February 10, 2014

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Is she reading to me?

• Yesterday when Robby and Campbell drove home from their shopping extravaganza, Campbell saw the many cars in the parking lot at the big church on the way home.  She exclaimed "oh my!  They are still at church."
• And I was disgustingly watching the news last night (disgusted about the lack of snow-how could they say 7 inches and now nothing),  our lights briefly blinked.  They were off long enough for me to get excited and Robby to not be excited about the prospect of no lights.  They were back on in less than 2 seconds which was probably the best thing-I guess.
• Everyone slept well last night but they were noisy too early this morning.  This is the first week of our read-a-thon and when Graham walked into our room, he picked up his book and said "I need to turn on the light so I can read this."  Usually, I would object to light turning on but for reading I had to oblige.  
• Now for this read-a-thon:  We aren't really big readers around here except when I have them read for 15 minutes during school each day.  They are raising money to buy Bibles for Rwanda through our Bible study and Grannymom, Nonna, Beebee, Jason and I are all going to donate a penny per page of what they read.  Well, after today I am glad that I put a limit on how many pages we would pay for (800 a kid)  They have all read over 100 pages today-of course Graham does have a leg up because he does have lots fewer words on his pages.  
• We had our breakfast this morning and then started our day.  For some reason, I was the one running behind today.  The kids all finished most of their work by 11 but I wasn't able to get around to working just with Graham until after lunch.  We did spend quite a bit of time working on our Olympic medal charts.
• At lunch we read some more of Brighty-yep, still reading that book but we did read a few other things.  Then the kids helped me around the house some.  Before I knew it, Anderson was trying to get Keaton to go upstairs with him so he could tuck her in for her nap.  At first I thought that was really sweet and then I realized that he just wanted to get her in bed so they big kids could start watching their movies.  
• Anderson joined me upstairs for a few minutes and we watched some of the Olympics as I finished up on the treadmill.  Then soon everyone helped with supper-pouring water for the noodles and cutting velveeta.  Actually, it was going to be tomorrow's supper but just like last time I made it, I realized just as we started to fix it that I was missing 2 ingredients.  So it probably won't be tomorrow's supper either. 
• When Robby made it home, we heated up supper and ate together.  Then the little 3 had showers then we watched our Let's Make a Deal and some of the Olympics.  It is so odd to us that the boys are so into them but the girls could care less-even about the figure skating last night.  When Anderson was watching someone who was not an American, he said "I guess we are hoping that they fall."  Robby was the diplomatic one who said "we want for them to do their best" and I silently thought "yes, we want for them to fall."
• I think that most of the kids are on the mend-Whitman and Keaton's noses are still running but they are much better.  But tonight, Robby's ear was killing him-he has had a shower, ear drops, tylenol and even holding the kids heated rice sock on his ear.  Hopefully, he can sleep tonight and feels better in the morning.
• As the kids were going to bed tonight, we saw 2 deer outside.  We were able to turn off the lights and gather everyone at the door without the deer seeing us.  The deer were about 15 to 20 feet from the back door and a third even joined them.  We all stood there for about 5 minutes quietly watching them-pretty amazing.  

February 9. 2014

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Reagan returns!

