March 7, 2015

Taking a break from iPad Soccer!

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• All day long, my kids have acted like they were starving-the first thing that Keaton said to us this morning was that she was hungry and when I finally let Reagan get Whitman out of bed, he ran to me and said "eat time."  I was actually dreading breakfast because we had 5 doughnuts left over from yesterday and they were all different kinds.  I did not think that it would work out but surprisingly, after I cut the all in halves, everyone found what they wanted without any fuss.  Robby did supplement our breakfast with sausage biscuits.  
• Anderson who had spent the evening with Nonna and Pops, also had doughnuts for breakfast.  But he didn't have to share his and ate more than one-more like 4.  He spent his evening with Nonna and Pops getting their taxes done (2 hours!) and then they went out to eat before going back to Nonna's house.  Then Jason and Anderson played GI Joe and watched tv until bedtime.
• Robby and I did little this morning but when I finally got around to taking my shower things got a bit crazy.  First, Whitman was beating on my shower door wanting in but since I had just dried him off and put his clothes on after his shower, I was not going to do that again.  That was fine with me and since I usually pretend like the shower is sound proof I kept on with my shower, that is until Campbell came in and said "Keaton has pottied upstairs and needs you and why are Whitman's pants off?"  None of this put much spring into my step since I was already now drying off but then she said "Why is his diaper off too?"  
• I quickly jumped out to find Whitman's bottoms.  I guess he didn't think that I heard him so he was just going to take his clothes off himself for his next shower.  I clothed him and then ran upstairs in my robe to take care of Keaton's business.  Then I look out the window of their bedroom and see Robby on a ladder cleaning the windows.  He asked if I could come and hold his ladder so down the stairs I went.  The outside of those windows have needed cleaning since we did our addition so that was a good thing. 
• Then the next thing that happened was Whitman tumbling down the stairs-we have had 3 falls down the stairs within the last week.  (Graham-scared him more than hurt him, Graham-knocked the breath out of him, and Whitman today-he just needed some loving and was fine) It took me what seemed like forever to finally get myself ready but as soon as I was ready, we loaded up for today's errands.
• First stop was the library for me-I am sure that the lady that has to find all of my books and pull them for me doesn't like me at all.  Then we picked up Anderson and headed to Menchies-a new frozen yogurt place.  The yogurt was free around lunch time so was all filled our cups and this made my crew pretty happy!  Made me happy too since I didn't have to share at all.
• The next stop was the Starbucks to use a free drink coupon (notice today's theme?-free) and then I had to run into the dollar store.  Then we all went into Target.  By this time the kids had decided that they were starving.  There is no way that they could have been hungry but we did tell them that after our Target trip, we would eat.  Graham acted like we were taking him into the dentist office to have teeth pulled-when we lived at our old house, we went shopping and out to eat much more than we do now and the kids do not know how to act anymore!  The only purchase at Target was socks for me.  Despite getting new socks at Christmas, I am down to wearing the boys socks-I have on Graham's socks today.  (My lack of socks might have something to do with the 3 loads of laundry that currently needs folding in our bedroom.)
• Then it was to On the Border and on the way, I found a 25 dollar gift card-whoop, whoop. Robby told them we had 8 in our party and while the girls and I were pottying, the lady came and asked if we would split up?  Seriously?  Since we didn't split up, we ended up cramming into one oval shaped booth for a late lunch or early supper.  Robby and I were both on the ends and the kids were sitting all beside each other.  Robby and I both said that we felt like we were on display and I even saw one lady moving her lips as she was counting the kids.  
• I guess the kids may have been famished because we cleaned up a queso and 3 meals. When we did leave though, there was probably a cup of rice under out table-that is why it is probably best that we have Mexican food outside or at a restaurant.  
• As soon as we got home, Robby quickly ran in and changed all of the clocks so no one would be the wiser.  Then we let the kids watch some tv until way too late.  Eventually, we all picked up and had a yummy snack before bed.  My Whitman wouldn't eat any of the rice krispy treats and Robby would not have any of that.  So he gently shoved one in Whitman's mouth and then the boy decided that he liked them and cleaned his plate.  
• After reading our Bible story while eating snack, we put everyone to bed and they must have been tired because they didn't even notice that they were going to bed an hour early!  And as Robby was about to pray tonight, Keaton stood up in her bed, glared at me while making a horrible face and then growled "you better cover me up."  I snatched my sweet Keaton out of the bed and took her to the toy room, by the time we made it there she was already bawling.  I hope she was just tired and that is not the new way that she is going to speak to me.

