January 5, 2018

(click here for today's pictures)

• As I laid in bed this morning, I debated skipping school today. Tomorrow is my birthday after all but I acted like a grown up and made sure that school happened and happened well. We did have ourselves a big breakfast this morning-cinnamon toast made by Whitman, fried eggs and scrambled eggs made partly by Campbell. I wish that I could manage a warm breakfast every morning but that's not going to happen.
• We have a couple of Google Minis around here and last night, Robby spoke into the one downstairs and played his voice onto the ones upstairs. I believe that he told Whitman to be quiet. Whatever he did tell Whitman, he heard it and didn't think that it was Robby talking to him. Instead, he was convinced that it was God. This morning, I heard Whitman saying to the Google Mini, "Hey froogle, talk like God" over and over again.
• School was a bit wild this morning with Whitman being here, but he is so interested in doing his own school that he sat by me for a the longest working on his workbook. He even scribbled out a new Christmas list and on it was "more school." I guess he wants another school workbook for Christmas next year.
• My Keaton is so improving in her reading, Reagan and Graham are doing great on their writing. Anderson is my math king, and Campbell was alphabetizing everything today. We all finished by noonish.
• Whitman convinced me to let him paint his bread like he did in Ms. Jennifer's class last year. It is just a bit of milk and food coloring to make the paint. I thought everyone would want to do it too, especially Campbell and Keaton, but Anderson was the only other one who did. Anderson painted a flag and we even sang the Star Spangled Banner to it.
• Afterwards, it was chore time. I did make the kids do some extra chores today-I used the "it's my birthday" line and plan on using it quite a few more times this month.  When the chores were completed, I walked around the house filling a bag of trash. I have decided that I am going to take 40 bags of trash out of this house this year. 
• This was the second afternoon that at 5:30, Robby and I laid down and took a nap. Wonder if we have mono or something? Ha! Probably not, but our room is just so cozy. We stayed in our room until the kids sounded like they were going to tear the house down. 
• We then loaded up and headed to Eat My Catfish. We have been talking about going there for a while and began our evening with fried pickles. They were kind of spicy and heavy but good. Robby had ordered the family platter (fries, beans, hushpuppies, 10 fish pieces and 4 chicken pieces). That would be plenty for all of us, and it wasn't too long before they delivered our food.
• We were still passing it out and opening up boxes when the server came back asking if our order was right. He knew we hadn't gotten our fish and we offered to send our wrong food back but he said he couldn't do that. So we ended up with 2 pints of beans, fries, hushpuppies, 4 chicken pieces and around 40 pieces of catfish. Yes, you read that right-40. We brought home 20 pieces of fish (I counted them as I wrapped them in foil to put in the fridge.) I am not sure what happened but it definitely worked out in our favor.
• On the way home, we stopped to pick up some ice cream and the kids sang Happy Birthday to me to begin my birthday celebration. The kids went to bed a bit early since tomorrow will be a busy day.

January 4, 2018

(click here for today's pictures)

