September 21, 2014

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Why are you looking at me?  B/c you are so stinkin' cute!

• After our alarms rang this morning, the first thing that Robby said this morning was "what day is it?"  I quickly answered Sunday thinking that he was kidding.  But no, he said he couldn't decide what day it should be-I guess the effects of turning 40 hit him a day early. 
• We started getting ourselves ready for church and down came Reagan and Campbell fully dressed.  My Campbell will do this often but Reagan not so much.  Reagan is the one who is usually the last one out of bed but not today. They both even had on the clothes that I had laid out for them-that also never really happens.  Keaton came down with them but she was still wearing her dance outfit that she slept in.  She had told Reagan that it was a dress and she was going to wear it to church but thankfully she didn't protest at all about wearing the dress we picked out yesterday for her to wear.
• Robby passed out breakfast to everyone while I finished getting myself ready.  The kids even had time to play their kindles some even though we had to leave a few minutes early to take back some library books.  I do love the library and would have a hard time homeschooling well without it.  But seriously, I don't like owing people things and with the library, I always owe them something-if it isn't books, then it is fines.  I am a bit paranoid too since over our trip, their text/email messaging to remind you of nearly overdue books was down and my fine accumulated to 20 plus bucks.  Now every Friday, I check to make sure my library books are not due soon-had to put that on my list.
• Church was fine-I did almost laugh out loud and embarrass the family.  At the end of the service, a whole group of people came down front and set on the front pews.  I knew they were coming forward for prayer for an upcoming mission trip but I still leaned over to Anderson and said "they are a bit late, aren't they?"  He looked at them and said "they sure are."  This tickled me and the more I giggled, the harder I wanted to laugh.  Oh my goodness, tears were rolling down my eyes I was laughing so hard.
• Sunday school was uneventful.  I pulled out my teacher voice today-3rd grade boys!  I tell you, they just needed gentle reminders about how to sit in chairs, how to walk down the hallway and what to do when you enter a classroom.  If I saw my boys acting like these kids do, it would not be good. Now, they are all good kids but too many boys in a room just creates havoc.  After our little meeting, everyone calmed down and Sunday school was actually enjoyable.  I might change my tune but I can see Robby and I teaching this age for a few years.  
• Lunch was at Nonna and Pops house.  They had tenderloin-Anderson's favorite meat-he said that at least 7 times.  Whitman though was not at all impressed with Nonna's lunch and would have none of it.  But he did enjoy Robby's birthday cake and had his share of that.  Of course, he thought that we were singing Happy Birthday to him and just sat and grinned as we sang to his daddy.
• At home this afternoon, we quickly hurried to put everything up and then it was naptime.  Just as usual, Campbell and I snoozed until the last minute when we had to get up and scurry around.  The kids had choir and Reagan sang her hymn (Amazing Grace) she thinks but the boys tried and didn't get it so they will have to sing them next week.  That means that we are going to practice 19 times a day until then.  I don't like homework hanging over our heads-wonder if we could sing them Wednesday and not wait until Sunday?
• At the end of church, we walked around the sanctuary praying for different unreached people groups.  Reagan said she liked that much better than big church and Campbell thought it was a scavenger hunt so she really enjoyed it.  Then Keaton went home to spend the night with Grannymom and Grandpa and the rest of us went to the playground to play some after church.  
• The kids played and played on the playground.  They had so much fun that they required showers when we got home.  Showers were quick because everyone wanted to hurry to get the first pick of our ice cream truck.  
• After our ice cream eating, it was Bible story time.  Tonight the question was how tall was Goliath? Reagan had done her pre-reading and knew that he was over 9 feet tall. Pretty wild to imagine. Hopefully my Campbell who has started to have her nightmares/terrors/whatevers again won't be too bothered by reading about that giant!

September 20, 2014

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Anderson suits up twice...

