- The boys were anxious to go on their walk with Robby this morning. They didn't leave at the crack of dawn or anywhere near it, but it still must have been pretty hot because Anderson and Graham both came back nasty and sweaty.
- I think that everyone slept well downstairs, though Campbell did come to me complaining about her ear in the middle of the night. I told her that we would get drops in the morning, and then when I woke up I felt incredibly guilty about that. I am pretty sure that she still slept well. I think that she may have a touch of swimmers ear so hopefully it will get better soon.
- The air conditioner repairman was here bright and early. It took him a bit to figure out what was wrong since it was working well when they turned it on this morning. He did eventually figure it out, and thankfully it was a low cost fix. Low cost is a relative term especially since this is supposed to be a no spend month! Oh, well, I guess that the air fix will be much less than Robby's root canal tomorrow.
- At some point this morning, Robby did take Whitman on a little walk. He didn't think that he could keep up with the others. Now, while Robby was gone with Anderson and Graham, I heard the chime from the door. I knew it wasn't the walkers back, so I jumped out of bed. I met Whitman walking back in the house. He told me that he was looking for Robby because he forgot what he said to do. I was afraid that he was going to go and try to find him somewhere on the street.
- The kids had to read and do some math problems today, but I let them do chores right before we needed to leave to meet our buddies. I guess they were rushed because nothing was done with excellence. I was pretty frustrated on the way to the pool, and I am sure they will be a bit frustrated in the morning when chores will be done early in the day.
- We met all of our buddies at the pool around 1 and stayed until 4. They all had fun playing despite the heat. I worked with Whitman on his swimming. He has no fear and would try to dart out of my arms. I didn't let him stay out of his life jacket for too long.
- Once we made it back home, the kids vegged for a bit. Around 5:30, Campbell, Keaton and I left for the library. They were having a bracelet making class. We all made a 4th of July bracelet. Campbell and Keaton were very meticulous on the beads that they used. Their bracelets turned out really cute.
- On the way home, we stopped by Nonna and Pops' house to pick up a few things. Then on our way home, we almost hit ourselves a precious baby deer. I had to brake pretty good for the momma but then the baby came running across the road. I thought I had hit him at first since I couldn't see him since he was so close to the car and my basket full of books tumbled into the floor.
- The kids were outside playing with the neighbors when we came home, and Robby was inspecting the Wilson's new ride. Everyone else had already eaten so the girls and I ate and then they headed back outside to play.
- Everyone stayed out until after 9. They came in hot and bug bitey. Everyone had their showers and then they were finally able to sleep in their own cool beds!
- Since waking up this morning meant the end of the weekend getaway, Robby and I were in no hurry to wake up and get moving. Whitman joined us bed at some point in the night. Whenever he is in bed with us, I must not move at all and wake up so incredibly stiff.
- When we did start stirring, we quickly put on our clothes and started passing out breakfasts to the kids and loading up. It didn't take long to gather all of our stuff from the house. Robby did work on filling up the ice chests which took a while. We did go with 4 ice chests, but only came home with 3 full ones!
- Campbell and Keaton rode home with Grannymom and Grandpa. When we picked them up, they mentioned that their car ride home was quiet. We also had already discussed how our car ride home was quiet.
- On the car ride home, we did watch as our van rolled over to 100,000 miles. While discussing this, we realized that our van has also been to 48 states. Not too shabby. Robby's car has 350,000 miles so hopefully the van can get half as many!
- When we made it home, the kids really helped unload the car and put everything away. Robby said that when they had almost finished working on the car, Anderson told him that he wanted to cut the front yard. Robby got the lawnmower out for Anderson, and it didn't take too long for Anderson to mow the front yard.
- When he had finished that, Robby got out the big mower, and he mowed with it some too. Of course, Graham wanted in on all of this. He mowed some too until it was time for Robby to cut the boys' hair.
- We are not really sure why Anderson volunteered to mow. We assume it was due to his work on the mission trip. Hopefully, some of that will stick around for a bit. As for his sister...bless! Tonight at supper, we were having leftover breakfast items. She said she didn't like breakfast at supper and didn't want anything. That was fine with me-more for the rest of us. I did make her set there and watch us eat.
- Then Robby told the kids that he wanted to try to start walking each morning. Some days he would walk with the boys and other days the girls. Reagan must have thought that this was a punishment because this news nearly caused her to start crying. I like to think that the child is just plumb exhausted...at least that is what I hope it is!
