February 7, 2017

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• Tuesday morning and we were all stirring at a decent time -- it was after 7:00 but earlier than normal. Whitman and Keaton dressed, picked out their breakfast and off to school they went with Robby.
• Everyone else soon picked out their breakfast and soon were started on their school work as well - well, Reagan had started at 7:00 so she was glad to report that she was done by 8:45. She still had to work on her oral report for Thursday but still done with her other work.
• Grannymom and Grandpa picked up Whitman and Keaton from school. Back here, other finished their work and we worked on cleaning out the fridge so leftovers was the lunch menu.  Everyone finished their work earlier enough for us to head out for an afternoon of roller skating. We did pickup Keaton on the way while Whitman stayed back with Grannymom & Grandpa.
• It's fun to watch the kids skate and see how much they've improved.  In the early days, I have to admit I did wonder if they would ever get it.  There was lots of falling and we relied on the skate aid quite a bit.  But today they were all did really well.  Graham might have been close to winning a race but got knocked down mid-way (by accident) but jumped back up.
• Soon it was time to pick up Whitman and head home. Robby was home when we got home and had supper in the oven. (I was heading out for a night out with the Bible study ladies).  Showers for all and then they had lasagna and edamame.
• They settled in for a movie (Paper Planes) and some popcorn and will soon be brushing teeth and heading to bed.

February 6, 2017

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• I completely forgot to mention that yesterday Keaton and Campbell had two adorable half time routines for us during the Super Bowl. Reagan had coached them and they quickly memorized their routine and were as cute as they could be. When Reagan did cheerleading with Upward she didn't act like she enjoyed it but she must have taken in all in because she sure remembered everything to teach her little sisters.
• This morning, Robby woke up Keaton and Whitman. When Keaton came downstairs she curled up and laid down in my closet-she was so tired. I went upstairs to help her pick out her outfit and she did pick the cutest outfit ever. Then she had me do her hair so cute. I was going to take a picture of her but her eyes still looked so sleepy when she left that I thought I better wait until she came home (and then I forgot.)
• Robby took Whitman to Nonna's house and Keaton to school. Keaton had a good day at school. She was anxious to take a show and tell for her letter of the week but they were just reviewing this week. 
• The rest of us had our breakfast and then started on our school work. It was a pretty smooth Monday morning. Graham and Reagan both think that they were the first ones finished-apparently they think that there is a prize for finishing first (there is not.) Anderson was in no hurry but he did manage to finish much before I thought that he would.
• We cleaned up the leftovers in the fridge for lunch. Then we all started on our chores. They finished fairly quickly and soon Graham had brought his marble track downstairs. This was the main project most of the afternoon. When the kids weren't working on that, they were running inside and outside playing some but mainly looking for the neighbor kids to come out and play. 
• Keaton and Whitman came home with Nonna around 4 and I had just about finished my treadmill time. After they left, the kids finally saw some of the neighbors and spent the rest of the afternoon outside. Whitman did stay inside playing on the marble track and watching his movie.
• When Robby came home, the kids were still playing outside and were out until dark, When they walked back inside, we sent them to the showers. Pretty much as soon as everyone was out of the shower, we were calling them to supper. We had a pretty standard meal-meat, veggie and potato. 
• As soon as the dishes were in the dishwasher, Reagan and I headed out the door to Hobby Lobby so Reagan could pick out her shirt for Satruday's Woven at church. The others were watching a movie when we arrived home and we were able to catch the end before it was bedtime.

February 5, 2017

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• Robby and I stayed up until after 1 last night watching The Crown so we weren't too spry this morning-or maybe I should say that he wasn't too spy this morning. I had dressed Whitman, opened the blinds upstairs, prepared toothbrushes, made the boys get ready and tried to wake up the girls (they were already getting themselves ready upstairs). Robby did pass out breakfast as I was getting myself ready and soon we were all headed out the door.
• The kids went to their classes and we all met back together for big church. Robby was upstairs helping pass out the Lord's Supper so I had the boys on one side of me and the girls on the other. We successfully passed the wafers and even the grape juice and I breathed a sigh of relief. I did lean over and tell the boys to next time please do not pick the absolute fullest cups. I reminded them that they were still saved even if their grape juice cup didn't have much in it. And the next thing I knew, we were supposed to be drinking our juice but instead I was spilling mine all over myself. All over myself! 
• We had lunch at Grannymom's house and afterwards the girls and I played dominoes for a bit before we left to run some errands. Robby ran into Home Depot to buy some lightbulbs. Then we did reward everyone with Sonic drinks and we all had our drinks while Robby ran inside the grocery store. 
• Everyone was happy with their drinks and I should have known that Whitman was a bit too quiet-he had wet his self and his car seat. That child hasn't done that in forever-guess he drank way too much at lunch to top it off with a slushy. Once we made it home, we all unloaded the car and groceries and I cleaned up Whitman's mess. Then we began our Super Bowl preparations.
• To get ready for our Super Bowl party, we hung streamers, made rice krispy treats, played some table football, predicted the final score and filled in our box of numbers to see who would win the prizes each quarter.
• Once the Super Bowl started everyone watched the first inning and Robby was the winner of the first price. He chose a box of Jr. Mints. During the second quarter we finished our cooking and I claimed my second quarter prize. The kids weren't too happy that Robby and I were the winners during the first half of the game.
• While the halftime show was going on, we ate our cheese dip, quesadillas, pigs in a blanket and rice krispy treats. We did have a table football tournament which lasted for a long, long time.
• Robby and I were not the only winners tonight, Reagan did win the third quarter prize and she chose a gatorade. The child was bragging a bit when she did the same dance for Graham that he had said that he was going to do if he won a prize tonight.
• The fourth quarter flew by and I was soon winning another prize. We were starting to feel bad since Robby and I pretty much dominated the prizes tonight. Since there was an overtime, Robby did pass out the leftover prizes at the end of the game. We had also all guessed the winning score and Campbell and Reagan tied and were both the closest so they had to split a Chick Fil A gift card. 
• After had cleaned up from our party, it was bedtime for the crew. I think they were pretty tired from our little Super Bowl party!

