August 19, 2015

Field Trip to Pops' office!

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• We were up early this morning becuase this was a big day around here.  The kids were quick to get ready and this was a pop tart morning while I finished getting things ready.  I am not really sure who planned our day at 9 but goodness that was early for us to get across town (actually, that was me that planned it at 9!)
• Robby left first and picked up lunch for us and then saved a parking spot for us while he waited on us.  After our breakfast, we loaded up and picked up the Kamps and then lucked into a parking spot by Robby.  He was able to give his spot to Candice and Pops walked up at about the same time.
• Once inside the capitol, the Skinners were there and the Stotts and Powells arrived soon.  Pops walked us to the Treasurer's Office and we learned all about it.  There were 19 kids (7 adults) and thankfully, Pops said that we were not any more noisy than most.
• The most interesting facts that all of my people remembered from the day is that the vault door in the Treasurer's Office was brought into the building on train tracks since it was so heave and the bronze front doors of the capital are polished for 3 hours a day.  
• We took turns going into the vault and when they entered the kids were handed a stack of money-some were $100,000.  My kids were impressed with all of that money but they really have no idea how much they were actually holding.  
• After our tour, we went downstairs and then took a tour of the capitol building.  We stopped in the rotunda, Governor's Conference room, Supreme Court and House of Representatives.  Then it was time to head back home-thankfully we made it to our car before it started to rain.
• But it was still raining-or really pouring-when we all ran into Rock Creek to play for a bit.  I dropped the kids off and they didn't get too wet but my pants were soaked up to my knees!  The kids enjoyed playing after their lunch and the adults enjoyed talking but we will have to bring our ear plugs next time since our crew was noisy!
• I decided to treat the kids with slushies from Sonic on the way home.  I checked to make sure that they were on sale today and the lady said yes.  So as I prepared to recite my order, I said that I had 6 and she said that the limit was 4.  Okay, then I started to rattle off my orders "sour blue raspberry with nerds" and she stopped me saying that the candy add ins were not included.  (I had assumed she would just charge me more but she didn't give me that option) Okay, so I tried again with "sour blue raspberry, 2 sour apples" and she stopped me saying that they were out of "sour."  Okay, I finally was able to order correctly and we then recieved our order-we had to do a bit of swapping but everyone ended up happy with their "orders."  
• Once at home, the kids did one school box, played with their perler beads, followed me around the house, had a bit of cereal and then picked up before supper.  Robby made hamburgers and everyone at while I snuck out of the house to go to church to register the kids for Wednesday nights.
• When I made it home, the kids were watching a movie and Robby left to go and walk with the Wilsons for a bit.  When he came home the kids were in bed and everyone pretty much crashed!

August 18, 2015

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• Today was Keaton's first day at preschool and she was more than a little bit excited.  I do believe that she was grinning from ear to ear as her and Robby drove off to school.  It did make dropping her off pretty easy since we have known her teacher all of our lives.  
• With Keaton gone today our day seemed a bit different.  School was calmer and that could have been by chance or it could just be because one person was gone.  But I did notice the difference of having Keaton gone when it was time to pick up (she seems to still pull out everything-including her baby dolls, diaper bags and stroller).
• Reagan was the last one to finish her school work today and actually she didn't even finish.  That girl worked in everyone room of this house and at each place she seemed to leave some of her school work behind.  I found her last bit of work left in the bonus room.  She has been wanting for me to give her a weeks worth of work at a time so she can pick and choose what she wants to do each day but I can't imagine her leaving that all through the house.
• There was at least one chess game happening today-a few weeks ago I had seen their chess set and thought that they never play.  But after leaving the chess board out for the past few days, it has gotten lots of play time...but then I put it up tonight.  I just can not stand clutter.
• This afternoon we did some work together and then the kids watched a Huckleberry Fin Redbox movie.  They were really interested in it and while they were transifixed, I worked my tail off.  I am trying to get ready for the big room swtich-I am so overwhelmed just thinking about it so I am taking baby steps (moved a bookshelf today, found some garage sale stuff)  I will get there eventually.
• When Keaton and Robby came home the potatoes were still cooking.  When they were finally baked, we ate our supper.  My big 3 really liked baked potatoes but my little 3, not so much.  I figured that they had enough cheese on top to make a meal.  Keaton and Campbell passed out jello for dessert (which was such a mess on the floor!)
• We played Fibber and Spot It tonight before bed-nothing like getting the kids all wild and crazy before sending them to bed!

