November 7, 2014

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Helicopter Pilot in training!

• I guess I was pretty tired from the night before because even though I laid down when Whitman was fussing, I went right to sleep.  Robby said that after listening for a while to poor Whitman, he excused himself to the bonus room.  He said we talked about him going upstairs but I sure don't remember it.  Hope Whitman didn't scream all night long-wonder if that is why he is a bit hoarse today?
• The kids were up and happily playing early this morning-I think the "happily playing" that I referred to involved Anderson pulling everyone else around in the kitchen on a blanket.  This made me get up and ready quickly because I know all too well "happily playing" doesn't last long at all.  Thankfully, I was able to start on breakfast before anyone was maimed or injured in their play.
• We had school this morning and things went fairly well. Keaton, the current screamer, was pretty calm today. She stayed busy playing with Campbell so I am sure she was much happier today.  We finished school in time to have plenty of reading time (my favorite part of the day)
• Then it was lunch time and time to quickly pick up the house.  The girls and I started a painting project after Reagan packed her stuff for Grannymom's house.  
• Soon Grannymom and Grandpa along with Cash came over to pick Reagan up for her night at their house.  Then Keaton and Whitman had a nap and the others watched a movie or two. Eventually, my folks lost interest in their movie and at one time this afternoon I had 4 kids following me around the house.  I felt a little bit like the Pied Piper-didn't have people following him around?
• Robby came home and I helped him unload bag after bag of groceries. Then it was time for supper for everyone followed by Robby leaving to go and do a focus group.  I let everyone play for a while and then we settled down to watch a movie.
• We had to draw between 3 choices I had picked-the winner was Beethoven.  Whitman sat spell bound for along 30 minutes watching the movie.  I think that he was interested in the dog-or maybe he was scared.  Hope that wasn't it since I need him to sleep well and not be frightened. 
• After our movie the kids convinced me to let them watch one more quick show.  And then we did what all country kids do before bedtime-shoot at a possum.  Campbell said she was never going to shoot at something that could hurt.  Guess she won't be going to the deer stand this weekend (we won't either!)  But who knew that possums could climb trees-I won't be walking in the woods anytime soon!

November 6, 2014

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Thank you, Thank you very much. I'll be here all week!

• Even though Whitman didn't feel to good last week, bedtime went well but soon after that, the poor baby woke up.  He was upset so we let him join us on the couch. We watched tv until Whitman fell asleep in my lap.  He doesn't usually sleep in my arms but it was my favorite part of the day...but not my favorite part of the night.
• Just about as soon as we went to bed, he woke back up and was upset again.  We tried to put him in bed with us but he eventually climbed down and took me by the hand to the living room.  I think he was really trying to look for everyone else but since they weren't downstairs we slept off and on all night on the couch.  At 5, I gingerly put him in his bed and tiptoed to my bed.  I was surprised to see the time and did feel like we had slept decently. 
• Robby took Campbell to school and Keaton went along for the ride.  The rest of us started school.  I tried not to nag Anderson since it took him over an hour to do 20 math problems today.  I just let him work-well, I did make him leave the school room a few times (my kids are physically unable to be in a room alone-craziness) so he wouldn't be as distracted.  
• The morning seemed to fly by and soon we were all in cars leaving again.  This time Robby and the kids were going to pick Campbell up from school and I had the privilege of going to the dentist.  That is my least favorite place to go-my dad always said that he would rather have a vasectomy than going to the dentist and I completely understand that.  
• When Robby came home with everyone else it was almost lunch time.  But first they did finish some school work-all of them had something to work with Campbell on.  Graham had to work with Campbell on her sight words and Reagan led Keaton and Campbell on doing their weekly readers.  
• I wasn't home for too long before it was time to load up Whitman for his doctor's appointment. Keaton again came along for the ride.  After Whitman didn't sleep last night, we were both pretty convinced that he had at least one ear infection.  We were wrong-the doctor said he must just have a fever virus.  I am glad he doesn't have an ear infection but would have been pleased to know what was wrong and get some meds.  But my baby feels really bad-at least he is still eating and drinking some but a lot less.  Right now he is laying in his bed fussing. Hopefully his tylenol will soon kick in and he can rest well tonight-otherwise it might just be a long night for Robby!  :)
• Not a whole lot happened this afternoon.  Anderson decided to go outside and we slowly urged all of the kids to follow him.  Reagan was the only one who we didn't make go-mainly because she was happily playing by herself.  My Campbell and Keaton follow me around all afternoon so they needed some time away from me and I also needed some time away from them.  But the only way to get them to go out happily was to send Whitman out too.
• If Whitman is out and I am not, I have to lay my eyes on him every few minutes.  The last time I had looked out, Robby was outside but the next time, I couldn't see them through the window and wasn't really sure where Robby was.  So I went outside-no sign of Robby or Whitman but I did see Graham on his bike.  Then I heard him crying to his Daddy "but I want to go inside." Robby, Anderson and Whitman were going on a walk/bike ride and Robby was making Graham ride down to the end of our road-where the dogs live.  That child has become so terrified of dogs lately.  Robby got him passed the dogs but he was still pretty skittish during their bike ride even though they weren't around.  
• Back inside, we had our supper and then it was time for showers for all.  We had a bit of time to spare so we were able to watch 3 Bible story movies before reading our Bible story.  And to make things even better, when we watched our movies everyone had some candy-big time stuff!