February 4, 2017

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• The kids were pretty quiet on this Saturday morning but we were both wide awake at the normal time-so much for sleeping in. Now, even though we were awake at the normal time, we made no effort to get out of bed. We would get out of the bed occasionally to do something on another but then we would scurry back to the bed. I ate my breakfast in bed as Whitman sat on the floor in front of us watching a movie.
• Everyone was anxious to know exactly what we were going to do today and the answer was "this is it." A pretty perfect Saturday. We have few Saturday's before soccer begins and those left we need to working in the yard so one last free Saturday was very much appreciated.
• Robby and I stayed busy most of the morning-he worked on his office and I am not really sure what I did but I was busy. I did manage to fill the next door neighbors trash bin with trash that I had collected in this house.
• We had a snacky lunch and then as Whitman was watching a movie in our room, Robby and I laid down on the bed. It didn't take too long for Whitman to come and squeeze between us and soon he was fast asleep beside us. A bit later, Keaton joined us and was soon asleep as well. When our bedroom door is closed and the heat is on, our room turns into a sauna-perfect for Saturday afternoon naps. Campbell did squeeze on the bed for a bit but she didn't go to sleep-only managed to wake the rest of us up.
• After our naps, we straightened and loaded up for an early supper. We ate at Tropical Smoothie-the food was yummy and of course the kids loved their smoothies. I was too busy to steal drinks of their smoothies because I was thinking about how I want to redo my kitchen with a long bench like they have there...someday. I did eat a kale salad as part of my supper-that is something that I thought would never happen.
• When our tummies were full, we headed to the empty Walmart. We shopped and shopped-bought 3 pairs of shoes which do not yet fit, bought lights for Keaton and Campbell's bookshelves, bananas for Whitman, shirts for Keaton and Campbell, and ingredients to make more manicotti. We run a few errands with all of the kids but when we take them to Walmart all together, they act like they have never been out of the house much less to a store before.
• Once at home, we started our Saturday night showers and Robby cut the boys' hair. We watched two short shows from the Henry Ford village before sending the kids to bed. They must have all been tired from day even though we didn't do a while lot-I hear no noises upstairs so hopefully everyone is asleep.

February 3, 2017

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• Friday morning and my boys were the only ones awake. I had to wake up the girls despite the urge for me to just let everyone sleep late and cancel school today. Much to everyone's disappointment, that didn't happen and as soon as breakfast was over we started on school.
• Things were crazy here this morning because of Keaton and mainly Whitman. He did spent a long time on the couch with Graham reading to him-I count that as school for both of them. 
• We were able to play a bit more of our yahtzee game this morning before Nonna and Pops brought over lunch. It was a welcome surprise and the kids were so excited about this treat. I was happy about the pizza but really happy about the cinnamon bread that they brought with lunch.
• The kids were anxious to practice their oral reports in front of Nonna and Pops which only reminded me that we still had 3 more reports to finish. Once they left, we knocked out our chores and then I worked with Graham writing his report and Anderson wrote out his. We only have Reagan's left and as long as we finish it before next Thursday!
• The afternoon was almost over when the kids saw the neighbors outside and ran out of the house. They were still playing outside when Robby called Keaton in to take her shower before going to school tonight. I fed her and Whitman and then they were off.
• Robby took Keaton and Whitman to church tonight and I was the one who picked them up. You would not believe that the fun that they had. Keaton told me all about what they ate: chicken, chips, strawberries, oranges, grapes, skittles and popcorn. (I probably didn't have to feed them before they left the house).
• Whitman was the one telling me about the games. There was an obstacle course with a lot of balls. Also they had a snowball fight and the snow was not real (my information here comes from Whitman). Keaton added that they sang, watched a movie and played in the tubes. They are going to want to go back to school every Friday night.
• The rest of us spent our evening eating leftovers, finishing our yahtzee game and baking in Campbell's cookie skillet. Hers wasn't enough for all of us so I pulled out my huge skillet and made a giant cookie for all of us. I was quite surprised when my alarm dinged reminding me to go and get the littles from school.
• When we made it home, it was time to start brushing teeth and for everyone to climb into bed. It was another good day-and I'm exhausted!