August 17, 2015

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• Monday mornings are always the hardest around here but today was a tiny bit better than the last few Mondays.  School went surprisingly well with the boys finishing school in time to play a game of chess before lunch.  Reagan still had some math to do after lunch but all in all that is still pretty fine with me.  
• Right before lunch, Keaton and I made some jello together.  As she was stirring it, she said "God likes jello."  I did not know that but we have 6 bowls of it in the fridge now with plans to eat them for supper tomorrow.
• During lunch we finally finished our first Rush Revere book and my Graham is anxious for us to start reading the next book in the series.  The afnteroon seemed to go by fairly quickly but that was probably because I gave everyone some extra time to play before we started our chores.
• After chore time, we did some history and science and then tried out what I had been the most excited to start during school-20 minutes of independent reading while reading a history or science book.  This went over fairly well and it might just work-only if it happens after Whitman is in bed and it will work especially well on the days when Keaton is at school.  
• Speaking of school, Keaton can not wait to start to school tomorrow and she has even laid out her clothes for tomorrow.  It does make me a bit sad my sweet Keaton going to school-we will not get her back for about 2 years but I know that she is going to have a great time and just like Campbell did last year, she is already asking me when she is going to take snack.
• After our reading the kids had a bit of time to relax and then it was time to suit up and head to the pool.  The Kamps were there so my crew was delighted and I was delighted to see Robby bringing us supper (pizza).  The kids swam for about 3 hours and then we headed home.
• Once at home, we passed out antibiotics-Campbell's last time.  Anderson and Graham still have quite a few more days and it will seem like forever because Graham takes forever to take his.  Robby also cut Graham's hair before he showered.  By the time everyone had showered, had a drink, brushed their teeth, the cars were emptied, bathrooms straightened, dishes emptied and laundry started, we were pretty tired!  

August 16, 2015

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• Campbell ended up in our bed around 2 last night.  I guess she wasn't too pleased with how little I had scooted over for her so a few minutes later, she asked for me to make her a pallet on the floor.  When our alarms started dinging, she did climb back in bed with us and we talked about all of the new Sunday school classes.  That is when she said my favorite thing of the day "Last year, I really wanted to go to big church but I just didn't know how boring it was going to be."  
• We had our breakfast and Robby turned on the news for the kid to watch while they were eating.  No better way to show the kids how much the world needs Jesus than by watching the news-goodness gracious!  No one really paid any attention except Reagan who sat at the breakfast table for quite awhile-which was probably the reason that we had to do her hair this morning standing in the church parking lot.
• Everyone went to their classes well this morning-even Whitman who didn't really even fuss.  My class was quite different than last year-we only had 5 as compared to our average of 12 or more last year.
• After Sunday school we headed over to Nonna's for a big Sunday lunch.  The kids enjoyed seeing Graham's tent that he had made last night when he spent the night over there and then Jason had a plethora of Snoopys and Woodstocks that he was cleaning out from his house to give to the kiddos.  I do believe that at least 4 Dennies are sleeping with a Snoopy tonight.  
• This afternoon we did nothing and it was blissful-I am always amazed that I can ignore the ever growing pile of clean laundry in my bedroom floor on Saturdays and Sundays but come 7:15 tomorrow morning, it will drive my crazy!
• Church picnic tonight and my kiddos had the best time ever.  Keaton and Campbell took great care of Whitman on all of the jumpies.  Anderson and Graham played kickball and football (at one point my Anderson was playing football with a bunch of teenage girls).  Reagan found Kaleigh and Sara to hang out with and had a good time.  We stayed until they started taking the bouncies down and hauling the trash cans away.  Keaton walked back to us and said "it is closing time."
• Back at home, we showered as quick as we could and then put everyone in bed.  We did have time to cut Anderson's hair (Graham was already in the shower) and give 3 kiddos their medicine.  Third week of school tomorrow and most importantly, I plan to not leave the house!