November 5, 2014

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Think she knows she's cute?

• Busy day here and my Graham was on top of things. Before I had even stumbled out of bed, he came running through with his math pages.  As he was sitting in the floor of my bathroom working, I tried to explain that he did not have to do his math right then.  That didn't stop him. He finished his math and then started on his chores-actually, the first chore that he did was putting up legos for Campbell and Keaton.
• The next thing I knew, Reagan was dressed and brushing her teeth and this is when I knew that I needed to get moving myself or they might just leave me here.  We had a quick breakfast of poptarts-not really sure how we have gotten so off of our food schedule.  (Graham even convinced me to have cookies today instead of the scheduled nuts and cheese sticks.)  
• We left soon after Robby because of the rain.  And it was still raining pretty good when we arrived at Bible study.  I dropped the kids off and they all walked together and stood by the stroller while I parked the car.  Today was a big day for Keaton because she got to practice her song in Big Church-they are getting ready for their Christmas performance.  
• It was still raining at the end of Bible study but the kids didn't want to wait on me to bring the car-actually, they wanted to get wet.  That was fine with me-I had Reagan hold the umbrella and Anderson pushed the stroller so they could keep Whitman dry.  Reagan and Anderson were thrilled with their jobs so I just put my hood up and tried to keep everyone moving and together.
• We had lots of crackers in the car-so many in fact that I called it lunch.  When we did get home after Beebees, Graham asked what was for lunch and I asked him if he was hungry.  He said no, so I kind of just let lunch slip by.  Seriously though, they did have a lot of crackers!  And then at Beebee's place, she had them each individual bags of candy that they devoured.  My Whitman saw the candy and started asking for his own-which he did get.
• By the end of Beebee's visit, Whitman was starting to fuss.  I am not sure if his teeth are bothering him or if he just has a bit of a fever virus.  But he was warm and just not settled.  He did finally take a nap once we came home and then was fairly happy when he woke up.  We sent him to Nonna's house while the rest of us went to church tonight.
• The kids had fun at church tonight but we were tired.  I don't think that time change has agreed to well with us.  When it was time to pick Whitman up, I went in and he was busy playing with the cash register toy.  He looked at me and just laid down in front of his toy.  I then told him that Reagan was in the car-he didn't move.  I said that Anderson was in the car-he didn't move.  I then tried to tell him that Grahammy was in the car and he did sit up.  But when I said Campbell was in the car, they boy flew to the front door.  He loves him some Campbell.

November 4, 2014

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Book Character Parade Day!

