May 14, 2023-Disney or Bust!

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I really can't remember where I left off in the blog last night. I believe that we had about 100 miles left or so until we got to our Walmart to park for the night. We went right there with no problems at all. There were 2 other campers so we parked in between those two but still right up next to the woods.

I immediately started hearing a cat meowing. It was incredibly loud. I was worried that it was going to super bother Robby, and I was even afraid that he was going to move the camper away from that cat. Once Robby turned on all of our noise makers, we couldn't hear that cat at all.

Now, before the noise makers were turned on, I also worried that it was going to bother Bentley. That dog was so tired that she just laid on the bed and listened to the cat.

We all slept well though I had thought that Robby would sleep a little bit longer than he did. I did probably groan when I saw that he was standing by the bed this morning wearing clothes-that meant that it was time to wake up. He urged me to stay in bed since he was just driving 30 minutes until he stopped for gas, but there is really no sleeping in this thing.

I changed my clothes and soon joined him in the front. We stopped at Buccees. Robby filled up with gas while I took Bentley to potty. Then we went inside where he bought himself a sausage biscuit, and I found a scone. The kids were all still sleeping-and really they slept until around 11ish. Whitman didn't stir until we arrived at the campground at 2.

We have the perfect spot (116), it is right near the boat. Now, we were completely set up when I did see that the spot right next to ours, which would also be perfect, was completely shaded where we aren't really that shaded. I mentioned that to Robby thinking that maybe we could ask to move, but he would hear none of that.

Our site is great and huge. The big boys helped Robby plug in and all while Keaton and Whitman went off to the playground. Reagan and Campbell walked Bentley, and soon they were all helping take off the bikes and put up the tent.

We worked on getting the camp all set up-the rugs, tent, lights, drink tent (yes, we have a tent just for our drinks), tables and everything else. It was super hot at this time, and we were about to wonder why we were here.

However, the clouds came out, and it became super nice in the shade. The kids rode their bikes, we took Bentley to the dog park, we explored some and even put out our pin board to trade some pins. Robby went to the bathhouse to take a shower.

Then when he returned, we went to town heating up supper. Tonight's supper was tortillini that I had already cooked at home and had in the fridge. It wasn't that hard to heat up and with a little extra sause it was great. We also had bread that we heated in the oven so our meal was delicious-a definite keeper meal.

We then headed to Epcot. The Skelleys were here for one more day, so we had plans to meet up with them tonight. We rode Soarin-this is when Robby realized that he was a little bit tired since during the 2 minutes show, he kind of closed his eyes for a bit. 

Then we rode Test Track in another short line. So far it looks like this might be a good week to be here because the crowds have seemed low. After Test Track, Robby sat down and reached for his phone-which wasn't there. He left it on Test Track, but thankfully, they had it back in his hands in about 10 minutes. That wasn't nearly as stressful to me as when he lost his wallet (it was just in the car) that last time we were here.

Then we did catch up with the Skelleys-Campbell was so happy to see Brooklyn. Those girls rode Test Track while I waited with Whitman because he rode Mission Space.  After the girls finished their ride, we all went to watch the fireworks. 

Afterwards, we walked around the loop-the park was closed, and everyone else was going the other way, but we really enjoyed walking through the countries with no crowds at all. It was so nice, and the weather was just pleasant-maybe even a little cool for me. When we reached the end of the loop, the Skelleys headed off to their hotel, and we went to the car.

We then decided to go and get some ice cream from McDonalds. Unfortunately, that McDonalds trip took a very long time-over 20 minutes, but it was worth it because it was a good treat to end the day. Back at the camper, Anderson went to take a shower while Campbell and Keaton went with Robby to look for ice. Reagan walked Bentley and I worked on making beds. 

I told Robby that it would be nearly 1 before we were able to go to sleep tonight, and it is getting close: 12:15 right now. The kids are in bed, prayers have been saie and now I just need my shower, but I bet that Robby will be asleep before I get out.

May 13, 2023-Disney or Bust!

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Right now, Robby and I have been awake for almost 20 hours, but we are still going strong. He has his music on and coke right beside him. The kids are bedded down and we have about an hour left to go. We knew this would be a long day, but it has turned out to be a bit longer than we did expect.

My alarm went off this morning at 6:20. I did hit snooze once, but soon I was upstairs. I opened the girls door and Campbell and Keaton were both sitting in their beds. Then I went to hover over the boys. They need a bit more encouragement to get up in the mornings. When I did leave, they were moving.

