February 13, 2015

Robby's Heart!  Happy Valentine's!

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• If yesterday was Campbell's day, then today was Robby's day.  I guess that the kids would probably disagree and would probably think that today was their day too.  So here is a quick run down of our day...
• Robby, after sleeping pretty much none last night, and I woke up at 6 and left for the day. Nonna and Pops had snuck in as we tried to sneak out but the kids were too excited about their morning and had stated stirring a bit early.  After listening to them talk, Pops could wait no longer and went upstairs to tell them that they could wake up.  Soon Nonna had a big breakfast on the table and the kids ate up.  Then they started on their chores and school work that I had laid out for them and by lunch they had moved the party over to Nonna and Pops' house.
• Earlier this week, Robby went to have an elective heart ct scan and it came back with some very discouraging numbers.  He was able to get an appointment with a cardiologist that same day and they scheduled a heart cath for today.  Of course, poor Robby had pretty much scared himself to death (oh, I was just as panicked) but the worst parts of his day was the iv stick, the first 5 minutes that the nurse was sticking her fist near his manhood and wearing his iv all day long...and probably experiencing my driving once we left the place.
• His results were honestly better than we expected.  He had some blockage but the cardiologist is going to treat him aggressively with a different combination of medicine and he will have quite a few follow ups.  So the end result was that his initial test caused lots of unnecessary panic (in this household at least) but it did cause him to take some necessary steps for some aggressive action which is a good thing.  Tonight even though his leg is a bit sore and his iv spot is bruised, he feels better than he has in a few days!
• After lunch, Anderson, Campbell and Keaton went with Pops to go and see Beebee.  They were all happy to see her and probably happy to polish off her candy bowl.  We were thinking that Robby was going to have lay flat on his back until late this afternoon but around 3, they started unhooking him and having him slowly sit up and then take a walk to the bathroom.  We busted out of that place around 4 and away we went...to see our kiddos.
• My Anderson had been a bit worried about his daddy and even though Nonna and Grannymom had offered to keep everyone overnight, I knew that the kids needed to see Robby and he needed to see them.  We went to Nonna's first and loved on the girls and then brought the boys to Grannymom's house.  After leaving Grannymom's house, we stopped by Dana's house for a second and before we could get out of the driveway, my boys were calling to see if Cash could come over to Grannymom's house. 
• Then we went and did a very bad thing for a heart patient!  We had our traditional Valentine's day supper.  Robby told me that I couldn't put it on the blog so I won't but you can look at previous years to see what we ate.  This year we even added a dessert to this meal too!  But it is our Valentine's day celebration and we are home all alone with no kiddos!  This might be my very favorite Valentine's yet-sitting at home knowing that we are fairly healthy!

February 12, 2015

Valentine's Day Party for C's class!

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• Last night when we went to bed, I told Campbell that the next morning was her day and Campbell's day it sure was (school vday party, shopping with Nonna and Pops and then Adilyn's bday party)  Needless to say that it didn't take her long to get up and get her clothes on this morning.  And since today was waffle and pancake day, that was just an added bonus to her day.  
• Keaton and Whitman were able to go with Robby to drop her off.  And then they went to the grocery store and shopped and shopped.  I think Robby is getting ready for the snow!  Oh, I hope that it snows and maybe ices-but then again maybe I don't!
• This was our last day of real school for the week (the kids will do a bit tomorrow with Nonna and Pops)  The kids did really good and were almost finished with their work by 10 and that was the time that I started looking for my grocery shoppers to return.  When they pulled in, we grabbed his groceries out of his car and then we pulled out.  Reagan had begged to go with me and Keaton to Campbell's valentine's day so we let her tag along. 
• The party was fun and all my girls even had cupcakes.  When we walked into the room, Keaton saw all of the kids sitting at the table and she found a seat and sat down too-I think she is really ready for preschool.  They played a game (passing a heart around to earn a prize) and Campbell really wanted Keaton to sit by her but I had told her that she couldn't win a prize so she didn't want to play. 
• Meanwhile, the boys were back at home and they watched a movie and pretty much loafed around until we came back home.  On our way home, I dropped Keaton and Campbell off at Nonna and Pops' house.  They had big plans of going shopping at the mall.  On the way to school, Keaton said that she wanted to go to the mall they were building.  Campbell told her that they couldn't go there because it isn't open yet but that Nonna was going to take them to the big mall out of state.  Robby was a bit concerned that Campbell thought they were going to the Mall of America but thankfully that wasn't the one that Campbell had in mind.  The girls had a big time eating and shopping.
• We had lunch here and then did a bit of cleaning before we let the kids do a bit of wii playing.  This was a big bonus because they got to play all by themselves so they could be as loud and crazy as they wanted to.  While they did this, I did some of my chores and my Whitman slept.  
• Soon the girls were home from their shopping trip and they watched today's redbox movie.  Whitman woke up and him and the girls were so upset with each other over a silly pretend pie with vegetable and fruit pieces in it.  Robby finally took him upstairs to find some of his toys and he played up there for a while but soon found the girls and their pie again.  
• Soon Campbell and I loaded up again (after sneaking out of the house so Whitman wouldn't fall apart) and we headed to Larry's pizza for Adilyn's party.  Campbell was in her element-I think she loves birthday parties, loves Adilyn, loves those games and loves pizza!  She quickly used her coins and bought a tootsie roll pop, a pixie stick and a jolly rancher!  It took her just as long to decide on the prize as it did to spend all of her tokens.  
• Robby cooked supper for everyone else tonight-biscuits, sausage and eggs.  Then they all had showers and played the wii some more until we came home.  We ended the evening with Campbell and Keaton playing Mario Cart-oh, my 3 laps around the track can take so long when you have 2 drivers that aren't that great!  It is a hoot to watch!

