March 7, 2013

Super Star!

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• All the kids stayed in their bed until at least 7:00. Not sure exactly when they came downstairs because Robby was actually out of bed before 7:00 to run.
• When he finished, everyone else was stirring and we were starting breakfast.  He grabbed his breakfast and went to bonus room to "work from home" the rest of the day. He did surface back downstairs for lunch but soon disappeared again.  
• Well, Robby was the responsible party while I ran to Graham's school around 10:00.  Graham was out today since it was Parent/Teacher Conference day. I was relieved to get an excellent report - behavior wise and skill sets.   Pretty proud and he's even one of the youngest in his class since he's birthday is late July.
• Because of the morning meeting, we did have to split school up into two sessions. Everyone did good and everyone but Anderson was done before lunch.  After lunch, everyone else went upstairs to clean the toy room while Anderson finished up his work.
• Afternoon brought a few movies for everyone but Keaton who managed to sneak in a nap.
• Robby finished work a little after 5:00 and decided at the last minute he would take the crew out for supper since everyone had been home all day AND I was leaving the house. (Even though I wasn't leaving until 6:45.
• They shot a few basketball hoops (Anderson had wanted to do that all day) before loading up the bus, well the "white van", to head to the kid's choice of McDonald's - mainly for the Play Place.  I tidied up the house a bit then left for my home school meeting with other moms to decide what we were going to do next year.
• Robby said the kids were all very good at McDonald's - even Keaton loved playing on the Play Place but she really enjoyed the ice cream treat after supper. She couldn't decided if she liked the other kids fudge sundaes or Robby's Shamrock shake.
• It was bedtime for the kids by the time they made it home - after a few teeth were brushed, potty stops made - everyone went to bed and not a peep was heard the rest of the night.

March 6, 2013

Our own GI Joe!

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• I don't really remember much of the night-between Robby and I we were up going to the bathroom at least 10 times in the middle of the night.  That is actually what happens when someone who takes a diuretic before bed and someone who is pregnant drink a 2 liter before bed.  
• At one point though, Robby did shoot his arm straight up in the air and say "what is that?"  I pushed his arm down and then woke him up with my elbow and my hysterical laughter.  He didn't remember what he was dreaming about but it did keep me entertained for quite some while.
• Campbell was the first one awake this morning a bit before 7 but everyone else snoozed until 7:45.  Robby had left by the time that Reagan, Anderson and Keaton had woken up.  After my shower, we had breakfast and then some how the boys ended up in their army and power ranger costumes and everyone was sitting on the table happily playing something or another.  I let them play as long as I could and then it was school time.
• School went well and then things went downhill quickly-very, very quickly.  Reagan and Graham started fighting and when I gave them the choice of what to do instead of playing (empty 4 trash cans or pick up all of the toys on the steps) they both responded with a "no."  It wasn't a defiant no but was a shocked no but it was a no nonetheless and not the yes ma'am that I expect to hear (and I unfortunately do rarely hear it).  
• This led to them losing their movies this afternoon.  It wasn't a big loss since they only had less than an hour and then Graham's fussing over the movies resulted in everyone having to lay down and be still. And this led to pure bliss for me-seriously, Keaton, Campbell and Graham fell asleep in a heartbeat.  Campbell and Graham both probably need an occasional nap and truly, we all need one on Wednesdays.  Reagan and Anderson were quietly in their spots and the house was so quiet.  So quiet that I could have fallen sound asleep if I would have set down.  
• But after about 45 minutes of quietness it was time to wake everyone up.  I really, really hated to do this because I just wanted to curl up and go to sleep as well.  But since my grandparents enjoy seeing us, we headed there.  The kids were pretty good until it was time to leave.  
• My grandmother had passed out dollars to everyone and Graham had handed me his money to hold.  Then my grandpa gave Keaton another dollar and started to hand one to Graham.  My grandpa was a bit confused and didn't have enough cash for all the kids so I made Graham hand his money back and this set that child off.  I showed him his money in my pocket but he continued to whine until I explained ever so thoroughly what I was going to do to him once he made it back to the van!
• Next up was meeting Robby for supper and then church time.  Reagan has now finished saying her Awana verses not just once or twice but three times.  Anderson's group went shopping and he bought two more mini skateboards.  Campbell's class went to see the workers take care of the babies-that was a big deal.  Keaton, as always, walks right in her class without fussing or complaining.  And during puppets, Graham's group was asked how they could ride to the zoo.  Graham quickly responded "in a bus."  I had to explain that we in fact do ride in a bus-you would agree if you have ever driven a 15 passenger van around town!
• Once we made it home, the kids all had some milk and then it was bedtime for everyone.  Thankfully, it doesn't seem like Graham and Campbell's naps have affected them going to sleep tonight.

