May 12, 2016

Not sure this qualifies as a smile?!?

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• If Keaton did not have to go to school this morning. we might all still be laying in our beds. Though Robby had been up a few times already in the middle of the night because his poison ivy was bothering him.  I actually didn't know that Robby had been up during the night until later in the day.  I had questioned the kids repeatedly and was about to demand an answer to who left the hair dryer upstairs in the bonus room when I asked Robby if he knew who used it.  He reminded me that it was to ease his poison ivy itch.  
• That is the second time in just a few days that I have blamed the kids for something their Daddy has done.  The other day I even questioned the neighbor kid about who moved a big block outside.  Finally, Keaton looked up at me and said "Daddy and Grandpa did when fixing the lawnmower."  For every one thing that Robby leaves out, the kids leave out a zillion other things.  Some day it is almost comical the amount of things left out in every room of the house-and today was one of those days.
• Back to this morning though-this was Graham's day to go with Robby to take Keaton to school. They ended up at the doughnut place (and brought us back some doughnut holes this time-I have yet to get my chocolate filled doughnut on a Thursday morning though).  While they were gone, Anderson relished the morning not having to do any school work and played his kindle most of the morning.  Kennedy, Reagan and Campbell finally came downstairs for breakfast but then spent most of the morning playing upstairs.
• I stayed busy working on school for the fall and before I knew it, it was time to pick up Keaton.  Kennedy, Reagan and Campbell were playing in the yard and quickly jumped in the car when I offered to let them come with me to pick up Keaton and she was pretty happy to see them since she had been worried that she wouldn't get to see Kennedy much today.
• We had hot dogs for lunch and then the kids mostly played outside for the rest of the afternoon and really the evening.  Kennedy ended up leaving after 4 and by 5, I was starting on supper.  The kids stayed out until we finally had to make them come in.  A few had showers before supper and the rest had to afterwards.  Supper tonight was chicken enchiladas, rice and beans and it was delicious.  
• After showers and supper the kids had a bit of down time and then it was bedtime for the kids and ice cream time for me (yes, we are going to cut back on our ice cream but I plan on getting me a double portion tonight since my bunko for tonight was cancelled and because I feel pretty lousy since I now have Graham's cold...but ice cream will make me feel much, much better!)

May 11, 2016

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Someone tell Graham it's not cold!

• This was the first Wednesday without Bible study so we did school instead.  The kids weren't too excited about this but tomorrow is an off day around here so that did ease their grumbling. One of the reasons that we are taking tomorrow off is because the other day, Reagan wrote a note on Graham's desk and it said, "Graham, you have been working so hard in school so take Thursday off! Love, Mom."  Graham was pretty excited about his note until he figured out that it was from Reagan.  I then told him that he was indeed going to have Thursday off and he was quick to run and tell Reagan.  Imagine her surprise when he told her that he really was getting Thursday off from school!
• All that to say, we did school today.  It went well though most of my Dennies have a bit of a cold-Whitman and Robby are the only ones without it.  Graham probably feels the worst and I almost let him skip church tonight.  On our way there, he was looking all pitiful until Reagan reminded him that it was his turn to go shopping during his class.  This perked him right up!
• The kids worked on their school this morning and I can just about feel the freedom of school being out here.  Though when school is finished, my main priority during the day is to get the school room and school room closet back in order and to prepare school for the fall which will be here before I know it.
• After school we ate our lunch and then the kids saw the neighbors outside.  I explained that I was going to get on the treadmill so they could go outside but they could not leave the yard.  That worked out well and I was able to walk my walk on the treadmill.  The kids continued to play outside until Nonna and Pops arrived with Sonic drinks for everyone.  
• When their visit was over, the kids continued to play outside until 4.  Then I called my crew in so we could pick up our toys and start showering.  I was busy with Whitman and asked Reagan to heat up a few things in the microwave and she was very pleased with herself-she had pulled out plates, lots of leftovers to heat, napkins and forks.  We just had ourselves a leftover smorgasbord!
• We met Robby at church and my Graham did get to do his shopping tonight.  He was so proud that he had bought all of his brothers and sisters something as well...until he realized that he had forgotten Campbell!  She was mildly disappointed until I found her a little snack for later back at the house.  
• Kennedy is spending the night with us so that bought the kids some extra time before bed tonight.  But the girls are still above my head-it sounds like they have brought a herd of elephants into their room.  Gracious me!