• Book Character day at Campbell's school and this is one of the biggest days ever around here.  We were running a bit behind but jumped into the big van to rush out the driveway to get to school on time.  The keys were in the ignition and I turned and nothing, nothing at all.  Hmm, what could have happened?  Possibly someone went out to the van yesterday to take the dvd out of the dvd player.  And since this person had to turn the key a bit for the player to work and this person might possibly have let the battery on until the van was completely dead.  That is just one idea of what could have possibly happened.  
• Thankfully Robby was home and he helped me in urging the kids to "switch cars, switch cars fast."  It took teamwork for us to get that done!  All they wanted to do was stare at us and ask questions-once I was zooming down the driveway, I explained what had happened.  Robby was able to charge/jump/whatever but my manly man fixed my car right up.
• I had brought the kids school work to do as they sat waiting for the book character day but we walked in just as the classes were walking out.  We barely had gotten our seats and gotten settled before the kids started their singing.  My big 3 started banging out page after page of work and knocked out a few boxes in just a few minutes.  We had to change cars in such a hurry that I didn't grab a stroller for Whitman (really, probably both cars should have a stroller but since that is something I should have thought about 9 years ago, it is a little late to start that now).  I did what all good moms do with their 1 year olds when they aren't in a stroller-I just let him play in the water fountain.  He was happy and this made me happy.
• Now let's talk about my Campbell.  When we first got the note about book character day, I mentioned a new book that I had checked out called The Paper Bag Princess.  I tried to talk it up to Campbell and even explained how we could make a costume for it.  Campbell quickly shot me down and said "I want to be Llama, llama, red pajama like last year.  It was so comfy to wear my pajamas all day at school."  I, then, came to my senses and realized that letting her wear her pjs was such a better idea than me having to make a dress out of a paper bag.  What was I thinking to even consider that?  And, I am sure that I am not bias at all but my Campbell was by far the cutest child in the entire book character parade.
• Now on the way home, my Keaton asked where we were going next.  I told her home to finish our school work and she started crying.  First she said "I want to go to the parade."  I realized that if she does know what a parade is then the kids marching around in front of us probably didn't count in her mind.  But if she doesn't know what a parade is then it probably sounded like more fun than she thought we had.  After that, she asked if we could go to the store-I think her and Robby do a bit of shopping on their way home from taking Campbell on Thursdays.
• When we made it home, Robby was running and Whitman hung out with him while eating a snack.  Reagan, Anderson and Graham did pretty good at finishing their school work.  We finished all of our work about 30 minutes earlier than usual.  I was feeling pretty proud until I realized that all 3 of them decided that they were going to skip their math school work for the day.  If you remember that last night they correctly answered the Bible story questions and earned candy or the opportunity to skip a school box.  They will have to do those math pages tomorrow though!
• We had a fairly quiet afternoon.  I didn't have too much on my list to do since I knew we would be leaving the house soon.  The kids were already ready and at 1:30, we loaded up to go and vote, pick up Campbell, get gas and then I took the 4 big ones skating.  Again, everyone was loaded in the car and I was gathering my last few things but I couldn't find my billfold.  I had it in Robby's car but it wasn't anywhere in the house.  I am usually the one who has to find everything for Robby-keys, phone, wallet.  I am not the one who loses things-I am the finder.  Ask me where anything is in this house and I can tell you.  But I could not find my billfold at all!
• I looked every single place that I thought it could be-in the school room closet, in Campbell's bed, in the laundry basket.  I had looked and re-looked through the entire house and was just about to give up.  I went to the car to look again and the kids were all buckled staring at me.  I climbed in the car and was on my hands and knees looking and feeling under all of the seats.  And one of those children asked "have you found it yet?"  Seriously, what did they think I was doing-checking to see how soft the carpet was?  I again went back in the house and by luck opened the lockers right next to the bench where I thought I should have laid my billfold.  And there my billfold was in the bottom locker-my Whitman loves to move things around that I put on the mudroom benches.  The washing machine and lockers are his go to places to hide my stuff-oh, these children!
• One of my friends stood in line for 45 minutes to vote.  We walked right in and did have to wait about 20 seconds but that was it.  The nice lady explained to the kids that I had to sign my name and verify my address so they could know who I was.  Then she handed them a paper for them to keep (the same paper I used to get my ballot).  There were more workers in the place than voters but there was a steady stream of people coming in.  We all left with our stickers and then went to pick up Campbell and meet Robby at the gas station.  
• Today at the gas station, we had 40 cents off of gas so we made sure that we got the max amount of gas possible.  Actually, getting the max amount of gas isn't too hard at anytime.  This though did involve Robby filling up the big van, then him driving away leaving Graham holding the nozzle so I could drive up and fill up the red van.  
• Then it was to the skating rink for my big 4.  Homeschool skate is a pretty good deal except when you have to rent 2 skate aids (think a walker made from pvc pipe with wheels).  My kids are getting better at skating-Campbell didn't fall nearly as much, Reagan is cautious like me, Anderson has one speed-fast but uncontrollable and Graham just gets to tired from skating.  
• Back at home, Whitman took his afternoon nap and Robby let Keaton stay up.  He sat her up in our bedroom with some milk, a lollipop and a few movies.  She stayed in there for a long time until she joined Robby who was working while sitting on the couch.  When we drove down the driveway, I could tell that there were no lights on in the house-could everyone have been asleep?  They sure were!
• Once we all came into the house, everyone woke up and then all of our folks had showers.  Earlier in the day, I had suggested chicken spaghetti but we opted to just snack. But Robby thought of a much better idea-breakfast.  Keaton, Campbell, Graham and me made monkey bread-this has been all that the kids could think about since I had made some last week to give away.  And Robby made breakfast burritos as well-over 15 of them.  
• Supper must have been good-we ate all of the burritos that we made and the monkey bread will be finished off in just a few minutes.  I think someone said that this was the best supper ever.  All I could think about was how in the world we had eaten all of that food?  What ever will my grocery bill when I have 6 teenagers?
• After supper, we cleaned up from supper and then didn't really do anything else at all!  It was wonderful.  The girls and I played a few rounds of ring around the rosies with Whitman.  When that baby walks up to you, grabs your hand and says "ashes" you just can't refuse.  

