November 10, 2017

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• Again, it was the middle of the night when Whitman came to our bed, and I don't know how long he had been sleeping with us when he woke me up shouting that he wanted to sleep in the middle. He probably wasn't shouting but it seemed like it to me.
• Robby did get up around 6 and when I looked I could tell why-Whitman's feet were on his pillow. I think that the boys feet were on his head. He is a pretty snuggly little guy-much more than his daddy.
• It was a nice Friday morning. Despite having to catch up on a bit of school work, everyone worked well and for the most part, we were all finished by 11:30. I was able to pull out next week's school, we even straightened the house before Nonna and Pops came to pick up Keaton.
• Keaton had been so excited and couldn't wait to be picked up. Of course she was finished with school much earlier than everyone else and was anxious then to leave. She eventually found my phone and text her ride to come and get her. 
• After she left, we made our lunches and I read a few books. Whitman is loving the Thomas the Train books right now which is great but no one else really wants to sit through them since they are a bit long. 
• Anderson and I worked on his missionary project for next week and then it was cake making time. Campbell and Graham are entering a cake contest at the library tomorrow. I know really nothing about it but why not enter and have some fun. They made a oreo bundt cake. It should have a creamy oreo filling in the center of the cake. It looked pretty decent but who knows how it will taste. Tonight when we came home, we iced it and I am not too sure about the frosting on the cake. I think we should have gone with something else. They both had fun making it and I know that tomorrow will be fun too-win or lose.
• The kids migrated outside for a little bit today but before I knew it, it was time to load Reagan and Anderson up for the preteen retreat. Reagan had spent most of the day packing (even though she was packed yesterday). It was quite entertaining to watch her strategically place things in her bag. In the pictures, she does have a huge duffel bag but it does have her clothes, sleeping bag and towel all in it.
• I think they were excited-I know that Reagan was and Anderson seemed excited too. This is his first overnight church type trip so hopefully he will be a leader. Finger crossed! They had supper at church and then headed up to some camp with Ozark in the name. 
• When I came home, the rest of us loaded up and headed to the Wilsons. They had burgers and a delicious dessert. We ate and watched the ballgame while the kids played cards, did magic tricks and read books to Whitman. 
• We weren't able to stay out too late because we still had to ice their cake. Whitman fell asleep pretty soon after we made it home. He went to sleep in the fort so that is where he is sleeping now. I am not too sure how long that will last though. We are letting Campbell and Graham stay up for a bit and it is nearly 11 and they are still vegging on their ipads. I don't think that they will last too much longer though!

November 9, 2017

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• Tonight I do understand why Whitman didn't stay in his bed. He was in my room at 3 or 4 this morning. He told me that he was wet and his bed was wet. I thought that was odd since he should have had a pull up on. I went with him to potty and get new pajamas. When I was throwing his old pjs in the laundry, I noticed that his pull up was not a pull up but a swim diaper! That sure won't keep you dry!
• We slept well and I had to work really hard to wake Whitman up this morning to get him ready for school. Once he was ready, he was pretty excited because this was show and tell I day. He brought an ice cream bucket filled with insects. I am not sure if he could remember the word "insects" though.
• The rest of us had our breakfast and started on our together work this morning. I am already getting excited about our Thanksgiving school break but am enjoying our work together time so much that we might just do it still during our break.
• The kids worked well today and even though Anderson saved everything for last, he did eventually finish everything. On the other side of the house, his complete opposite, Reagan, was doing all of today's school along with tomorrow's school. She also started packing for the preteen retreat while Anderson just shrugged and said that he would pack tomorrow. It is so interesting the difference between my kiddos.
• After Whitman came home, we had lunch and then everyone started on their chores. We really could do chores all day around here-you clean up one room and walk away and the same room is a mess again. I am not sure if this happens at other people's houses or not but is sure happens here. And it happens much quicker when Whitman is home.
• I took everyone for our weekly Dairy Queen treat this afternoon. I then ran to the store to pick up a few things before we headed home. The neighbors were out so they kids went down there. I don't know how the neighbors know it but every time we have to go somewhere, they come out to play. So when I called the kids to come in to clean up before leaving for church tonight, my kiddos weren't too happy.
• By the time we left, everyone was pleased about heading to Refresh tonight. They all had fun and anytime you don't have to cook supper that is a good thing. Once at home, Robby cut the boys' hair and everyone had showers before bedtime.