- We had planned on going to the pool this evening, but the afternoon rain shower and lingering booms of thunder made us skip. We will go tomorrow though. Candice wrote tonight just as the kids had gone out to play with the neighbors. Robby and I walked down to their house for a bit. On the way home, Robby did say that I couldn't walk on Lawson by myself much-especially at night!
- While we were gone, Whitman went outside with the others. I think that the fireworks or the other kids caused him to get a bit spooked. Keaton even wrote me saying that he was scared. We were almost back home when she wrote, but he was sure happy to see us!
- Tonight, all the kids but Reagan are sleeping in the living room. Reagan is in her bed. Unfortunately, when we came home the upstairs air wasn't working. We hoped it was just having to work really hard to cool off the upstairs since Robby had turned it off. That wasn't it! Since it wasn't cooling it down any, we hoped that it was the Entergy thing where they can turn off your air. That wasn't it! Then Robby tried the flipping all of the breaker switches hoping that was it. That wasn't it either! A repairman is coming in the a.m. so hopefully, it is an easy (and cheap) fix!
- Everyone slept well until 5 this morning. That is when I woke up with Reagan by my bed telling me that Keaton threw up. I beelined upstairs to see Keaton sitting on the bed in a puddle with Lilly just getting out of the same bed.
- They said that when Lilly understood that Keaton had thrown up, her first words were, "what? on me?" I ushered Keaton to the bathroom and ripped the sheets off of the bed. Graham, my kind child, told Lilly that she could sleep in his bed, and he went to get bedding for himself from my room.
- Robby helped Graham find a new spot while I helped Keaton shower. When she was in the shower, I shoved the comforter in the little washing machine.
- Now, Keaton wasn't too upset as she can often be after getting sick. She did say whine about taking a shower at 5 in the morning, and she was about to cry when she saw her dirty pajamas. She exclaimed that she didn't have anymore either. We put on comfy clothes after her shower that she could go back to sleep in, and I promised her that her pjs would be clean by tonight.
- After her shower, she laid down in our room and was soon asleep. Her tummy never bothered her again so hopefully it was just the lake water.
- It took Robby and I a bit longer to fall asleep but we were still awake around 7. We laid in bed for a long while since not too many folks were awake.
- When we did wake up, we started on our breakfast duty. First, I did run to change the wash out from the comforter to the sheets and Keaton's pjs. By the time I made it to the kitchen, Robby had the sausage cooking. We put the cinnamon rolls in the oven and sliced the strawberries. Soon Robby was flipping chocolate chip pancakes.
- That was already quite a breakfast spread but when we pulled out Les' bacon and biscuits from yesterday, we had a feast. We ate, cleaned up the kitchen and then everyone put on their bathing suits.
- There had been some discussion about where we were going to go today. Robby had made it clear to the kids that they would not be jumping off of the cliffs. However, once he saw everything and deemed it okay, they were indeed jumping off of the cliffs.
- Thankfully, Dana had a life jacket so Keaton was able to jump. Whitman didn't have any fear. Now, Campbell, who wouldn't tube yesterday, worked up enough courage to jump from a pretty tall cliff.
- Robby did take my big 3 and the others to an even larger cliff that some of them did. Climbing back up was the hard part so that adventure didn't last too long.
- We had to park a long ways away from the beach area so my wagon came in super handy. Once we were there, the cliffs were on one side and the beach was on the other. The kids enjoyed the beachy area and the water just as much.
- Since we drove about 30 minutes to get there, it was soon lunch time. We all ate, sunscreened up and went out again. We stayed until about 3:30 when we all made the treks back to our cars.
- Back at the house, we all cycled through the showers-it takes a bit to get all 18 of us clean with just 3 showers, but thankfully the hot water works quite well.
- We then drove back to where we were today to eat at Mack's Fish House. We had to wait a few minutes, but were soon at a table. The food was really good, and the hush puppies just kept coming to the table.
- The drive back to the house was much quicker or so it seemed. The kids played in the garage so it was kind of quiet in the house. Around 10ish everyone started heading to bed.
- Graham opted to sleep in our room tonight since it was a bit warm upstairs. He is actually sleeping in our closet since it is a little tight in our room. We have bags and ice chests on all of the walls in our room. I figure that it was just easier to keep most of the kids' bags in our room rather than spread out around the house.
- It was pretty fun trip and the kids will have a ton of memories. I am pretty sure that they will be exhausted for a few days after we do get home tomorrow.
- Robby and I went to bed last night not remembering if this morning was our breakfast morning or it tomorrow would be our breakfast day. I checked the email, and we were both relieved to see that it is tomorrow. That just means that we will have to wake up a bit earlier than usual tomorrow.