May 10, 2016-Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Happy 84th Birthday Grandpa!

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• I had just finished my blog last night and was watching the weather on the news when all of a sudden Robby's phone was dinging and I was getting a text (Jason) and a phone call (Pops) at the same time.  Before I could answer anything my phone died but I did see the words "tornado warning."  I looked again at the tv but the weatherman didn't seem to worked up but Robby picked up the remote and forwarded the delayed newscast that we were watching and there indeed was a tornado coming.
• I picked up Robby's phone and called Pops back as the sirens began sounding here.  Robby watched the map for a bit and then decided that we probably should get the kids so up the stairs we went.  It is a hard call waking the kids up for a storm-there have been times when the storms were no where near here and we felt confident in not waking them up but this time it as close enough to be too close.
• I headed to the boys room and they both woke up quickly as I kept repeating "go downstairs to Daddy's office, go downstairs to Daddy's office" over and over again.  I got them to the steps and went to help Robby with the girls.  I grabbed Campbell's hand and led her to the stairs but then I let go of her hand as I went on down to get Whitman and Robby had to call to her since she continued walking in the boys room.  
• I snatched sleeping Whitman out of bed and Reagan was walking down that hallway so I had to redirect her.  Then the boys were sitting by the tv watching the radar.  Seriously, we weren't that quick at getting everyone in our hidey hole-they were all too busy wandering around the house.  Once we were all settled in Robby's office, the kids all just sat there.  No one was ever panicked or fussy about having to be woken up.  
• When the lights flickered and went out, no one really said anything.  Robby quickly switched on his phone but there were some lights flickering on all of the electronics in his office so there was no need for anyone to worry.  We waited out the storm which didn't seem to long at all-we didn't even have to break out a book or any of the food on the shelves above our heads.  
• The tornado warning was over but it was still storming outside but we still put the kids back into bed.  Everyone had flashlights in their hands and all laid back down in the dark house.  Graham was really the only one who was a bit scared-he called me up there a few times and even came downstairs once but I would talk to him and calm him down some.  When Robby and I had finally turned off all of the lights that we thought were on, found flashlights and he figured out how to charge all of our stuff without power.  
• It was after 1 when we finally were quiet enough to hear the girls upstairs.  They were still going strong.  I waited a long time until going up there and when I did, I found Keaton sound asleep and Reagan crawling around in the floor rearranging her and Campbell's dolls.  I am not sure when (or if) they ever went to sleep but I was soon asleep after that dreading the lights still being off when we woke up.
• Thankfully the lights came back on at 5 and everyone was awake by 7 despite their lack of sleep (and mine).  It didn't take long for Keaton to get dressed and soon Robby and her were out the door for school.  Back at home, we had our breakfast and started on school.  We didn't have too much time for school work since it was a special day at Keaton's school.
• Before lunch, we stopped by the library and then on to Keaton's school.  Robby met us there and all of the school families had lunch together-chicken, mac and cheese, green beans, rolls and strawberries.  The kids really enjoyed the cupcakes for dessert and even had 3.  But the highlight of their lunch was getting to play in the new indoor playground at the church house. 
• After plenty of playtime, we headed to Grannymom's house.  Whitman and I dropped everyone off and then we headed to Walmart and finally to his 3 year old check up with Dr. Martin.  He did very well during his checkup and even shed a tear over NOT getting a shot.  When she asked what his favorite vegetable was, he answered "cupcakes."
• Once we made it home from the doctor's appointment, Whitman was sound asleep and everyone else went outside to play.  That is where they stayed for the rest of the afternoon and evening.  When Robby came home, he made breakfast burritos and the kids held and ate them as they ran playing chase with the neighbor kids.  This quick meal held the kids hunger until we celebrated Grandpa's birthday with a cookie cake.  
• Grannymom and Grandpa came over to help Robby with a lawnmower.  Grandpa is 84 today so we did what we could to find 84 candles.  The kids sang and then we all ate cookie before they headed home.  Robby soon headed to church and even though he was gone for over an hour, the kids would occasionally ask "where's Daddy?" and then when he returned Reagan even said "where has he been?"  They are not the most observant kids around.
• After showers, kindle time and some reading time it was time for bed for my crew.  Hopefully we can all stay in bed all night long tonight!

