(click here for today's pictures)
- Everyone (even Reagan) was up before 6:30 this morning. The boys and Reagan all went straight to the toy room and started playing. Campbell joined us in bed for a bit and soon even Keaton was up and fussing. I will have to give everyone an extra does of benedryl tonight.
- I guess since they all got up a bit too early, they all ended up being a bit fussy. So much so that when Robby left, he had to give them "I want your momma to give me a good report" warning. That helped things for about 12 minutes and then things again went downhill.
- Actually, they were pretty good mostly. I tell you though, Anderson can just sit at his desk and stare into space forever during the school day. I finally had to move him to the kitchen table explaining that he had been sitting for 90 minutes and only finished one thing from his box. Once I moved him to the table, he quickly finished his stuff and then wandered upstairs with Graham. Graham will finish his stuff but will not go upstairs to play by himself but as soon as Anderson was headed up, he was right on his tail.
- As soon as the boys were gone, Reagan and I finished up her stuff in a flash. Then I called them back down to review our science and then read history. I had been a bit worried about our difficult looking history book but they all listened (especially the boys-Graham can tell you all about the steamships coming to Japan).
- Then it was lunch time and Keaton ate more than anyone else today. And then she watched me pick up the kitchen as the kids played and then put on their clothes. Campbell was so excited to wear her new dress from Nonna. And she was beyond excited when she saw that Keaton was wearing a matching dress.
- We all loaded up and went to the library. Everyone picked out 3 books even though we left with over 20. I lost count of who had handed me three and who needed to get another one. And I also had a few waiting on me at the front desk. The kids were so excited about their books and all sat reading them in the car on our way to see Beebee and Papaws. Maybe I should take them to the library more often.
- Everyone was happy to see Beebee and Papaw today and they were doing well. The kids all hugged everyone and when it was picture time, even Keaton sat happily in everyone's lap. Graham was so happy to show off his new shoes that Beebee had bought for his birthday. And Reagan quickly thought of what she wanted Beebee to get her for her birthday (purse and Sunday shoes-hopefully not black since she has at least 3 of those). I guess the kids did so well because I had packed big cups of lemonade for them to drink on the way home. And I kept reminding them about that drink waiting for them.
- Back at home, Keaton and Campbell had their afternoon naps while the others did their chores and created a library out of a UPS box (more diapers-not for Cambpell, buying no more for her). Soon Robby was home and we had our supper. Then we all headed outside.
- The kids swang, chased a frog and not so patiently waited on Robby to finish mowing so they could ride bikes. Everyone rode well-Reagan did fall twice but caught herself. And of course, after all of that outside business, we needed popsicles and showers!
(click here for today's pictures)
- We were up this morning pretty early getting ready for the first day of "real" school here (Reagan calls Comm Central "real school"-don't know yet if that offends me that school at the house the other 4 days isn't considered real.) Comm Central started this morning so everyone put on their clothes without much of a fuss. Anderson did only want to wear the one shirt in his drawer that is too small for him. I wouldn't let him and he was very upset with me but soon found another shirt that suited him.
- Graham and Campbell were happy about school today because they weren't going and they were getting to spend the day with Nonna. I decided to move my Tuesday work day to Monday so our Tuesday's would be a bit calmer and we will be able to get homeschool done in the morning. Everyone works so much better in the morning (or at least I do!)
- We took our second round of first day of school pictures for the year and loaded up. First I dropped off Graham, Campbell and Keaton. Then even though we were very early, I drove Reagan and Anderson to school. We hung out in the car while I reminded them of how we act, explained all the things in their bag and Reagan gave Anderson the low down of what all would happen today. He must have been a bit nervous because he asked twice what all they would do today.