March 6, 2015

"Let me get back to you on that!"

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• Keaton was the first one to crawl into our bed this morning and most everyone else stayed upstairs in the toy room.  Reagan eventually came downstairs and told me that her foot was all better-it is still a bit swollen but she was playing soccer on it within minutes of being downstairs.  Now last night, Robby and I stood at the bottom of the steps and watched her crawl up the stairs on her bum leg but today all was well!
• I think the kids are getting used to Robby being home on our snow days and we will miss him when the sun starts shining and he has to go back to work.  Oh, he does hide away in his little closet and works from home on these days but it is just not the same when he is gone.  (And it is especially nice to be able to say "go act like that in front of your daddy" or "do you need to talk to your daddy?")
• We had our breakfast this morning and then the kids begged to only have to do math and phonics before going outside.  I quickly agreed to this plan and they were off to work-now, my Anderson spent some time in the restroom (seriously, he is like a grown man with his bathroom time-I probably should install him a desk in there) and then he spent some time fooling around so Graham was almost finished with all of his school work by the time Anderson had finished his stuff.
• I guess I zipped, gloved and wrapped everyone up for the last time this season and then I sent them out the door.  I did have to throw Whitman in the shower with Robby so he could be distracted while I sent the others out.  After a bit, I did run upstairs to the bonus room so I could look out the window to see what they were doing-sledding.  They even pulled out my old sled and it looked as if our sled track from yesterday had turned a bit icy and the sledding was much better.  
• The kids were outside for quite a long time-long enough for me to give Whitman a snack, fold some laundry and pick up around the house.  Then they started trickling in one by one-Campbell and Keaton were the first to come in but it didn't take too long for them to decide to go back out so they redressed and then in about 10 minutes everyone was inside.
• Robby helped Graham with his handwriting (oh gracious: young, left handed boy=not so good handwriting) while everyone else finished their school boxes.  Soon it was lunch time-noodles, nuggets and leftover biscuits.  Each time I make nuggets, I never seem to make quite enough even though each time I make them, I make more than the time before.  During lunch we read a bit and then it was time for chores.
• Anderson spent the night with Nonna and Pops so he had to go and get his bag ready and the rest of us picked up some.  We were almost all done when Whitman spilled 3 lego bins-the greys, whites and black (yes, our legos our sorted by colors).  Of course those 3 bins are the ones that have the most legos but when I called out for all hands to be on deck, everyone came to help and we were soon picked up again.
• Whitman took his nap while we did science.  When we had finished science, Nonna and Pops came to get Anderson.  A bit before they came, Whitman was fussing in the pantry wanting some food.  I was trying to distract him and said "look at my spaghetti squash, it is big and yellow."  Anderson walked by and said "oh, ya'll should eat that tonight."  I do believe that he was trying to get out of eating it.
• After Nonna and Pops left, the kids watched a few movies and worked on a few craft projects.  I do love that they want to be creative and all but why, oh why does it have to make such a big mess.  Robby came home with a snack for everyone and not too much after that it was time for supper-turkey burgers.  They were delicious-and huge.  Robby sliced them all in half and it was still a lot of meat-and I guess we are raising another vegetarian to join Anderson-Whitman! He never touched his burger and come to think of it, he didn't eat any of his nuggets this afternoon.
• After supper, Whitman took Keaton's hand to the shower and was insistent that they get a shower, so they had a shower before everyone went upstairs to play the wii for a bit before bed.  Cambpell and I worked on her a craft project during our wii games and while Campbell and Keaton were not playing, they were helping Whitman build a tower in the floor.  

March 5, 2015

Who's the scary man with the shovel?