• Football morning but no one was really moving quickly. I was the first one up and got my shower and then started calling the kids down to get ready.  Soon clothes were flying, I was doing hair, teeth were being brushed and shoes were being put on.  It was pretty record time to get us ready. Robby quickly loaded the ice chest while I held everyone off on grabbing their own breakfast.  
• We decided that the 3rd game of soccer deserved a special breakfast of doughnuts-or maybe we were just starting Robby's birthday celebration early-either way, nothing beats a Shipley's chocolate filled doughnut.  Now my kids wouldn't know about that because Robby and I quickly and quietly shoved our chocolate filled doughnuts into our face as we headed to the football field.  Of course we had to turn the movie up louder so no one would hear as smacking on those delicious doughnuts.  The line was plenty long in the store but Robby soon came out with boxes full of goodness.  
• Once at the football field, we unloaded and then passed out doughnuts to everyone.  The kids enjoyed the doughnuts but I really think that they all liked the doughnut holes better.  Even Whitman who has really slowed down on eating lately (he has been sickly but also crazy picky) enjoyed the doughnut holes (now tonight though he did have half a banana, a slice of cheese, a handful of grapes and a cookie so he must be on the mend.)
• Reagan had a bit more spunk when she ran through the tunnel today-still not as much as her sister. Last time Reagan did cheer leading, she really looked like she enjoyed it, she yelled and shook her pom poms with gusto.  Not this year.  She doesn't act like she thinks she is too old, it is almost like it just isn't her thing.  Probably if she had friends doing it with her she might be more peppy.  
• But Reagan is 1000 times more peppy than Campbell.   That girl is so distracted-almost like she is a 4 year old or something.  I tell you she just stands there, looked around and that is pretty much it. Now I will give her this-after her daddy talked to her and said that she would not play on the playground at lunch if she didn't work hard, then she did pull out her A game and start cheering the best she could.  That is all that I want-just her to try.
• It was hot during that game but it just got hotter during Graham's game.  Graham didn't have enough players to play and since Robby knew an extra player (Anderson) things worked out well.  Of course my Anderson loved playing this game too.  Graham's team won by a touchdown or two so that was good.
• Then we went to Chickfila to cool off a bit.  First week it was hot, last week it was cold and back to hot again this week.  It was much more crowded there than McDonalds so it didn't feel like we had enough down time because we were soon leaving again.  The kids did have time to play on the playground.  I told Keaton, who was wearing big girl panties, that if she peepeed on the playground the cow would come out and spank her.  She said "maybe I will go and try again."   Listen, my motto is whatever works and that worked.  I guess that my Keaton has the pottying thing down-we just barely snuck that in before she was 3.
• Next up was Anderson's game.  He was not the center the entire time-probably because he told his coach he didn't want to be the center the whole time.  Those are good lessons-learning to speak up for yourself.  Anderson had a good run today and made a few yards-man, I wish my boys were faster but they just are not.  And that is fine since they both really enjoy playing.  
• Whitman was hot, tired and not feeling perfect during the first games so Nonna took him home and just kept him there during Anderson's game.  A nap, some food and air conditioner did that boy well and he was his happy self when we picked him up.  He came home and sat in his car seat while all of us worked together to clean the car and garage.  This seemed like it took forever but everyone that wanted to go was rewarded with a trip to Sams.
• Whitman stayed home for a nap and Graham was the only one who didn't want to go.  Not really sure why-he even picked up the toy room like Robby asked (it wasn't bad and I helped), had a shower and played his kindle happily while they were gone.  At Sams they ate every single sample they could find-Reagan's favorite thing ever.  And they bought us a new wagon for our ballgames. Our wheel is now broken-if we knew a welder it could probably be fixed but we don't know any welders.  
• Once back at home, all of them had showers. I woke Whitman up to join Keaton in his shower and that little turkey did his business in the shower.  The same shower that I cleaned from top to bottom on Thursday-I had just washed and put his shower toys back in that shower about an hour before he exploded in the shower.  So back all of those toys went to the dishwasher!  My mom wouldn't let me watch I Dream of Jeanie but sometimes I wish that I could just wiggle my nose and clean up around here.  But what would I do with my free time-I didn't know what to do when everyone was at Sams today.  I just sat down next to Graham and read some of a book I am reading (except that made me feel guilty)
• Soon the Hogs were on and we all watched that.  We even ate our supper in the living room and at halftime we played the game of Clue.  Reagan received it for her birthday and we are learning how to play it.  The kids miss some of the strategy to playing it even though I think they understand the concept-so that does make it a bit frustrating.  But trying to play it with Keaton and Campbell also makes it frustrating.  We only tried to play the game because Whitman was strapped in his highchair.  Maybe next time we could strap Keaton and Campbell down in a high chair!
• After the game, they watched the football game until 9 and then everyone was sent to bed.  My crew was pretty tired tonight-football game days are tough!

September 19, 2014

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Out on the town...

