January 5, 2016

Celebrating Tara's Birthday with the Brocks at Pei Wei!

(click here for today's pictures)

• This morning as we were laying in bed snuggling with Campbell, I listened to my quiet house and heard the heater making the most beautiful sounds.  I had never heard the heater sound so nice-it was so nice that I could have laid in bed a bit longer listening to the heater...
• A few minutes later, I was walking through the house opening up blinds and turning on the lights and I realized that those beautiful sounds were coming from my Grahammy and his guitar.  He was sitting in front of the heater strumming his guitar working on the D chord. That kiddo knew it was school morning and was patiently waiting on Whitman to wake up so he could get in the school room and start on his work.
• This was Keaton's first day back to school and even though she was excited about going she was not pleased with any piece of clothing that I suggested for her.  We finally compromised though this did send her morning off to a rocky start.
• By the time that breakfast had rolled around, everyone had calmed down and we ate our cinnamon toast and yogurt.  As soon as breakfast was over we all started on school.  
• Whitman played with his trains for a long while and then he came downstairs asking for his kindle.  I gave him the legos to sort by colors and him and Campbell went to work on that.  She was so pleased whenever he would put them on the right color mat.  Then they moved on to some letter matching and then Anderson came in and worked on an ABC puzzle with him.  Whitman worked hard and was pretty happy with all of the attention he received during school today.
• And even with all of this happening, the kids still finished school around 11 (we still had our together work to do during the afternoon.) Of course I should have been happy about all of this but I had to sit down and think about if I had left anything out but I do believe they are doing a full load for us.  It does help that Reagan, Anderson and Graham had just started a new math book and so far their math is very easy for them,
• Anderson made lunch today and it took forever but when he had finished, the kids convinced me to let them eat in the floor of the living room. So they ate while I read a few books to them.  This afternoon we did our chores and then we worked on catching up on our science.
• The kids played their kindles, played the xbox and even played an old Lightening McQueen atari type game.  And along with that they also did a but of running on the treadmil-I did my share too but everyone else wanted to have a turn as well.
• Robby brought Keaton home from Grannymom's house and we had a bit of time before we loaded up and met Nonna, Pops and Jason at Pei Wei for my first birthday dinner.  We beat the rush and we all feasted on our dishes and fortune cookies.  The kids had a lot of fortune cookies-Campbell opened up her first cookie and looked at the print and said "I can't read this, it is in French."  It wasn't French but a few Chinese characters.
• After supper, we ran by Starbucks for a birthday drink and then on to Nonna's for cake and presents.  I am pretty excited about 38 and was super excited about my presents-a cookbook and paper from Jason, 2 shirts and an upcoming shopping trip from Nonna,  post it notes, magnets, mixing bowls, muffin pan and powdered sugar canisters from Robby, a coupon for 5 free hugs from Anderson, a coaster from Reagan, post in notes (from my drawer) from Graham, a pencil, a few post in notes and a piece of wood from Campbell and a neat snowman card from Keaton.  
• Once we made it home, the kids definitely needed showers when we made it home so that was first and then on to bedtime!

January 4, 2016

She really does love her brother...

(click here for today's pictures)

• Well, after a month of very, very little school and two weeks of no school at all today was the day that we started back to a full load of school (it is a good thing that I didn't know that others were out of school today or I would have taken one more day off.)
• I had to wake everyone up a bit after 7:30 and they all were sound asleep.  Thankfully they all woke up fine and we had our breakfast and started on school.  The day went fairly smoothly and the kids were finished with their school work before lunch time.  
• The kids worked steadily on their work throughout the morning-though there were a few breaks to pour snow (torn pieces of paper) down from upstairs onto the heads of their siblings.  I tried to act like this wasn't happening but the kids would all meander back to their desks and school work.  
• Robby came to work at home so I could run to a doctor's checkup.  I wasn't gone too long but long enough for lots of people to notice that I was gone-when I returned everyone met me at the door.  
• This afternoon the kids didn't do a whole much but sure enjoyed doing nothing.  I believe that I was the only one that stayed busy and even cleaned the washing machine (it was a bit stinky.)
• Supper was chicken spaghetti, green beans (Robby told me they tasted too green beany tonight) and biscuits.  We all ate and then the kids went upstairs to play something-when they saw Robby up there gathering laundry, they quickly changed their game to Duck, Duck, Goose but when he went downstairs he could hear the game change to something else-who knows what they were doing but at least no one or no thing was injured.
• We did not serve as the kids cruise director tonight and just sat on the couch while they found their own entertainment before bedtime.  We did let them watch a Christmas peanuts right before bedtime-that is actually happening right now and I am covered up with Whitman in his new tractor blanket. 