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• We had made sure that the kids knew even though it had snowed and snowed last night, we were still going to do a bit of school and eat our breakfast before going out to play.  We heard people stirring pretty early but no one came downstairs for a while.  Earlier this year, we thought that it would not snow at all this year and we even laughed about buying our sleds and never going to get to use them but how wrong were we.  I guess this is our 4th or 5th round of sleety/snowy weather this year and I just love it!
• I made chocolate chip muffins with my secret recipe this morning and they were delicious.  The only bad thing about muffins is the recipe only makes 12 so that leaves pretty much none left over for Robby and me.  Keaton didn't eat two and I think Reagan left a crumb or two so we all were able to eat breakfast.
• We didn't have a snow day from school today but after the kids did math and phonics, we all headed back out in the snow.  And even though I really, really love seeing the snow it just takes a bit of putting on gloves and hats and everything else for me to mentally note that I never plan on taking my crew skiing.  And it reminds me that I am so thankful for our mudroom-that room has been covered with gloves, hats, scarves, coats and wet clothes all day long today.  
• My Whitman escaped from me today while I was trying to get him ready and I found him in the middle of the other kids, who were putting on their hats and gloves, but Whitman was only wearing his feetie pajamas which were unzipped and his snow hat-but he was still ready to go outside!
• I guess the sun caused it to not be crazy cold out today but the kids' gloves get wet pretty immediately so their hands were always freezing.  Poor Whitman's hands were the worst and his gloves were soaking wet-mainly because he was shoving snow in his mouth as fast as he could.  I put my good gloves on him once and he wasn't happy about wearing giant gloves but the next time I tried, he kept those on him until he finally convinced Robby to take him in.
• So we had Whitman with giant hands but we also had Reagan and Graham wearing walmart bags on their feet.  Their tennis shoes seem to quickly absorb water so I thought the bags might help them some-well, it just made things very slippery.  Of course Reagan's ankle/foot is still hurting from her Rock Creek fall yesterday, she was quite entertaining to watch and spent most of her time outside crawling around on her knees.  (I know that she did hurt her foot but she is a bit of a drama queen!)
• We had a few snowball fights and then started a bit of sledding.  We went down the side of the yard but it took a lot of pushing to get a path that would work and this wasn't the best sledding we have had on Jacqueline but it was pretty good.  And after everyone else went in, I pushed Graham over and bump that caused him and his sled to go airborne which made it the best day ever for him.  So I had to push Anderson and Graham about a hundred more times before we finally came inside.  
• Everyone then worked school while I made lunch and then shortly after our late lunch all school work was done.  Playing in the snow and a school day all in one trashes the house so we had to work on just downstairs before nap time.  The boys opted to go outside for a bit this afternoon but they were only out for about 3 minutes before they came back in-we caught them and asked what was wrong and Graham was cold.  I found him more pants and another pair of gloves and that did help them stay out for about 12 more minutes.
• The afternoon was kind of quiet around here but the evening was certainly full of excitement.  I had made a crock pot supper and was pretty anxious to try it but was not looking forward to all of the comments that my meal would receive.  Robby quickly nipped it all in the bud and said that those who ate all in their bowl (really about 2 Tablespoons) would get to stay up 15 minutes later and have a snack.  
• My Graham always talks big and no matter what we have always says that he loves it but he is just all talk.  Tonight was no different, he was the last one to finish and spent half time time trying not to gag.  I was telling Robby how healthy our meal was tonight and he said "I know"-he wasn't crazy about it either.  And since I am not a big sweet potato fan I would probably agree but it was pretty good (sweet potatoes, applesauce and chicken)
• Reagan was the first one finished and she went to sit by Keaton and fed and encouraged Keaton as she ate her bowl of food.  Seriously, she had hardly nothing in their bowl but Reagan encouraged and cheered and prodded Keaton on.  I will say it again, the kids can be mean to each other some time but they sure do take care of each other too-especially when dessert is involved.
• So everyone did get to stay up an extra 15 minutes-so we did put Whitman to bed and let them watch one more alligator show.  And we even had a special dessert-I wanted to make crumb cake cookies but I guess everyone thought I had done enough cooking for the day and wanted a break from my cooking!  So Robby opted to make a peanut butter rice krispy something or another and it was devoured by all!  Then it was time for lots and lots of tooth brushing!  