November 3, 2014

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Sewing lessons!

• I was the first one out of bed this morning and when I was finished with my walk/run Robby even had time for a bit of his treadmill time during the day.  And then the kids slowly started stirring.  When they figured out that Robby was upstairs watching the news then they all migrated up there.  I don't think that it was the news that drew them in but just being able to watch tv in the morning that was so appealing.  
• Later in the morning, Graham told me all about one story that they watched: A man walked across a tightrope in San Francisco (really Chicago).  He was on the tightrope for 2 miles (really just across the Chicago river and back).  That is why you should not get all of your information from a 6 year old.
• As soon as Campbell left, I then realized how eerily quiet the house was with her gone as well as Whitman and Keaton who had spent the night at Grannymom's house. I still had to stay on top of my others for them to do their work but I was able to run around the house and get things accomplished myself while helping the others.  
• We finished another read aloud book today-seems like lately I have really enjoyed reading aloud to the kids.  Some times I don't but right now I do-maybe because they are all getting older and even Keaton can sit and listen to our chapter books.  We usually start reading all of our many books around 11 (this includes history and science and a ton of random other things) then I read during lunch.  So by 12:45, I am usually a bit hoarse.  
• Anderson had a bit of reading to finish up while Reagan and Graham helped me vacuum, straighten to the toy room and do some laundry.  Then it was time for our first ever sewing lesson.  I had planned on just giving Reagan a sewing lesson but the boys wanted to sew too so the more the merrier.  I guess I should have planned on letting them make something but they just sewed lines and Reagan did sew a little pocket.  She was the most interested in it and kept wanting to do more even after the boys had migrated to their kindles.
• There was a huge kindle draw today because I had given each of then a new game since they had gone up 10 points on their math.  Of course this wasn't as easy as I thought it would be-the boys games didn't work and Reagan's game wasn't good so I had to add games multiple times.  So next time they go up 10 points, then they earn a buck-I figure that will be so much easier!-not cheaper but easier.
• We then played a game of chess-I have been reading a book trying to teach the kids as I read it to them.  Apparently they understand the game much better than I do and far surpass my understanding of the game.  I guess I am just a good teacher-ha!  I really don't know how they know so much-It must be true that you can really learn things easier when you are small.
• The kids played and watched tv this afternoon while I worked as fast as I could.  I marked a lot off of my list but still worked fast because I didn't want to have a mess out working on it when Robby and the little people came in.  I had just finished something when they walked in the door and was able to help unload them and the groceries.  
• Keaton was tired, tired tonight.  Just about every other word we said would cause her to cry!  It became pretty comical by the end of the evening.  And my Whitman when he ran in, he ran right to me and just smiled.  I think that he was really glad to be home-it really was quiet here without all of them.  And Campbell was just as tired as Keaton but she was able to hold herself better than her sister.  
• We had hamburgers for supper and then cookies for dessert.  Campbell and Keaton had a bath upstairs while the boys took turns entertaining Whitman while he was in the shower.   Whitman loves the shower but only if someone is in there with him-he does not like to be in the shower all alone.  
• When everyone was dry, Whitman soon found his way to bed and everyone else just vegged out in the living room.  The kids were calm-oddly calm.  I read to Campbell, the boys read to me-pretty perfect evening.  
• Then it was time for Bible story time.  Some days Robby hangs the verses on the fridge and if they kids read it and answers questions then they can get a prize (not having to use soap on their hair, go to bed later, piece of candy, etc.).  Everyone but Campbell read the story-she did come over to me and sat down for me to read the story.  I started and read about 3 words when you said "maybe I don't want to listen."  When we went upstairs and Robby started asking questions she was shocked that she didn't know the answers.  She then started crying that it wasn't fair that she didn't get tonight's prize (skip a school box or 2 tiny boxes of nerds). The more she wailed, the more tickled I became-she is her Daddy's child!  (He disagrees with me!)  Then as Robby asked the final questions the others didn't know the answer.  He read the story and then told them the answer: Horeb.  That is when Campbell shouted out "I was going to say that."