I then went to work on the dishwasher when Whitman came downstairs and grabbed his uniform to go and change. I told him that he had a few more minutes to sleep before he had to get up and go to soccer. It wasn't that much longer, but it was almost another hour. He didn't care and was soon changed in his uniform and cuddled on the couch with his ipad

We left a few minutes later than Anderson would have-if he had not been waiting on me probably. Since the mini van was already hooked up, the suburban was left for him to drive. He hasn't driven it in so long that he opted to just have me drive. That was fine, so that is what we did.

Campbell and Keaton have loved going early with him to help set up, and Graham had an early game to ref so he got to go on the early bus too. Today was the last day of soccer (for us), and all of the kids' teams were playing to be in their championship games on Monday or Tuesday.

Reagan refed 3 games today which she doesn't like doing really. She never was our ref though. Graham refed 2 different games, and I think that he was the ref for both of the girls' games. Anderson was supposed to ref one game, but ended up switching with someone so he could work on taking things down during the last game. 

Keaton's game was the first of our games. Her team usually wins by at least 3 or more points, but today things were not clicking for them at all. Keaton finally did score the 2 scores of the game (well, one was after the final buzzer), but those 2 brought her total up to 20 points this season to which she was pretty proud of. Whitman played while Campbell was playing, His team won by 2 points, I think. Whitman was goalie a good bit, and I don't think that he gets stressed being goalie, but I sure do. Campbell refed two games early this morning, and then she had a bit of a break to watch Keaton's team before it was her team's turn to play. They did win their game 1-0 in the very last period which was pretty exciting.

When the games were over, Robby took everyone but Andeson and hurried home. When they made it home was the time that we were just leaving Raymar. That was fine though-we knew we weren't going to make our 3:00 goal to leave. We did leave about 3:45 so that was good-everyone did have showers before we left, and so far I can't think of anything that we did forget-I know that there will be something.

We moved on very well. I even drove for a few minutes while Robby went to the bathroom. We were in Holly Springs when we made our first stop at a gas station. 

Our next stop was not planned. Robby's blasted tire monitor started going off. Sometimes it does that, and he just hits a few buttons, and things are fine. Nope, not tonight. Since our first flat, that tire pressure monitor thing is the stuff of my nightmares.

However, it did work and work well. He knew he had a flat. We drove for a bit, but then he pulled over. Thankfully, it was on the passenger side so we went to work. Robby's trip with Casey was so beneficial-they had a flat and Casey quickly changed it, so Robby made sure he had every single tool that he needed to do the same.

First, the crow bar was used to get the hubcap off. Next, the difficult task-getting the spare off. It lives under the camper so that meant that Robby had to crawl under (thats why we carry a yoga mat). He also had to use 2 packages of our leveling blocks for when the tire fell after he unscrewed it. 

Anderson was sound asleep during all of this, but Graham came out and helped. Campbell and Keaton were also there holding things and flashlights for us. After the spare was secured thanks to one fancy dancy drill, we had to use those leveling blocks again to jack up the camper. He has a jack, but since we were able to do it the easy way, we did. If it would have been the inside tire, we would have had to use the jack.

I am not sure if it was the same fancy dancy drill or another one since there was two out, but he took off the tire. Now, Robby did get to the last bolt (?) and it wouldn't budge. He had to put a few bolts back on, to even things out, and then it did come off, and we breathed a sigh of relieft. He then replaced the tire with the spare. Graham and Robby had to struggle to lift that tire into place. Next up was the torque wrench possibly and finally the rubber mallet to hammer the hubcap back on. Then we were on our way.

It took us about 45 minutes to do all of this. Now, all of the tools were originally stored neatly in the camper, but right now everything is just thrown into the minivan. We then had about an hour to get to Buccees. When we arrived there, Robby aired up the spare better which involves lots more tools, and thne he took off the mudflap. We are hoping/praying that is what caused the damage to the tire. It wasn't a nail or anything, the tire had marks all over it and looked pretty beat up, so hopefully the mudflap was the problem.

At Buccees the kids went in to get some drinks. We debated sleeping right near there at Bass Pro, but Robby and I were still going strong so we decided to press on. Around 1, I did start making the beds for the kids. I think that everyone except for Whitman have already had naps in the car. He is not a car sleeper, but neither is Anderson, and he slept through the tire ordeal. 

Not only are the kids tired, but when we were inside of Buccees, we noticed all of our tan lines. I have a watch line, but it is nothing like Reagan's tan line from her tennis shoes, but Campbell's shin guard tan line was the most interesting.

We have about 45 more minutes to go, so I'll end the blog here, and help Robby navigate through Atlanta.  