• We had a bit of extra time this morning before church so when we left the house it was still a mess but at least the dishes and laundry were done.  Well, at least they were done for a few hours because soon the pile of laundry had returned and the sink full of dishes were back.  I guess that it just one of the joys of kids-and lots of them.  
• Yesterday afternoon when Pops brought Graham home, he said that the roads were pretty slick out here.  But today we were surprised that they were mostly dry-it is amazing what a difference a day makes.  I was dreading a bit coming home this afternoon because I thought the snow would be all gone.  Our snow is still around probably because of the tree covering but it is pretty yucky looking.
• At church, we were all happy to see Reagan but I don't really think that she missed us at all.  Last night I said that Graham was a homebody but my Reagan is anything but.  She had spent one night with Grannymom and one night with Lilly and Cash and she could have spend the rest of the week bouncing back and forth between houses and been completely happy.  But I do know that she is secretly happy to be home-how do I know?  She spent the evening playing with Campbell and Keaton.
•  Lunch was at Grannymom's house and all the cousins were happy to be together.  We ate our lunch and then too soon had to leave to run a few errands.  I ran in the first store and then everyone ran in the second store.  When we finished those store, Robby dropped us off and then headed back out again with Campbell to run by a few more places.  
• During the afternoon, I worked some in the house and tried to get things ready for school tomorrow.  The kids watched a few movies and before I knew it, it was time to get supper ready.  As soon as the kids sat down for supper, Robby and Campbell came home.  
• After supper the girls played upstairs for awhile.  They played dress up-Reagan worked so hard to find Keaton a dress that was not itchy and she eventually succeeded in finding just a summer dress of Campbells.  They were so happy playing up there that they were missing the Olympic watching downstairs.
• The boys want to watch anything Olympic related-even figure skating.  They were rewarded with snowboarding after the figure skating though.  The girls eventually joined us and we watched the Olympics until bedtime.

February 8, 2014

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Wintry fun!

• After the kids went to bed last night, I walked through the kitchen and an animal outside caught my eye.  It wasn't a deer and it wasn't a dog.  I whispered a few times for Robby but the thing heard me and started moving.  Robby finally heard me and came just to see the animal leaving.  My first thought was that it was a wolf but read they were endangered in Arkansas but it would really look like a wolf.  So maybe it was a fox but it was awfully tall to be a fox.  Then we thought it might be a coyote.  Whatever the animal was I don't hope to see it again.  What if it is lurking behind some tree watching Keaton play thinking about how tasty she would be?  
• We all slept well and the kids were anxious to go outside but I wasn't much for snow play at 7 (or really anytime).  Whitman's runny nose seemed to be a bit better this morning.  We had honey buns for breakfast that Graham and I bought the other day at Sams and then we started our day.
• Before too long, I was pulling out clothes for the kids to wear outside and we headed out to play.  By the time I put on my clothes, the kids were sweating while waiting on me.  Once outside, the first thing that Campbell did was make a snow angel-nothing like plopping down in the snow the first second that you are outside.  My Keaton wouldn't move her feet at all unless I was right near her.  And Anderson loved the snow and would have stayed outside all day-if we hadn't gone in.
• We looked around for animal tracks in the yard (deer tracks were everywhere), the kids swang, we tried the sled and even tried to make a snowball.  Campbell eventually had had enough and said that she was going in.  Keaton so wanted to go but needed me to accompany her since she wasn't walking anywhere without me or without riding on the sled.  
• Once inside, Robby had cookies and hot cocoa ready for us.  Then the kids played while I started on cinnamon rolls.  Before I could get very far on them, Keaton and Campbell joined me.  They helped me and even though my recipe was named 1 hour cinnamon rolls-with my two little helpers they turned into 2 hour cinnamon rolls.  I did realize that I need a larger mixer and I need to find my dough hook.  But they were still delicious and Robby and I snacked on them for the rest of the day.
• The next item on the agenda was making snow ice cream.  The kids were really excited about this and then they sat in the living room eating their ice cream and watching the olympics.  I even saved some for Reagan and Graham in little containers-but I put them in the fridge not the freezer.  It was fine though because I had saved more in a large bowl and put it in the right place-the freezer.
• Soon Nonna and Pops drove up with Graham.  He had spent the night with them and Reagan had spent the evening with Grannymom and Grandpa.  Graham was very anxious to come home-he is my homebody.  But he did enjoy playing in the snow, making snow ice cream and taking a few walks.  
• My Reagan is having a blast on the other side of town sledding down hills and playing with Lilly and Cash.  Pops said Lawson was pretty slick so we just stayed in and will see Reagan tomorrow-hopefully!  (Though with the weather, it sounds like if we don't get her tomorrow she may be snowed in for day.)
• We had ourselves an afternoon nap (well, just me and the little kids).  Then we all picked up the house-what a mess it was.  Robby made supper and then we all watched our game show before bed.  While we were watching Let's Make a Deal, Anderson turned to me and said "can I have this tv when you are old?"  I said sure and then asked why he didn't want the larger one upstairs and then he did ask for that one instead.  Graham quickly volunteered to take the living room tv when we were old.  Robby asked if Reagan was going to get one and her brothers politely agreed that she could have one of the little ones in the house.  I am glad that they have that all decided while we are still young.