January 3, 2015

Silly Faces!

(click here for today's pictures)

• Tomorrow school will start back for the kids and Robby will head back to work so this Sunday morning was a good practice for us getting back into the swing of things.  The result: we need more practice.  Robby and I had set our alarm early enough but it rang and rang and rang some more before we finally got out of bed-not because of the alarm but because if we laid there any longer, church would start without us.
• The clothes were laid out and I only had to change 2 shirts this morning so that was handy.  It probably helped that Keaton had brought down 3 sets of Sunday clothes (and when we came home, she took off her Sunday clothes and put on more Sunday clothes.)
• When Robby dropped us off at the door at the church house, he told the kids "you have one minute to see each grandparent and that is it."  We did end up talking to Nonna and Pops a bit longer because we convinced them that today was not their Sunday to feed us and decided on another night to eat her food that she had made for us.  Then we went over to Grannymom's row and told her about Nonna's silly mistake but she told us that we were the ones wrong!  Lunch at was indeed at Nonna's house and we were the ones that were wrong.  
• Back to a regular schedule at church this morning and then to Nonna's house for lunch-chili and all of the fixings.  The big kids and I played the game of Life after lunch.  Reagan received this game for Christmas and this was the first time that I played it.  I realized that they weren't exactly playing right (no one reads the instructions anymore) so I tried to explain all of the rules but will need to play a few more rounds so everyone can remember all of the rules.
• Then we headed home for the afternoon.  Not a whole lot happened this afternoon-some laundry, some naps, some xboxing but that was really about it.  Robby made grill cheese for everyone and then we all sat around the table and watched Anderson eat a mandarin orange.  I say that he ate one but I really mean that he choked down a sliver of one.  It was quite entertaining and he is probably scared for life.
• The kids picked up some tonight and then Graham worked on his guitar for a little bit before we played a game or two or fifteen of charades before bedtime.  A loud and rowdy game is probably not the best thing to play before putting the kids to sleep but they seem quite right now so hopefully everyone will go to sleep soon-tomorrow is back to school day (wish us luck!)

January 2, 2016

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Off to a Fancy Nancy Party...

• We heard the girls stirring around 8 this morning and I wasn't too surprised but I was definitely surprised when all 3 of them walked into my bedroom fully dressed and ready for the big party today.  Reagan was convinced that I had told them that they would need to be ready by 8 so I could do their hair with the curling iron.  Surely, I didn't say 8 because 10 is the time that I had in my head.  They didn't mind getting ready early and made plenty of time to continue adding items to their wardrobe.
• Once everyone was awake and ready Robby made breakfast this morning and yes, all meals are still being cooked in that new toaster oven.  We might just take it on the next trip-kidding...unless Robby reads the blog and gets that idea in his head. 
• The morning did fly by and soon the girls and I were loading up to go to Lily's Fancy Nancy birthday party.  The place was filled with fanicily dressed little girls and Reagan was thankful that she had some of her friends there (Alyssa Kate and Kaleigh) to hang with.  But those big girls aren't as big as they think they are because they sure did want to do the game where you had to dress up even more fancily. 
• While we were partying, the boys ran a few errands.  Graham was in need of some shoes and they even found a few more items to help us organize this place a little bit better.  The boys were a bit bummed that Anderson's Gamestop gift card was in my car and not with them.  Oh, well there will always be another day to spend their gift cards.
• When we all made it back home, we had bbq and watched the football game.  I so would have thought that the boys would have been all into the game but they only made it a quarter.  They watch other games on tv longer than they watched this one.  During half time Robby and I reorganized his closet (a little bit), the pantry and our bread cabinet.  We will see how long it all stays nice and neat.
• During the second half, Whitman woke up from his nap and soon the game was over and all of the kids were in the showers.  Then after a bit of cleaning, it was supper time-seriously, I feel like all we do around here is feed these kids.  
• We were able to play a quick game of charades and one other short game before calling it a night and sending everyone to bed a little bit after 8-we have to get back to a regular-ish schedule!