- We took Reagan to her class first. Alyssa Kate, Kate and Kennedy all were sitting at the same table as Reagan. And since Pam and Jodee were in there I felt great about her class this year. Reagan's class has over 20 but Anderson's class is around 12 or 15. And as we walked into his class, the teacher greeted him by name. She probably never saw Anderson since he was in his class last year when she had Reagan but knew the last name. I asked Anderson if he wanted me to stay a few minutes and he said yes. I told him I would stay until Owen arrived and as soon as Owen arrived, I could tell he was just fine. They sat beside each other and Anderson said they played together during the day.
- After my work and a few minutes at home straightening, I went to Nonna's for lunch and to pick up the kids. They had had a big morning-play doh, Bible stories, lots of playing, riding bikes and even seeing Pops who got off early. After lunch, Nonna asked if Graham wanted to spend the afternoon and of course he did. He had a big afternoon but also took a long nap with Nonna and Pops.
- Back at home, the rest of us were also taking a nap. I decided that since there were only two kids at the house with me and they were both sleeping, it was meant for me to take a nap too-especially since Robby wrote to tell me that he was picking up the others. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to go to sleep being afraid that I would oversleep and leave my two babies on the church parking lot.
- Now, on the way home from Nonna and Pops with only Campbell and Keaton in the car was quite a ride. Campbell was in Graham's car seat and had her taggie. She put her taggie in Keaton's hands and Keaton was not going to give it back at all. Campbell asked nicely at first but that didn't work. Then she told me and I asked nicely for Keaton to give it back. Then she resorted to shouting at Keaton: "Do you hear me? Give me my taggie. You hear me?" Of course that tactic didn't work well either. I was about to have to pull over to resolve WW3 but thankfully, Keaton swung it back over towards Campbell who was able to grab it.
- Robby picked up Reagan and Anderson from school. I think they had a good day. Reagan came home with a bag of goldfish crackers saying that she was "o-fish-ally a first grader." She liked art the best even though they didn't make anything today. She completed a map which I need to get out of her bag along with a another worksheet.
- Anderson saw Reagan during assembly and briefly passed her on the playground. He said that they colored a picture in the science notebook and that he didn't like the green beans I sent him for lunch. Also some one gave him some chips today so that made him very happy. During rest time, he only takes a beach towel to lay on and it was rolled perfectly in his bag this afternoon-I asked if he did his teacher rolled it up and he said that he did-doubtful. I was expecting it to be just shoved in the back pack. Anderson also worked in his handwriting book and made a fox picture.
- Reagan and Anderson joined Keaton and Campbell who had just woken up from their naps at the table to eat an afterschool snack. Then they settled into a movie and a quick round of chores before we headed to Nonna's for our delayed Sunday lunch. Pops was working yesterday so we moved lunch to tonight.
- Graham was happy to see everyone and we all ate our spaghetti and then the kids went out to play. The girls came in before they were too sweaty so they were able to skip baths but the boys played nerf guns with the neighbor until they were stinky and had to have their baths. After their baths they watched some of the Olympics for awhile before we had to head home.
- The kids are pretty wound up as they are usually on school days. But they have finally calmed down and are about all asleep. First day of Comm Central which adds to our count 9 days of school for this school year.
(click here for today's pictures)
- Graham, Campbell and Keaton were all in our bed or on our floor pretty early this morning. Those three are pretty adamant that they have their milk first thin in the morning so I had to pour everyone's milk since I had neglected to do the dishes last night (as is our normal routine-that meant I had to do the dishes twice a day-not my favorite chore. Folding laundry-not putting it away-is actually my favorite if you were wondering).
- Soon everyone was downstairs eating their Sunday morning breakfast of powdered doughnuts. Keaton and Graham were the only ones who didn't want doughnuts. Graham had quite a few pancakes and later had 4 cupcakes during Sunday school. He has become my child that eats more than anyone else-when he eats.
- It is now a habit-in the middle of church, Anderson leans over to me and asks "is church almost, almost over?" One of Graham's Sunday school teachers was having their birthday today and they celebrated with cupcakes in his class. He had made her a birthday card and was so proud to take it into his class this morning.