March 4, 2015

Working together!

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• We had missed Bible study the last 2 weeks due to the weather and though I slightly hoped that the weather would have come in much earlier than expected and cause us to miss, my kiddos did not agree.  They could not wait to go to Bible study and as usual on Wednesday mornings, everyone is very helpful getting ready and doing their chores (seriously, I wasn't being sarcastic.)
• I did decided to clean the potties this week-the kids can only "clean" them so long before they really need a good cleaning.  The boys emptied most of the trash cans, Keaton and Campbell did a few but they also folded all of the napkins and hand towels in the clean laundry pile while Reagan put away a bit of folded laundry.  
• We started listening to Little Town on the Prairie on the way to Bible study and though I try not to get there too early and my kids weren't all the first ones in their classes but I am certainly one of the first few in the sanctuary for the opening.  I tried not to feel too bad about being early but it sure was nice to just sit quietly for about 3 minutes before Bible study started.
• After Bible study it was pouring, so I held Candice's baby while she got her car in the pouring rain.  Then I went to get my car while Jodee stayed with my kids-it really does take a village!  On the way to Rock Creek, the kids told me all about their Bible stories.  During my class, the teacher always tells what the children are learning about and she said that it was Jesus calming the storm (one we have just read about in the morning, at night, had a Sunday school lesson about it and a Wednesday night lesson about it).  I could just see Campbell and Graham's teachers opening their Bibles and starting the story and my kids burst out "oh no, not this one again!"  I don't think that happened-or at least I hope that didn't happen.
• When we arrived at Rock Creek, it was raining so I dropped the kids off.  Told them to stand inside and wait and I drove off to park thinking that everything would just be perfect...wrong!  I was walking to the door when Reagan came running out to me.  What in the world was she doing?  She started saying that Graham was screaming and crazy and indeed he soon burst out of the building in a panic.  Upon closer inspection blood was dripping down his chin-he had banged into Keaton's head.  
• I grabbed him and quickly dodged into a bathroom trying not to cause too much of a commotion (know that a commotion had already been made!)  I washed him up and he just kept saying "my ooth, it gonna all ut"  Once I deciphered his message, I told him to open his mouth and quickly pulled a tooth that was very loose last night and then tried to pull another tooth that the bump into Keaton's head had almost knocked out (that tooth though is tightening back up some-crookedly tightening back up!)
• There were about a zillion little people playing there but we pretty quickly ran them off.  Our injuries didn't end with the almost 2 lost teeth, Reagan fell and hurt her foot.  She limped and crawled on it for the rest of the day (it is still a bit swollen tonight) and Campbell fell and hurt her knee and she caused quite a scene for an injury with no blood.
• After all of that, I was surprised that I even thought about going to visit my grandma, but we pressed on and fought the rain and headed there.  Beebee was getting her hair fixed so we didn't stay too long-just long enough to eat most of her candy.  On some days my grandma talks really, really quietly-so quiet that I can barely hear her only after asking her to tell me again over and over.  Of course the kids are there too being noisy but I have decided that maybe I am the one losing my hearing.
• By the time we made it home, Keaton, Whitman and Campbell all were asleep.  The girls woke up when we pulled into the garage but Whitman slept on until supper time.  The rest of us did some books, did our science and then watched a bit of tv.  During their tv time, Anderson pulled out a wooden car to build and Reagan worked on some of her paper dolls.
• I spent my time-afternoon and most of the evening watching the weather.  This sleet has been crazy-thunder and hitting the windows so hard that it was hard to hear in our living room.  Craziness! (and I love it!)  Sweet Campbell looked out the window this evening and said "I hope Daddy gets home safely" and just as soon as she said that there were his headlights and he was home-apparently he made it home just before the roads did get crazy bad.
• The kids had supper and we let them play.  Eventually we all ended up playing the wii upstairs.  Robby and I did get concerned about the lights going off so we heated up our supper and ate upstairs too.  I was pretty surprised that no one asked us to sleep upstairs-hopefully we won't have to!
• After we had the kids good and crazy pumped up, we put them to bed-I know they were exhausted from our busy day so hopefully everyone will sleep well tonight!

