July 14, 2011

No Diving! It's a deck pool!

Highlights from today: (Click here for pictures)
Click here for tonight’s swimming video

• This morning we headed to Grannymom’s house for the morning while Robby and I went to work.  The kids must have been hungry because before I left everyone was sitting at the table waiting on their food.  Campbell has graduated from the booster seat at Grannymom’s house and just plops herself down at a big girl seat.
• When I arrived to pick everyone up, things seemed calm but within a few minutes Reagan was having a Graham sized fit because Anderson had moved a piece of paper and Anderson was screaming at Reagan.  And before long, Graham was starting to kick his feet and holler….so I just left! 
• All things did calm down in a few minutes and we headed to Barnes and Noble to pick up Reagan’s free book.  I hadn’t been to Barnes and Noble in a long time and was surprised at all of the toys they were selling there.  Anyway, the kids were good and I let them play for a few minutes on the train table but since Campbell didn’t have a paci we had to move quickly.
• We looked for her book ourselves, then went to the front desk, were told to go to customer service, followed the worker to the children’s area, followed him out of the children’s area, followed him back to the children’s area and finally were shown the book we were looking for.  Reagan was so pleased with herself for reading her 8 books and getting to pick out a book for herself.  She changed her mind about 10 times but finally decided on one and walked to the cashier and handed him her book and forms.  She was so proud (should have had my camera)
• Next stop was the library for books for everyone else.  I set a limit of 5 per person but I am the one that some how always ends up putting more than my limit of books in the bag (not books for me but kid books).  All was well but Campbell had had enough and found a nice spot to squeal in the library so she could hear her echo.  I told them kids to pick out their books quickly so we could get out of there before we were kicked out
• Back at home, the kids asked for something to eat.  I asked Anderson what he wanted and he said an apple-so of course, I had to let him have an apple before bed.  An apple for him, strawberries for Campbell and Graham and the rest of the watermelon for Reagan.  We soon had naps and everyone was quite until 4:30. 
• Of course, right before naps, the kids started playing and they were playing so well together.  And what would my Dennie kids be playing: hotel clerk.  Reagan was the clerk, the boys had credit cards to pay and then she gave them room keys.  She showed them their rooms and the bathroom, even passed out a flyer for a movie to them and reminded them about breakfast in the morning. 
• Supper and then Robby came home and I headed out to Bunko.  The next event was swimming in their clothes.  They had a blast and thought they were something else getting to swim without their bathing suits.  They went to bed fairly easy after a busy day and need their rest for the big outing tomorrow.

July 13, 2011

Look at my beard!

Highlights from today: (Click here for pictures)

• 8:30 seems to be our time that we can manage to get downstairs to start the day-probably surprising since we are up well before that.  We had more fruit for breakfast and we are going to have to slow down on the fruit because Campbell’s digestive track/bottom is paying the price
• Reagan on the other hand has almost successfully eaten our whole watermelon from the other night.  My folks, Jason and I probably ate 1/4 or less of it and she has just about finished it off.  Reagan has also started drinking milk-she overheard Dr. Martin telling us to slow down on the boys’ milk and some how she left thinking she was told to drink milk.  It is kind of funny-she hasn’t really touched milk in a year but today she had 3 cups full
• I worked mainly on getting our stuff together for our Hot Springs weekend and let the kids play legos by themselves.  Legos are the thing they love to do and can do it for quite a long time-all 4 of them-and things that they can do for a long time is pretty rare.  And yes, Santa is already storing a huge box of more legos for them.
• We read a zillion books at breakfast (3 actually-it just seemed like a zillion since I was trying to eat too and clean while they were eating).  But they still wanted to read more at lunch-we did squeeze one more in but the highlight of our leftover lunch was everyone getting to talk to Robby on the phone.  Graham was so proud to tell him that he had tried his edamame and liked it.  Still can’t get Anderson to try it-probably just like Robby when he was a little boy (and I was pretty picky growing up too)
• After lunch, it was nap time.  I was out in the garage working on school stuff and couldn’t hear that Reagan and Anderson were out of bed sitting on the steps having a big time waiting on me to come back in.  I eventually let them stay up together in her room and play-kind of nice since Anderson is almost asleep now and he has just been in bed for about 10 minutes.  He is my stay awake boy and usually is awake for an hour after bedtime.  He’s always good but must get bored just laying there
• After naps, we watched a movie and then took baths.  Robby came home in time to assist with the “get out of the bathtub” stage-bath are quite a chore.  That is why we only do them bi-monthly (kidding-kind of).  We do now have a girls tub and a boys tub and can you imagine whose tub makes the biggest mess.  The boys did have a blast playing with soap foam today while Reagan would have no part in it and Campbell whined when I put it on her.
• Grannymom came over during supper and Robby and I went out to eat to celebrate our 11th anniversary a few days early.  We went to Palios and Orange Leaf-big night out and even home by bedtime: 7:30.  The kids had a big time playing and weren’t too disappointed to see up come home.  They finished off the evening with a snack and movie and then everyone headed to bed.

