- Sunday morning and Graham was the only one dressed when Robby went to check on the kids' progress. Anderson was awake too but didn't have on his church clothes yet. The girls were sleeping, but they all did jump up to get themselves ready.
- After my shower, I had to go and wake Whitman up. I laid him on the floor of my room but he was quick to jump up and climb under the covers of my bed. Soon though, he had his shower that he missed from last night, and everyone was soon ready and eating their breakfast.
- Church was fairly uneventful. Graham did have to leave after the sermon to go and blow his nose. Whitman and Keaton were both by me. He "read" his Bible outloud during a bit of the sermon while she did her best to sit still with "wiggles" sitting on the other side of me.
- After church, we headed to Grannymom's house for lunch. We celebrated Cash's birthday with cookie cake. Afterwards, the kids went to Dana's house to see Cash's video game and the puppies.
- Once at home, we took our Sunday afternoon naps-well, Robby and I did. The kids were fairly quiet. I was only asked about a snack by 3 different people. Twice in person and one text. I eventually did get up and start on my evening activities.
- I folded the laundry, prepared a freezer meal, cooked beans in my instant pot and worked on some Christmas gifts. I was feeling pretty accomplished!
- Candice picked up Reagan for a life group meeting. While she was gone, Robby and I took the little 3 to the pool. I stayed for a little bit and then ran to the grocery store. When I returned, it was almost time for the pool to close, and my people were the only ones there. Three Dennies swimming and 2 lifeguards. Not a bad ratio.
- Once at home, we ate frozen pizza for supper. We don't think that the kids really like it, but I really do. Once the kitchen was picked up from supper, Robby started to play with his new toy-a whirly popper.
- It makes some pretty good stove top popcorn. The first batch was butter and then second was kettle corn. It made a ton and everyone gobbled it all up. Of course this did mean that the living room floor had to be vacuumed for the second time today!
- The kids headed to bed just about the time that it started to rain. It was too late to be heading to bed on a Sunday night so hopefully they can catch up on some Zzzs tonight.
- What started off as a slow day ended up being a pretty busy day. Anderson had spent the night at Grannymom's house so we did wake up with one less person at the house. I do believe that Robby and I were the last ones out of bed this morning-these silly kids don't know how important sleeping in on Saturdays really is.
- There really wasn't much happening at all this morning. Of course we did the normal laundry and dishes. Robby and I both walked on the treadmill. Alyssa came over and hung with us for a while.
- Robby grilled hot dogs for the kids' lunch. Then I ran Alyssa and Reagan to their last Bible study. They went to a Mexican ice cream spot. I asked Reagan if she liked her ice cream. She said that there was a strawberry and cream one that she liked very much. She also picked another one that she thought was chocolate chip but it was raisin!
- Jodee picked them up, and they ran to a party before heading to Amplify. Robby decided to take the little to the pool for about an hour and a half. Grannymom and Grandpa brought Anderson home. Then I had a bit of downtime before Robby and the littles arrived back home.
- They changed their clothes while Robby cut Anderson's hair. Then we all jumped in the car to head to Amplify. First we picked up Caroline, then Brett, Layne and Layne's friend. Once there we did meet up with Reagan and Alyssa Kate so yep, that was 11 kiddos that we were responsible for tonight.
- It was a bit sticky tonight and the ground was pretty muddy in quite a few places. The kids enjoyed walking around some. The food lines were ridiculously long, but everyone did buy some type of treat to enjoy during the concert.
- Whitman couldn't have been any better. He played most of the time with an empty Sprite bottle. Now, I am sure that he was pretty bored because once he told us, "it is after 9, we should probably go home."
- The concert was almost over when we did head to the car. Keaton was sitting a bit away from us so I had her come back. Then during the next song, I had Alyssa and Reagan walk back over to us. I was relieved to know exactly where all of our people were again!
- Once we made it home, it was shower time. I knew Whitman had been asleep in the car but didn't stay diligent about keeping him awake, so he missed his shower chance and was put right to bed. Tomorrow will be another busy day so hope everyone sleeps well.
- Today was a pretty fun day! First, I was in no hurry to wake up. Actually, no one in this house was in a hurry to wake up. Since we had already finished our school for the week, we didn't have to rush around this morning.
- Now, Anderson did have a page of math and grammar to work on before he touched his ipad. So he delivered his work to me before I had even left the bed this morning. I guess he was the only one in a hurry this morning since he still had to finish his work before touching any devices.
- Come September, we will have Bible study on Wednesdays so on Fridays we will still be doing our last school day of the week. Now, I do love Bible study very much, but it sure would be nice to have a free day once a week.
- We did do a bit of reading this morning-especially history since if we don't work hard at it, it will take us 2 years to finish. There was also a science experiment which was supposed to prove the kids that we use not only our sense of smell to smell with but also our eyes. After making them smell and eat lemon jello that was dyed red, they were sure that the actually lemon jello was really cherry jello dyed yellow.