February 7, 2014

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Sickness returns...boo!

• Everyone woke up in a good mood and Robby and I debated if we should take Whitman or Keaton to the doctor.  We finally decided yes so making our appointment was the first order of business.  This was our second time to go to the doctor's office this week so I have thought about applying for a job up there (kidding!)
• The breakfast schedule said that it was "mom's choice" for breakfast so I had to come up with something more fun than usual.  Though Keaton was adamant that she was eating a pop tart and had already unwrapped it and taking a bite while I was still getting out my muffin pans for a batch of chocolate muffins and a bath of blueberry muffins.
• The kids were pretty happy with my breakfast choice and as soon as breakfast was picked up, we started on our "project day"-just a fancy way to say "the day that we are going to work on over 100 valentines."
• Yep, over 100 Valentines and we don't even go to real school. This though, is the time of the year that Reagan said that she wishes that she went to real school.  So we have tried to do Valentines up a bit-all 6 of the Dennie kids have fancy Valentines to pass out during our homeschool Valentine/100 Days of school party plus Campbell has her Valentines for her class party.  I am lucky that Robby is able to design just what we need so we have Valentines with bugs, with candy, with juice boxes, with gum, with kool aid and peppermint hearts (that we have yet to make) 
• As I cleaned up the Valentine production mess and put Whitman to bed-who had spent all morning in his highchair watching all of the action at the kitchen table-the others started on other projects.  Anderson worked on his dinosaur mosaic.  He got it last Christmas-not this one but the one before.  I think those stickers were so small that Anderson would quickly give up each time that we would work on it.  Campbell finished one of her mosaics and we all worked to help Graham finish one of his.  And Reagan and I worked on coloring a wooden butterfly of hers.  Then we did a few trial batches of her peppermint hearts (can't get it quite right yet-they have to work so say a little prayer for me to figure it out)
• Reagan had already packed for Grannymom's house and Graham had already packed for Nonna's house (I need a few more grandparents to come and get the others) when Nonna and Pops stopped by to pick up Graham.  That child was so excited to go and didn't even mind wearing his heavy winter coat.  
• The rest of us had lunch and then we headed out.  Reagan was excited about staying over at Grannymom's house but she was a bit concerned if she knew the recipe for snow ice cream.  Apparently my kids do not remember having snow ice cream and are very anxious to have some.  I explained to Reagan that Grannymom could call me if she needed a snow ice cream recipe (guess I do need to call Nonna to get the recipe for myself)
• At lunch, Campbell was praying and her prayer included "please let Graham have a wonderful time at Nonna's house but don't let him to go to Chuck E Cheese."  Um, okay.
• At our appointment this afternoon, Keaton was a perfect child.  We had talked about her showing Whitman what to do when Dr. Martin was looking in his ears and mouth.  Keaton talked the entire time while waiting and she even talked to Martin.  She had taken over Campbell's role as a chatter box and care taker of Whitman.
• We felt like Keaton was getting over her cold but were concerned about her ears.  One ear had fluid and the other was red-not infected yet but the doc thought they soon would be so she was given some medicine.  And my poor Whitman-two infected pussy ears.  Sounds lovely doesn't it-just a reminder that we have the happiest baby ever since he has still been in a very good mood lately.
• I picked up the leftover kids (Anderson and Campbell) and they headed home with me and the sicklys.  The kids watched some tv and Keaton and Campbell played house upstairs.  Then we had our Friday Mexican for supper and Robby then suggested to make cookies as we watched the snow fall.
• The kids were so intrigued by the snow-well, we are too actually (as long as the power is on)  We all huddled up in our bedroom to watch the olympics and let's make a deal.  As we enjoyed our cookies, Robby mentioned having some "snow dew" which the kids do remember from last year and they were tickled about this late night treat.  Pretty good day!  