May 12, 2023

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• I was up this morning and was once again surprised because it was raining. The rain messes up my morning routine with Bentley for sure. Usually she goes out and then I brush her each morning. 
• With it raining, I am in no hurry to take her out, and I guess she realizes that it is messy out because she never barks to go out. Once again around noon, I did take her out-not becuase she asked, but because I didn't want her to get a bladder infection. (I don't know if that is even a thing, but sounded like it could happen.)
• I can't remember who the first kid up this morning was. It wasn't Whitman because I kind of anxiously await him to wake up so we can do our spelling each day and get that over with. I really didn't see many of the kids at all until I left to make one last run to the library.
• When I did come home, people were stirring and our little bit of summer school did finally happen. Cambpell, Keaton and Whitman worked on one of his birthday presents-I think that they did that just so they could avoid school and chores for a little bit.
• This afternoon we took the big boys to get their hair cut. Anderson was pleased with his while Graham was not. It looks just fine though but he thinks it is too short, but I think the back is still too long. 
• While we were out, we did pick up things from Sams, Kroger and Costco. I ran into the first 2 stores and was super speedy. Costco was a quick stop too, but the boys did manage to get themselves a snack before we left. Graham couldn't decide between a chicken bake at the food area or a rotisserie chicken-he opted for the chicken bake.
• There was lots more packing this afternoon, and even a little bit of reading for me. I still have about 50 more pages that I want to read tonight, but I don't think that I am going to make it.
• Tonight, we had frozen pizzas for supper and then Robby and I went to the Wilson's house for a little bit. When we did come home, we did start ushering people off to bed because 6:20 comes early in the morning-especially for a house full of kids that have been sleeping until noon.

May 11, 2023

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• I wasn't expecting the rain today, but it sure was nice. Maybe because it was raining or maybe because my children stay up way too late, I didn't really see anyone, other than Anderson, until almost noon.
• I first saw Anderson because his alarm clock was going off this morning so I went to check on it. He was sitting up in bed holding the clock, so I turned to go back down the stairs. Then it started ringing again. I went back to his room and said, "I think your alarm is going off." He told me that it wasn't his. It was, and since he had nowhere to be, I just turned it off for him.
• By about noon, I was telling Robby that when the kids all leave the house I will need a hobby. I had read, finished some chores, did some extra cleaning, did some paperwork, and walked on the treadmill. Thankfully, the kids did start stirring so I had something to do-which was kind of just walking around behind them saying "do your chores" and "do your school."
• Whitman and I finished a book. He and I are trying to hit it pretty hard with his spelling this summer. Hopefully, he can finish his second spelling book this summer, and we can do two this next school year-but I may get tired before then and slow down.
• We went to Defy this afternoon for the kids to jump. It was our 59th visit since our passes started in December. That isn't too bad at all. Robby sits and does his work while I sit and read. Though sometimes the loud music does make it a bit distracting to read.
• After Defy, we ran to Grannymom's house to pick up Anderson's shirt. Then it was on to Walmart where Anderson and I ran in while Robby and the others went into Sams. By the time that we caught up with them in Sams, they were almost finished.
• We hurried home, and I started on supper. My enchilada recipe is never well received with the kids, so I tried another one. It was a success. Anderson even had seconds! (That is how I measure success.) 
• Reagan and Keaton didn't eat because they went to one a Reagan's friends graduation. I wasn't able to get too much information from them except that it was long, there were speeches, and Reagan isn't going to do it. She might change her mind, but if she doesn't, that is certainly fine with me.

May 10, 2023

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• I was out walking Bentley this morning while it was still pretty chilly out. The kids weren't even awak so I had to leave a note just in case that they did wake up when I was out. I think that I have mentioned it before, but I usually don't take my phone on my walks because I often don't have pockets. This seemed to bother the boys-I'm not sure if they were concerned with my safety or if they were just concerned that someone would leave the house without their phone.
• Anyway, I was back safely before anyone did wake up this morning. I didn't get around to much of my book last night, so I had to finish it this morning before my library trip this afternoon. It had an odd ending-like I really don't know what happened. I'm just not sure. Sometimes I wonder how people can write so well, and sometimes I wonder how people can not write so well.
• Whitman went with Robby to use his gift card that he earned from saying his verses (last year's gift card that we have not gotten around to using.) It was to Dairy Queen so Whitman had a coke, burger, fries and a blizzard. That was a big meal!
• Keaton went with me to take Bentley to the vet. First I ran into the library, and then we had to battle the rain to get us and the dog inside of the vet before we were all soaked. Of course, Bentley did great there-it probably helped that I had a bag full of treats.
• When we came home, I had plans to go right to the treadmill, but instead I ended up on the couch napping. I slept until I could sleep no more-now, I could have slept longer, but I didn't have time to sleep any longer-it was time for me to get on the treeadmill. 
• As soon as I finished the treadmill, I showered and then finsihed working on Whitman's desk with him. We were able to get it nice and neat right before it was time to leave for church. 
• At church tongiht, we had snow cones and lots of rowdy kids. On the way home we did pick up pizzas for supper tonight. Reagan is out with her Dgroup and the rest of us are watching some tv before bed.