• Campbell has really been doing well lately not waking up in the middle of the night.  But last night she woke up.  Robby told her to go back to sleep over the monitor.  But she said "I need to tell Momma something."  Robby said "she's listening" but Campbell replied back "I need to tell Momma something."  So up the stairs I stumbled and when I sat down beside Campbell's bed, she said "what time can we get up?"  Seriously?  I told her 7 and then she told me that she had a bad dream but by that time she was calm and it didn't bother her when I went downstairs.
• This morning Keaton and Graham (I think) were the first ones up.  They are the best at cuddling with us in bed for a bit.  But soon the bed was too full and that means only one thing-time for me to get up.  Robby had bought cinnamon bread (on clearance) the other day so that was our breakfast this morning.
• For some reason, I am off on my school planning so even though Fridays are usually pretty light and fun days, this day was not.  I assume that means that the Friday work will come around soon-I am sure that I could have switched things around but since things are already pulled out and put in order (even if it is the wrong order) I just thought I would leave it alone.  The kids didn't mind and soon it was a bit after 11 and everyone was finished except for Anderson needing to do a bit of reading.  
• I know that I have mentioned it before lately, but we are reading so many different books that the kids are even getting confused now.  It is almost funny at all the different books we are working through-probably if I would just read 1 book instead of 29 then I could finish them sooner.  Oh well, we are all enjoying our wide variety of books.
• This afternoon we played one of Reagan's new games and then we played chess.  We are slowly going through a library book and learning to play chess.  I never would have thought that the kids would have picked it up so well and though no one uses any strategy or plays with skill, they still play and I think we understand it.  
• After this the kids watched a bit of movies while I finally had my shower.  As I was getting, Campbell was watching me put on my undergarments.  She looked at me, looked down in her dress.  Then she asked "is that for? what does?" (trying to ask what a bra was for) and finally "are mine going to get bigger?"  Sure are, sweetie!
• Soon Robby was home and we were waking Whitman up from his nap. That boy was sleeping soundly and he didn't want to wake up at all.  He was a bit moody until I sat him down in the kitchen and he saw an empty candy box in the trash can...then he lay down and had himself a good old fit.  Seriously, that child just lay in the kitchen until Robby came to check on what was wrong.  We tried candy, we tried a drink, we tried hugs, we thought about trying a spanking but nothing helped-finally he calmed down as he sat in Robby's office with us watching him and went through Robby's trash can.  I guess he just likes trash.  But then we decided he needed a shower and this started his screaming all over again.  
• Once we climbed into the car, he was happy that he was getting out of the house so he finished his fussing.  We picked up Nonna, Pops and Jason and then we headed to Newks to start celebrating Robby's 40th birthday coming up next week.  The kids enjoyed all of the food and Reagan ate almost a whole bowl of tomato basil soup.  She had the right idea ordering soup because it was cold, cold in that restaurant. 
• After eating, we walked across the street to Gigis to eat a few cupcakes.  The kids loved having their own little cupcake-yep, little cupcakes were all we could afford!  Ha!  I want to learn how to make cupcakes like those.  After eating our cupcakes, we dropped everyone off and then came home.
• Robby has been printing off the verses from the Bible that our Bible stories are coming from.  If the kids read the verses and then are able to answer questions they might win a prize.  Tonight's prize was getting to watch some Ninja Warrior.  The kids had read, reviewed and Reagan even read it to Campbell-they worked hard and knew all of the answers tonight so they all came downstairs to watch our Ninja show before bed.  Tomorrow is the 3rd football game so we will be rising early.

September 18, 2014

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When the real pool closes, we resort to this...