- Les' breakfast will be hard to beat though-sausage, bacon, biscuits and eggs. Plus he had bought a package of assorted cinnamon rolls from Sams just like we had. Again, we have enough food to be snowed in up here.
- It wasn't long after breakfast until we headed to the boat dock to catch our ride for the day. The boat that they rented had a slide and was able to pull a tube.
- I somehow ended up on the first go around on the boat. Les was the driver and drove us to a cove where the kids could slide and jump off the edge. The first time Keaton and Campbell went down the slide, they swam back to the boat as fast as they could. After a few slides they figured it all out though.
- Everyone that wanted to tube had a chance on the morning run on the boat. Reagan is a speed demon and loved going fast. The boys were just like her and enjoyed speeding around on the tube.
- We could never get Campbell on the tube. We encouraged, but she wouldn't do it. Even though we promised that they would go slow, she just was a bit too scared. I hate that because I sure don't want for the kids to miss out on something because they are scared.
- Now Keaton was timid too and even though she saw the boat circle around time after time to pick up whoever was in the water, when she fell off the tube she panicked. Robby was driving this time and said that he had to pass Reagan by in the water to get to Keaton faster. Even later in the day, Shelley tried to tube with her, but the boat was going so slow for them that they fell off. Shelley said that she stayed right with Keaton but she was still a bit upset. However, tonight when we were going around saying that our favorite part of the day was, Keaton told me that it was the tube. She told the group that it was the slide.
- And that leaves Whitman, the child who should be scared of the water since he is just 5. Nope. He got on with Josh first. Because of the weight different, Josh flew off. We tried again with Josh on behind Whitman, and Whitman kept giving the thumbs up sign to go faster. Later in the day, Robby said that even Whitman was jumping off the top of the boat into the water.
- We squatted at a nearby lake house and had lunch there. Robby, Dana and Grandpa didn't ride on the boat the first outing and brought lunch over. Everyone enjoyed the lunch spread but were soon ready to get back in the boat.
- After lunch, Campbell stayed back for one boat trip along with Graham. They played in the water at the edge of the lake. Then the next time Keaton stayed back with us. I didn't go on the boat in the afternoon so I put away lunch and watched the kids playing in the water.
- Now, despite varying degrees of sunburn (Whitman the least, Graham or Anderson the most), the kids had a blast today. They loved tubing, jumping in the lake and the slide was a bit hit with the kids and adults. I do think that they especially enjoyed being with their cousins.
- After taking the boat back, everyone came back to the house and started on showers. Robby ran to the store twice-he forgot toilet paper the first time!
- By the time he made it back, it was time for supper. Dana had taco salad for the crew. She had 9 pounds of meat just in case we were super hungry. We put a pretty dent in the meat.
- After super, we continued to graze all evening long. We played a few rounds of bingo (I won a toothbrush and toothpaste!), Josh played a few songs on his guitar, the kids had a water balloon fight and everyone enjoyed hearing stories of the Dennie family Aculpoco trip many, many years ago.
- Soon it was bedtime for everyone. I guess hanging out on the lake and in the sun all day can make you a bit tired!
- Campbell and all of her birthday party guests were up early this morning. Robby was already starting on breakfast when I rolled out of bed. Soon we had breakfast on the table for all of the girls.
- The girls played outside some and were all of the house most of the morning. I was a bit scattered as I tried to clean and pack with all of the girls running around.
- At 10, we loaded up to take all of the guests back home. Two little girls were excited about riding in the big van and were hoping that they were going to be the last ones dropped off so they could stay in the van longer.
- My rounds took me an hour and when we came home, there was just about 30 minutes until it was time for Campbell and Keaton to grab themselves some lunch.
- We again loaded up and headed to the other side of town. Before we got very far, I picked up Graham, who had spent the night at Brett's house. Then I had to run back home to pick up my phone and Graham's shoes. Next up was picking up a little girl to ride with us. Then finally we made it to the other side of town.
- I dropped off the basketball folks and then dropped off Whitman at Grannymom's house so he could ride with them to the lake. Back at home, Robby and I packed up all of our stuff.
- It didn't seem like much longer until it was time to pick up Reagan and Anderson from church. Now, Anderson was happy to see me and even gave me a hug when he saw me. They helped unload, and then we headed home.
- Anderson talked the entire way home. He told me all about it while Reagan used very few words. She must have been tired because she slept in the car some on the way to the lake. Late tonight though Reagan did start opening up and talking about the trip.
- Soon the basketball players were home, and we loaded up in the car. We headed to meet the rest of the Dennie crew at Heber Springs. We stopped for super at Taco Bell. It was the same spot that Robby had thrown his keys in the trash can many years before. I watched him carefully to make sure that he held on to his keys this time.