February 11, 2015

Future Photographer!

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• We woke up in enough time to get things accomplished around here and even eat breakfast.  I wish I could wake up a bit earlier these days but I sure can't drag myself out of bed-my current goal is to get out of bed at least when I hear footsteps above me.  
• Even though I did manage to get up today before those footsteps made it downstairs, I did climb back in bed briefly so I could cuddle with Keaton. Each night, I lay out what we need to leave the house on the benches and that helps very much so we can just run out the door.  But when you forget to lay out the diaper bag, it isn't very helpful.  When I got to Bible study, I realized that I didn't have Whitman or Keaton's bag. Keaton's bag is pretty fine to forget since it is only for if she has an accident (which she doesn't anymore) but poor Whitman did need a bag.  Thankfully, I was able to find a few diapers and a cup in the bag.  But when I went to pick him up, he was not going to leave his room until he had his bag.  Finally, we had to tell him that I already had it.  
• After Bible study, we played with the Heltz' at Rock Creek.  There were 2 other large families there from Bible study so the kids all had lots of friends to play with.  Last week Whitman spent most of his time at Rock Creek laying on the floor in protest that I didn't bring him a real drink and only brought him water.  This week he played and played (yep, I did sneak him in a juice box-everyone else had water).  He even went down the big slide 2 times-with lots of help from his brothers and sisters.
• We then went to see Beebee and Whitman did his laying on the floor bit there.  Of course he was exhausted and he let everyone know it.  When he wasn't laying in the floor, he was running down the hallway towards Beebee's room.  It took me a bit to figure out why he was doing this but then I realized he was going to get more candy-we had already eaten all of Beebee's candy and he was going to look for some more.  A one year old running down the hall of a nursing home causes lots of commotion!
• Once at home, everyone spent some time outside while I unloaded from the morning and put everything up.  They came in just as I had finished straightening downstairs so it was soon bedtime for Whitman and Keaton.  That silly girl did the same thing that she did last week-laid in bed for about 45 minutes and then got up.  I don't know if she could hear us downstairs doing science or not but I really wanted her to nap some today.
• For church tonight, the kids had to dress as what they wanted to be.  The boys thankfully picked football players.  I am not thankful that they think they want to be football players but I am thankful that we had football jerseys to quickly throw on.  Reagan decided this year that she wanted to be a photographer so we printed up a camera for her to wear.  Campbell and Keaton participated too and Campbell was a waitress and Keaton was a chef.  
• On the way home, we stopped for gas and Robby ran in to buy a little something (not alcohol) and was asked "Where you born before 1997?"  He had never been carded and was so shocked (and flattered) by this that he struggled to answer the question.  
• After putting on pajamas tonight, the discussion at the bar went to past wounds and Robby again showed off his scar from a tree limb stuck in his leg (that Grandpa pulled out and then gave him a grape popsicle to feel better).  This led to him recalling the time that Grandpa's finger was dangling off and Les had his head hit by a rock (not by Dana as the story goes).  All of this talk caused Reagan to flee the room in horror and sweet Keaton asked "Is he at the doctor?"  She thought all of this had just happened and didn't realize that it all happened before 1997!

