November 14, 2013

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The Dennies Invade Bass Pro Shop!

• Fairly calm night last night-thank God.  Everyone stayed where they started out so that was nice.  But all too soon it was time to wake up.  Campbell knew it was school day so she came down with pants and a short sleeve shirt on.  Robby told her to change and she came back downstairs wearing a long sleeve shirt.  Then Robby asked me if her pick matched and I sleepily said that it did.  Though tonight, Reagan asked "Mom, how do Campbell's clothes match?"  Um, I guess they didn't-hopefully, she kept her coat on most of the day while she was out.
• Robby took Campbell and I started school with everyone else.  Keaton gladly took over Campbell's desk eating her pop tart as she opened up all of the markers.  She had paper but never really colored-just opened up all of the markers.  
• School went well and I even snuck off to have a shower since I wasn't moving too quickly bright and early when I should have been.  Before I could leave the school room, I had to make sure that "distracta-boy" (Anderson) finished his math.  
• We were able to finish everything but science and our memory work before Pops arrived.  Pops picked up Campbell from school.  He said that he was a bit late picking her up but she didn't really seem to mind.  At one point during the day, I saw Keaton looking out of the window.  She said "Pops come?  Wait."  So she was perched at the window waiting on Pops.  She finally gave up on him since it was probably only 10 but she was thrilled when he finally arrived.
• Nonna had packed him lunches for everyone (well, except for me and him) to bring to the kids.  They tore into their bags like they had never had a sack lunch before-pitiful homeschooled kids.  Nonna had packed enough for the kids for lunch and supper and they practically finished it off.  
• After they finished lunch and Pops left, the kids played for a bit and then Keaton had her nap.  We read our science, some books, did our memory work and then picked up.  I let the kids watch a movie and soon it was almost time to leave.
• Since they started building the Bass Pro Shops, the kids have been asking when we were going to go.  It has been a continuous question at our house and tonight was finally the night.  We thought the crowd would be pretty terrific but it was manageable.  The place is really pretty cool.
• The kids had fun trying out all of the toys-Robby even got in on the act.  We saw Santa and had a picture made with him and everyone even got to color an ornament.  My kids could have stayed there all evening long.  We walked through the camping section, through the guns, through the trailers out front-fun was had by all!
• Back at home, we had supper and then all sat around to watch the Price is Right.  After the movie, Whitman went to bed (he is sooo close to crawling.  I know that I will regret saying this but I can't wait until he can crawl-though it was definitely change the kids lives.  No more little things downstairs)  Then I read a book to everyone before tucking everyone else in bed.  Another good day...now to do a little birthday party planning for our 2 December birthdays.

November 13, 2013

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Just a little tree trimming work being done outside!

• Since Whitman has been sickly, we have been letting him hang out more in our bed.  Last night was no different.  When he started coughing we brought him to our room for a bit.  But when we were done with him, we tried to put him back to bed but no way was he going.  We even tried to convince him with a bottle but he would throw that bottle and scream!  So we let him stay until 3.
• At 3, I tried to ever so carefully take him back to his bed.  But I failed miserably and he let me know where he wanted to sleep.  After a bit of fussing, Robby moved to the living room to sleep and I just went on to sleep in the bed all by myself while Whitman tried to wake up the whole house. 
• This morning when I woke Keaton up (who is now permanently sleeping in the bonus room), I asked her why she was sleeping upstairs.  She said "Daddy."  Then I asked her why he took her up there.  She replied "me sleep Mommy."  I guess I am pretty popular around here!
• Bible study was this morning and even though we didn't have our weekly Wednesday take out the trash chore, we were still scrambling this morning.  I was telling kids to put on shoes and coats while I was shoveling cereal into Whitman.  And we still made it in plenty of time because I don't want to miss a single minute of child care for all of the kids...I mean, Bible study!
• After Bible study, we headed to see Beebee.  On the way, I talked to her and she said that she didn't have any candy.  So I drilled that into the kids heads-over and over again until I was sure they understood.  Well, we got there and while I was taking Campbell to the potty, guess who showed up?  The candy man-Pops.  He had come to deliver laundry and most importantly candy and lots of it.
• The kids ate their lunchables while we waited on Beebee to finish her lunch.  Then they had a few pieces of candy.  Everyone was really good and we stayed for a while before heading for home.
• Near our house, tree trimmers have been trimming every single tree near any power line.  Today, they were in our yard working on the line from the street to our house.  When they first pulled in the yard, I couldn't get the kids to go outside and look.  I guess big machines and saws no longer interest the kids-they just wanted to go right up to the toy room and play. 
• Later, that huge bucket truck was really close to the house.  By this time the kids were watching a movie so I turned it off and told them to go and watch real life.  They wanted to go on the patio but the workers probably would have frowned on that so everyone lined up at the window and watched the excitement.  Seriously, those branches were huge and they cut ones that were really, really high-three times higher than the power line.  I guess entergy does not want a repeat of last years power outages.
• Of course, my kids are really hoping for a week without power.  They talk so fondly of Christmas night-us making smores in the cold house, them sleeping in the tent in our closet, hanging out in our bedroom for days and then hibernating in the bonus room and cooking for all of the family that could come over.  We might have to start some new traditions this year.  
• Soon the chili was warm and the kids ate.  This was the same recipe that we have been making but this time it was crazy spicy.  Keaton was my big eater and she would eat it as quickly as I would put it on her spoon.  The bus soon left for church.
• Church was fine tonight and as a treat when we made it home, the kids had cinnamon toast for a bedtime snack.  We then put everyone to bed-wish us luck that they will stay in their beds...all night long!