May 9, 2016

Day After Mother's Day Card for Mom!

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• Monday morning and the kids were out of bed before the rest of us.  Graham's morning routine now is to do at least one box of school in the morning and then play basketball in his bedroom until breakfast time.  Reagan comes down and gets right to work on her school work.  Campbell will often do a bit of work and she probably does work best first thing in the morning but then she will stop and not really focus well for much of the rest of the day.  Anderson will do anything and everything but school work first thing in the morning. 
• We had our breakfast-cereal and fruit (I believe that Reagan finished off the rest of a watermelon).  Then it was school time for all.  The kids all did well and were finishing faster than I could put up my laundry.  Usually I am able to put up laundry in between working with the kids and answering their questions but today, things were pretty crazy and I was scrambling to finish my laundry before it was time for us to work together.
• During work together time the kids colored while I read.  I have at least 20 books (some short and some long chapter books) that I would like to finish by the end of May but I will settle for finishing them by the start of school in the fall.  
• As soon as we finished, the kids started on chores and I made spamples (spam pieces on pretzels) and mac and cheese.  The kids were beyond thrilled with this lunch and I was even happy to hear Whitman ask for more.  I walked over to get his plate to refill it and saw that he had only eaten the pretzels.
• Then we finished chores-lego picking up, vacuuming, chalkboard drawing and supper making were some of today's items on the chore list. Then I spent some time on the treadmill while the kids watched their movies.  At 4, I started getting kids ready for soccer practice and at 4:20 while we were starting on supper Robby text saying that soccer was cancelled.
• The weather was a bit iffy and I am always fine with practice being cancelled but since the weather wasn't yet rainy the kids went outside.  They blew bubbles, went on a walk with the neighbors, played basketball, collected turtles, played tag-today's count was 11 kids in the yard.
• It began raining around 7, so we brought everyone in and started on showers.  Then we ate Sunday's ice cream and then the kids had lots of reading time tonight which means that we had lots of couch sitting time and everyone was happy! 

May 8, 2016

Celebrating Mom!