July 12, 2011

Fashionista in the making?

Highlights from today: (Click here for pictures)

• The boys were the first ones up this morning and I guess they have figured out that 7 is when they are allowed up so we don’t hear from them until 7 these days-it is bliss!
• Reagan’s thing these days is that she will try to put on her clothes before we ask.  She goes to great lengths to hide what she is doing and has even put her pajamas back on top of her clothes.  Of course, on most days I have already laid out their clothes but she sneaks some out of her room, so she has had the same set of clothes laying out for days
• Everyone played at Nonna’s house all morning long while I was at work.  Reagan made a picture for Beebee so they went over to deliver it and Campbell nodded to Nonna that she wanted to come but when they made it over there, she changed her mind.  Anderson was sad that they didn’t get to go out and play but since my car said it was 106-it was probably best that they stayed in. 
• When I came to pick everyone up, they had completely trashed Nonna’s house-I promise there were at least 1000 toys on the floor.  Anderson hesitated picking up but eventually joined in (with a little bit of cajoling from me).  He has gotten a bit better about picking up but it must just be something about boys because his brother is just as aloof when it comes to picking up. 
• At home, it was nap time for everyone this afternoon and Anderson took a nap today which aloud me to get more accomplished.  Yesterday, him and Reagan took turns calling me to see when they could get up so all I did was run up and down the stairs.  I guess that might be okay for my waistline though!
• Reagan spent her afternoon coloring on a tshirt that Robby had from work.  It says you can use these special markers, wear it and then when it washes you can color it again.  Even if you can’t do all of that she had a blast today and spent at least an hour coloring on it.
• Robby came home with supper from Sams and we even tried edamame (Click Here for a Picture).  Reagan and Campbell were all about it but the boys were fairly picky-though they did like the cinnamon bread I had bought earlier in the day
• The big 3 took turns taking pictures with a real camera, Reagan read a book to me and Robby and finally Reagan and Anderson watched a movie, Graham was sent to his room for fussing at me and Campbell and Robby ran to the store for a few minutes. 

July 11, 2011

Are these my shoes?

Highlights from today: (Click here for pictures)

• It took awhile for us to get moving this morning but we finally made it downstairs, after putting on our clothes and straightening the upstairs.  We had our apples that Graham bought with his money, watermelon from Reagan’s purchase and cereal from Anderson’s shopping trip along with a pint of strawberries-which we finished off at lunch
• The kids played with most of their toys all morning long but the highlight was helping me touch up paint from taking the gates down (no one has fallen yet-though Campbell did fall out of Graham’s bed tonight over the bedrail though Graham could not let her outdo him and he later fell out of his bed after we had tucked him in-again, they fell out over the bedrail). 
• Also, we helped put together a set of drawers for Reagan’s school and then waited on Campbell to go to bed for her morning nap so we could play Memory.  The kids were so funny, they would all get so excited for each other when someone made a match
• After lunch, Robby came home to do a little repair work on the potty (constantly running) while we ate our lunch we read a few books and then everyone played while I cut a few coupons and folded laundry before nap time.
• Reagan read another book to me at nap-she only has 2 more before she can go and pick up her free book from the bookstore-she is so excited.  Though today the book was a bit long and she asked if we could just finished it tomorrow-we only had one more page so we pressed on. 
• After nap, we watched a movie and then the kids played/ran/screamed until Robby came home.  He had a few more fixes to the potty and then we were off to eat.  The kids were decent at the restaurant but Graham almost had meltdown but the sight of the spanking spoon calmed things down. 
• Back at home, we headed to bed and before I had made it downstairs, Grannymom, Lilly and Cash rang the doorbell-the kids thought they had hit the jackpot getting to stay up late and play with their cousins.  Everyone played and played until they headed home and then it was back to bed for the Dennie crew-and that must have worn them out because we never heard from anyone again for the evening