February 10, 2015

Riding in style!

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• So I have this breakfast menu that I follow each day and it works out splendidly usually-but today toast was on the menu and when I opened up the cabinet I found the bread bag and discovered 2 heels and 1 piece of bread.  I do have at least 3 loaves of bread in the freezer but I don't really know if you can toast frozen bread so it was hot dog buns to the rescue.  I toasted those things in the oven and made cinnamon toast for everyone.  And I swear every single child that walked into the kitchen said "hot dogs for breakfast?"  Even though they turned their noses up, they pretty much devoured their breakfast.
• I did make the mistake of getting Whitman dressed before breakfast.  He didn't care about his toast but he smeared yogurt on himself from head to toe.  After telling Robby and Campbell bye, I nearly had to hose the boy off so he wouldn't smell like soured milk all day.  I didn't clean him well enough because he did smell all day but I knew we would be playing outside later which means showers so I just hugged him and tried not to breathe.
• School was fairly uneventful-we have started working on poems to say next week with our homeschool buddies.  Writing anything, much less a poem, with Anderson could push a person over the edge.  He can not think outside the box at all-at all!  Maybe he will grow out of it or maybe he won't and will grow up to be some type of technical writer-that he could do and do well.  
• We did some of our together work and then started on lunch.  I actually had lunch ready early so that was a bit strange for all of us.  We read a bit and then the kids started on some of their chores-lots picking up in the toy room.  Some days I think we have way too many toys and other days, I watch them all play happily with toys surrounding them...today was a day that I felt we had too many toys!
• Campbell spent the afternoon at Nonna and Pops' house.  She usually comes home with some type of dessert for us and today it was cookies.  Even though I had just passed out snacks when she came home, she still passed out her cookies and we gobbled them up.  She may grow up to be a little chef!  
• I had told the kids all day long that when Campbell came home we were going to go outside.  I thought the weather was a bit warmer than it really was.  I was quite shocked when I was outside saying bye to Nonna and Pops.  It was just chilly-I pressed on and kicked everyone out (after making them put on their jackets).  
• Campbell rode her bike, Whitman explored the play house, Anderson and Graham played basketball, Reagan swung, Keaton rode her tricycle and all of us played a game of frisbee/kickball.  We were outside until almost supper time and when poor Keaton came in, Robby said that her little hands were freezing.  
• Next up was showers for all and then supper.  I let the kids vote on which veggie to eat tonight-peas won but Anderson was oddly very disappointed that it wasn't carrots so I opened that can too and everyone was happy.  I tried to eat a carrot too but almost gagged!  (I really only like carrots raw.)
• After supper was over, we had our delayed ice cream truck and even though my Whitman had cried pretty much all through supper (and before supper) he gobbled down his ice cream and then was a sweet happy little boy.  He has a bit of a cold and almost fell asleep this morning during school and then tonight he was just so fussy-until that ice cream!
• We watched two of our Bible story movies and then it was bedtime for all.  I mentioned to Robby that the kids seemed pretty calm tonight possibly because they went outside.  I might need to try out that hypothesis tomorrow...oh, not tomorrow though, Bible study and church and I won't have the time or energy to do showers in between!  

February 9, 2015

A little boxing before bedtime...