• Each and every day that Campbell goes to school, Keaton asks if she can go with Robby.  Only on Thursdays does she get that chance to go.  Needless to say when she gets the "yes" that she can drop Campbell off with Robby, she is ready in a flash.  I think Campbell enjoys having a buddy in the car and Campbell helps Keaton gather her breakfast before they get into the car.
• After waving bye to them, we started on our breakfast.  The kids soon went to the school room to work while I finished cleaning the kitchen.  Whitman was still in his high chair and seemed to be acting fine then but that didn't last long.  My poor baby laid in my lap and/or whimpered and cried all morning long. I was pretty worried about him-nothing would make him happy.  We tried to lay him beside me on a pillow with a blanket but he just wanted to be in my lap.  He would sit down then try to lay down and then roll in the floor-it was pitiful.  His tummy was fine, he did have a runny nose and didn't have fever.  I don't really know what was wrong, maybe he was just tired.  Because at 10, I put him in his bed for a nap and he woke up a happy baby!
• Keaton ran with me to go and pick up Campbell.  On they way, I asked her what all she did with Robby after taking Campbell to school.  She said that they bought a lot of stuff.  I asked her how much money Daddy spent.  She replied "he didn't use monies, he used those little papers."-coupons. Children are so observant.
• As I was loading up with Keaton to get Campbell, Keaton decided she didn't want to go.  That wouldn't work because Reagan and Graham were happily playing together (rare), Anderson was finishing his work and Robby was working and that left only trouble for Keaton to get into.  I thought quickly and offered her a juice box to drink in the car-and didn't even think of bringing my Campbell one too until I was too far down the road.  I knew it was going to be a problem and even thought of dropping be Nonna's to grab the girl a drink but decided to risk it.  
• Thankfully, Keaton was finished with her drink but Campbell was upset anyway-everyone in her class was staying for Lunch Box kids.  We don't do lunch box kids because it doesn't really help us. We can pick Campbell up at 11:30 or pay 10 bucks more and pick her up at 2 something.  It is not like I am out running errands alone and need some extra time or even at home cleaning without a gaggle of other kids around.  But Campbell doesn't see it that way-no matter how I try to spin things. I say things like "You get to come home!" or "Those poor other kids have to stay at school." or "Ew, they have to take a nap?" or "Everyone can't wait to play with you." or even "We are going to have sandwiches for lunch."  It just doesn't work.
• Today though we didn't have sandwiches but we had spaghettios and cornbread-on the patio. Cornbread just isn't that great to eat inside-such a mess.  The kids loved eating outside but they were noisy!  After eating, they helped me clean the kitchen-and we had a perfectly clean kitchen for about 2 hours!
• We did some reading this afternoon and soon it was time to a few movies.  But the kids soon headed outside to play-or possibly they were told to go outside.  It is pretty nice that they can all entertain themselves outside.  Whitman and I went out to join the others after he woke up.  That boy may have felt bad this morning but not this afternoon.  The big 4 were lined up for a race around the house.  They had me shout "go" and when I said "go" Whitman was the first one out of the gate.  I don't know how he knew what they were doing but he ran half way around the house until I sprinted behind him and picked him up so he could finish in style.
• The kids decided that they were hot and needed some water (on their heads) to cool themselves off.  Then they thought they needed the little purple swimming pool to complete their cool off. They even asked if that was fine-they were already wet so why not make their day.  Graham kept shouting "this is the best day ever."  I don't know if I would say that 6 kids in a tiny kiddie pool and about 3 inches of water makes it the best day ever but glad the thought so!  
• Soon we stripped everyone down and showered everyone off.  We had leftovers again (taco salad-the new Dennie favorite) and then we watched some of Ninja Warrior before our Bible story tonight.  Robby was getting on to the kids a bit as they were getting into bed and he was saying that not obeying right away was disobedience.  I think he said that twice and then Graham whispered "and that is sinful."  At least he is learning something, somewhere!

September 17, 2014

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They still like each other!

• Bible study today and unfortunately we hit snooze ten too many times so I scurried around before waking up the kids.  And even worse than that, I hadn't folded the laundry yet (Robby did later) nor did I start the dishwasher last night-oh, there is nothing worse than that!  The kids woke up well and some even started on chores before I had breakfast ready.  Reagan last night asked why trash and cleaning potties had to both be on a day when we are trying to leave early-that was a pretty good questions (and poor scheduling on my part) but since we even managed to get it done this morning, I will keep it that way for a while since ti is nice to have things finished.  
• All that hurrying around like we were going to be late and we arrived to Bible study about 10 minutes early.  That was perfect because by the time that I dropped everyone off, it was time for Bible study to start.  Again this week in the car when we were going around telling what we learned or did, Keaton talked and talked and talked.  Reagan did her best to try to cut Keaton off or finish her sentences so other people could go and then they could start a movie.
• We had our picnic lunch at Lilli's park and the Heltz joined us.  The big kids all sat together so Candice and I hung out with Whitman, Charlotte and Michael as we ate.  My kids just picked at their food but that was fine since we didn't pack me a lunch so I was able to graze from their leftovers. They had a bit of time to play before we loaded up and headed to see Beebee.
• Beebee was fine today-in a good mood and ready to pass out candy and money to the kids.  We didn't stick around too long-Whitman was in a bit of a mood and ready to go.  When we were walking out today, the poor lady who tries to escape from the nursing home thought she would try to walk out with us.  I knew she was going to try this so we hadn't even opened the door yet but her buzzer went off and caused quite the panic at the front.  Everyone always know when the Dennies come to the nursing home!
• When we finally made it home, Whitman and Keaton had their nap and Reagan wanted to play chess or Clue.  I told her that I would happily play it tomorrow-on Wednesdays, I just need some quite time.  Even if it is quiet time while emptying the dishwasher.  
• Soon it was time to have supper before heading to church.  The puppet show was short enough for me to work on my Bible study some so that was good.  As soon as the kids were in the car tonight, they were asking for a snack-I guess Wednesdays are so busy that they have to eat more. Wednesdays are also so busy that my Campbell was so tired tonight.  She was actually pretty tired this afternoon too and would have fallen asleep if she would have just sat down.  