November 8, 2017

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• Not really any part of this day went like I had expected it, but now that I am sitting down reviewing everything, it all still worked out pretty well. Whitman came downstairs and climbed in bed with us around 4. He coughed once and I worried that none of us were going to sleep, but thankfully, that was the only time that he did cough.
• I guess I don't sleep too well when he is in bed with us because I was awake at least once to catch him as he was falling out of the bed. I was awake before my alarm went off this morning and was out of bed starting my morning.
• Laundry, dishes, cleaning the fridge, packing lunches, finding gloves, a shower and waking people up all happened early this morning. After making my Wednesday morning bagel, my productivity ended there because I didn't return home until after 8. I know most people live their life like that, being gone all day long, but I sure couldn't live like that.
• We headed to Bible study and waited for the Heltz girls and Lily to walk in with us. When everything was over, I took the Heltz girls and my crew to Rock Creek to eat our lunches. It was very quiet there and despite the rain, after a bit we met Nonna, Pops and Grannymom and headed to pick pecans.
• The weather was cold and rainy but we pressed on. Jodee and Amber also came to pick pecans with us but the place is so vast that you really don't see anyone. I am not sure how great the pecans are or how many we got but we did have fun doing it. Graham wanted for us to get enough pecans to make a pecan pie-I am not sure if we have even that! It's all about the experience though.
• We then raced back across the river for a doctor's appointment for Graham. He fell off his bike yesterday and his wrist had swollen a bit and he was not using it at all. I dropped off Nonna, Pops, Whitman, Keaton  and Grannymom at Grannymom's house. Then went to the doctor with my crew and the Heltz girls. As soon as I walked in, Robby drove up and took my car to take home all of the kids.
• Graham and I were at the doctor until church time. I was a bit surprised that it took so incredibly long. His wrist was not broken but the scratches (deep blister like gouges) had come infected. That infection was causing the redness and swelling. The doctor cut off the dead skin with the nurse and nurse practitioner watching. It didn't hurt him since that skin was already dead. She said that the redness would have been on up his arm by tomorrow. She also said that we would have definitely have had to come in tomorrow because by then he would have had a good case of blood poisoning.
• We left with his hand all cleaned and bandaged along with a prescription for ointment and antibiotics for the next week. We raced to church to meet Robby and the other kids along with Grannymom, Whitman and Keaton.
• Whitman had fallen asleep on the way to church so Robby just took him home. After doing games with my group tonight, I came home pretty tired but unfortunately, I don't think that Whitman is too tired after his good nap this evening! Ha!
• The kids changed into their pajamas and had a sip of coke before bed. Graham was given a snack since he needed some food on his tummy before taking his medicine. When everyone went to bed, I had a bowl of Robby's chili that he had made this afternoon. It was delicious and hit the spot. 

November 7, 2017

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• Whitman was in our room before my alarm rang this morning which was before 7. I knew that it would take every bit of time to get me and my crew ready for Book Character day. I have been very proud of myself because I have had Whitman's book character costume ready for weeks. 
• But last night, he said, "I don't want to be Sal, I want to be Llama Llama." That did make my heart skip a beat but thankfully, Llama Llama was one of the choices that I had given to him. So when he woke up this morning, on the floor of my room were two outfits laid out for him-His Llama Llama book, red pajamas and a blanket on one side and then on the other side there was the Blueberries for Sal book, overalls, a bucket with blueberries in it and a bear.
• Surprisingly, he went back to choosing to be Sal. It didn't take long for all of my people to get themselves ready. Soon, we were all at school and watching Whitman and his class walk in the parade.
• Whitman's brothers and sisters were so proud of him and so excited to watch him walk around the room. They waved, they clapped, they took pictures. I should have gotten a picture of all of them watching Whitman. 
• After the parade was over, I helped Whitman change his clothes because he wanted out of his overalls. Then it was back home for school. We just had a bit of school to do today and as soon as the kids were done, they were out the door down to the neighbors' house. I had to call everyone back in around 11 so we could do our work together, but a lighter day of school is nice every once in a while.
• Anderson helped me make his famous chocolate chip pumpkin muffins (actually, they are Shannon's famous chocolate chip pumpkin muffins but Anderson had taken them to Bible study before and has had to bring the recipe so he thinks they are his muffins.) 
• Around 1:30, we left to pick up Whitman and then on to Charlotte's birthday party at the skating rink. Last time, we went skating Anderson did not want to go at all. He was actually very upset about having to go and even though he wasn't crazy excited about it today, he didn't complain. He actually did great and even ice skated some.
• Everyone continued to improve-especially Campbell who raced in her age bracket's race. She was last, but she still raced! And this was Whitman's first time to skate. His throat is scratchy and he wouldn't really talk for me but he was so determined.
• When I first put his skates on him, he fell within 20 seconds and started to cry. He was already exhausted after all from his busy day. After a minute though, we took off and it took his skate aid and me holding him with a death grip to keep him up. He was so determined but was so tired. He managed to skate around at least 5-6 times while we were there but after one lap, he would have to have a break. The last hour that we were there, I held a sleeping Whitman.
• When skating was over, Keaton went home with Charlotte to continue her birthday party. Robby picked up everyone else and they headed to Chickfila to eat. I ran a few errands before going to eat at my Bible study teacher's house.
• Robby said that the kids did great and Whitman perked up at Chickfila. Once they made it home, everyone had showers-they were hot and tired from their skating. Afterwards, everyone had a bit of downtime before bed. I made it home, in time to tell everyone goodnight.