- Around 3, we all loaded up to go to the children's library. The big 3 are doing the EAST program at the library this year. It looked pretty neat-they all had nametags, folders and were all sitting at computers. The internet was down some today so they weren't able to do everything that they had planned. I think it will be really neat.
- While they were in their class, 2 hours, Campbell, Keaton, Whitman and I read quite a few books. We are working on Pippi Longstocking so we read some of that. But we also read a few others ones. I even stumbled on a book that Whitman proudly read to everyone (I can see. I can hide. I can jump...)
- When the big kids were finished with their class, the boys came out telling me all about what they did. They were both talking as fast as they could until we made it to basketball. Later on the way home, Reagan had her turn to tell me all about it. Graham and Reagan seemed to both be interested in graphic design. I am possibly more excited about this class than the kids are!
- Now, the boys usually aren't too nuts about basketball, but today we arrived a bit early and I suggested them staying in the car for a few more minutes while we listened to our book. Both boys, who usually love the books on tape, were ready to get right out and go into basketball.
- The girls, Whitman and I headed home. The girls opted to eat cheese ravioli for their supper. Robby and I however ran to the food truck down the way. Not the catfish food truck but the Mexican one. We are so classy on Lawson that we do have 2 food trucks!
- I got a burrito which was absolutely huge! Robby had tacos. All of our food, despite being food truck prices, was really yummy. We came home and gobbled it down before running to pick Graham up from basketball. Anderson had gone on home with Grannymom to spend the night.
- Once at home, Graham had a shower and ate his supper. Then the kids had a snack before vegging out in the living room. Currently, we are all in the living room. Robby and I have our computers in our laps, Graham is watching tv, and Reagan, Campbell, Keaton and Whitman all have their ipads in front of them. It is a pretty quiet, yet perfect Friday night.
- Anderson and Graham were up early this morning and immediately started on their school. Graham felt like he had a lot of work today (he didn't) so he started as early as he could.
- We had our breakfast, did our reading and then the kids started on their school work. Since no one had spelling today, everything went really smoothly. Reagan had finished her school work for today yesterday so she was done early.
- After our lunch, we did a bit more reading along with some chores. Then we loaded up to head to the Museum of Discovery. We just have a few more months left on our pass to the museum so I feel like I need to use it to the fullest.
- The kids always enjoy it even though quite a bit of the things are the same each time. There was a new exhibit about diamonds which was kind of interesting though. I had to go out once to feed the meter again. I tried to use my credit card, but the machine didn't like my Discover so I had to use some quarters from Campbell's bag.
- While we were at the museum today, a worker with a snake wrapped around his arm asked Whitman if he wanted to touch a snake. Whitman looked at the man, looked at what was on his arm and jumped back while shouting "no." A bit later, Whitman approached the man and asked if the snake was tame. He did finally pet the snake!
- After the museum, we ran to Dairy Queen. While I was ordering, the lady taking my order starting guessing the kids orders and also asked if one was for Reagan. The one lady knows most of the kids' names. As she was handing the Blizzards to us, she whispered to me, "I made one extra for you." That was incredibly sweet even though we have 7 cards so one was already for me! I just smiled and thanked her. The kids passed around the extra one and soon it was also gone.
- From there, we headed to Lifeway to have Reagan's name put on her Bible. It was actually free this week so that couldn't have worked out any better. Our next, and final stop, was the pool. Robby met us there and brought supper.
- We did stay and swim until closing time at 8. The kids enjoyed playing with the Kamps who were there as well. By the end, I was a bit chilly even though I read that the heat index was 107 today.
- Once we made it home, everyne had their showers, and we watched a Bates tv show before bedtime. It is a good thing that we don't have school tomorrow because my kiddo will be tired since we stayed up much later than even our usual late bedtime.
- Again no one was awake early this morning, but I was! I had 2 dozen muffins in the oven before anyone stirred. Now don't be too impressed, because all I did was open up some packages of muffins, added milk and stirred.
- Now, you might should be impressed that I also emptied the dishwasher, folded a load of clothes, walked 2 miles and cleaned the fridge also before anyone came downstairs. I can not guarantee that all of that will happen tomorrow or really ever again!
- We did our morning reading and then everyone started on their school work. Whitman breezed through his this morning and even had to wait on my to work with him. He also had a fit when he realized that he wasn't getting to do math on the ipad like everyone else. So Reagan helped him with his ipad math, and he was happy once again.
- Graham once again had another good day. Possibly I should make him a sticker chart to mark his good days. His math even changed up today, but it still was not a problem. Reagan's math also changed, and I am always so pleased when I understand what they are doing. Sometimes I have to work a bit to figure it all out again. Reagan's math was finding the volume of cylinders while Graham's was subtracting mixed numbers.