November 2, 2014

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Checking out the fish tank at church...

• Even though we had an extra hour of sleep last night, Robby and I could have snoozed for another hour or two.  However, during our whole clock change discussion they some how understood that they were to wake up at 6.  So at 6ish this morning, children started arising from their beds and thankfully, going to the toy room to play.  Keaton was the only one who climbed in bed with us but after a while she also got bored with us and headed back upstairs to play.
• We quickly put on our church clothes and then headed out the door.  My littlest thinker, Keaton, was making sure that we knew that no one had eaten supper this morning.  Then she said "are we going to eat supper in the car?"  I assured her that we most definitely were going to eat breakfast some where.
• We did have our breakfast in the car-McDonalds today.  I tell you Robby and I can distribute 2 big breakfasts with pancakes and another order of pancakes like pros.  The kids were delighted with their pancakes, biscuits, sausage, eggs and potato cakes.  I also enjoyed my sausage biscuit but afterwards, all I could think about during church was brushing my teeth.
• That is the truth, I really was thinking about only brushing my teeth during the church service until Anderson none too quietly shouted at his sister "stop it!"  That snapped me out of my brushing teeth thoughts.  I grabbed one of Anderson's arm and Robby grabbed the other one.  I was whispering in one ear while I am sure that Robby was whispering in the other ear.  Now in the boys defense, his sister had probably pushed him over the edge.  My Reagan smiles so sweetly but she is pretty sneaky-she had been moving Anderson's Bible underneath him so he would sit on it when he sat down.  Yes, this caused our big scene in church today-all is well now...probably except for the bruises now on Anderson's arms.  
• We had lunch at Nonna's house today.  When my Whitman runs into Nonna's house he runs right to the counter and started pointing and grunting until he receives a drink.  Then he drinks and drinks until he isn't hungry at all.  He did finally find some room in his little tummy for some fruit before deciding that he was done for lunch.  The kids had some time to play before we headed home for naps!  
• Naps for Robby and I!  The kids all went upstairs and watched Frozen and it ended at the exact time that I was going upstairs to tell the kids to get ready.  They were all singing "Let It Go" as loud as they could so I joined them while singing my own song "It's Time to Go!"
• Choir was tonight and then big church.  Church on Sunday nights has almost become comical to me-the kids are tired and restless and it definitely shows.  At one time, I looked over and thought Anderson mighy possibly be having a seizure but no, he was just jerking his shoulders along with the music.  I calmed him down in time to look over at Campbell who seemed to be flashing gang signs to Bro. Jon.  I put her hands down and then she started working on her shoes-every Sunday night she takes her shoes on and off over and over. 
• We did all survive church tonight without any new bruises so I guess that was a good thing. Keaton and Whitman ended up going home with Grannymom and they were ready to go.  But my others were ready to go home so they could enjoy their Sunday night ice cream!