- We picked up pizza on the way home and everyone changed into their pjs before eating. Campbell kept asking "everybody go to bed?" and then in the middle of lunch, she looked at us and asked "who died?" Hmm, no one died-not real sure what her Sunday school lesson was about today or when she overheard us talking about someone dying.
- The kids played well this afternoon and Graham spent most of his time building a fort in the living room. They asked me for a snack and Reagan suggested that I make a buffet for them in the living room. A buffet? Really? I did throw a few snacky foods on a plate and called it a buffet but she wasn't too pleased with my effort and said that I should have put things in separate bowls. In my defense, it was their second snack for the afternoon and I was getting ready to leave.
- I headed to a meeting at church and Pops came over to see everyone for a few minutes on his way to Beebee and Papaws. Everyone ate supper and then they all headed upstairs to pick up the toy room. By the time I made it home, everyone was upstairs in the toy room working on a train track. They were all playing so perfectly-too bad it was bedtime! :)
(click here for today's pictures)
- Hotel sleeping is just nice-especially when the baby sleeps all night. It didn't even matter that Campbell joined us in bed around 5 and Graham around 6. Everyone went back to sleep and we all slept until after 7:30. Sometime this morning, Campbell was climbing up again in bed with me and I pulled her up by her arms. When I finally heaved that child onto the bed, she looked at me and told me "you almost broke my arms off."
- We put on our bathing suits and headed down for breakfast. It was a bit crowded inside so we ate outside with the bumblebees. Thankfully we managed to eat without too much of a commotion and then headed inside for swimming.
- So it was my turn to take the plunge and swim in the icy cold waters of our hotel this morning. We swam for a bit-the boys are already starting to act like teenagers trying to shove, push and dunk each other. They all liked to race each other across the shallow end of the pool. Keaton and Robby watched this morning from their nice cozy chairs in the sun shine.
- Next up we packed up and went to Mid American musuem. Robby and I had both been there as kids and most things had changed-but not everything. They still had mirrors, a hot air balloon and a sand pendulum. The kids had a great time-lots of hands on things for them to do. Reagan really loved the crawl through cave (Graham, Campbell and I did not-too dark). Anderson enjoyed building a track for marbles. Graham liked dressing as a pirate and Campbell liked playing with the wind tunnel. Keaton didn't really like any of the museum. She was tired and drank bottle after bottle while inside. We were doing anything to keep that child quiet-she has learned to scream! (and it isn't pleasant).
- Back in the car, we stopped by McDonalds and I do believe that the kids ate all 20 of their chicken nuggets. Anderson wanted to stop again at the ice cream stop but we pressed on and made it to Orange Leaf. The kids devoured their ice cream while watching men's water polo-they were so excited about the US men's team scoring points.
- When we made it home, Robby went to work for a few minutes and the kids played, watched a movie, colored, updated our Olympic medal chart, ate supper, read a few books, changed into pajamas and helped with laundry. Wow, maybe Robby was gone a long time-we got a lot done around here.
- When we put the kids to bed tonight, they were all pretty tired. Hopefully, Robby and I will be more productive than we were last night-we had plans to work on our menus and monthly picture picking out-but we were too tired!
(click here for today's pictures)
- Robby was the first one up this morning-we usually just rely on one of our alarm clocks sleeping upstairs to wake us up. He went to get the oil changed on the van so he was out the door before 7. Before too long, I heard Reagan's cry "Daddy, Campbell's ready to wake up." So up the stairs I went to get her up. Oh, and yes, they call for Daddy in the morning because he usually gets them because he hears them first (and because I lay much stiller than him and he thinks that I am still asleep).
- Campbell was ready to get her pink shorts on and asked about them when I walked into her room. Thankfully, they were already laid out. Robby suggested today that we start potty training in them-she can wear them if they stay dry. So I do apologize if you see my Campbell wearing her few sizes too small holey pink shorts around town.