- At lunch we ate. Then, Anderson worked some more on his school work before we did some reading again. We have 82 library books checked our right now. I told Robby tonight that my favorite part about Wednesday nights is coming home and going through all of my library books. Of course he replied that maybe I should get out more often!
- The afternoon went by fairly quickly. Quite a bit of the afternoon my girls spent trying to figure out exactly what they were going to wear for their first Wednesday night. I kept reminding everyone that anything would be just fine, but there were outfit changes, drama, fingernail painting and lots of hair combing.
- We ran by the library before eating supper at ChickFilA. Then it was church time. Robby dropped us off. I was in the front as we were walking in and saw Reagan's friend walking by. I told Reagan, and she started knocking down brothers and sisters to get in the door and catch up with her buddy. Again, I think that she might have been a bit nervous!
- I do believe that everyone had a good time at church tonight. Anderson was pleased that he won a game. Keaton was excited that she had said her verse already.
- Once at home, the kids put on their pajamas and had a snack before bed. Tomorrow is the last day of school for the week and hopefully, we will get to go to a few fun places as well.
- So today was a much better school day even though I didn't wake up as early as I would have liked. I did have to wake everyone else up. I did briefly feel bad about this until I saw multiple facebook pictures of kids waiting on their buses before 7 in the morning.
- Today was supposed to be toast and eggs for breakfast but since we were running behind, I told everyone to just grab what they wanted. All of the girls almost mutinied because we didn't have muffins this morning. I told them that I would try to get up in time to make muffins tomorrow for school.
- We did our work together part of school, and then everyone started on their own school work. Whitman has just figured out that the sooner he finishes his work, the sooner he can play his ipad. Not that this decreases his school time by much since I was still working with him at noon. He is however starting to do most of his phonics pages by himself. Though today he did trick Campbell into reading it for him.
- We had our lunch, did a few chores and then even did some more reading. I worked on some Christmas gifts, yes, it is indeed never too early to get started. After I walked on the treadmill, it was time for us to load up and head to the pool.
- We arrived at the pool at 4, and we were the only ones there for the next 2 hours. Well, there was one other little boy who just lives down the road. Robby did show up with pizza for supper, and the Kamps arrived a bit afterwards.
- We stayed until 8 which is quite a while for us to stay at the pool. It did increase my hour total on my spreadsheet that I am keeping of pool time and pool visits. Afterwards, we headed home to take a few quick showers, eat a few cookies and play for a few minutes before bedtime.
- First day of school for most everyone around here, but this was our 4th week of school. I had expected that we were in a bit of a routine, however I was pretty wrong. The kids slept in a bit this morning. I did have to wake everyone but Graham up for breakfast.
- I called Reagan down at least 5 times before she graced us with her presence. I read at breakfast so I don't like starting if someone is not yet there. We then did our work together. We barely managed to squeeze everything in during the hour.
- Afterwards, everyone started on their school work. Graham lost his ever loving mind today and struggled all day long with school. During all of his drama, I did quickly realize that some of my kiddos are a breeze to teach at home and others not so much.
- Reagan had an orthodontist appointment at 11:30. Robby said that she was in the back for a good hour with them working on her mouth. They are now working on changing her bite. The good news is that she doesn't have to wear rubber bands any more.
- The bad news is that minutes after she came home, she sat down on the couch and something popped off of her braces. That left a wire that was poking her so I called as soon as the orthodontist office was back from lunch at 2. They said that they had an appointment at 2:30, so Reagan and I jumped in the car and headed back to the other side of town.
- It didn't take as long the second time so hopefully whatever it was will stay on her tooth and not pop off again. Back at home, we decided to skip the pool since it was still a bit rainy this afternoon. Campbell was not happy about this decision, but she is rarely happy about any decision I make these days.
- Around supper, we loaded up to head to Dairy Queen. They were having a kids eat free night. The place was busy, but it didn't take too long for us to order. We then waited for over an hour for our food. Robby tried to ask about it once, but was told he hadn't been waiting long enough and was refused to get his money back for what he did buy.
- As we continued to watch people come in, receive their food and then leave, we did grow a bit impatient. The kids were able to drink plenty of coke so they were fairly content. I guess this was an excellent lesson on patience. Robby had to ask again about the food, and it was finally delivered. The kids were starving so they scarfed their food down, and we were soon on our way to Nonna's house.
- Today was Nonna's birthday so we celebrated tonight with Key Lime Pie and lots of cards. Her gift is still on its way so it was be delivered later. Reagan, Anderson and Campbell worked hard at lighting the candles and did light most of them. The pie was pretty delicious, and the kids enjoyed hanging out at Nonna's house before we had to head home.
- Once home, everyone had their showers and then had a few minutes to hang out before bedtime. Tomorrow is another school day-hopefully a much better one.