August 15, 2015

Run with the Son Day!

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• My Reagan was the only Dennie not here for the Run with the Son this morning but I do not think that she minded since she had a blast at Alyssa Kate's house-she did say that Alyssa Kate's dad asked her lots of questions about breakfast "runny egg? fried egg? scrambled egg?" were just some that she named.  
• The rest of us were up before the son (not really) but my kids quickly pulled on their clothes while Robby went about his pre-race routine (you can ask him about it, if you would like.)  The kids had time to grab a nutritious (not) breakfast before we left.
• As we pulled up to the race, the kids saw Jason and all cheered.  Then we saw Nonna and Pops and then Grannymom and Grandpa.  The boys were so excited to have everyone cheering for them.  
• But first we had to cheer for Robby.  We watched the 5k runners (including Robby) pass us by 4 times.  Robby finished with a good time-a bit slower than last year-but much better than I could do.  
• Then it was time for the boys to run.  They were all talk but my people aren't runners and but the did pretty good.  My only word of advice to them was don't stop and don't be last-and they did/were neither so that was very good.  Robby had to run the last lap with the boys, especially Graham, to keep them going.  The mile course includes running up the big hill on the "new road" at church-that hill is probably a killer (I do not know since I have only driven up it!)  Both boys finished in the middle of the pack which was great.  Before the race, Anderson had decided that he wanted to run the 5k next year but after his race, Anderson said that he was just going to cheer everyone on next year.
• And finally it was time for Keaton and Campbell's race.  I walked the girls to the line and then walked away for a second and then saw Anderson talking to Keaton.  When he walked back to me, he said that he was just giving her some "encouraging words."  That race was over really quick and those kids ran their hearts out.  Whitman was even in the mix at the end and Robby tried to get him to run some but he was overwhelmed by the screaming crowd but someone ran and gave him a medal too (I had a spare from Graham's kickball party in my bag just in case Whitman decided that he needed one)
• After the race, Graham went home with Nonna and Pops and we debated going home and starting our yard work and had almost talked ourselves out of it but we went ahead anyway.  Robby put new blades on his mower and mowed some and I raked up tiny limbs and leftover debris in a good bit of the yard.  And man, did that ever make a difference.  My next outside project is mulch for my flower beds. 
• The kids were in and out most of the time that we were outside.  The last bit they had gone in and Keaton came out to see us for a minute.  Robby told her that we were going swimming and asked her to pick up just the cones that they had been playing with-about 10 minutes later we walked to the driveway to find Keaton still picking up and she had almost cleaned up all of the toys that they had brought out.  She must have really understood where we were going because later as everyone else was trying to get out the door, I looked out and she was standing by the red van waiting on us to unlock the door.
• Grannymom met us at the pool and we all took a turn swimming in the ice cold water.  We had picked Reagan up first and she had spent the morning swimming so I do believe that she swam for about 6 hours today and was pretty spent tonight.  Keaton is doing really well on her swimming and continues to impress me-she will still get swimming lessons next year though.
• When we came home tonight, the kids helped clean up the house and then we had burgers and hot dogs for supper.  The kids then wathced some tv while Robby and worked in the kitchen and then they went to bed before 8!  I am sure that they are pretty beat today.

August 14, 2015

Pool time with friends!