September 16, 2014

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Cooking in the Kitchen with Keaton!

• I woke up before 7 this morning and Robby was already out of bed-probably should have gotten up and been productive.  I've really been thinking about getting up to exercise-I was trying to do it in the afternoon but when I stopped, I really realized how much extra time in the afternoon I have.  (Today we worked on our chess game and played Clue which I had never played.)
• Robby got Campbell off to school with our breakfast of toast and yogurt in her tummy.  Anderson was very excited because today we had yoplait yogurt and it was in the little container-what a treat!  That is a big, big deal around here.  
• We soon started on school and the kids did really well today.  I did spend a lot of the day changing poor Whitman's diapers.  Twice today I lost him and then found him sitting quietly playing with something-once putting markers in and taking them out of a bag and then playing with magnets on the magnet board.  Another time I lost him, I found him sitting in a puddle of poop-but that is another story!
• After reading for about 45 minutes and then all through lunch, my voice was a bit scratchy during chore time.  The kids always do great with their chores and sometimes I wonder how I managed to get everything accomplished without their help.  Each of the kids all have the chore that they really like to do-Reagan likes putting the laundry away, Graham likes cleaning the bathroom cabinets and Anderson...well, he doesn't really enjoy any of the chores but does them without too many complaints and Campbell likes to avoid me during chore time to get out of work.  But my Keaton is the one who really wants to help out the most-she will gladly ask about her chores every single day. Most of the time she needs someone to help her but she is always willing to help.
• After chores the kids played on their kindles until it was rest time for my little people.  Yesterday, it was 2 before I realized it but today it seemed that we had a long time before it turned 2.  After Keaton and Whitman went to bed, we did play Clue and the kids begged Robby to play tonight but we opted for Ninja Warrior instead and to save Clue for a night that the 2 littles aren't around.
• Nonna and Pops brought Campbell home. Campbell had been cooking at Nonna's house and was so happy to deliver a plate of brownies for us.  And the crew here were very happy to taste test them. Around 3:30, the kids started watching their movies.  My Campbell and Keaton ended up in the school room watching Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood-which I love.  It is a cartoon based on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood which was one of my favorite shows.
• Robby didn't make it home til much later than usual.  We had leftover taco salad and then the kids had a bit of time to play while the boys had their hair but-no, not Whitman...yet.  Then it was time to watch the Ninja show.  And then it was Bible story time and bedtime....and time for me to finish off Campbell's brownies.

September 15, 2014

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Are you ready for some football?

• Robby's alarm buzzed and buzzed and buzzed again and again this morning.  We just laid there talking about how maybe we should have not sent Campbell to school this year-we could have slept in more!  Soon though Campbell was in bed with us and the first thing out of her mouth was "wonder what shape we will talk about today."  She was ready to go-even if we weren't ready.  (And they talked about rectangles.)
• Robby and Campbell left and Graham and Whitman were the only ones awake to see them off.  My Whitman has had some pretty messy diapers today so I hope that he isn't getting anything and that no one else gets what he has.  He has felt fine though-maybe a bit more "in-to" everything.  Actually, he was such a toot this morning grabbing pop tarts out of the pantry after breakfast over and over again until I had to put him in his pack n play.  He was happy there so I didn't feel bad at all-and he loved it when Anderson put the blanket over the pack n play making a fort for Whitman.
• The kids did well in school and only Anderson had work to finish after lunch-reading.  I told the kids that they couldn't play their kindles until all school work and chores were done.  It didn't take Graham too long to figure out that if he did Anderson's vacuuming then he could play his kindle sooner-I do love that boy.  
• My Graham also did offer to help me with the laundry. I guess that he could see the overwhelmed look in my eyes.  We had at least 5 loads of clean clothes to fold and that is what I did while I worked with everyone during school.  Then the boys helped put up laundry in their room and even helped some with laundry from my closet.  I finally finished with all of the laundry by after lunch.
• The afternoon was fairy calm-Grannymom had picked up Campbell and she spent the afternoon shopping and playing at Rock Creek.  And when Robby made it home with Campbell, you could tell that she was exhausted.
• We had our supper and then quickly jumped in the car to head to football and cheer leading practice.  Anderson spent most of his practice being the center but did get to play other positions.  Campbell fooled around some during her practice but Reagan tried her hardest to keep Campbell in line (impossible task).  Graham always enjoys football practice and works really hard.  Reagan really seemed to enjoy cheer tonight-they learned a dance.  And Whitman and Keaton ran, rolled and flipped all during practice.  
• Once at home, we quickly showered everyone and gave them a snack before putting them in bed-practice makes for a late night and tomorrow is another school day!