February 6, 2014

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How our mornings typically start around here...

• Everyone slept well last night thankfully and early this morning, I climbed out of bed to take a picture of 5 little kiddos sitting on my bed.  If Robby does post that picture, you can see him setting up as I snapped the picture-if 5 kids are in your bed, you don't stay long.  The kids were playing their kindles-the poor things use all their kindle time so early in the morning that they were already put back up by 8!
• I quickly dressed Keaton and Campbell for school.  Keaton and Robby stuck around to watch Campbell's class sing their songs.  And Campbell was tickled to be a the snack helper today-it is the little things in life.
• The rest of us worked on school this morning and even finished in time for the kids to put on a show for Robby.  A show consists of Reagan singing into the fan, Anderson running in circles and Graham rolling around on the floor.  The boys are "dancing"-don't think they really know what the word dancing really means.  Whatever was happening, Keaton enjoyed watching and Whitman even jumped up and down as he watched the entertainment.
• We had lunch and then I had the kids help me in the kitchen.  They scrubbed the kitchen cabinets, chairs and stools.  Seriously, they worked for almost an hour.  Anderson even asked to clean the windows which I certainly let him.  Love my little helpers.
• Soon it was nap time and I worked on pulling school out for the next month.  I was able to do Reagan's work-it takes me about a day per kid.  Goodness, hope I can streamline things by the time everyone is doing school.  Glad I have another year before Campbell is in kindergarten.
• Campbell had spent the afternoon at Nonna's house and had a blast.  She was even disappointed to see me when we picked her up this afternoon.  We were headed to the grocery store.  And between our stops, we bought a pizza.  The plan had been for the kids to get out during the second stop but it was just so cold.  So we passed out slices of pizza, drinks and then rice krispy treats that Nonna and Campbell had made while I ran into the store.  Back home everyone had showers and then it was time for a Let's Make a Deal.  
• Keaton wasn't that coughy today except in the car this evening and Whitman is just a snotty mess.  But he is eating well and is still his happy little self.  Gracious me!  What are we going to do with that child?  I even wondered if his teeth were bothering him because he sure did try to take a chunk out of Robby's leg tonight.

February 5, 2014

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• Today was going to be a relaxing day with not too much going on here at the Dennie house but that seemed a bit too uneventful for Keaton.  The poor thing was cuddled up in my bed with her eyes closed acting all pitiful.  As she laid in my bed this morning after chugging her milk, she told me over and over that her tummy hurt.  I should have listened and before I knew it, I was stripping off her clothes and stripping off my clothes, throwing my sheets and then my blanket and brand new bed spread in the washing machine. 
• But Keaton felt one hundred times better.  She happily took her shower with Campbell and then started talking.  She usually doesn't talk really early in the morning but after her little incident, she chatted all day long.  And by all day, I mean all day long.  By mid morning she was wearing her Dorothy dress and was in rare form dancing with her brothers.  
• Since more Dennie kids were technically sick than healthy this morning, I called my grandma to tell her that we were not going to make it today.  The kids were really disappointed because she is at a new place-new people, new places, new crazy lady calling "come here little boy"-well, I am not sure if there is a new crazy lady saying that but surely there is a new crazy lady there.  
• We had our breakfast and then started on our school.  This should have been Bible study day but yesterday's weather cancelled that.  So we only had the left overs from yesterday's school and the kids happily started on that.  They worked as I gave out spelling words while sweeping the kitchen and wiping poor Whitman's nose.  Keaton definitely seems to be feeling better but I can't say that for Whitman.  Next week, I have scheduled his ear check from his 3rd round of antibiotics from his cold starting in December.  Arrrgh!  I have a good feeling that we will be at the doctor's office before next week.  
• The kids helped out around the house again quite a bit today-emptying the dishwasher is the new favorite chore.  Graham was the lucky one today to help with that.  We decided to move that from midnight to during the day.  Robby and I would do the dishes together right before bed but now it is just me and my little helpers.  This changing when we do the dishes was Robby's idea-hmm, wonder if he was trying to get out of doing the dishes. 
• Somehow even with little school work and no real agenda for the day, we were busy all day and before we knew it, I was getting everyone ready for church tonight.  I had let the kids eat my delicious tomato soup for lunch (that they didn't eat) so I could feel less guilty about giving them sandwiches for supper so we could eat quickly.
• Robby walked in and not too long after, we all walked out.  Keaton and Whitman hung out with Nonna and Pops while we were at church.  After church, the kids had a snack before bed-hopefully, everyone will sleep well tonight and feel better tomorrow!

