- Well, the Nyquil that Robby borrowed from the Wilson's house, must have done it the trick because he slept all night long and all morning long and really just about all day long.
- The kids all set alarms upstairs because the kiddos that get upset about people setting alarms were all gone (Reagan and Anderson). I am not sure why in the world you would want to set an alarm on Saturday morning at 7 and 7:30, but whatever makes you happy I guess!
- I pulled out school for next week this morning. I also played a game with Campbell and Whitman. Keaton had spent the night at Grannymom's house and was busy crafting this morning.
- After we ate our lunch here, I loaded up the kiddos here and went to Nonna's house. Nonna and Pops kept the kids while I went to a funeral. Robby had planned to go but decided that he better save his energy for Anderson's last ballgame.
- Once the funeral was over, I picked up Anderson from church. Reagan had planned on going. We had even packed a bag for her to change clothes and shower after the game. However, she did change her mind and decided that she didn't want to go. That was certainly fine though because just the fact that she even thought about going was super sweet.
- Anderson put on his jersey in the car, and we were soon at the gym. The game did not turn out how we would have liked, but Anderson had a good game. He scored around 5 points which was good since he hasn't scored much the last few games.
- They just lost by a few points, but by the end of the game I was worried about Anderson. His cold has caused his asthma to be a real problem. Candice had come to the game and was super worried about Anderson not being able to breathe! After another puff of his inhaler he was fine.
- The kids all enjoyed basketball. And while Anderson's games have been very close and exciting, his coach situation has been uncomfortable. That coach wasn't there today so of course we wanted them to win extra because of that. They ended up being second so that was pretty great. Anderson shook off the loss and was soon ready to shower at Sara's house and head back to church.
- Robby went home after the game, but I took my 4 to Third Realm. Yep, we have now been there 3 days in a row. If we keep this up, I will soon already have my moneys worth! Ha! The place was absolutely crazy. I even struggled to drive down the street because cars were parked on both sides.
- The kids still enjoyed jumping, and Graham even found some of his buddies that were there. Once we came home, the sweaty crew took their showers while I worked on heating up supper. I was very glad that there were plenty of frozen things in the freezer so there was a an easy super for us.
- After supper, the girls made a little dessert for us. Then we cuddled up in the living room and watched some baking shows before bedtime. Whitman again chose to sleep in Reagan's bed tonight. I don't really care as long as everyone was quiet and went to sleep. We talk about how bright he is, but even after sleeping in Reagan's bed last night, it was this evening when he finally asked, "where is Reagan?" Bless!
- First, I will apologize for any mistakes on this blog. I had just plugged up my phone tonight and realized that I had forgotten to do something. The blog! We were a bit out of our routine tonight when we came in. So instead of getting out of bed to get my computer, I am just attempting to try to do the blog on my phone. I can already tell that it will be a shorter than normal blog because this is pretty tough.
- This morning we all did our school work. There was no spelling for anyone today so that makes my day a lot easier. I was able to do a few things-print something out, replace a battery and repair a book. The kids always ask me to do stuff late at night when they are going to bed and the battery and book repair were from last nights ask.
- We had our lunch-there were again lots of leftovers from last night. The kids didn’t even make a dent in them. My boys insist on heating everything up in the toaster oven even though it takes so long. I usually finishing reading some of our second book when they finally get their food warm.
- Grannymom and Geandoa came to pick up Keaton to spend the night over there. She was super excited about it and had been packed since yesterday morning. Before they left with Keaton, we drove them around to show them where some buddies bought a house nearby.
- The rest of the afternoon was spend packing. We had plenty of list but still forgot Reagan’s watch (our fault) and Anderson’s pants (his fault-at least he has a jacket.)
- I took Anderson, Graham and Campbell to east today. I enjoyed it because I sat in the quiet library and read some of my book. They did not enjoy it because they all said that they didn’t have anything to do. I wasn’t too pleased to hear that because we can just sit around at home.
- After east, Noah joined us. We then dropped Graham off with Robby who had been at Third Realm with Whitman and Campbell (visit 2). Robby has supper for the crew. My crew ate on the way to church and Graham ate on the way to basketball.
- I dropped off Reagan and she zoomed off. Anderson, on the other hand, stood right by me asking where do I go. I told him I would stay until he found a buddy. Seconds later in walked two of his friends. Then before I even had time to say bye, he headed up the stairs. I did find out what house he was at and saw that he would have one buddy there so I was pretty thankful for that.
- I then met Robby and the others at home and we loaded up for the wilsons. Shannon had made chili which was pretty spicy. It was actually spicy enough that I was able to try out my valentines Tums. Robby ran to pick up Graham. Then we ended up staying at the Wilsons until 10.
- By the time we made it home, Robby was sickly. I guess he might actually have fever. Well I know he is sick because he is wearing socks to bed! That is why my routine was all switched up tonight since after tucking the kids in I tried to crawl into bed without bothering him.
- I do believe that my blog is finished. And yes, it too me much longer to type this on my phone that it would have to get up and just get my computer.