March 3, 2015

Roller Skating Buddies!

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• School morning for Campbell again and at least today Campbell was able to eat most of her breakfast at home and not in the car.  As she was putting her shoes on, she did ask for one more piece of toast.  I tried to make it but before the bread was even warm, I had to pop it out of the toaster so I could get it to her before Robby pulled out of the garage.
• Yesterday, Campbell forgot to give Ms. Stacy a present that she had made for her.  Campbell remembered today and gave her teacher a perler bead creation.  I am sure that Ms. Stacy was very happy with her Star of David but I might need to encourage Campbell to make something else for her teacher.
• Back at home, my boys did much better today during school.  I did stay pretty close by and was quick to correct them today.  It is just so nice for the house to quiet for a few minutes occasionally during school time.  Even though it is quiet, I know that doesn't mean that they are always working but it at least sounds like we are working when it is quiet.  
• I haven't mentioned what the kids are doing school wise lately so let's see: Graham is doing simple carrying in math (38+44), Reagan has now learned all of her cursive letters (maybe just lowercase) in her handwriting book, Anderson has been working on multiplication and knows his 0s, 1s, 2s, 5s, 9s, and 10s, Campbell is over halfway finished with her reading book, Keaton's favorite part of school is doing her homework from Mr. Milan (her Sunday school teacher) each Monday and Whitman matched scrabble tiles to the letters in Keaton's name today as I sat stunned watching him.
• I put Whitman down for a little nap today while we did our together work and then I had the kids do their few chores while I served my treadmill time.  When I was finished, they were all sitting in the living room playing their kindles waiting on my to get lunch.  We had our lunch and as soon as Keaton put her last bite in her mouth, we climbed in the car.  
• Nonna had picked Campbell from school but we came to pick her up and drop of Keaton and Whitman.  When we pulled into Nonna's driveway, Whitman started yelling "buckle, buckle"-his polite way of saying "someone get me out of this car."  Keaton and him were so excited to go play with Nonna and Pops during the afternoon.
• And my others were so excited to get to skating.  We arrived close to 2 and by 2:30, Campbell and Graham were already exhausted.  Can you imagine how tired they were at 4:30 when we left.  Everyone is getting much better at skating-Anderson is probably the best but will still use the skate aid (pvc walker) if one is around, Reagan is doing good too-good enough that she was able to hold Campbell's hand and help her, Graham needs the skate aid but is improving and Campbell, bless her, she would grab that skate aid and fly for about 30 steps and then fall flat on her face over and over again.  By the end, she made 2 laps around the floor without any help and she was the last Dennie with skates on-she just wouldn't stop!  
• On the way home, we met Robby at the gas station and we both filled up our cars.  Then he offered to take some people home-my tiredest two kids quickly volunteered-Campbell and Graham.  Since it was National Pancake Day, Robby went home and whipped us up some waffles (we prefer them to pancakes!)  
• Supper was almost ready when my crew made it home from picking up Whitman and Keaton.  Nonna said that Whitman was playing in the water and his shirt became wet.  She took it off to dry it but he would none of that.  He wanted his "Elmo" on (Elmo shirt) and he let Nonna know about it.  Every morning when I pull out his clothes, he says "choo choo" asking for his Thomas shirt.
• After eating, all of my sweaty skating kids had showers and then we watched a bit of the alligator show from last night-nothing like watching some guys shoot up some alligators before bed!

March 2, 2015

Come along for the ride...