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• Every morning lately, when Campbell and Keaton wake up down the steps they come carrying baby dolls, diaper bags and pushing a shopping cart.  That silly shopping cart has a bum wheel and squeaks as it rolls into our room.  I hid that thing in the closet tonight so maybe it won't find its way into our room in the morning.
• This was a big morning around here-Campbell, Keaton and Whitman all left for the day.  The first stop was Nonna's house for Keaton and Whitman.  They spent the day at Nonna's house and had great time.  Neither one of them were ready to come home-they played, they napped, they snacked.
• And Campbell spent her morning at school and then was picked up by Grannymom and Grandpa.  Last week, Campbell came home with holes in both pairs of her good blue jeans.  Grannymom noticed her holly jeans and mentioned that they should go shopping-Campbell was ready in a heartbeat to go shopping and off they went.  Campbell came home with 2 pairs of jeans and she couldn't have been happier.  
• Back at home, we were down 3 kids and I had expected that school would go smoother and quicker than usual but I was wrong.  It was just the same as each and every other day.  I guess I should be pleased that having Keaton, Whitman and sometimes Campbell here doesn't affect the kids school to much.  But I was a little bummed that it still took as long but that was fine since we still managed to finish everything and without the others I did have some extra time complete my own chore list.
• We had our lunch and I finished off one book that we are reading and now we have to start on the book that I had planned on reading in February (George Washington's Socks-I know nothing about it but thought it would be a good February read aloud chapter book.)  The boys had to finish up their school and then everyone did a bit of picking up.
• Since my little people were gone, I walked on the treadmill and then played with my Christmas jigsaw for a bit.  I was very careful not to cut off any fingers or the cord so even though I can't cut a super straight line, I was still pleased with my skills.  When I had finished my cutting, Pops and Nonna brought home Keaton and Whitman.  
• When they walked into the door, Whitman ran all through the house as fast as he could.  I think that he was excited to be here and quickly noticed that everyone else (except Anderson) was eating an orange so he had to have one too.  He gobbled up his orange and then convinced Keaton to bring him some milk.  
• It didn't seem like my little people had been here too long when Robby and Campbell came pulling up.  They unloaded and soon we were eating our supper-leftovers.  8 people and 4 different meals but a much cleaner fridge.  After supper, the big kids went upstairs to start some type of Olympics-there were races, long jumps and possibly even a pole vault competition.  To us downstairs, it sounded like a herd of elephants stomping around above us.
• My sweet quiet little people had a shower and they weren't really sweet or quiet when they were showering but at least they were clean!  Eventually, we all headed to the bonus room to play the wii.  Everyone played 2 games while the big 3 took turns in the showers.  Keaton was the most devastated when her turn was up and she had to pass the controller over to the next player.  
• The kids all became pretty tickled at bedtime and I am surprised that they were quiet but it sounds like everyone is asleep-I am crossing my fingers that they are all asleep!

February 8, 2015

Hey, I thought this pictures was about me!

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• Powdered donuts are probably not the best thing to eat on Sunday morning after you have just put on your Sunday clothes.  Thankfully, we did only have to change one shirt after breakfast but I rode to church with black pants that were still wet from me scrubbing off leftovers from Whitman and Keaton's mouths.
• We were running a bit late to church but still managed to see all of the grands before taking Keaton and Whitman to their classes.  In our Sunday school class, a girl did ask one of the boys if I was his mom.  I guess I was using my "mom voice" with him and forgot to use my "Sunday school teacher voice."  
• Even though our service got out really late, the second service was on time so we were at Nonna and Pops' house in plenty of time.  They had a delicious lunch and the kids ate and ate-Graham ate and ate the rolls...after I had said only 2.  This led to him having to choose between the roll in his hand or dessert.  He picked the roll so when he was leaving the kitchen Robby told him he could have 1 hershey kiss that Nonna had out.  He took 2 so I called him on it (using that "mom voice") and made him go and put one up.  He went to put it up but just acted like he was putting it up and still left with 2 pieces of candy.  Robby saw that happen and Graham was quickly in a whole heap of trouble.
• He sulked off to the bedrooms and then came in with a handwritten note asking for our forgiveness and professing his love for us.  The note was sweet and all but it was written in Reagan's handwriting so I am sure that she had a large part in the note.  (Which was also sweet because her and Graham do not always get along but she wanted for him to not be in trouble enough to help him write an apology note.)  
• I told him that we forgave him and he could have a cookie but we would have to think about letting him earn his afternoon privileges back.  This led him to come and stand in front of me and ask for my forgiveness again.  I could feel Reagan behind me and Graham was intently reading the sign that she was holding above my head.  That little turkey-I guess is it just part of being a kid but if they would just realize that telling the truth or being honest is so much easier.
• Once at home, we had a normal Sunday afternoon nap.  My favorite part about Sunday afternoons is when Campbell comes and joins me on the couch.  She is asleep in seconds after laying down with me.  I had about one hour to nap so I don't know how long she was there with me but it couldn't have been too long because she was sound asleep when I started trying to wake her up.
• We quickly hurried everyone to put on their jeans, find their socks, put on their shoes, comb their hair, potty and get into the car.  In one swift swoop, I picked up Whitman who was sleeping in his bed and plopped him down in his car seat-probably not the easiest way to wake up but I did have snacks and drinks for everyone in the car so that probably helped a lot.
• Choir time for 4 kiddos, a meeting for us and class for Keaton and Whitman.  They did get to play in the same class for a while.  Keaton told me that Whitman was a good boy and didn't hit any of his friends.  I thought her report was a bit odd because he doesn't usually hit but I guess that I am glad he didn't start tonight.  
• After church the boys were running down the hall and fell hard on top of each other.  Graham hit his head pretty good but since they had both just been told not to run, they were quickly told that they had lost ice cream truck for the family.  This was devastating news to most but we did feed them supper instead of just sending them all to bed (this was devastating to me because they only left me one piece of pizza!)  
• Everyone was tired tonight as we tucked them in and Robby told everyone that we needed a super good start to the week so hopefully we can get a lot accomplished tomorrow!