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• I heard little people stirring in the kitchen pretty early this morning.  There was lots of shhhshing and even some giggling.  I also heard that there was some last minute card making (my Anderson had been reminded multiple times but he has a tendency to wait until the last minute for things-like his father) 
• A bit after 7, my door opened and 6 of the sweetest little faces came in my room carrying presents, cards, juice and a plate full of waffles.  Everyone climbed on my bed as I opened their presents-a handmade coaster by Keaton, candy, cash and a cookie from Reagan, a water bottle and also some candy.  Then there were lots of cards and then I ate my strawberry covered waffle and drank my orange juice while the kids watched.
• After I had finished, we did feed the kids and then everyone dressed for church.  We had to be there a bit early this morning because the big 3 were singing in church.  The children's choir sang a few songs and we even let Keaton stay in church to see her brothers and sister sing.
• We did have a bit of excitement before church.  I walked into the kitchen and Graham was standing by the bathroom door.  I asked him what was wrong and he said that his stomach was upset and thought he was going to be sick. Robby and I discussed our options but after a few minutes Graham seemed to perk up.  Graham did possibly perk up some because I let him in on a secret-that he would get to see Josh and Zach later today.  He does have a cold which I am sure upset his stomach a bit.
• After church, we headed to Nonna's house.  We celebrated Mother's Day with her at lunch.  We unfortunately fell down on our picture taking today and took too few pictures-missing our traditional Mother's Day photos.  The kids enjoyed all of Nonna's choices for desserts and then they changed their clothes and were ready for our next outing.
• We ran home for a few minutes and had time to empty the car and reload it again while the kids were folding and putting away laundry.  We then headed to the park to meet Grannymom, Grandpa, Dana, Lilli and Cash.  The kids played for a bit on the climbing rocks and then Les and Shelley arrived to help us celebrate Mother's Day and Grandpa's birthday.  
• The boys were playing a football game and the girls were swinging when the rain began.  It wasn't much rain but it did just keep coming and the radar didn't look to promising.  That was no worry to us Dennies, we just moved our party to Dana's garage.  The kids still played outside in the drizzling rain while we ate supper and then desserts in the garage. 
• It was a wonderful way to end Mother's Day and I wish we could do that more often.  Once we made it home, the kids all showered and then had some downtime before bed.  Now I plan on continuing my Mother's Day celebration with a bowl of ice cream.

May 7, 2016

Soocer Day!

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• Since the first soccer game was at 8:30 this morning, we had told the kids that they could get out of bed at 6:45 this morning.  They were all so excited; Reagan even said that she was going to read.  We knew this would be no problem for anyone, especially the boys, since they are always up so early but would you believe, they all slept in this morning.  Robby had to even wake up the boys.
• The kids quickly put on their uniforms.  There was one crisis once we were at the games because Campbell and Graham realized that they were wearing each other's jerseys.  We convinced them that the jerseys were clean, they were the same size and no one keeps up with the number on the back of the jersey anyway. 
• Here is the run down of the soccer games this morning: Keaton and Campbell played the first game and they played the entire game since they only had 4 players.  They were so tired but they kept running.  They were stomped by the other team-specifically by just one player on the other team.  So if you take away his 9 points then the score would have been 1-0 and Campbell scored that 1 point.  Playing the whole game is tough for little ones and they did great.  Keaton even got a few kicks at the ball as well!
• We had a break after that game and headed to Shipleys for doughnuts.  Then the fill up our gas tank, Dollar General and Lowes for lawnmower blades.  Seriously, that break is almost just too long-but we did mark quite a few things off of our list.
• Next game was Graham and Reagan playing on different fields.  Reagan was on fire today as always.  She scored at least 2 goals and her and another girl worked together great so Reagan had a few assists (if that is the right word.)  And Graham was at the other side of Raymar and was also on fire.  I am not sure what got into Graham but he was all over the place.  He was much more aggressive than I have ever seen him.  He did wonderful and was so, so close to scoring.  At the end of the last period, he did ask to come out of the game because his knee was hurting (He had also complained during our wiffle ball game yesterday at Nonna's house.)
• We then went to the pavilion and had ourselves our hot dog lunch that Robby had made early this morning.  Then it was over to watch Anderson play.  His team did really well today too.  Anderson scored and he was all over the field kicking the ball.  My kiddos were pretty tired after their morning of soccer.
• Once we made it home, we unpacked and Robby and the little girls went to work outside.  He did the work (cleaned up much of the top half of the yard, cleaned under the shed, cut a tree down, moved an old tree, raked leaves) and the girls just played.  I picked up inside and then loaded up the boys and headed out.  The first stop was to drop off Whitman at Nonna's house.  Since I was taking the boys to a birthday party and Robby was working in the yard, Whitman needed some place to go so he wouldn't end up on Lawson.  
• When we arrived at Ethan's party, we were all surprised to see that the swimming party was not inside as I had originally thought. I don't think that the boys were sunburned yet but after almost 2 hours of swimming they are a little pink tonight.  They so loved swimming at the pool-Anderson enjoyed the slide and I saw Graham go off the diving board a few times.  Anderson really loved the birthday cake cookie that Ethan had and they both could have stayed and swam longer but the party was over and we had to head home.
• On the way home, we picked up Whitman who was finishing his bath in Nonna's tub.  Everyone at home was showering or finishing their showers so the boys had their turns and finished just as Robby was finishing his shower.  Then we loaded up to go and eat for an early Mother's Day celebration.
• We ate a bit after 8 - like we were big city folks.  The kids always enjoy PeiWei and so do I.  Whitman must have been hungry because even though he never eats noodles at home, he sure did tonight.  Once we were home, we tried to get a few things ready for tomorrow's big day.  Some days I think it is just as hard to load our stuff up for one day's activities as it is to pack for a trip.