- I was up early enough this morning to make pumpkin chocolate chip muffins for the kids' breakfast. It was even early enough that I didn't have to talk to anyone while I was baking either. Once I had the muffins in the oven, I woke everyone up. Graham had been the only one awake this morning.
- When I pulled the muffins out of the oven, we called the kids to gather to pass out our Valentine Day goodies. We had some candy for everyone plus 6 month passes to Third Realm. That was a pretty huge gift that everyone was super excited about.
- As always, Robby and I went all out this Valentine's Day. He had my annual gift of a calendar with the kids' pictures on it. He also had bought me orange flavored Tums. He is my big romantic! Ha! I had actually been complaining about our tropical flavored tums for weeks now. Now, Robby wasn't the only one giving out fancy smancy Valentine gifts. I gave him a package of Snicker's bars.
- After we passed out gifts, it was time to start on our school work for the day. I didn't have the kids fold laundry today because it was still in the dryer when they started on their own school work. I know it doesn't sound like a bit deal, but having the laundry folded and the dishes emptied by the time school is over is a super win in my book.
- We had our lunch and then started on our chores. We had a fairly short afternoon, but we were able to accomplish a few things. We did our afternoon reading, and Anderson worked on his East project.
- Then it was time to load up for our first visit to Third Realm. You better believe that I will make sure that we get our money worth out of those passes. Yes, I am already keeping a list of our jumping visits.
- The kids enjoyed jumping today. They all seemed to have a lot of fun. I am sure that there are a lot of pictures on my camera because Reagan and Anderson both had it during our Third Realm visit. Whitman probably enjoyed jumping more than anyone else because more than anything else right now, he wants to have his own trampoline.
- We came home for a little bit, but all too soon it was time to take Anderson to his last basketball practice. While he was there, Robby and I ran a few errands-first to pick up Chinese food for me and then to pick up pizza for him. That is pretty much our traditional Valentine's supper or at least our traditional near-Valentine's supper.
- When we did make it home, everyone was starving so we quickly ate. Then we all snuggled up in the living room to watch a Bates. We started at just the right time so the show would end at bedtime. However, we didn't realize that the show was an hour longer than usual so that certainly messed up our bedtime.
- I thought for sure this morning that I wouldn't have to wake many folks up. I figured that they would be so excited about the day that they would be up and going before I even woke up. That was not the case; Graham was awake before anyone else but that was all.
- I woke up the crew and jumped in the shower as soon as Robby was out. Then that left a few minutes for us to empty the trash cans and fold the laundry before having to head off to church.
- Campbell, Keaton and Whitman were both excited because they had valentine's to give to all of their classmates. Also Campbell had a tray full of Valentine cookies for her classes's snack.
- After Bible study, we hurried home because all of our buddies were on their way to the house. We had our Valentine's Day get together this afternoon which made for a crazy and long day.
- Thankfully, the day was perfect for the kids to play outside. They did migrate inside when it was time for everyone to begin matching books to boxes. Everyone had read a book and then played 4-6 objects in the book to represent the book. We had a sheet with everyone's book listed and had to match the boxes to the books. It was pretty difficult, but surprisingly the kids did pretty great at guessing.
- Once we had guessed books, we played a game before finally letting everyone pass out their Valentine's. This was the part of the afternoon that most of the kids could not wait on. After the Valentine's were passed out, we sent the kids out to play while the mommas chatted for a little bit.
- Before we realized it, it was nearly 4! Soon I had the kids that were left here to start picking up. It took a little while for them to pick up outside. Once all our friends did leave, we had about 20 minutes to pick up the rest of the house. Graham went to the bonus room, Reagan to the girls' room, Campbell to the boys' room, Anderson vacuumed, Whitman picked up the floor and Keaton worked some more in the garage. I will tell you that my people can work hard when they have to!
- We ran to the library before heading to church tonight. We decided to eat at church-since I was already too tired to try to think of something to eat here. The church meal was good but I was starving since I had only eaten dip for lunch and ran out of the house before heating up my breakfast.
- I did my game time with the preschool. As soon as it was over, I headed to pick up the kids. No one was too pleased with me since I didn't let anyone stay out on the playground for long. Really, as soon as I knew that everyone was finished for the evening, I headed to the car! They love playing on the playground, but I don't love standing around waiting so not tonight!
- Once at home, everyone needed showers before we had our Valentine cookies for our bedtime snack.
- One more thing I forgot to mention, Whitman's music teacher said that he could read better than any of the other kindergartners. She commented that he was always reading the song titles before they sang them. I would agree, he is one smart cookie!
- For some reason, I woke up early enough this morning to lay in my bed and debate if I wanted to get up and make chocolate chip pumpkin muffins for the kids' breakfast. I finally decided that I should not make them today, but just wait until Valentine's day. Now unfortunately, I will probably not wake up on time at all on Thursday.
- School was pretty the same as usual. I am not too sure how everyone is finishing earlier, but they are. Well, I say that I am not too sure but I do know. At least every week someone finishes something for the year. Anderson was excited to see that this week was his last week of Analytical Grammar for the year.