- I had my shower and we had already started breakfast when Robby came back home. We then did a little bit of school catch up from yesterday. Reagan and Anderson only had 3 things to do plus coloring a book they have been working on. And then I mentioned that we could color some flags too and they jumped on that. We have been coloring flags from countries in the Olympics and are going to hang them around the room when we get enough.
- Next up was haircuts for all the boys. As Robby cut Anderson's hair, he left a mohawk. He stopped and let Anderson go to the mirror and check it out. Anderson was so happy and begged us to let him keep it. We did not but we did take a few pictures with it. He was funny because he wanted to take his mohawk pictures with everyone else in them too. Graham also briefly received a mohawk and now my boys know what they want to do for crazy hair day at Awanas later this year. Robby also received a mohawk during his haircut and he kind of liked it and decided to keep his for a few days at least. (ha, I'm funny!)
- The kids then watched a movie and soon it was lunch time. After that it was time to clean up and load up. Everyone was so excited-we have really spoiled them with big vacations: 18 day road trip, 3 theme parks in Southern California, Disneyworld for a week. Since those have all been this year, a one night trip in Hot Springs is hard to understand. But it is divine to pack for-though we still take about the same amount just less clothes. I should give packing classes or maybe I need to take some packing classes (since I seriously asked Robby if we were going to take the roof bag for this trip!)-we didn't.
- We left around 1:30 and stopped at a yummy ice cream joint somewhere between home and Hot Springs. Graham asked when we pulled up "are we in the wild, wild west?" We weren't but the ice cream was really good-nothing like starting out a trip wearing clean clothes and eating ice cream cones resulting in dirty shirts! It was worth it though-they had a blast. We actually could have turned around and came home then and the kids would have been happy.
- Soon we were at the hotel headed down for swimming. The pool was cold so Robby took one for the team this afternoon and swam so I didn't have to (hopefully, the pool will somehow be lukewarm tomorrow when it is my turn to swim). The kids had a blast and Keaton loves the water. The boys enjoyed jumping off the edge while splashing everyone in the pool. Reagan spent her time swimming from one edge to the other in the pool. Campbell was all over the place and can really get around the pool quickly. At one time she was standing on the edge trying to convince herself to jump in to Robby so I gave her a push (hey, she was wearing her floaties) and Robby said her face showed that she had no idea what had happened to her as she fell into the pool.
- Back in the room, everyone showered and we headed out for supper at McClards. We all squeezed into a booth with Keaton on the end in a high chair and started our meal with one spilled water cup. Thankfully that was all that was spilled. Oh, and Keaton did knock her whole chair/highchair over at home this morning. She fell flat on the ground-needless to say, she was pretty shocked and cried for a bit. She wasn't hurt since her soft highchair broke her fall. Campbell was the one who was the most upset and cried for a good while thinking her baby sister was hurt.
- McClards was good but there sauce is too spicy for me so I it is really too spice for the kids. They did all eat decent and deserved a treat. So we did what most people do on Friday nights when they are out of town-walk around Sams Club. Ha! We took in the kids cups from dinner and bought an icee to divide 4 ways. The kids all decided that they wanted to ride so Robby pushed a shopping cart full to the brim with 4 kids drinking icees and one drinking a bottle. (Yes, we did get a few stares). The Sams here is newer than at home and has quite a few different things-I found a rug, table, and dresser that I want. The kids found a 3d tv and many types of cereal that they want. But alas we bought nothing except the icee and soon headed back to the hotel.
- At the hotel, we sat out in the grass for a bit before heading in. Once in the room, everyone changed and climbed into their spots. Poor Campbell had the hardest time getting to sleep-she kept asking "why Keaton sleeping in the bathroom?" (her pack n play fits so nicely in the shower) and "where are my red shorts? they in dryer?" (no, they are in the dirty clothes pile and won't be worn tomorrow-unless the 2 year old wins!-wish me luck!)