May 6, 2016

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• Everyone, except Keaton and Campbell, were up right at 7 this morning.  I am not sure why they all woke up so early-I just think it is odd.  I am at least thankful that some (Reagan and Graham) started right on their school.  Anderson and Graham did start looking at their football and baseball cards while Whitman ran around the house making us much noise as he could. 
• I was able to make muffins while the kids did begin their school work. After we ate our breakfast, we began school and just as soon as we began school, Graham and then Reagan had finished their school work.  
• This is the second day in a row that Whitman has been pretty perfect during school.  Yesterday, he sat in the floor reading books for about 30 minutes and then laid covered up in his bed watching his kindle (I was just about convinced that he was sickly).  Today he again sat in the floor looking at a coloring book for a long, long time and then he sat playing with his toys in his bed while holding a flashlight.  I am not sure why he has taken such a liking to playing in his bed but whatever works is certainly fine with me.
• After working together for just a few minutes, we loaded up for the grocery store.  We met Pops there and he helped us cart 20 pounds of potatoes, 2 canteloupes, 4 flats of strawberries and a watermelon inside so we could check out. I also bought hot dogs and bbq sandwiches for the kids lunch.  Once we had loaded up, Graham, Campbell and Keaton rode with Pops back to our house to start to work.
• Reagan, Anderson and I took Whitman to Grannymom's house for the night.  He was so excited about going and even helped me pack his new car (he earned it back) and his toothbrush.  But when we were loading up to leave, he heard me start the car and that baby bolted into the car.  His first reaction was that we were going to leave him but then when we reminded him that he was getting to stay, he was perfectly content.  
• Back at home, the kids had helped Pops carry everything in to the house and had all started cutting the tops off of strawberries outside.  Campbell had made lemonade for them to drink and they were working hard.  Everyone had crazy sharp knives and were slicing away (we didn't loose a single finger today and did not even need a bandaid-miracles never cease!)
• We joined them and were soon inside washing and slicing all of the strawberries.  We had 3.5 flats and I put away about 26 cups (13 containers) of strawberries along with 2 big bowls left in the fridge for us to eat.  
• The kids so enjoyed working with Pops that they asked to go to his house to help him slice his strawberries.  So after we had finished with ours, he ran home and soon we arrived over there.  By the time I made it in the house, the kids were at the bar working away on the strawberry slicing.  We helped him do 3 more flats and everyone worked really well.  Reagan even said that she wanted a job slicing strawberries when she grows up.  She said that she could go door to door asking if they had any strawberries for her to cut.  
• After we had finished cutting, we went outside for a bit of baseball.  By this time the kids were tired so the game fell apart when I had had enough and made everyone get in the car!  Once at home, the kids went outside and watched their turtle most of the afternoon long.  They went on a long walk and then spent the rest of the afternoon playing with the neighbor kids-it is standard the last few days to have 10 kiddos in the yard here and I just love that. 
• Robby came home and we made supper and then ate on the back patio.  Then we played a bit of basketball and ended the night with a walk down the street before coming in for the evening.