January 1, 2016

Eating our hog jowl and black-eyed peas!

(click here for today's pictures)

• Other than vacations and New Year's Eve do we all sleep in the same room around here but I am always surprised when 8 of us can get a good nights sleep in the same room.  Whitman did sleep downstairs last night but the rest of us still managed to sleep wonderfully well.
• Robby did head downstairs around 7 and stayed down there until Whitman woke up and then they came up to wake the rest of us up.  Everyone woke up in a good mood despite staying up so very late.  We cleaned up, put on our clothes and Robby made everyone breakfast.
• After breakfast, we picked up some and then it was time to head to Grannymom's house for lunch (pretty much today has been a day of food around here-and I do believe that I am ready to have my stomach pumped)  Grannymom had made for us a good serving of health and wealth (black-eyed peas and hog jowl) along with potatoes and quiche.  The kids ate up and so did we.  After lunch, Robby and I left to go and see a movie.
• Yes, if you are a faithful reader you will know that I am not a big movie person but I went anyway and did enjoy myself.  We went to the theater that has recliners and I will say that it is pretty strange laying down with 40 strangers.  Now Robby and I did get popcorn and a huge drink-Robby said that the boys ate 2 containers of that popcorn when they last went to the movies but we were not even able to eat 1/4th of it. And, of course, the drinks caused us to have to go to the bathroom a zillion times during the movie. 
• We picked the kids up and then headed home for just a few minutes.  Whitman fell asleep in the car and continued his nap in the car and the kids helped us unload a few groceries and then had some downtime.  After I helped the girls pick out some clothes for tomorrow's Fancy Nancy birthday party that they are attending, it was time to load up and head down the road to the Wilson's house.
• We potlucked taco salad and the grownups ate and the kids ended up eating too when they thought about it.  The grown-ups talked and the kids played and broke things (yep, we break something every time we go over there!)  Then as we were about to leave we stared playing a game and played and played-I did demonstrate my excellent knowledge of trivia (kidding!) 
• Once at home, it was bedtime for my crew-they are tired and cranky (or maybe that is me and Robby!) Seriously, we need to work on getting back into a routine around here so Monday morning will not hit us so hard!

December 31, 2015-New Year's Eve!

Happy New Year 2016!

(click here for today's pictures)

• We woke up a bit earlier this morning but that left us time to make breakfast-bagels, sausage, eggs and even a cinnamon roll.  It didn't take the kids long at all to eat breakfast but it took much longer for Robby and me to clean the kitchen and then start on a dessert for tonight and tomorrow.  We even moved things around on and in the cabinets (again!) And there is even talk of more organizing in my kitchen pantry tomorrow.
• Breakfast and the resulting clean up took so long that we decided that we could wait a bit longer before fixing the kids lunch since we had not left the kitchen all morning long.  (Though we ended up waiting so late that we ran out of time and the kids never had lunch!) 
• We were able to straighten a few things around the house but no, we have not put up those Christmas presents.  I sure love looking at them and used to leave them all out and organized when I was a little girl for months and months but now I am getting a bit claustrophobic in our house.  So there is also talk that those may be put away tomorrow (lots of plans for tomorrow including lunch at gmoms, a movie and supper with friends.)
• We did load up and dropped most of the crew off at Nonna and Pops' house while Robby, Reagan and I went to the eye doctor.  Reagan and I passed our test (she's good, I'm the same) but Robby left with some fancy bifocal contacts (a few weeks ago he realized that his vision while reading had declined!) 
• The kids played at Nonna's house while we ran to Kroger, the pizza place and my Chinese restaurant.  Kroger for cokes (and some Christmas clearance), the pizza gas station for pizza for supper for Robby and most of the kids and Chinese for me and Reagan.
• After picking everyone up, we headed home for supper and before too long all the grandparents and Jason came over for dessert to celebrate the New Years.  We had a rice krispy dessert, cheese cake and chocolate chip cookies.  The kids watched some football, played a few games, colored, watched their kindles and enjoyed spending time with all of the grandparents.  
• Once they all left, we cleaned up and headed upstairs.  The first thing that I did was to put Whitman in bed but after a few minutes I then realized that if Whitman was in bed when he would miss the poppers and the New Year's eve pictures.  So we then hurried to shoot off our poppers and to take our pictures before I put Whitman back into bed at 11:00!
• We did blow our horns, shoot the poppers and wish each other Happy New Year a bit early but then we all bedded down in the bonus room and started a movie.  Robby did stop it so we could officially watch the ball drop for New Years and I can not believe that 5 out of my 6 kids are still awake (oh, they will be cranky tomorrow!)
• We did make some Dennie resolutions and I will post them and the updates to last years resolutions in another post.