February 7, 2015

Grannymom & Grandpa Play the Wii!

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• On school days the kids wake up at almost 8 but since today was Saturday, we heard them coming down the stairs at 7:03.  That was fine because the kids stayed busy and in the living room with their kindles.  Sweet Keaton quietly stepped into our room and joined us in bed.  I tried to convince Anderson that he was able to turn the oven on the preheat for our cinnamon rolls but he insisted he didn't know how so Robby did get up to show him so he could do it next time.
• We had our cinnamon roll breakfast and before I knew it, it was time for Reagan and I to leave for church.  On the way, we did stop by and see Nonna, Pops and Jason who were watching a helicopter set air conditioning units on top of the new mall nearby.  It was pretty amazing to watch it pick up the units and quickly deliver them to the roof.  We couldn't stay long because our event started at 9:30.
• The church put on Woven for mother's and daughters (first grade and over-that is why Campbell and Keaton didn't get to come.)  The place was decorated so cute and we found some friends and sat with them.  Everyone picked a class (sewing, painting, crafts or knitting)-Reagan picked knitting.  They had everything that we needed there and soon we were finger knitting our own scarves.  Reagan picked it up quickly and she has used 2 skeins of yarn and has completed 3 scarves and 2 bracelets since we have been home.  I did make 2 little scarves for Keaton and Campbell.  
• After our class, we went to lunch and the lunches were so wonderful.  We had chosen turkey and it had more meat than you could believe on our sandwiches.  And it had the tiny, round cheese-Reagan had never seen cheese like that.  The dessert was a layered cake and whipped cream dessert.  But the best thing about the lunch for Reagan was the boxes-we even brought 7 home so we could use them for Valentine's day boxes.  That might have been my favorite part of the day when we were scrounging around the tables looking for empty boxes.  Nonna would have been proud too because Reagan was filling her box up with scrap pieces of ribbon and twine!
• Meanwhile, Robby and everyone else left the house and went to see the helicopter too.  He said that it was a bit loud for Whitman so he stuck close by.  But the others were pretty interested in it.  Then they went to Grannymom's house for a little bit.  Campbell, Anderson and Graham then went with Grannymom and Grandpa to watch Cash and then Lilli play basketball.  After watching their losing games, they all did stay with Grannymom and watched the Hogs win.
• Whitman and Keaton went with Robby to the grocery store.  Keaton probably would have gone with Grannymom too but she was very excited about getting her fingernails painted when I came home.  That was the first thing that she said to me after their grocery store trip and we did that.  But unfortunately, her polish comes off so quickly-I am sure she touches it when it is wet but it still comes off really quick even when I kept her still until they surely should have been almost dry.  She doesn't care though and we will try again when we catch Campbell up and do her nails sometime next week.
• Whitman had a nap this afternoon while the rest of us watched the ballgame.  Reagan didn't do much basketball watching-she was busy finger knitting.  The afternoon went by fairly quick and soon we were waiting at the window (Whitman, Keaton and me) to see Grandpa and everyone else drive up.
• We had lasagna and cookies for supper.  Then we taught Grannymom and Grandpa how to play Mario Cart.  Of course then the kids had to play a few rounds before bedtime.  They do get so wound up playing that silly thing-wonder where they get that?  (Probably me-I was screaming like a crazy lady last night when I was playing).  No matter where they picked up their craziness, it is probably not a good idea to play that before bedtime!  
• After Grannymom and Grandpa went home, it was shower time for everyone.  I should time us on our showers sometime but I think that they are taking longer and longer!  After those showers were finally finished, we brushed teeth, had our Bible story and then went to bed!