November 12, 2013

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Llama Llama Red Pajama

(click here for a short video from the book character parade)

• Around midnight when we were going to bed, Whitman started coughing so we woke him up and put him in bed with us for a few minutes.  Well, after a bit of laying there squinting at the lights, he really woke up and started crawling all over us.  He was as happy as he could be-that is until we worked on his nose.  But soon he was back sleeping peacefully.
• Until 6:30 when I heard him screaming.  He must have been fussing for a few minutes because he was uncharacteristically mad.  A bottle and snuggling with me in my bed quickly solved his problem but it didn't solve my problem of my alarm ringing.
• Today was book character day at school so me and the kids were taking Campbell-because every parade needs a large audience.  Campbell was dressed as Llama Llama Red Pajama in her red pjs.  She also wore a sleep mask and house shoes and carried a blanket.  I think my Campbell was pretty pleased with her outfit (and I was too since it was easy, easy!)
• We scurried around and were ready on time and even arrived at school 10 minutes early.  By the time we unloaded, grabbed our spot on the floor and I pulled out the kids school work, it was time to take Campbell into her class.  We saw Arthur, Curious George, Princesses, Spiderman, Bob the Builder and many other characters.  
• After the opening songs, the classes march around the loop 3 times.  So each time we all wave and oooh and aaah at all of the kids passing.  Of course, Campbell had the largest cheering section and she knew it!  After the parade, the kids went to their classes while we sat out in the hall and finished the school work that the kids had started on.  
• Once at home, everyone went right to the school room and started on school.  It was strange because even with being gone for some of the morning, we still finished in decent time and then started on lunch.  It was ravioli for lunch today and the kids thought that it was the best meal ever-I'm an awesome chef.  Truly, I am so handy with that can opener.
• After lunch, Keaton and I did some laundry-well, we mostly played around with the laundry.  We put Whitman in the laundry basket, took some pictures, called the other kids in to come and fold the laundry so we could see their reaction to seeing Whitman in the basket-yep, there wasn't really a lot else going on.  
• Soon Keaton had her nap and Whitman also went to sleep.  The last few days that he has been fighting his cold, he has slept and slept and slept (well, at least during the days!)  I did a few things while those 2 were sleeping.  My other shadow, Campbell, was at Grannymom's house for the afternoon.  
• After the kids watched their afternoon movie, I asked them to help me reorganize the books upstairs.  By the time we all made it to the toy room, I wasn't too sure if I wanted help or not.  Graham did help me pull the books off of the shelves and then I let everyone play.  Keaton sat beside me and rearranged my piles of books and Whitman would inch his way to my books no matter how far I scooted him back.  
• Soon our Campbell was home and she joined the other kids in playing a game while we finished supper.  After we had supper, we watched The Price is Right, I read a book and then we watched a Duggar tv show.  
• We put Keaton to bed right before the book hoping that she would fall asleep in her bed upstairs before the other kids joined her.  It didn't work and eventually, she was moved to the bonus room.  And currently that isn't working either!

November 11, 2013

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Our line dancer - Anderson Neal!