March 5, 2013

A building project!

(click here for today's pictures)

• I believe that Keaton has decided that she is going to take it upon herself to get Robby and me ready for the night time feedings of the new baby.  Seriously, she has been waking up every night lately-screaming and screaming.  When we check on her, she is soaking wet-diaper and pajamas (tonight she is wearing a diaper and pull up).  Robby changed her last night and she was pretty determined to wear us down until we gave in and fetched her milk for her.  We did that and after she had finished, she was not happy at all.  So unhappy that Robby headed upstairs and I went on to sleep (seriously, I am surprised at what I can sleep through lately)
• Campbell was the first one up this morning and she wanted to know where her Daddy was.  I told her he was probably in the bonus room.  She went to the bathroom to check in Robby's usual spot and came back to tell me that he wasn't there.  Now my Campbell, I truly think that she still has fluid in her ears from her colds-that little thing can not hear me anytime that I talk to her....or maybe she is just 3 and doesn't listen to me!
• Anyway, Robby and Graham were a bit late leaving this morning but they made it on time.  Graham had a good day at school and was pleased to tell everyone how much fun Grant and he had yesterday.  Grannymom picked Graham up and they spent the afternoon playing.  He loves playing somewhere else but he also loves to come home and was so happy to see all of us here.
• Back around here, we had breakfast after my shower and then they all started school.  It just took us a bit over 2 hours to finish today-just when we get in a bit of groove school is almost over for the school year.  Actually, I am currently working on my plans for the last few weeks of our school-plan right now is 2 weeks off for the baby and then finishing May 10th.  I know, just call me a dork-an organized dork!  
• After picking up and reading our science, it was nearly noon.  Keaton and Campbell helped me make lunch-Campbell even spread her peanut butter on her sandwich and then licked her knife clean.  As soon as lunch was over, Reagan and Anderson went back upstairs to play while my little girls helped me dust, straighten and do the laundry.  Then we joined the others upstairs and I pulled out the baby swing, car seat and bouncy.  As soon as Keaton saw the swing, she just climbed in and rested for a spell.  Seconds later, Campbell was in it (I did have to put a stop to that-she weighs as much as Reagan).  
• Soon it was nap time for Keaton and the others watched their movie while I loaded up the diaper bag for the baby.  I know I have 30 more days to go but I am well aware that those days will go quickly-and I still probably have a weeks worth of changing clothes over from winter to summer clothes.  Campbell fell asleep as Reagan, Anderson and I started playing Monopoly Jr.  We played and played until Anderson finally lost which was a good thing because I really needed to go and get Keaton out of bed since it was nearing 5.  Since he lost, I gave him my spot and they just kept playing-I don't think they finished and they only had 1 drama but they did play for quite awhile after I left.
• Grannymom and Grandpa dropped off Graham and came over for supper.  Keaton was so excited to see them but was sitting in a chair at the table and couldn't get down.  We had homemade tomato soup for supper-which Graham hardly tried and Reagan licked her bowl clean.  Then Robby, Grannymom and Grandpa worked on their taxes while the rest of us watched The Price is Right.  During everyone commercial break, I had the kids run upstairs and pick up 15 toys.  I had no idea that The Price is Right had so many commercials-it worked out great.  Eventually most of upstairs was decent so they had to run up and put on their pjs during a commercial break.
• Then we finished our evening with brownies and after watching the rest of the show, it was bedtime!

March 4, 2013

Graham's buddy Grant comes to play...

