepover with Lily. Then we headed to play a round of putt putt at Gold World. It was their annual Father-Child Mini Golf Tournament.
- It was hot outside, but the drinks and doughnuts helped some. Before everyone played, we sat down to eat our doughnuts. Campbell, Graham and Whitman ended up on the morning show. Whitman did say that he was going to make pasta for Father's Day. I am certainly glad that we have some leftover spaghetti for him to "make" tomorrow.
- The kids and Robby played while I juggled the camera and scorecards. Robby scored a 42 while the kids had varying scores. I was a bit surprised that the scores fell in perfect age order-Reagan did the best while Whitman had the highest score.
- While Reagan and I added up the scores, Robby played the other 18 holes with Keaton and Graham. When they finished that round, Whitman decided that he wanted to play the other side as well so Anderson and Robby went with him. Anderson did much better that round with a few holes in one. So he did another score card on his better game.
- We waited around since they were passing out door prizes often. We were give 6 tickets and we did win 5 gift cards. Not too shabby. Then they did the awards. Anderson was 3rd place in his division. Campbell and Reagan were 3rd place in their divisions, and Keaton was 2nd in her division. This won Keaton a little trophy. They also won passes to come back to play putt putt again which we will have to do sooner.
- We celebrated our big wins with lunch from ChickFilA since we have some free meals left. Then we finished the afternoon with our Dairy Queen Blizzards. It was a pretty free morning, but then we spent a good bit of time running errands and spending some money!
- Our last stop was Grannymom's house. We stayed there long enough to convince them to go on our next trip. Then it was home for a lazy afternoon and evening. Robby and I both had naps, and we both did a bit of reading. But while he was napping, I was reading, and when he was reading, I was napping.
- Graham made grilled cheese for supper which we ate before everyone started on showers. Most of us spent a long time watching youtube videos about the next trip. It was later than normal when the kids went to bed, but the boys don't seem to be tired at all tonight!