February 4, 2014

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Computer time...

• Kids were still in bed with us this morning when I looked at my phone and saw a message saying that Campbell's school was closed. I hadn't really been keeping up with the weather and was shocked to see no school for her.  I quickly looked out of the window and just saw a bit of rain.  Robby was on his phone too seeing that they were told to only come in if necessary.  What an exciting way to start the day.  
• Breakfast was uneventful-except for the small fire.  Not really a fire, just smoke-lots of it.  This is the second time in a row that I have made toast and also smoked up the entire house.  5 kids were sitting at the bar and I was standing with my back to the toaster passing out yogurt, when Graham walked in the room and shouted "Mom."  I turned to see smoke billowing out of the toaster.  I quickly pushed up the toast and ran to open the door.  I could hear Anderson say "look at all that smoke going up stairs."  I ran to open windows down and upstairs hoping to air out the house some.  Then the smoke alarm started going off so I would have to run back to jump on a chair to stop the alarm every few minutes.  
• We finished breakfast and I finally shut the doors and windows despite the lingering smoke smell because the kids were saying they were cold-it was 20 something outside.  Then we started on our school work.  
• School was going splendidly until the lights flickered once, twice and then no more lights.  The kids were beyond excited and ran around gathering flashlights.  I quickly found spots at windows for everyone to work out and that lasted for a while.  It didn't take long for me to notice that more kids than not had blankets wrapped around their bodies.  I guess it was chilly by the windows with no heat and the house and it probably didn't help any that the house was a bit chilly from all of the doors and windows I had opened earlier.
• After looking to see when the estimated time for the power to come back on, Robby quickly fired up the generator.  I think that is his favorite purchase-mine too.  It is really is all that we need-the bonus room was nice and cozy with a lamp on and the tv playing when the kids migrated upstairs.  I had the kids finish what they were working on and then bring a few things upstairs to work on.  We will be able to finish the rest tomorrow.
• We hung out upstairs working on legos, eating salsa, playing a few games and watching tv-we did all of that before noon and as we were thinking about moving food from the house fridge to the one in the garage that was plugged up to the generator, the power came back on (that was a good thing but still a bit disappointing)  
• Robby put his generator and all up-though not too up because our trees were really icy and leaning out here.  And the kids went downstairs to play while I worked on lunch.  After lunch the kids played until I asked for them to help me some before movie and nap time.  
• The afternoon flew by and soon Robby was back home from work (he went in around lunch)  The kids were happy to see him and happy to eat supper.  We ate and even cleaned out the desserts in the fridge (it wasn't much but we found enough for all)
• Robby put Campbell and Whitman in the shower but Campbell was so busy playing dress up that she didn't stay long.  She had on a t shirt and tu tu and Keaton was dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.  Some times the kids can play perfectly and that they did for most of the evening.  
• I am going to bed a bit worried about my little two.  Poor Whitman has had a runny nose all day and possibly some fever tonight.  And Keaton has Graham's cough with a runny nose herself and possibly a tiny bit of fever.  We gave at least 5 different medicine to the 3 sicklys-though Graham can't really be counted as sick anymore since he is quickly improving.  
• Because of the weather this morning, our Bible study is cancelled for tomorrow.  The kids were pretty disappointed but with all of our sickness we probably would have had to skip anyway.  I am oh so thankful that all the kids are normally very healthy and we hardly get any of the bugs floating around.  But I am oh so concerned that Whitman and Keaton don't feel good at all-hopefully there little bug will pass quickly.