November 6, 2016

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• The boys were all up early this morning, and Whitman was hungry. He found a poptart and I found milk for him. I was up earlier than usual by a bit and had a few extra minutes to empty the dishwasher. I know that it is silly, but my day just starts off better when the house is straight.
• Whitman and Robby left. Whitman had already said that his voice was funny and he was getting sick to me. He told Robby on the way to school that his throat hurt. Nonna said that he was a bit puny at her house this afternoon, and he did come home very hoarse. He has acted fine and I did stuff him in the steamy shower for as long as he would stay. Tonight, he will also get a dose of medicine before bedtime.
• The rest of us started on school after breakfast, and I guess that a combination of the rainy weather, time change and a lazy weekend got the best of us. People were rude, there was lots of fooling around and even Reagan was doing work after lunch. Bless though, it just happened this way but she did kind of get slammed with hard things in all of her subjects right now.
• We had lunch and then it was time for some mega chores around here. I am pretty sure that there are 5 pounds of candy wrappers strewn about this house. We did put a limit on the amount of candy that the kids can eat today. I had been letting them just eat what they wanted-my thought being that they would soon run out. Graham has eaten or traded all of his but everyone else has gobs left.
• This afternoon was pretty wet and dreary. After Whitman came home, the kids ended up going outside to the neighbors house for a bit. They played despite the cool temperatures. Around 6, we had our baked potatoes for supper. They are always a bit hit around here (except with Whitman), but man, are they messy. We should add baked potatoes to the list of banned inside items along with shredded cheese and cupcakes. 
• After we ate, the kids headed outside for a game of wall ball. I am unsure of the rules to that game but it sounds like it could be an expensive game for them to play. Expensive if they break one of my windows....again.
• Eventually, it was time for showers and then we had a fairly relaxing evening until bedtime. Then it was time for bed for all.

November 5, 2017

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• We didn't set out clocks back last night (we knew our phone alarms would set themselves). So at 7:40, Graham came into our bedroom and asked "so what are we doing?" He thought it as 8:40 and was wondering if we weren't going to church for some reason.
• With the extra hour, I was able to fold my two loads of laundry but still didn't have time to put them up. We made it to church in time barely! Whitman was in the church house for about 3 minutes when I had to take him by the arm and lead him to the bathroom for a quick chat. 
• He did fine during church, and then it was on to Sunday school. After church, we ate lunch at Nonna's house. She had lots of pizza and the kids gobbled it up-especially the cheesy bread. There was even so much that we took some home and had it again for supper. I did give the kids the option of eating leftover potato soup but had no takers. I guess I will have the whole crock pot to finish myself.
• Robby went to the movies this afternoon leaving me here alone trying to take my nap. At least 15 different people came in and asked me a question during my nap. Needless to say, I didn't sleep for very long and ended up making a Christmas present and wrapping a few teachers' gifts. 
• I kept looking at the clock thinking that it was past time for supper. The kids may not be bothered by this time change but I have been a bit confused all day long. Finally, it was supper time and then kids ate and then watched a few Toy Box episodes before heading to bed.

Christmas Ornament Countdown 2017: 20 Days Until Christmas

Robby and I have been to the Bar Harbor area at least 4 times. The trip that we bought this ornament was probably in 2004. The blog is surprisingly sparse before kids so there isn't too much information on there about that trip. We were able to go on a boat trip in Bar Harbor. It was really neat and there were quite a few animals to see. Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park are places that I could just go back to again and again. I would love to spend a whole week there actually. Here is the post from the last time that we were in Bar Harbor.