• Whitman joined us in bed around 2:30 this morning. I guess that it was pretty chilly in our bedroom because I didn't mind snuggling with him...until it was morning time and the heat came on. It didn't take too long for it to get hot in our room, which is the hottest room in the house when the doors are closed and the heat is on. 
• I quickly got on up and started waking up people, hauling laundry, finding Whitman's clothes, waking up people, opening blinds and emptying the dishwasher. Whitman woke up fairly well and was excited to hear that it was Ms. Stacy day and that he was to bring a toy from Christmas. 
• Soon he was in the car with his jacket, milk, poptart and two bears-one was old and one was indeed from Christmas. I think that Whitman really enjoy school; I just hope that he obeys when he is there.
• Back at the house, everyone had waffles or pancakes for breakfast this morning. Then it was school time and surprisingly, it went much better than I could ever expect. I did get frustrated only once when Reagan and Graham slammed me with all of their school work at one time. I like for everyone to bring me their work after they finish one or two things. Otherwise, at 11:30 I have 40+ pages to grade. 
• Campbell and Keaton went with Robby to pick up Whitman. Robby said that they used up all of their words on the trip but surprisingly, they have had many more words that they have used today. When they all returned home, we had lunch followed by some chores.
• It didn't take too long for Whitman to lose his ipad this afternoon. Could someone tell me why my boy has stopped going poo in the potty. A few folks ran to Dairy Queen for their weekly Blizzards. They even brought me home one which I happily enjoyed as soon as I stepped off of the treadmill. Yes, I do see the irony in that.
• We had baked potatoes for supper tonight along with a bit of chicken, chili and a ton of other toppings. The kids all love baked potatoes (except for Whitman). Afterwards, the kids all showered and then, Robby and I migrated to our bedroom where Keaton, Campbell and Whitman migrated in and out. The others watched the Bates in the living room and gracious, they must have been using Robby's sound bar to the max because the walls of our room were shaking. 
• Reagan passed out the rest of her dessert that she made last night while I tried to figure out what we could eat for our dessert. I had hoped that she would bring us a piece but that didn't happen. It is Thursday night after all-the night before the weekend of my 40th birthday-definitely that deserves some type of dessert!

January 3, 2018

(click here for today's pictures)

• It was a scramble this morning getting ready for Bible study. I had to wake Reagan, Keaton, Graham and Whitman. I think that my crew is still pretty tired from our Christmas break. On Bible study mornings, our goal is to leave around 8:30. 
• Reagan and Graham's bagels were in the toaster and mine was next in line since we eat them in the car on the way, when I heard my phone ding. I didn't pay too much attention to the phone noises since we only had about 5 more minutes until we would leave and there was still lots to be done. Seconds later though, my phone was going nuts, and I went to check it. It didn't take long for me to see the words "Bible Study cancelled." 
• Pipes had froze or burst at Immanuel this morning (conflicting reports) but either way, CBS was emailing and texting, along with Candice and the other girls. Since we were all already dressed and lunches packed, we decided to meet at Rock Creek for lunch. The kids weren't too happy when I relayed the news to them. They all love Bible study and were bummed that weren't able to go. 
• I let them finish their breakfasts while I sat and ate my bagel quietly. Then we did history, science and reading. I also did spelling with everyone and had them do two things for tomorrow's school day. 
• I had said that I was going to work with Whitman each day this next year and that boy would do "school" forever. Each day that we have worked, he has wanted to do more. We gave him a kindergarten workbook for Christmas and I think that it might just be one of his favorites. When no one is doing it with him, he will just sit in the school room and flip through the pages trying to figure it out. 
• Just as soon as we had finished all of this, it was time to leave for lunch. We arrived just as everyone else was going in. Our big kids are getting a bit old and don't even really try to play in the tubes anymore. They just stand around and talk. We really should bring games for them to play, but today, they really wanted to go outside so they could throw the ball and run. I hate that there is no where that we can go in cold or yucky weather that they can do this.
• After we had eaten and played inside for a long time, we bundled up and headed outside so they all could play outside. Sara, Candice and I sat in Sara's car and watched the kids have a blast on the parking lot. 
• On the way home, we stopped by the library and picked up quite a few books. If you remember at Whitman's class Christmas party, he received a Pete the Cat book that he did not want and had himself a big ole fit. So today at the library, I picked up about 20 Pete the Cat books for us to enjoy!
• At home the kids finished their chores, and had some downtime. I haven't known what to do with myself today with all of my free time since my Lego project with Anderson is over. I had so much free time that not only did I get on the treadmill but I also started painting a side table.
• Reagan made a dessert for tonight-no bake chocolate chip cookie bars. That was the recipe that she wanted to make yesterday but couldn't because we were out of butter. She didn't want anyone in the kitchen when she worked and even barked at me to get out of the "square" while she was cooking.
• Anderson asked to cook next time and Graham already has a dessert that he wants to make as well. I am glad that want to cook but I really need for someone to make a salad and not sweets which I can not turn down at all.
• We had a simple hot dogs, chili and the fixings for supper. The kids ate up and all went well except for when Whitman had a fit afterwards because he didn't get dessert immediately after supper. 
• We watched a few shows after supper and then Reagan finally did pass our her dessert. Whitman did refuse it and decided on Campbell's brownies from last night. After a few rounds of HQ tonight, it was soon bedtime for the crew. Tomorrow is our first real day back at school-unless another pipe burst. No, no, we don't want that at all!