- We all ate our lunches before going off to do our chores. We had a few extra chores today since all of our homeschool buddies are coming over tomorrow. The kids always remind me that there is no reason to clean before the people come over when we have to clean right after they leave as well.
- After we read some, we moved on to the kitchen. Everyone helped decorate sugar cookies for tomorrow. Then Reagan worked on her Valentine treats which were delicious but a bit more time intensive than we had expected.
- I did have a bit of time for the treadmill this afternoon. Once Robby came home, we worked on supper-quesadillas. Afterwards, Robby worked on cleaning the kitchen floor while I took Anderson to basketball practice. Yep, they called another one before the championship game on Saturday. I do think that main reason is because many of the kids won't be there on Thursday, Valentine's day, for practice.
- While we were gone for practice, everyone had their showers. When we came home, we had a few minutes of downtime before it was bedtime for the crew.
- It seems like we have had a lot of rainy Mondays lately. I think that a person could get a little bit depressed. It would have been a good day for us all to stay in bed, but instead my Graham was up finishing his school by the time I was walking down the hallway. He wasn't completely finished but he was moving along.
- Anderson was awake, but the girls and Whitman were both sleeping soundly. It was pretty dark in the girls' bedroom. Whitman was in no hurry to wake up because he was warm and cozy with out about a thousand stuffed animals in bed with him.
- We started on our reading about 20 minutes later than usual. Well, 20 minutes later that I would like to start but just 10 minutes later than usual! We read pretty fast and soon everyone was working on their school work.
- Everyone had finished by lunch time. During lunch I read some to everyone while they ate and cleaned up the kitchen. Then it was chore time for the crew. Soon we were back to doing some more reading. (Can you tell that I just read a book that stressed the importance of reading often to your kids?)
- Anderson and I worked on some Legos for a bit. I also worked on pricing some garage sale items. The girls made slime, made perler beads, made forts and pretty much made messes where ever they went this afternoon. I did have them help me get the baked potatoes ready for supper.
- I spent a bit of time on the treadmill, but when I was finished it was almost time for supper. After supper was cleaned up, we had time to make sugar cookies for Campbell's Bible study class on Wednesday.
- Tonight while I was baking the cookies, Graham came to me with help on his math. He had a letter A page which means that it is a new concept. It was all about multiplying decimals. Once I explained it to him, he couldn't believe that it was as easy as it was. Needless to say, he finished tomorrow's math before I could even finish baking the Valentine cookies.
- After those cookies were made, I put in a batch of cookies for everyone's snack tonight. They gobbled them down and headed back to what they were working on-Campbell and Keaton worked on some of tomorrow's school work, Anderson, Whitman and Reagan were on their ipads while Graham was playing on the xbox.
- Graham was the first child we heard this morning. He came into our bedroom probably at 7 and stayed for what seemed like forever. He was digging through my clean laundry pile looking for his Sunday clothes and clothes to change into at Nonna's house. I don't know what took him so long, but after awhile I convinced myself that he must be folding the laundry as well. I was wrong about that though because when I woke up, my clean laundry pile was not folded but was just scattered around the room.
- I did have to wake up the girls and Whitman this morning. The easiest way to get Whitman up and doing what you want is to bring him downstairs. It is getting harder and harder for me to haul that sleeping boy down the stairs. I always feel like I am on that Biggest Loser show when they make the contestants run a race carrying all of the fat that they have lost. That's how I feel as I haul Whitman and his 50 pounds down the stairs. By the time I dropped him on our bed, I had to sit down for a second to catch my breath!
- Soon we were all dressed and heading to the car. Loading up the car is a process for sure. Obviously, it is much easier now than it used to be even just a few years ago. Now though everyone is big enough to remember what they have forgotten and run back in the house to get it. This however becomes a problem when half the kids have to run back in the house. Robby and I do send them to the car while we run through the house turning off lights, picking up a few things and gathering the last minute things for the car. While we are doing this kids are searching for shoes and climbing in and out of the car. It would probably be comical if you filmed us.
- Church this morning followed by Sunday school. The kids were all excited because they had their offering boxes to turn in. After church, we rushed to Nonna's house for lunch. She had Mexican food which is probably my favorite to eat. Robby and I did walk over to see Beebee's house which is ready to sell. It looks great-so good that we might even move in.
- This afternoon was a perfectly wonderful afternoon with the rain pouring on the roof. Obviously, I had a great nap! Soon though it was time to wake up for the evening. Reagan went to her life group while the rest of us had breakfast for supper. We are still loving all of the biscuits that we froze a few weeks ago. (We also froze breakfast burritos a few weeks ago, but they are almost all gone.)
- Campbell and Keaton helped me make some cookie dough to make up for later this week. After that, it was almost time for us to go and pick up Reagan. We had planned on going to the grocery store first but she text saying that she was ready and it was over. We headed that way instead and will have to grocery shop tomorrow.
- Once we were all back home, everyone had a little dessert and soon it was time for bed.