• Robby had to be at work early this morning so as I lay very still in bed, I saw at least one child look at me and then walk through the bedroom looking for their daddy.  They made the circle and then were in my bed asking where he was.  Reagan was actually one of the first ones up which is really strange for her. 
• But Anderson was upstairs taking her place in bed.  I asked a few times if he was up and after my shower went to check on him.  I was shocked that he was still in bed sound asleep.  After waking him up, we woke Keaton up and then woke Whitman up.
• Whitman slept great last night and never stirred.  Though when I got him up this morning, his whole face was covered in dried snot.  Sorry, that is pretty nasty but I think he was happy with me after I held him down to scrub all of that off of his little face.  He has felt much better today with no fever.  His runny nose slowed during the day but then increased again tonight-no telling what I will have to scrub off of him in the morning.
• We had our breakfast and then started school.  My Anderson took one hour and ten minutes to do his math.  One of those math pages was the fun review page so that only left one real page.  When he finally did them he didn't miss a one.  So I know that he gets it and I try not to rush him and just let him figure out on his own that everyone else has finished and is playing while he is still working.  But I can't finish school either until he is done.  Maybe I should have him do math before he gets breakfast-that would speed him up.
• I guess that it was our late start because no one had that much more work than usual but Reagan and Anderson had work to do after lunch.  They didn't seem to care so they worked while I picked up from the morning.  When Reagan finished her work, she helped Campbell pull out her outfit for Book Character day tomorrow.  Campbell will be Llama Llama, Red Pajama.  We did read Caps for Sale today and I tried to convince her to switch to that book but she said no it was about a boy.
• Soon it Keaton's nap time and that child goes to bed perfectly in the afternoon (maybe it is the milk I give her) but fights bedtime at night like you wouldn't believe.  We did our geography, science, memory work and read a few books and then it was movie and snack time.
• I didn't have very long to work today but I accomplished all of my chores-even with my little helper Campbell trailing me.  Soon though it was time to wake Keaton up and everyone joined me upstairs.
• My plan was for us to go through their stuffed animals since I am already dreading all of the presents from Christmas (no, I don't have the Christmas spirit yet).  Reagan was even in the mood to get rid of a few but everyone she said to get rid of, Anderson wanted to keep.  He is not going to be invited to the next clean out day!
• The kids all stayed upstairs and played camping-the boys used their new gun and bow and arrow to shoot the bears and deer while the girls had their dolls and dressed them for camping.  Robby came home about this time and we tried to be as quiet as we could downstairs so they would continue to play.
• My oven timer was beeping soon and that alerted everyone to food so they all came down for supper.  After supper we had a few cowboy dance shows (I'm not sure where they get all of this-probably from their daddy) and then it was time for bed for all.  Keaton is again sleeping in the bonus room since she started fussing as we walked up the steps.  I think we have missed our window of opportunity with her sleeping with the others-we used to have Campbell sleep in the closet-maybe Keaton should sleep in the closet!

November 10, 2013

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Hanging by the fridge...