January 2, 2018

(click here for today's pictures)

• I didn't know until late last night that Robby had officially taken another day off today so my plans of doing a bit of school were completely dismissed. I did wake up earlier than usual but all of my girls were still sound asleep.
• I am surprised that they were asleep because when Whitman left our room this morning, he asked Anderson to turn on a tv show for him. He did and the volume was incredibly loud-pictures were shaking on my wall. Robby seemed to sleep right on through the commotion but I quickly grabbed my phone and text Anderson to turn the volume down. Technology can be pretty amazing sometimes.
• This morning was spent mostly picking up and doing chores. The Christmas piles of presents are shrinking but man, I think that I could go through this house with a trash bag and fill it up. I probably should put that on my list to do each month...maybe I will. Robby would probably prefer me keeping the trash to a minimum right now since we have been using our trash bin and the neighbors for weeks now. 
• Around noon, I went upstairs to work on the Lego thing. Last night, I told Robby that we probably have more than 3 thousand dollars upstairs in Legos. Truly, we probably have more than that but any higher number would probably make me sick. We came close to finishing this afternoon. Campbell did come up and help. Every time we would turn a page on the instructions, she and I would give each other high 5s and act like we had finished the entire project.
• We ate lunch around one today. The kids made their own sandwiches and I read a few books. Whitman asked for a Christmas book but since I had already returned all of the ones that we didn't read to the library, there wasn't one to be found. He was content with a snowman book which is a good thing because I have quite a few from the library in hopes that it would have been snowy right now and not just freezing cold.
• I did my treadmill time this afternoon and then Campbell made some brownies. I had told Reagan that she could make something and as we were getting out the ingredients, we discovered that we didn't have any butter. I looked and looked but couldn't find any so she gave up and Campbell stepped in to fill the gap with a box brownies.
• I ran back upstairs to help Anderson, who seemed determined to finish today, and worked for a bit more before the basketball players along with Reagan and Keaton loaded up for basketball. I thought that Keaton and Reagan would stay home with me but they opted for practice. 
• That just left Whitman and me at home. I read him a story and then had him vacuum the floor while I straightened downstairs. We opened my can of popcorn this morning and it is almost gone tonight. Quite a few pieces are on the floor all over the house and that was Whitman's job. And when i say, that "we" opened the popcorn, I probably mean to say that I opened the popcorn while I was still in bed this morning.
• We stayed busy while the others were gone and when they returned home, chili was ready. Everyone ate up and then cycled through the showers. Campbell's brownies were the reward after they had finished their showers. We then had a bit of downtime-the girls watched a baking show, Graham and Robby turned on the Hogs and I found Anderson upstairs with those Legos. He had already been working and after just a bit, we had finished. I happily scooped up all of those leftover grey legos (3 bins) and Anderson went down to show off his rebuilt ship.
• This was the first night in weeks that the kids were sent right to bed at 9. Tomorrow is Bible study and even though we do get a little break tomorrow night with no church, it is back to reality.