February 2, 2017

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• Whitman and all of the girls were sound asleep this morning but when I got around to waking Whitman up, he was quick to jump up and put on his clothes. Today was his turn to bring a stuffed animal to school. Keaton also had to bring a flashlight because they were talking about groundhogs and she couldn't wait either. It is the simple things in life!
• Robby took them to school while the rest of us started on school here. Grannymom and Grandpa stopped by here a bit this morning and Campbell was quick to share her oral report with them.  The kids worked fairly well this morning and were moving along by the time that I left to pick up Keaton and Whitman. 
• Robby made lunch-soup and cheese toast-and afterwards I worked with the boys on their oral reports. Sometimes I wonder why we decided to do oral reports this month-it would be easier to just skip this but I guess that it is truly beneficial. 
• This afternoon the kids talked about going outside but I guess the cool, dreary weather ended up keeping them inside. When I spied the kids at one point, they were all upstairs wrapped in blankets sitting in the dark watching a movie. 
• When they weren't watching a movie, it seemed that everyone was pretty noisy today. For some reason there was lots of chasing and lots of wrestling-I guess that makes up for their missed outside time.
• Around 4 this afternoon, Campbell and I started on supper and that girl and I, along with Keaton and Whitman, worked until supper was on the table after 6. We cooked supper from her cookbook that she received that she received for Christmas. 
• We made baked chicken parmigiana on top of angel hair pasta, along with roasted carrots and tuscan bread (not from the cookbook). I explained to Campbell and cooking was fun but hard work. After tonight's work, I understand why people don't cook-why I don't cook. 
• Obviously, the bread was the biggest hit. Everyone liked the chicken parmigiana and it would definitely be one that we might make again-if we have a spare hour and half before supper. The carrots were delicious-I thought. Everyone was required to eat one and I think they all did-not sure about Robby though. Whitman choked his down and then looked at me and said "that was terRIble."
• Since Campbell and I had done most of the cooking, we let everyone else clean up the kitchen. Then we all gathered around the tv to watch the Trumpet of the Swan cartoon. It was a cute little movie and everyone enjoyed it-especially the cookies that Robby baked, iced and sprinkled. 
• After the movie, we had some extra time before bed so everyone sat around on their devices while we watched a bit of a battlebot show. When the show was over, we read our Bible story and then everyone headed to bed.

February 1, 2017

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• Bible study morning and we were again up a bit before we usually are. I jumped in the shower and Robby started urging people to get dressed. Soon trash cans were being emptied, laundry was being folded and the dishwasher being emptied. 
• Most everyone had muffins for breakfast and then it was time to load up and head to Bible study. Whitman ran into his class today and when I walked back by his teacher and he were working on writing his name. Campbell was thrilled to get to her class because it was one of her friend's birthdays today and she had made her a card. Keaton was just as excited to be the first one in her class. Graham is always in a hurry to be the first one. And well, Anderson and Reagan had snack and were tickled with that. 
• After Bible study, we all headed to Candice's backyard to eat our lunch and play for a bit. Then Sara offered to take my big boys home so I obliged. Then I brought her girls home along with the Heltz girls and Kennedy.  So that made my Reagan, Campbell, Keaton and Whitman, along with Eden, Liliy, Alyssa Kate, Caroline, Charlotte and Kennedy-yep, 10 kiddos. 
• I stayed at Candice's house as long as we could and then I drove home as slow as I could. I couldn't think of anywhere to stop or anything to do. Once at home, the girls played outside for about 10 minutes and then migrated inside. 
• They all played for a good while and then the big girls started a movie so soon the other girls did too. Whitman hung out with the little girls and seemed to enjoy himself. During the movies, I passed out popcorn, cereal, milk, nuts and water. 
• The movie lasted until almost time to go. They did have some time to play ipads for a bit and do some artwork. Then we loaded up and headed to church. I offered for the kids to play on the playground a bit before supper and they did but soon decided that were cold and wanted to eat. 
• We all ate at church and did indeed meet the family max. Though Robby tried to tell me that all of those people were not my family, I think I disagree. I think that anytime you feel comfortable enough to use a child's middle name then they are indeed family. 
• After we ate, everyone headed off to their classes. While I was upstairs picking up Campbell from her class, downstairs they were passing out leftover pizza. My sweet big 3 all grabbed an extra piece of pizza for their brother and sisters. Sweetest things ever. 
• We then drove home, for quick showers and then a tiny, tiny bit of Reagan's leftover blondies before climbing into bed tonight.