• Last night as Robby and I were relaxing on the couch, I turned to get my computer and let out a gasp-there was a short person standing staring at me.  It was Campbell with tears in her eyes.  I pulled her into my lap and she said "don't give me another juice box in the car, they made me feel bad."  She continued to say that she wanted orange juice and coke instead.  And no, the juice box didn't make her feel bad-she just couldn't go to sleep.  Robby and I got so tickled at her requesting coke and orange juice next time she was in the car that she became a bit irritated with us.  Finally, I was able to convince her that she felt fine and that she was tired so back to bed she went.
• My Whitman slept well during the night and was feeling good this morning-so was everyone else.  Anderson and Graham played some type of cowboy/indian game in our bedroom until we drug ourselves out of bed.  Anderson had a gun and Graham had a bow and arrow.  It had been awhile since they had played like that and even though Robby and I thought things would end badly, they never did.
• Since Whitman had fever the night before, he stayed home with Robby.  Keaton got to stay home too since that would make things a bit easier for me.  Keaton wasn't too sure about this though.  She knew that she was getting to go to Nonna's house so she was ready to leave at the same time that we left.  
• Robby kept her and Whitman busy while they stayed home from church.  They washed sheets, folded clothes and vacuumed the house.  I might just want for Robby to stay home every Sunday.  Actually, I am not too sure about that.
• I survived church fine with the 3 kids and drop off was fine.  But since Robby was gone, that left me working in nursery and needing to pick up the kids at the same time.  Thankfully, the lady in there with me was nice and we only had 2 kids so I was able to leave a bit early so I could get my kiddos.  
• Yes, on the way to church the kids did see the Christmas trees with names and gifts on them.  We had talked about trying to get there in time to grab and name and I would have walked by them without the kids spotting them.  They were thrilled that we found a girl and a boy to buy a gift for.  An alarm clock and a pink wallet-that is what was asked for.  And just a few hours later, my kids were pouring over today's ads saying "I want this and this and this and this."  Something isn't quite right with those two pictures.  
• We beat Robby, Keaton and Whitman to Nonna's house.  Nonna and Pops had gotten into town yesterday from Arizona and picked up lunch for us.   The kids were happy to hear about their trip-especially the part where Nonna rode on a motorcycle.  And they really loved opening presents from them.  Hmm, my present and Robby's present must have still been packed in their suitcase!  (kidding Nonna!)
• Once at home, everyone under 3 and over 8 had a nap and those from 3-8 watched a bit of tv.  Well, Robby and I tried to sleep-at one point we both jumped off of the couch when we heard a huge crash.  We thought it was the front windows-that is how loud it was.  Instead it was Campbell, hiding under Robby's desk.  She had knocked off his bucket of cords, wires and money that he took on the trip.  Now what was she doing under his desk, I do not know.  There were a few fights about who was going to hold the remote or who was going to get to hold the new toy gun from last night.  
• Soon our phones were buzzing telling us to get a move on because it was time to head to choir.  We had hoped that Whitman was going to be able to go to class tonight since he hadn't had fever since last night-but as soon as we got that boy to church, his fever went up, his eyes started watering, his nose started running and he that child started looking pitiful again.  
• So after the others finished choir, we had talked about heading home but Campbell really, really wanted to go to class.  And off to class she went while I strolled around and around and around the church house during church.  
• I picked up Keaton and Campbell when church was almost over and soon we were all headed to the car.  At home, the kids changed into their pajamas-the new skill we are working on is turning their clothes from inside out to the right way before putting them in the laundry basket (wish us luck on that!)  
• Since it was ice cream truck night, they had their ice cream and then they asked "are we going to have supper?"  Hmm, guess they were still hungry from their little supper snack they ate at 4:15.  Robby passed out tortillas with peanut butter to everyone and then it was off to bed for most.
• We have decided that Keaton no longer wants to sleep in the bedroom with the others.  Today, she told Robby "Whit, Whit's bed."  So she was quickly moved to Whitman's bed in the bonus room and was immediately quiet.  