July 10, 2011

Pink umbrella, chocolate cupcake
& punch - pretty good night!

Highlights from today: (Click here for pictures)

• Church morning and since we had missed last week it took us a few extra minutes to get ready.  So we had to stop for our cinna minis on the way-Graham was so happy to see the “cinnamon roll place” (also known as Burger King).
• At church, Reagan’s class had everyone pick someone that they could tell about Jesus.  Reagan picked Belle (our dog!).  I guess that we probably have never explained the gospel to Belle so that will Reagan’s job this week
• We were in Campbell’s class for worship care and she could take any of the little girls in that class.  Seriously, we were kind of afraid for them-Campbell is a chunk with a temper and that might not be a good thing for her friends!
• We had lunch at Nonna and Pops’ house and then kids ate most of their food and were very intrigued by the purple hull peas.  Maybe we should grow some next year-ha, who am I kidding-we will just have to buy some at the store.  Nonna had a fruit tray and the kids devoured it.  Nonna had a yellow meat watermelon and Reagan gave it a good try but at nap today she told me that she liked the red ones better
• At home, we had nap-a long, wonderful nap and then hurried around to get ready again for church since we had forgotten that it was at 6.  Love the new time but sure can’t remember it.  Robby did take down the gates this afternoon since Campbell goes up and down the stairs as she pleases now.  I don’t know if the kids feel this way or not but it kind of makes me feel like I am going to fall down the steps without the gate there anymore.
• After church they had cupcakes so they kids were very excited about that.  On the way out, Mr. Ralph honked at us and some others as were going down the steps.  Anderson shouted “that scared my underwear off”-I should be glad that is what he said!
• Back at home, while we were putting on pajamas, Graham touched Robby’s head and said “Daddy, you no have lots of hair.”  Robby was quick to remind him that all of his hair will fall out too. 

July 9, 2011

Swim Time!

Highlights from today: (Click here for pictures)

• Every morning when Robby leaves for work, at least one child throws a fit because he is leaving, everyone waves from the windows and blows kisses-but this morning when I was the first one to leave-no one noticed.  I finally walked back to the steps to tell them bye again and just heard a chorus of “byes” but no one seemed to miss me.  I was only gone to Old Navy for about 15 minutes so they probably really didn’t even miss me at all
• Next up, Robby ran back to Old Navy to finish my shopping and the kids seemed to notice a little more when he left.  But we were finishing getting ready for our day so they were pretty distracted.
• We met the crew at the Ozark Mountain Smokehouse and Mr. Chad was there.  Graham was pretty terrified that he was there but eventually gave him five as we left.  On the other hand, Campbell loved Ms. Alicia especially since she let her play in her water glass.  Wonder why Graham is scared of Mr. Chad-could it be that we always mention that he will have to live with Mr. Chad if he is a bad boy and even tell him that he is coming to pick him up because he heard him screaming
• We stayed at breakfast until it was almost lunch time.  The kids were at a table by themselves and did very good for a 2.5 hour breakfast.  They finally entertained themselves by playing on the back deck and even splashing around in our cups of water-it was getting hot out on the back porch by the time we finished our breakfast.
• After breakfast we ran an errand to the mall, Sams and then to Target.  We picked up a shirt for me, shirt for Robby and pants for Anderson.  The kids were happy about getting to ride in the buggy and eat their pretzel from the mall so we were able to shop for quite awhile at Target.
• Next up was naps at home and then waking up watching a movie from the library.  After that it was time for pb and j sandwiches and then not so patiently waiting on Nonna, Pops and Jason to come over.  Earlier in the day, the kids saw Robby blowing up the swimming pool and they all screamed and watched everything he was doing-they were so excited.  And Reagan was so excited about getting to eat her watermelon tonight that she had bought with her own money. 
• Robby had a date with 5 other women tonight so he was gone.  Graham asked if he was going to where I have bunko and it was just as easy to explain that he was going to bunko.  Reagan wanted to stay awake until he came home so we will see if she makes it-of course, she is tucked in her bed while waiting!
• The kids splashed, played, swallowed gobs of water (especially Campbell), jumped and even played baseball.  When they got in the pool, Campbell could barely walk it was so full but by the end of the night she was able to sit on the bottom.  They only took a break for watermelon and Reagan was really the only one who ate any.  Campbell did like carrying hers around with her but she ate mostly the green. 
• Finally, I coaxed everyone into the house with some juice and they played for awhile with Nonna and Pops and then it was finally bedtime after a few stories from Jason.  Surely they are pretty worn out…I am at least!