January 1, 2018

(click here for today's pictures)

• I was still in bed this morning when I received a text from Anderson asking me to come and work on our Lego ship. It was time for me to go ahead and get out of bed, so I put on my clothes and headed up. We did only work for about 30 minutes before I had to go down to start picking up.
• I was able to fold one load of laundry before it was time to leave for Grannymom's house. She had hog jowl and black eyed peas. The kids loved the "bacon" and cleanup all of her quiche. Afterwards, the kids had plenty of time to play, and despite the freezing temps they ran around outside for a long time.
• On the way home, we dropped Robby off at Lowe's, and he ran a few errands with Tony. The rest of us came home and started on chores. We had to do a bit to get back into a routine so the chore chart was revised and ready to be completed.
• One of the main chores I wanted for the kids to do today was to put away a few Christmas things. I just asked them to put away 2 each day and I did my share as well-putting up (and building) my work table, my apron and my mop. After chores I went to work on reorganizing my kitchen pantry. It is much smaller so it took me less time, and I was able to hang all of our aprons inside.
• Before Robby made it home, I ran back upstairs to work a bit more with Anderson. Once Robby came home, we were able to do a things around the house and somehow the afternoon just flew by. 
• We ate at Tacos for Life for supper and somehow I smashed an onion piece of my jeans and gracious it was smelly. I had to come home, shower and change all of my clothes. Even after I had been in the shower for a while, I still wasn't convinced that I didn't smell like an onion. The food was good tonight, and we did leave with plenty of cheese dip for tomorrow but man, I dont like the smell of Mexican on me.
• Back at home, we really didn't do anything all evening. The boys watched the ballgame, and for the most part, the girls did too. We had thought about sending everyone to bed at 10 but they were being quiet so they all stayed up until the ballgame was over. Campbell was getting tired but Whitman was still hopping through the house on a bouncy ball after 11. I am not too sure how we are ever going to get back in the swing of real life after these wonderful holidays.

2018 Dennie Family Resolutions

I had said that we weren't going to do resolutions this year, but I just couldn't help myself. So even though, we know that we won't accomplish most of these; here they are:

Robby:

Read 6 books

Tara:

Floss

Have better posture

Plan our meals better

Reagan:

Spend all her gift cards

Anderson:

Get a job

Build all of his destroyed Lego sets

Graham: 

Score 10 goals in soccer

Become a better basketball player

Campbell:

Have a lemonade stand

Bake more (she said 200 times but I think 'more' would be better)

Keaton: 

Play basketball

Whitman:

Read a Christmas book

Learn to read (I added that one)

And just for kicks, let's review last year's resolutions to see what complete failures we are. I will say that we did have some pretty good resolutions last year. Campbell and Keaton were the resolution winners and completed all of their resolutions while Robby and I are the resolution losers completing none of ours. Here are the 2017 resolutions:

Robby:
1. Weigh 188 or less. (not even close)
2. Climb Pinnacle twice. (nope)
3. Bowl a game of 150 or better. (never went bowling this year)

Tara:
1. Lose 10 pounds. (Almost, but I have probably gained it back since Christmas.)
2. Fill our house with music. (Music is just more noise, and noise kind of makes me crazy.)
3. Climb Pinnacle with the family. (I wanted to go for my birthday next week but I think it will be too cold for that.)

Reagan:
1. Add more accessories to the bathroom (nope)
2. Move the dangerous swing (YES, Grandpa and Robby moved the swing closer to the soccer field earlier this year.)
3. Have more root beer floats. (I can't remember having any root beer floats this year.)

Anderson:
1. Go to a football game. (YES, Razorback and high school games)
2. Go to Altitude, Big Rock and the movies. (Well, we did go to Altitude once to enter in a drawing but didn't jump so I am not sure if that counts, didn't go to Big Rock, but YES we did make it to the movies.)
3. Ride an upside down roller coaster. (We didn't go anywhere with roller coasters this year.)

Graham:
1. Go to a football game, putt putt and a new restaurant. (YES, college and football, YES, as a reward with Robby, YES, I am sure we have been to one new restaurant, surely.)
2. Run 2 times a week on the treadmill. (Ha, we do have a new treadmill this year but this hasn't happened yet.)
3. BBQ with Dad. (Robby rarely BBQs so that one would be hard to accomplish.)