• Poor Whitman probably wished that he was in his bed but instead he had to deal with Robby and me.  First we suctioned his nose, then we gave him tylonol, rubbed him down with vapor rub, changed his diapers and pajamas-actually only the first part was bad.  To suction his nose, we have to both hold him down-legs and arms  He screamed and fought us until he was dripping with sweat.  But afterwards, he could breath and was smiling again and with some milk he was sound asleep.

November 9, 2013-Branson

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He's just a little excited...

• So here are a few things from yesterday that I forgot to mention: As we were leaving the restaurant last night, Campbell gathered up every single crayons that they were given with the kids menus and carried them out.  Keaton also gathered every single one of the wet wipes that were given after the meal.  My two little girls carrying stuff out of the restaurant reminded me of their Nonna.
• And yesterday on one of the roller coasters, we found a family that had moved away from Little Rock.  Their little boy was in Anderson's class and when Anderson was behind him in the roller coaster, Anderson said "I could go to sleep on this roller coaster."
• So this morning, we all slept well.  And if you were wondering from yesterday how long Reagan and Graham lasted in bed together...they lasted until 2:38.  That is when Reagan came to my bed saying that Graham was pushing her.  And as I said about Campbell, I have slept in the same bed with Graham and he moves often while sleeping.
• Reagan joined my bed and we all slept until I heard Campbell in the bathroom again right at 7.  So Campbell climbed in my bed and I took Reagan's spot on the other bed.  Then Anderson left his spot and joined me on the pull out bed.  This caused Graham to get in bed with Robby and Keaton which caused Keaton to climb down and get in bed with the girls.  Sometimes it is hard to keep up where everyone is.
• Pretty early this morning Robby decided that we would scrap our plans for the day (um, yep, we didn't have any real plans at all) and head near Ozark to have Thanksgiving lunch with all of Grannymom's family. 
• As we were driving there via the pig tail, Campbell looked up and said "are we almost to somewhere?"  Of course the answer to that question was yes.  The kids did great on the drive and soon we arrived.
• It was a house full of people-so many that Grannymom didn't even know them all.  That didn't matter to the kids because there was a big yard, other kids, a ball and some sticks.  We had felt a bit bad about crashing the party without a dish in hand but when I saw a table full of food and a counter full of desserts, I didn't feel bad any more.  Seriously, I don't think I had ever seen so much food and it fed all 50+ folks there.
• The grownups did have a lesson about a persimmon.  Apparently you can predict the winter weather by the seed of a persimmon.  If the opened seed reveals a knife expect to be cut by icy, cutting winds.  If it is a fork then expect a mild winter and if it is a spoon expect to be shoveling lots of snow.  Inside that persimmon seed today was a perfectly shaped spoon.  This was so interesting to me (here is an article about it if you would like to know more) and Reagan was excited to see the spoon because she wants another winter (week without power) like last year. 
• Soon we were on our way home and by then, poor Whitman was feeling pretty puny.  Thursday I had wondered if he was a bit warm and Friday we thought he might be again.  Neither day was he very feverish nor did he act puny.  But today was different-on the way home we stopped at a store and bought some tylenol for him and ripped it open in the parking lot to give him some.  It quickly helped and he perked up this evening.  
• After stopping by Grannymom's house to drop off some bread, we stopped again at the Dollar General.  Since the kids had been really good today and all weekend, Robby decided to reward them with a toy.  They were thrilled and so happy with their junk-I mean toys that they bought.  My Reagan is getting old-she just bought a notebook and a pencil. 
• Once home, the kids had showers and then Robby made supper while I unpacked our stuff.  We were able to get everyone cleaned, fed and almost everything put up (except those awful loads of laundry that are multiplying in the laundry basket right now) 
• We put Keaton to bed and the rest of us stayed up to watch the Billy Graham message from the other day.  When we were finished with the show, we could hear that Keaton was still wide awake and not happy.  
• Everyone else got ready for bed and we still couldn't calm poor Keaton down so Robby moved her to the bonus room.  She did calm down and finally went to sleep.  Whitman stayed up for a bit longer than everyone else but then he was given some more medicine and put to bed.  I will try to sneak him some more tylenol when I go to bed as well.   