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• Robby and I were the first ones to wake up this morning at 7:30-eeek, that is a little bit late for a school morning.  I quickly had my shower and then started getting the kids ready.  Glad most things were already by the door but we did have to put the car seats back in from last week's bunko outing.  
• We still were able to drop Graham off near the start of school.  He was so excited because this was the day that Grant was coming over to play.  Then we drove to the other side of the church house to wait for Reagan and Anderson's school to start.  We read the Dr. Seuss book that Reagan was taking to her class today.  
• When I dropped them off I had to wait near each class for a bit since their teachers weren't yet in the classes.  Reagan's teachers were in the building and really, I don't have to worry too much about her but I did stay near Anderson's class until I could tell that he was going to sit down and do the right thing until his teacher arrived.
• On the way home, Keaton was making all kinds of noise and then she stopped talking.  I started thinking (hoping) that she was asleep and I could just transfer her to her bed and quickly do my work.  But when I went to get her out of the van, she was grinning at me and ready to play.  Actually, it was nice to have her today-she worked hard unfolding all of my laundry as soon as I would fold it.  But her favorite thing was following me around while I was sweeping.  If I was holding the broom she was holding the tiny sweeper and then we would switch.  
• After less than 2 hours, it was time to pick up Graham and Grant.  Grant came home with us today and it looked like his dad practically had to leave a sample of blood for the school to ok him coming home with me.  Poor guy had to fill out an entire page for our little play date.  Grant was so excited that I had brought the big van.  He told me that he was hoping I would bring it.  I told the boys to sit in the very back and Graham told Grant to sit in his usual seat.  Graham added "it is the best seat because the remote control is right beside it.  My brother and my sister think I can't do the remote but I can."
• Listening to Graham and Grant talk today was pretty funny.  Graham would refer to his siblings as "my brother" or "my sister" or even "my little bitty sister."  And when the boys first came in the house, Graham showed Grant around "here's my bedroom, and the bathroom and all the toys."  So cute.  They played upstairs, had some lunch, played outside, came inside, watched a movie and had a snack and then played back upstairs.  They really had the best time playing together.
• We loaded up a bit early so they could play on the playground at church while we waited on Grant's grandma to pick him up before picking up his brother.  Soon school was over and Reagan, Anderson and Kennedy joined us on the playground.  It eventually became pretty crazy on the playground but they all had a blast-including Keaton.  She really held her own with all of the big kids.  Her favorite thing to do was climb up the steps and then slide down.  She is getting big too quick.
• Back at home, Kennedy and Reagan played dolls and the boys played in the toy room while I unpacked their bags.  Soon Robby was rolling in-he had picked up Campbell from Grannymom's house.  Campbell had a wonderful time and has talked and talked since she has been home.  She did give me a hug but then said "where's Keaton? I missed Keaton."  
• Soon it was time to load up for soccer.  We dropped off Campbell and Keaton.  Campbell would have been fine going but it was just so much easier for me to take Keaton to my mom's house for a bit.  When we arrived 15 minutes before it started, there were probably 100 people already there.  Robby hurried to his spot to start working and we hurried to get in line.  
• We found our paper work and then started on the drills.  The kids were all very attentive and tried really hard on all of the drills.  Reagan and Kennedy had to do one extra drill since they are older and while they did this one, the boys saved our spot in another line.  By the time we finished, lines were long-very, very long.  Robby was still working so we ran to McDonalds to pick up some burgers for us to eat as we waited.  
• Then it was back to Nonna's house to pick up my little girls.  Kennedy's dad picked her up from try outs so we were back to our regular 5 kids.  At home, Graham took his medicine, everyone put on their pjs and had half a doughnut and milk before bed.  They were exhausted tonight and I think that I am as well!
• Tonight as we were brushing teeth, Anderson asked me "Mom, are you pregnant?"  He said it like it might be a bad word or like he might get in trouble for asking.  I said that I was and continued to explain the meaning of pregnant.  Funny kid.