May 9, 2023

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• I slept a little later than I planned today-actually, It hink taht I said that yesterday on the blog too, but today, I really did sleep later today. I wasn't the only one who did sleep later-all of the kids were up pretty late as well.
• I worked quite a bit in the school room-after today the only thing left in there to do is finish Whitman's desk area. We worked for 15 minutes today and have at least that long tomorrow. Plus there is a pile of stuff in the middle of the room that I have to figure out how to get rid of.
• I did have time to walk Bentley and also to walk on the treadmill today, but I didn't have time to read any of my book. I have about 100 pages which I might be able to read this evening-or maybe not.
• I went with Robby to pick up some groceries from Kroger. We also stopped at Costco, and of course there was a Kroger delivery this morning. And we do still have to go to Sams-we like to shop at almost all of our local grocery stores every day. We are actually doing some major stocking up trying to prepare for our trip.
• This afternoon Graham drove most of us to Nonna's house to drop off her early Mother's Day present. We were there long enough to have some cookies and visit for a while.
• The afternoon went by fairly quickly and after our supper of tostados, we all headed to Grannymom's house in two seperate cars. Our first stop was to fill up gas in those two cars.
• Then we celebrated Grandpa's 91st birthday and also had a little gift for Grannymom for an early birthday present. The cake was lemon, and it was pretty delicious. 
• I went with Reagan, Campbell, and Keaton to Target after we left Grannymom's house. Anderson also decided to go with us because Graham was driving home with Robby. This was the first time that Graham has driven recently with Robby. They made it home successfully way before the Target shoppers were finished. Even with that information, Anderson was still glad that he went with us.
• When we made it home, Robby and I ran the wheelbarrow over to the Wilson's house. Then we came home, and I helped Keaton put some tabs of the books of the Bible on her new Bible. She is still working long after I had to stop-she just made it to the New Testament.

May 8, 2023

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• I have almost 70 things on this weeks to-do list. I didn't write down the things that I normally do each day like the laundry and treadmill. This list is just things that need to happen before our trip, things that need to happen for school, and things that need to happen to straighten this house (mainly my school room). 
• I will say that I believe that today was a successfull day list wise. I was able to mark off about 23 of those things. Of course, I picked the easy and fun things to do today. I sure did save the harder things for last which is what I always tell the kids not to do.
• Speaking of kids, I believe that Graham was the first one awake this morning. Later in the morning, I went in search of Bentley's good leash. I even went in the girls' room to look. When I opened the door, Reagan was standing in the middle of the room brushing her hair. I asked what I thought was an obvious questions-when do you leave? If she was already out of bed and brushing her hair then she must leave soon. Now, she didn't leave until mid afternoon, so I am really not sure why she was awake.
• Whitman was next and soon I was working on summer school with everyone. This was the first day of their summer school work which is actually work from their next grade so I had to explain everything. 
• Some how, the big 3 have gotten off easily. I am waiting on 3 books to come in for each of them which I had planned on them doing this summer. Plus Graham and Reagan don't really have anything since the finance class that I had intended for them to do online has gone up in cost (not a ton, but just enough to make me mad.)
• Reagan went to Kennedy's today to celebrate her birthday. Anderson went to Raymar to work this afternoon and evening so while they were gone, I went with Campbell, Keaton and Whitman to Defy.
• We also ran to Mardels so Keaton could get her name on her Bible, along with Sams and Trader Joes. We really had perfect luck everywhere we went shopping today which was super nice. 
• When we came home, Robby cooked 3 pounds of sausage and 3 dozen eggs. Then Campbell, Keaton and Whitman helped me scoop all of the ingredients into breakfast burrito pouches for the big boys (they are mainly the ones who eat the breakfast burritos).
• Then we used the griddle to grill us some sandwiches. It was basically just grilled sandwiches, but since we had Hawaiin bread it was like a delicacy. 
• Anderson came in first from Raymar. Reagan made it home around 10 from her friend's birthday party. When all of the chicks were back in the nest, we started to watch a tv show for a little bit.