Dennie Family Resolutions 2016

This year's resolutions for 2016

Robby:
1. Learn to play a song on the guitar.
2. Go to a baseball game.
3. Weigh less than 190 pounds this time next year.

Tara:
1. Exercise 3 times a week.
2. Finish the mirror for the mantle and the mantle decorations
3. Teach the kids to cook more.

Reagan:
1. Improve at soccer.
2. Get more accessories for her room.
3. Learn how to use the oven.
4. Eat more fruit.
5. Go to a football game.

Anderson:
1. Play putt-putt with the family.
2. Play flag football.
3. Go to Big Rock or Playtime Pizza.
4. Make breakfast for the family with Dad.
5. Get in shape.
6. Eat more fruit.

Graham:
1. Go to a football stadium.
2. Learn how to write in cursive.
3. Learn to BBQ with Dad.
4. Learn to play the guitar.
5. Learn to play basketball.

Campbell:
1. Go to Altitude.
2. Go to Target.
3. Go to Playtime Pizza.
4. Go bowling.
5. Play all our games.
6. Make meals for the family.
7. Make a new friend.
8. Play soccer better.

Keaton:
1. Play soccer.
2. Play with Elsa doll and all her princess dolls more.
3. Play the Dora game on the Xbox.

Whitman:
1. Learn to potty.
2. Learn to sit still and obey.
3. Sleep in the boys' room.


Now I am really so embarrassed with how we did with last year's resolutions that I shouldn't even post them but just in case you need a really good laugh.  Robby said that we failed when we didn't post these some place so we could see them and be reminded of them (this year's list will be on the fridge!)

Robby:
1. Take the family to Play putt-putt. (yes!)
2. Hike to the top of Pinnacle with the family. (yes!)
3. Weight 185 or less by this time next year. (nope)

Tara:
1. Exercise 3x per week/Weigh about 10 pounds less than I do now. (ha, ha, ha, ha!)
2. Prepare our weekday lunches ahead of time. (never did it!)
3. Have better posture. (not really but I am more aware of my slouching)
4. Go to bed earlier/Read more. (went to bed at 1:30 last night but I did read the whole Mitford series this year and that was much more than usual)
5. Use a cookbook once each month. (never opened one)
6. Do something generous each month. (halfway accomplished)

Reagan:
1. Learn how to make desserts. (nope)
2. Drink more milk. (some better)
3. Go rock climbing. (no)
4. Train for Run with the Son. (she didn't even run in it this year since she was at a friend's house)
5. Plan the girls' bedroom. (accomplished!)

Anderson: 
1. Play putt putt. (yes!)
2. Play flag football. (nope) 
3. Learn cursive. (mostly)
4. Climb to the top of Pinnacle. (yes!)
5. Train for Run with the Son. (no)
6. Go to Big Rock. (yes)
7. Make breakfast for everyone. (nope-I will do better on that one this year)

Graham:
1. Learn a different language. (He says that the few Greek and Latin words we are learning for school count, I say they do not)
2.  Train for Run with the Son. (He says running to the big tree at the end of the driveway counts as training, I say it does not)
3. Go to Play Time Pizza. (yes!)
4. Make breakfast for everyone. (no)
 Campbell:
1. Drive bumper cars. (yes!)
2. Finish her reading book. (so, so close)
3. Learn to count to 100. (yes!)
4. Go to Disney. (yes!)
5. Make sandwiches for everyone. (she probably has)

Keaton:
1. Learn the alphabet. (mostly)
2. Learn to count to 20. (pretty close)
3. No more pull ups at night. (not really)

Whitman:
1. Learn animal names and sounds. (nope)
2. Talk more (suggested by the kids and not me.) (unfortunately yes)
3. Learn to sit still and quiet. (ha, ha, ha, ha)
4. Start learning how to potty. (and again ha, ha, ha, ha!)