July 8, 2011

Balloon Release!

Highlights from today: (Click here for pictures)

• Reagan continues her camera lessons - first six pictures courtesy of Reagan
• We were up and getting ready this morning for our trip to the library.  I really want to try to go every Friday.  But it seems like we check out more books that we can read in a week and then I end up taking something back late.  Anyway, we’ll get a good system and start going.
• After the library, we went to Campbell’s 18 month doctors appointment.  Apparently she isn’t our child-she is tall.  Almost off of the chart tall.  34 inches and 33 pounds (oh, okay, I guess she is ours by the weight!)  She does have a cold but other than that she’s fine.  Dr. Martin did say that most 3 year olds weigh about 35 pounds so Ms. C will now be drinking slim fast (or maybe some skim milk)
• Robby was with us at the doctor’s office and then took us to McDonalds to eat.  The kids grazed but mostly played-and unfortunately now Campbell can climb up with a boost or two from her siblings.  Of course, this takes forever for them to coax her down.
• As we were leaving, Reagan looked at the McDonalds Happy Meal box and said “why don’t we get a toy?”  I replied that we used our money to buy food and she responded with “but it comes with a toy and everyone else gets one.”  Who told her that?  I guess my happy meal toys can no longer be Christmas stocking gifts!  And no, she didn’t get it today-those are really my trip bribes. 
• On the way home from McDonalds, the kids started talking about heaven.  I mentioned the streets of gold and then Anderson said “I sure hope there are pop tarts in heaven”-me too buddy
• Soon it was nap time and after nap, Anderson must not have been as awake as I thought because when I said that we were going to meet Daddy in a little bit.  He looked at me and shouted “we are going to EAT Daddy?”  He truly had a panicked look on his face. 
• After this happened, Graham must have thought since we were going to eat Daddy, he needed to make sure he knew where his tattoos were that Robby has had in his wallet for over a week.  I do not know how he can remember things like that but I had to text Robby to make sure he still had them.  He did and all was well
• We watched one movie and then loaded up to meet Robby.  I met him across the street from his work at the post office and some one backed out as I was driving by.  I stopped so suddenly and they did too that I didn’t know if we had hit each other or not.  No telling what I said but Reagan exclaimed “well, you finally bumped into someone”-like I had won a contest.  I did park and get out and look and all was fine.  We were probably a few inches apart but oh, my!
• We toured the Historic Arkansas Museum for the 2nd Friday Arts Night.  They had a few interesting things to look at but the kids were more intrigued with the lemonade, crackers and cheese.  After snacking and more gift shop looking for me, we headed to Walmart to pick up a few things. 
• When we made it home, Anderson who had thrown a few fits during the day was sent to bed and as he was going, Reagan hit him so she was also sent to bed.  This left Graham up who thought that he was going to get to stay up all night long.  He didn’t get too!