March 3, 2013

Lil' sis and Big Sis'

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• The other day I mentioned that Anderson had been lacking on his bathroom business therefore I gave him some meds to quicken things along.  So yesterday, Anderson called me upstairs to help him wipe.  There was quite a bit of toilet paper in the potty so I asked if he had wiped himself.  I have been encouraging him to do his own wiping and was quite surprised when he replied "yeah, I have been."  Well, whoops, guess I jumped the gun on giving him a some meds.  Little fiber never hurt anyone!  
• Graham didn't even make it an hour in his bed last night.  He was quickly moved to our bedroom because of his cough/cough/whine/yell sequence that he did over and over again.  He slept for a bit in our room but started up again around 2.  Robby made it until 3 and then he moved on our of the bedroom.
• Somehow after Robby left, Graham and I never woke up again-or at least I never woke up again.  Around 7:15, my phone rang and it was my dad.  His first words answered the question I had in my head-his first words were "no one die."  He was just asking if Graham needed to stay with them this morning instead of church.  Thankfully, Graham feels fine during the day and only coughs during the night-not tonight or he has been told that he is sleeping with Belle.
• We all made it to church on time and everyone did well.  And after the big 3 had cookies, we surprised Anderson by sitting in the balcony.  He had been asking to sit in the balcony for a long time. Robby and I never really got to sit in the balcony growing up (during special musical events is the only time that I remember).  Everyone paid attention even though we thought that the sound was not as good up there but we might just end upstairs again.
• Next up was lunch at Nonna's house.  The kids ate well and played hard.  Soon it was time to go and when we were in the car, Anderson asked "did we act good?"  He was asking if they had gotten in the car without too much drama (as we have been having some drama leaving grandparent's houses lately).  And they in fact did perfect today so maybe we are turning over a new leaf.
• It seemed like we were only home for a few minutes before we had to turn around and head back out the door.  Reagan, Anderson and Graham had choir and Robby had a meeting so that left Keaton, Campbell and me to hang out until church time.  We had cookies at the coffee shop, walked around and around and around the church house and even spied on the boys who were behaving perfectly in their class.
• Everyone was very good during church again.  And surprisingly I was less distracted this morning in the balcony than I was tonight.  This evening we were sitting in the middle section about in the middle of the rows.  And I was completely distracted by the lady nursing her baby right in front of us.  Seriously?  All I can say is thank God for blankets or I wouldn't have heard a word of the sermon!
• The kids had a snack on our way to church, the little girls had their cookies during church and the big kids had a cookie before big church.  But still when we made it home, we needed supper so Robby made supper while the rest of us changed into pjs and picked up the toy room.  Tomorrow is a busy day so I at least needed one room clean before the day started (school for most, cleaning for Keaton and me, picking up Graham and Grant from school for them to play, dropping of Grant and then picking up Reagan, Anderson and Kennedy, picking up Campbell and possibly dropping off Keaton and Campbell before meeting Robby to go to soccer try outs-just need a weekend after the weekend.)
• Anyway, after supper and ice cream truck the kids headed up to bed and it sounds like Graham is taking Robby's suggestion on not to cough (and especially whine and yell) tonight so he doesn't have to sleep with Belle.

March 2, 2013

(click here for today's pictures)

• We slept decently this morning but during the night, Graham would cough, whine and pull at his ear.  By 2, we had enough of that and brought him downstairs to sleep on our floor.  His whining had woken Campbell up and she was getting upset.  As I helped Graham out of bed, Campbell asked me a hundred ways where Graham was going.  I tried to explain but eventually just said that he was going to the bathroom so she would just go back to sleep.  But her first words to me this morning were "Graham didn't come back last night."
• Anyway, we had set the alarm for 7, so I could take Graham to the Saturday clinic and truly find out if it was his ears (we had debated going yesterday but he perked up during the day).  Graham and I were the second car in the parking lot but still the 5th in line.  By 8:45 though we were out the door and nope, no ear infection.  That was a good thing for Graham but sure a lot of trouble for nothing!  We did make a morning out of it and brought home some doughnuts for the crew.
• We had a pretty lazy morning-Robby ran, we ate doughnuts, everyone watched a few minutes of an ocean show and before too long it was lunch time.  We all ended up eating leftovers from last nights supper out.  
• And before long, it was Keaton's nap time and the others movie time.  Then we cut the boys hair-gave them a good spring trim that will hopefully last until after the baby (doubtful as hairy as they are becoming-like father like son.)  
• Oh, yes, during the kids movie time, we heard the pitter patter of feet coming up to the bonus room.  We had told the kids that they could get their milk during their second movie and I had put all of their milks lined up in the fridge.  Anderson was the first to walk into the room and by his breathing and the look on his face, Robby was convinced the something horrible had happened-like Campbell had fallen in the potty, the refrigerator had tipped over or something worse.  But the words out of Anderson's mouth were "Campbell took the cup with the apple on it."  Drama, drama!
• We had supper at the Pennington's house.  The kids enjoyed playing with Jacob, Ethan, Hayley, Camryn and Laynie.  By the end of the evening, all of the boys were so exhausted that they were sitting on the couch with their heads leaned back.  
• At home, after everyone was in bed, Graham started his cough and then whine bit again.  I didn't waste any time and went up to move him.  Oddly enough he was sound asleep-took me forever to coax him out of bed.  He was happy to be able to sleep on our floor again so hopefully, he will sleep well (or at least we will sleep well)