November 8, 2013-Branson

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1st upside down roller coaster for Reagan & Anderson!

• Oh, there is just something special about hotel sleeping.  No one stirred until after 7 when Reagan came over to my bed saying that Campbell was kicking her.  I have slept with Campbell before I the child can not lay in one place at all-I bet Reagan didn't get any sleep at all.  Soon Reagan poked me and said that Campbell was calling me-she had woken up and gone potty.
• So Reagan and Campbell were in my bed and we kept hearing these loud thuds.  Finally, I figured out that it was Whitman kicking around in the pack n play.  So he soon joined us as well.  Next was Anderson who woke Keaton and Robby up.  And Graham snoozed away and probably could have slept for another 2 hours.
• We quickly put on...nothing to go and eat downstairs.  Well, the kids just went in their pajamas and Robby and I did put on all essential clothing for breakfast downstairs.  As  we were leaving the room, Anderson said "Mom, thank you for planning this trip."  I took the credit though I had nothing to do with it-Robby is the planner and my part in all of the planning is to say "ok, I will put it on the calendar."
• At breakfast, we had two split into 2 separate tables and the room was filled.  It was filled with people that visit Branson (old people!).  We had at least 2 tables comment on how well the kids did.  Because we are such a big group we do get comments like that often-more on that later.
• After breakfast, we came back to the room and threw on our bathing suits.  The pool was pretty good sized and the kids really loved swimming in it.  Campbell hung back with Robby in the hot tub, Whitman watched from his stroller and Keaton floated a bit in the big pool and stayed on the steps of the hot tub.  Reagan went back and forth between the two areas and Anderson finally put his feet in the hot tub despite disliking anything hot.  He is my temperature boy-he really notices any changes in temperature and will not eat anything warm at all. And I just stuck my feet in the water since I didn't want to get my bathing suit wet and then traipse upstairs.
• We all put on out clothes and then headed to the one place that these Dennies shop while in Branson-the Coleman store.  We walked up and down every single aisle and can you believe that we didn't buy a single thing.  Seriously, it was a bit disappointing.  Oh, well there is always next Branson trip.
• By this time, it was nearing 1 which is when Silver Dollar City opens so we picked up lunch and went to the park.  Parking took a minute today with getting that big ole van in a parking spot but we succeeded and were soon on the tram to the park.  The kids squeeze into that tram car and Keaton has me hang on to her like we are on the ride of her life.  
• We made it into the park just after it opened and walked to Fire in the Hole.  We couldn't get Campbell to ride on it with us but the big 3 were able to do it twice-once with me and once with Robby.  Then we walked to the kiddie swings where Campbell happily rode that ride.  Then they played in the tree house area for awhile and the next ride was the carousel.  The McGuires saw us and they also rode the carousel with us.  We chatted with them a bit and headed to the big swing.
• Reagan said she didn't want to do the big swing so everyone went to do the ride where you pull yourself up with the rope.  Then Reagan decided that she did want to do that big swing.  So I dutifully lined up with her.  I saw it, knew it was fast but oh my goodness.  When you start swinging, you are swinging over 7 stories tall.  On the first time that we went all of the way up backwards and we started to go back down, I almost lost it.  Seriously, like panic attack, I am going to die, I have to calm myself down, take my now Jesus, my mouth is open but I can't even scream, my hands are flapping because I don't know what to hold on to, I think I just wet my pants!  Thankfully, I pulled myself together and was able to tolerate the other swings-vowing to never get on that swing again.
• As soon as we were off, my sweet Anderson looked at me and said "I think I want to go on them now."  He didn't want to go the first time but seeing how much fun we had (huh?) made him want to go.  So I again dutifully lined up with the child and Reagan.  Oh yes, Reagan loved this ride-she was thrilled and was so excited to have the chance to do it again.  And Robby, he has started getting more and more motion sickness lately-getting old-or at least that is what he says.  
• So I squeezed tightly to poor Anderson's hand as we swung back and forth seven stories high.  I did keep it together better this time but was happy to have my feet back on the ground.  The others had been getting a drink with Robby so when we get off the ride, we looked over and there was another roller coaster so Robby took Reagan and Anderson on that one.  They are barely tall enough to do these big kid rides so poor Graham isn't-he is always disappointed but he doesn't really mind and is happy to chill with the other waiters and have some candy.
• I guess that we should have checked to see what kind of roller coaster it was before we sent the kids on it.  Robby can do roller coasters better than spinny rides so he volunteered for that duty.  Little did we know that was the second fastest wooden roller coaster and the wooden roller coaster with the most upside downs-yep, I said upside down.  Poor Reagan and Anderson didn't know that was coming at all or they would have never stepped foot on it.  
• I could tell that it must have been a good roller coaster because Robby was laughing when they came to a stop at the end of it.  Then he motioned for me to ride next-huh?  I was still recovering from the swings.  I had no idea that the sweet little wooden roller coaster in front of me was more intense than the rock n roller coaster at Disney.  Seriously, we went upside down at least 3 times-probably more but I could barely keep my head up.  I was like a giant bobble head doll.  
• By this time, we were getting a big hungry so we stopped to split a little pizza.  Each of us had a tiny slice and then walked on to explore some more.  We ended up at the flooded mine-a ride that each and every one of us could do-and we did it twice.  That kind of ride is more my speed-any ride that you can take a baby on is a winner in my book.  
• Next up was another wooden roller coaster closer to the children's area.  This one had a lower height requirement so Graham and Campbell could go-but they had to ride with an adult so this meant that someone would have to wait.  Campbell looked a bit terrified during the ride-it is a pretty good roller coaster for a 3 year old (or even a 35 year old).  Then Graham had a turn with Robby-which delighted Reagan and Anderson because they were able to go again.  So then Graham had to go again with me and that meant that Campbell needed another turn too.  Ended up that Reagan and Anderson rode 4 times and Graham and Campbell each rode 2 times-not too bad.
• Then we walked back through the peanut brittle place-since the boys have continually talked about that since last night.  They were giving out big samples today so my kids were pleased and they were doubly pleased when Robby bought fudge.  Of course one bag of fudge disappears quickly when so many people are eating it.  My Keaton just stuck the whole piece that I gave her in her mouth at once-she didn't understand the word "savor."
• The tram to the car was the next ride for the Dennies.  Campbell, Keaton and Whitman went to sleep in the car-even though it wasn't even 6.  We fought the traffic and drove down the strip and finally stopped for supper at Rib Crib.  There we were given another very nice compliment about the kids behavior.
• As we were walking out, I mentioned the compliment and asked the kids "who can tell me why we try to do the right thing and behave?"  The answer I was hoping for was "so others can tell that we love Jesus."  The answer that I received from Reagan was "so we don't get beat up."  What? Not my child!
• Robby was in a vacation mood so he picked up doughnuts for our drive back to the hotel.  We quickly devoured the dozen and were soon in our room.  The kids watched a few episodes of Full House before heading to bed.  So far, everyone is sleeping soundly-though Reagan and Graham are on the pull out couch and I can tell you now that I know that will not work at all.  My bet is someone ends up in my bed (currently empty) around 2.