Campbell:
1. Play soccer. (YES, I love these easy resolutions)
2. Make supper and dessert (also make jello sometime.) (YES, she is always in the kitchen and would kick me out if she could.)
3. Hang shelves over bed. (YES, Robby and Grandpa hung their bedroom shelves early last year)

Keaton:
1. Go some place to eat. (YES, that's my girl, love resolutions like this!)
2. Learn to read. (YES, 5 down and 1 to go!)
3. Go to a new state. (YES, Hawaii!)

Whitman:
1. Learn to pedal a bike. (Not even close, he would rather dig in the dirt.)
2. Read a book. (Well, I have read plenty to him but reading practice starts Tuesday.)

3. Jump on a bouncy. (YES, I am certain he has at some point during the year.)

December 31, 2017-Happy New Year's Eve!

(click here for today's pictures)

• Since church was at 11 this morning, we were all able to sleep in as late as we wanted. Well, almost as late as we wanted, Reagan woke Whitman up so he could come down and get ready. And I certainly could have stayed in bed a bit longer.
• Everyone put on clothes-though Graham did wear a short sleeve shirt. That boy has almost as many clothes as Keaton, who has more clothes than Reagan and Campbell combined) but he still picks a short sleeve shirt. I would like to tell him that I paid good money for those long sleeve dress shirts and he better wear them. Fortunately, I haven't been the one paying good money for those shirts, so I can't say that.
• Church was fine this morning though Whitman was as restless as ever. He will randomly point to people during the service and ask, "Is he a stranger?" or "Is she a stranger?" He is just odd! After church, we headed to Nonna's house for lunch. She had BBQ and all of the fixings. My Campbell loved the cracker chips that Nonna had and could have eaten the whole package. Pops tried hard to get the boys to try some of his fruit cake for lunch, but they would not at all.
• We did all try some of Campbell's birthday cake. This was the first Sunday we had been at Nonna's house since Campbell's birthday so she had a cake for her today. Campbell truly enjoyed blowing out one more set of candles. The kids had some time to play at Nonna's while we watched the end of a football game.
• Afterwards, we walked around Lowe's for a bit and bought a cabinet. Tony and Robby have plans to eventually work on my fireplace shelves, and now that the cabinets are bought, they can't renege on the deal. It was cold outside and the kids hurried into the car leaving Robby to load the cabinets into the van by himself. (I may or may not have already been inside the car myself.)
• I sure could have taken a nap this afternoon but I ended up working on Legos upstairs with Anderson. I had mistakenly thought that this ship would have been easier to do but we are having to search for every single Lego. All the while, Anderson is telling me about each piece, each character and the plans for us rebuilding many more Lego ships. I used to love Legos....get that "used" to love them. Just kidding though, I do love spending time with my boy.
• Soon, it was time to get our New Year's Eve party started. Robby and I heated up supper choices-BBQ pizza, sausage pizza, pepperonni pizza, chili, cornbread, chicken roll-ups, sweet and sour chicken or spicy chicken with rice. The kids all picked different things and it was like working in a diner. Not many folks have take orders on a piece of paper when they are making supper but we sure did tonight.
• While we were eating, we did make a few New Year's resolutions. And even though the boys wouldn't try Pops' fruitcake, they sure did try Robby's crazy spicy chicken. I had some yesterday and it was so spicy that my mouth burned for an hour. Those boys knew the chicken was spicy but they never acted like their mouth was on fire. I was actually very disappointed in the whole thing. I was expecting them to roll around in the floor and chug water from the sink but they were being a bit manly about the whole thing.
• We then played a game of Uno Attack. Campbell won but we played until Robby and Whitman were also out. Then we turned on The Holiday Inn. We saw that play in NYC last year but since then they have filmed the actual play. So it was neat to see it again. It held the kids attention really well even though we had to stop the movie a few times-to eat Campbell's lava cake that she made for dessert and to ring in the New Year with pictures, hats, horns and poppers.
• We watched our movie for about 30 more minutes after the New Year and then it was bedtime for everyone. Hopefully, my kids all made resolutions about sleeping in past 9 in the morning!