November 1, 2014

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Celebrating Thanksgiving in the country...

• Last night I had said that today was Thanksgiving and it was our first Thanksgiving celebration.  It is my favorite holiday after all so that is why we start celebrating early around here. We had a bit of time before needing to pick up Grannymom and Grandpa.  But that bit of time quickly flew by and by the time we left, I was shouting at the kids "you have 10 minutes to eat that and get in the car" and then "you have 2 minutes to finish that before getting into the car."  
• Even after gas and a redbox stop, we still made it to pick up Grannymom and Grandpa and then started our ride to Ozark.  This was thanksgiving with Robby's grandmother's family.  Last year there was a houseful and we ate on the covered porch-this year, it was too cold to stay out for very long but the cold doesn't stop the kids so they ate out their again this year.  
• There was lots of food-lots and lots of food-and even though there were lots of people, there was still plenty of food left over.  I have never seen so many desserts in one place actually. There was one apple pie made in a skillet-oh, my delicious.  And there was also dressing with raisins in it (might have been golden raisins) but it was great as well.  Hmm, maybe next year I should bring a to go plate and fill it up.  Though I did come home with a few dozen leftovers of my cookies and a crock pot full of my warm fruit that I made.  
• They were worried about the kids there being bored so they had a soccer ball which was a huge hit with my crew.  But what was huge, huge was that they rented a bouncy and other than one other kiddo Whitman's size, my kids had the bouncy all to their selves.  On the way home, Graham said that this was the "best day ever."
• The kids were a bit restless on the way there but on the way home 5/6ths of them were calm. My Whitman fussed a good distance-he was just so tired to go to sleep (just like he is right now)  Finally, we did got to sleep about at Conway! Once at home, we quickly worked in the car, unloaded our things from the day and put the crew into the showers.  
• As we left, the kids were given a coloring book and crayons.  They all colored and colored on the way home but they continued coloring at home before and after their showers.  Once showers were taken, our pizza was almost ready and we all piled into the living room to watch the hogs play.  
• My boys love watching the razorbacks and could watch football for hours.  My girls really could care less.  Right now, it is bedtime but we are letting them stay up during some of the second half and my boys are sitting perfectly still taking it all in (since we are having to be quiet because Whitman is trying to go to sleep) and my girls are acting like we are punishing them by making them stay in the living room quietly or go upstairs to bed.  
• I was just looking at a friends picture of her kids and noticed my backside in the picture.  I commented on my hair-it really looked lighter that I thought it was.  I turned my computer to Robby and asked if my hair always looked like that.  Graham saw it and said "wait, did you take a shower that morning?  Cause you don't look like that all of the time."  Got to love them!  
• And while we are sitting here watching football, most of the kids are wearing feetie pajamas.  It is pretty cold in the house and we will try not to turn on all the heat (though we have already turned on 1 of the 3).  Anyway, Robby is covered up with a blanket and I think that his teeth might even be chattering.  But my Anderson has his pajamas unzipped at the top-he so reminds me of Papaw Hasley.  He would always wear coveralls and the top few buttons would be unbuttoned.  
• The game is now tied and the kids are pretty restless so I doubt that they will be up much longer.  Or maybe I will be the one going to bed early tonight!
• Well, the kids made it all the way through game. And as Anderson said, "Oh, it was so close..." But life goes on and we've got another day tomorrow so all were quickly put to bed, changes moved back an hour we are not too far behind them.