(click here for today's pictures)
- So this morning, everyone stirred pretty quickly because Robby was driving through the doughnut place on the way to Grannymom's house and then we were going swimming this afternoon. They were all in the car before I even had my shower. And I actually thought that Robby was going to leave Keaton here because the other 4 were already buckled in the car. I had to snatch the baby out of bed and rush her to the car so she wouldn't get left.
- Robby dropped everyone off while I saw one of my kids and then we switched cars. Next up was a run to work for me and then to Mardels to buy a book. My whole time in WLR it was raining and even pouring a bit. I was working on plan B instead of swimming in my mind.
- As soon as I opened the door at Grannymom's house, I heard Graham say "Anderson thinks it has stopped raining." I guess that they were watching the weather too. After a while, we decided that it had stopped raining enough so we headed to the pool.
- It was perfect because the first hour or two that we were there, it was nice and cloudy (which did make the water a bit chilly to me but not at all to the kids). The kids loved the slide, Reagan practiced swimming, we played "monkey in the middle," catch, ate lunch, had cookies for a snack, played "sharks and minnows" and even had a lollipop as we left. The kids were great and had lots of fun. They must have been a bit tired because there was no complaining when I said that it was time to leave.
- The kids asked so sweetly for us to hit Sonic on the way home and since it was happy hour we stopped by. Once home, they all sat and had their slushies and then watched a movie. Around 4, we started some school (everyone had already completed their math and phonics at Grannymom's house). We worked until a little after 5 and only 3 things are left for tomorrow.
- For some reason on Thursdays when Robby is working from home, the kids are calm, school goes smoothly and I am all caught up leaving me not much to do. He is beginning to think that is how things are always around here.
- The kids had baths, we took some pictures and videos of them, had supper, did laundry and then everyone picked out their clothes for the trip.
- As we put everyone to bed tonight, Campbell kept saying "I no want to sleep here." After all of our packing, she thought that we were going straight to a hotel tonight. It is kind of a let down thinking you are getting to go someplace and then not getting to.
(click here for today's pictures)
- Wonderful Wednesdays-we don't have to leave the house at all right now (at least until Awana starts back). We all were up and playing Spiderman Go Fish in the floor of my room before 8. After a quick game, Keaton was up so everyone went to go and see her and I headed to the shower.
- We then had breakfast and read a few stories. Afterwards, it was time for school. It was a pretty calm school day-Reagan did do a little typing practice on my computer. And she really did good-it was just a little game but she was so conscience about keeping her fingers on the right keys. Then Anderson had his turn, followed by Graham followed by Campbell. They didn't do quite as well. Graham kept telling me that he needed help but when Campbell was passed my computer, she shouted "I no need any help." Trust me she did-I had to google how to fix my computer before I started typing tonight
- Robby came home for lunch and everyone was glad to see him. Then we started our daily chores-seems to be working well right now, doing chores after lunch. We did laundry, straightened the house and picked up the toy room. It didn't take too long.
- Then it was naps for the little girls. The rest of us did a science experiment-I didn't think it worked but now I am wondering if it did. Anyway, if is a fact that cold water is heavier than hot water. We did determine that with a bit of food coloring, hot and cold water. Kind of funny-anything that I call a science experiment makes the kids crazy excited.
- I worked a bit on supper while everyone watched a bit of tv. And soon the kids were all brushing their teeth and putting on their clothes. And within minutes-6 more kids showed up at the house. Poor Reagan and Campbell though-only one of those was a girl!
- The kids played upstairs only stopping to eat when called for a bit. It was pretty rowdy but there were no injuries or fights (as far as we know). Then most of them ventured outside and filled the yard. They swang, played on the wagon, Anderson even got out his bike, played in the dirt and even a few games of tag. They concluded the evening with a round of popsicles.
- When everyone left, we gave the kids quick showers and then bribed them with ice cream for them to help pick up again. They are getting to be quite the picker uppers and were back downstairs eating ice cream in just a few minutes.