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• Again, I sure hated to wake up Campbell for school this morning but as soon as she was awake enough to understand that it was Ms. Stacy day, she was down the stairs in a flash.  We were running late enough today that she ate her breakfast in the car-she even ran out of time and didn't get to eat half of her cutie orange.  
• Back at home, the rest of us started the day with our Bible reading, breakfast and then school work.  My Reagan quickly started to work but my boys didn't do so well.  I urged, guided, redirected and everything else I could do to kindly get them to work and it would work for a few minutes but then they would soon be fooling around again.  That didn't go over too well with me so I politely explained that they would not watch any movies today or play their kindles-that did quickly get their attention.
• At 11, we did our together work while Whitman napped-not really napped, he was above us in Keaton's crib jumping up and down the entire time.  Then I let the boys work on some more of their school work until lunch time.
• We had our lunch and read.  After lunch it was chore time.  We do chores every day after lunch and usually I do my best to keep Whitman in his seat until we have picked up most everything around the house.  Sometimes I am able to do this but it is the only way to give us a fighting chance to get the house picked up for at least a few minutes.  
• In absence of electronics for the boys, they quickly pulled out some craft projects which drew everyone to the school room for a time and then they moved to the kitchen to make a huge domino track.  I was letting Whitman stay up a bit longer than usual-until he ran towards the kitchen table full of their dominoes.  We all grabbed him just in time and I ran him upstairs for his afternoon nap.
• The afternoon did fly by for me-Reagan said it lasted forever for her probably because she was all alone watching her movies.  I did let the boys along with Whitman, who didn't nap very long, watch the show I was watching while I was on the treadmill.  Pretty much during that entire time, Keaton was bringing toys up into the bonus room, pulling out games to play and getting food for Whitman.  She is quite the little helper but quite the little mess maker!
• Campbell had spent the afternoon with Grannymom, Lilli and Cash and even got to play at Rock Creek for a bit.  She had a blast and was ready to get home-she quickly found Reagan and joined her watching a movie.  It wasn't too long though before we had supper ready.
• I know I have mentioned it before but some meals are a hit and some are not.  Our chili was a hit for some-Campbell didn't touch hers, Reagan cleaned her bowl, Anderson wouldn't eat any until Robby took all of his corn out, Whitman spit out a bean when I put it in his mouth and Keaton and Graham ate most of theirs.  My non-chili eaters better learn to like that chili since there is half a crockpot left...maybe I will save it for the snow day coming up!
• The kids migrated to the school room after supper and a few showers.  That was fine except Whitman stared grabbing the paint and running through the house.  He usually takes the markers and runs around and that is bad enough but tubes of paint was much worse.  I finally tackled him enough times that he gave up on his beloved paint.
• We had been watching Duck Dynasty some in the evenings but we have caught up, so we watched some crocodile killing show-it was definitely eye opening and I am betting that at least 1 Dennie will have a nightmare tonight!

March 1, 2015

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Pigtails and Ice Cream!

• On very few days do the kids sleep in a bit but when they do it always seems to be on a day that we have to get up and get ready to go somewhere.  It was after 8, when I quietly went into their room.  Keaton was the first to wake up and quickly climbed out of her bed and then Graham was up pretty quickly too. I told them that if they hurried downstairs they could lay by Robby for a minute before getting ready.
• My Reagan was the last one to wake up and had to scurry around to get her clothes on this morning (as always!)  But we all did make it to church in plenty of time...plenty of time to eat lots of candy.  We went in a new door and the greeter passed out a piece of candy to the kids.  Then we found Nonna and Pops and his pocket was full of candy and then to Grannymom and Grandpa's side and there was more candy.  Maybe Robby or I should have been a dentist!
• Anderson went to the Discover class today.  The kids were asked to bring a shoebox and there had been much debate over what was going in that shoebox-many things had been suggested-anything from his feelings to a bunny.  It was none of those but just a place to put all of his papers.  Sounds like it was a pretty neat class-they learned about tithing and even had their first Lord's Supper.
• Lilli and Cash went to with us to Sunday school while Dana finished the marathon.  Then we all went to Grannymom's house for lunch.  My Keaton cleaned her plate and across the room, my Whitman didn't touch his and the others were all somewhere in between.  
• At home, some napped and some didn't but all that didn't really matter because in no time at all, it was time to turn around and head back to church.  Tonight we had choir and the Barnabas Project meeting and then big church.  Campbell was pretty restless during church tonight (as usual on Sunday nights). 
• Maybe she was just ready to get home so we could all have our ice cream truck.  The kids still love picking out their favorite treat-even though our ice cream selections are getting a big slim. Tomorrow is another busy day and Robby has mentioned to the kids that skating may be on Tuesday so he expects excellent behavior-we will see if that works!