March 1, 2013

Friday Project Day!

(click here for today's pictures)

• After a few days of off and on fever along with quite a bit of congestion, Graham still surprises us by how well he sleeps.  Today he seems to be on the mend so we shall see.  Even though he slept well, he was still the first one up and down to our bed.  Robby eventually had to get up and get ready but still no one else was downstairs yet.
• When Robby left, only Graham, Anderson and Campbell were awake and they were all upstairs playing.  After awhile, I did wake up Reagan and pulled Keaton out of bed.  After changing her, she ran to the kitchen and looked around.  She continued to look around-finally, I understood that she was looking for Robby.  
• We had breakfast and I gave Anderson some medicine-I told him it was so he didn't get what Graham has.  He dutifully chewed up the pills without asking any questions and thankfully no one else wondered why I wasn't concerned with them getting Graham's cold.  His medicine was to help his bathroom business along since I don't think he has done any business since Monday and no telling how long before I noticed.  
• I had debated just buying juice and fruit at the grocery store but then opted to buy some chewable pills instead hope that would prevent us from having to do anything serious.  Thankfully, his medicine kicked in before breakfast was over.  If my blog is still around someday when the kids are bigger, they will just be mortified-oh, well.
• We did school this morning and everyone did well.  We then had ipad time-kind of nice since I pick their games and this gives me time to get a few things straightened.  Then on Fridays, we have been pulling out one of their Christmas gifts or some other project to work on.  I really like them doing this but I am pulled in 5 different directions during this time.  Actually, Reagan worked on her fashion design kit and didn't need any help and Campbell was still finishing her ipad time so she was good.  Anderson was working on his pirate ship and I have to be there with each piece and Graham wanted to make a space shuttle like Anderson did earlier in the week.
• I had pulled out bread for lunches (10 slices) and then asked Reagan what type of sandwich she would like.  Then she said that she wanted bagels with cheese like the other day.  I was so surprised that I put all that bread and pulled out the bagels.  Everyone had complained when I made that the other day.  These kids of mine like to keep my on my toes.
• Afterwards I made everyone help me straighten the house-this included dividing up and organizing Keaton's baby toys and even pulling out many, many presents that my sweet bunko girls gave to us last night.  The kids were thrilled with opening the bags-even though they had diapers and wipes in them.  
• Next up was a few movies for the big ones and then we all had reading time.  My Grahammy didn't want to read but wanted to work on his reading book instead.  So I obliged and we worked on his book-when Reagan and Anderson worked on it, I should have videoed every few lessons so I could look back and see how slow the learning to read process is.  
• It was after 5 when Robby came home.  The kids (really just me) were getting restless for him to come home.  We were pretty much ready to leave when he made it home so after a few minutes we headed out.  We ate Texas Roadhouse and it was a pretty perfect evening.  Robby had called ahead for seating and I went in to check on our wait.  The lady said 30 minutes and before I could even get back to the van, the pager was going off.
• So we had immediate seating and bread and peanuts to keep everyone occupied while we ordered and waited on the food.  The kids were excellent and were even pretty hungry.  By the time we made it home, it was bedtime for all.