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• I was the first one awake this morning and before I could make the muffins, Anderson joined me downstairs and helped make muffins with me.  I made sure that I didn't have any lemon poppyseed muffins this week since I didn't want to hear the wailing and moaning this morning.
• After our breakfast, the kids started on their school but we didn't work for too long before it was time to leave.  Keaton did ask me about a zillion times this morning if it was time to put on her bathing suit.  It didn't matter how I explained to her or what words I used, she still could not understand that it would not be time for bathing suits until after Robby came home from work.
• The first stop of our errands was a stop at the library for the free food truck.  Yep, I wish that I had known about the free lunch program all summer long and I would have tried harder to make it there more often.  Today was a great lunch (thank you taxpayers): pb and j uncrstable sandwiches, carrots, cheese stick, strawberry craisins and chocolate milk.
• Next stop was Beebee's place and since I had forgotten Whitman's cup, he waited patiently to get to Beebee's room so we could get a straw for him to drink out of.  As soon as he saw Beebee, he started saying "need straw!"  Once I sat him down with his milk and straw, he went to town and sucked that carton dry.  The boys did thier part on cleaning out Beebee's candy box today and we were the hit of the dining area-all the old folks enjoyed straring at us while they waited on thier lunch.
• I did realize that before cold and flu season, I must teach Whitman to not kiss people on the lips.  He kissed all over Beebee and then kissed all over Ms. Staley today-hope his cough isn't contagious!
• Then we went to church to pick up the rack packets for tomorrow.  Graham is a bit nervous about the race and Keaton does not remember what is happening tomorrow so she is a bit anxious about it as well.  
• Next stop was Walgreens but the boys medicine was still out so we headed home for a bit.  The kids had to finish their school work-Reagan is still struggling with her long division and Anderson did take a while so we never even got to history today but there will be plenty of time next week!
• Reagan could hardly wait to go to Alyssa Kates this afternoon.  Apparently, they had a big night-grilling out, a walk around the mall and then Le Pops with swimming planned for tomorrow.  I know that she is having a great time but the others had a good time tonight too.
• The Wilsons met us at the pool and the Kamps were there too so my crew had plenty of friends to play with.  Robby made hot dogs and all of the fixings which we devoured.  The kids swam and swam (it was too cold for us to get in tonight and by the end of the evening, my Keaton's lips were turning blue as she shivered!)  
• The pool night ended with the pool showing the movie Big Hero 6 around the pool.  The kids watched some of the movie and then we eventually left because the mosquitos found us.  As we were leaving the pool, another boy walking out looked our way and said "oh, they had a field trip."  
• Tomorrow's field trip will start early in the morning at Run with the Son-I better get into bed!

August 13, 2015-Happy Birthday Nonna!

Celebrating Nonna's Birthday!

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• Everyone slept fairly well last night and there was little coughing (that I heard at least!)  Anderson was the first one up and soon we were eating our breakfast and starting on school.  The kids only had a bit of school to do this morning since we were finishing a day of school that we had only done bits and pieces of this week.
• Campbell was excited that she had a box of pudding to make as part of her school.  Then while we were making it, she said "well this isn't as exciting as I thought it would be...I thought it would take longer."  Well, I guess she will have to move up to something more difficult for her cooking school.  I do need to do better about teaching the kids how to cook-first I must learn myself!
• Grannymom and Grandpa came over around lunch.  We all ate on the patio which was surprisingly lovely.  This weather is pretty wierd but we did enjoy it with a game of kickball.  Grandpa and Robby were busy working on our lemon of a lawn mower while we played.  The kids were absolutely horrible during our game-bad sports, horrible attitudes-I guess they can't be good all of the time....if they could just be good some of the time!  :)
• After the game was over (my team won!) I loaded up my boys and took them to the doctor.  In just a little over 6 months, we have had a heart cath, flu, ear infections, stitches, lice, swimmer's ear and I was anxious to learn what would be added to our list....staph!  The boys both have had a bite like rash on their bum for far too long so hopefully the diagnosis of staph is correct and we can cure it quickly.  
• Back home for a slow afternoon and then lots of leftovers for supper.  As soon as supper was over and the toy room was cleaned, we loaded up to go to the birthday girls house.  We brought ice cream and peach cobbler to Nonna's house and celebrated her birthday with her.  Whitman could not wait to help blow out Nonna's candles for her.
• After a bit of playtime, we loaded up and came home for bedtime-my least favorite time of the day.  Everyone seems to get a bit wild and crazy at bedtime.  Thankfully tonight there was not too much excitement and all of our people are at least quite right now and hopefully sound asleep!