- We found the house easily and soon unloaded our supplies. We brought enough food for at least 2 weeks so the back of the van was stuffed full of stuff. I guess it isn't a party without plenty of food.
- We listened to the end of the Hogs game, and then we consoled ourselves with ice cream sundaes. The kids played games and a massive game of hide and seek as we waited on the Mississippi Dennies to arrive.
- This morning started off with someone saying something that I was going to put on the blog. I even picked up my phone to write it down so I would remember it, but I thought, "nah, I'll remember it." I didn't! I don't even remember who said it!
- I do know this though, I am too tired to think straight. I have about 14 things half finished downstairs, but I am currently sitting in the bonus room. I came up here so I could shush the girls until they all went to sleep. I think that most of them are asleep now, but my leg just went to sleep so I would fell down the stairs if I tried to leave right now!
- Everyone was up fairly early this morning. I have been a slacker and not made everyone read or do their math this week. I guess that is because Reagan and Anderson are away, and I feel like that just wouldn't be right to make the others do work. Of course, that is wrong, and I really should have made them work!
- Everyone slept all night in their little tent. Surprisingly, they even slept a bit longer than usual. Whitman was the first one that we saw. He was checking to see if they could get their breakfast and eat it in the living room. During the school year, we all eat together so he is still not quite sure of the summer routine yet.
- When I made it to the living room, Whitman, Keaton and Campbell were playing with magnets, eating breakfast in the tent while Graham was playing the xbox. It didn't take too long for some of the kids to head outside to play with the neighbors.
- After reading with Whitman, it was soon time to call everyone in for some chores. Those I am still making them do even though the others are away. Campbell packed and everyone else emptied the trash and helped me pick up.
- Before too long it was time for them to head to their basketball camp. Let me just pause and tell about today's mission trippers. I don't really know much-I did see pictures of them in a church house, pictures of them getting a smoothie, a video of lots of people clapping on a table, and a video of them singing in front of the shower trailers. I am sure they have had a blast, and know that they will not be ready to come home. I also hope that they have worked hard this week!
- Around 3, I started picking up birthday party guests-first Zoey from her house, then Abigail, Anna and Laynie from church. Finally, I picked up the half birthday girl, Campbell and Keaton from basketball practice.
- Afterwards, we went to Altitude. Those girls were tired within 10 minutes of jumping. I tried to hold off on passing out their snacks, but they acted like they hadn't eaten in weeks. They would have been able to jump for 2 hours but they made it over 90 minutes when they asked to go.
- That was fine with me because 90 minutes is a long time to just set. I had read, played on my phone, walked around and had finally planted myself in front of a tv to watch the start of the Hogs game when the girls decided to leave.
- Robby already had the pizza when we made it home. They nibbled on a few pieces of pizza (we had 3 leftover pizzas) but they gobbled down at least a pound of strawberries. By the I had finished picking up the kitchen, the grandparents and Jason arrived.
- Campbell couldn't wait to open her presents-she received some art supplies, bath bombs, lip gloss, glitter pens, a little fitbit and a game. She was super excited about all of her gifts. Afterwards, we had cupcakes. Campbell and I had made them, and they were really great-possibly due to the super tall icing which was super sweet.
- Again I cleaned the kitchen and then it was time for bath bomb making. It was halfway a success and halfway a fail. I was still pretty pleased. The girls had fun making them so that is really all that matters. Whitman could not wait to take a bath to put his in the bathtub.
- They had a few minutes to play before starting the movie. I brought up snacks in the middle of the movie. At some point neat the end of the Hogs game, Shannon and Brett came by. They picked up Graham to come over and watch the end of the Hogs game and spend the night. He was happy to leave this girl filled house!
- Whitman stayed up until after 10:30. I asked him if he wanted to sleep in his room or in ours. He said that he wanted to sleep in the floor of his room. That is where he is right now, but we doubt that will last.
- Once the movie was over, it took the girls a bit to calm down and go to sleep. They thought they heard something outside the window. I showed them that the their was nothing and that the window was locked. Eventually I could hear them whispering that it was probably a cat. I am sure that a cat jumped on the second floor window!
- They are all finally asleep, I hope at least. I am headed to bed pretty soon as well!
- We were up and ready to go early again this morning, though not as early. We might have been up earlier had we not had a guest in our bed last night. I don't remember Whitman climbing into bed with us, though Robby does and said that his heart was just pounding when he vaulted into our bed. I realized that he was in our bed when I felt something on top of me. I shoved it off, thinking that it was Robby, but then realized it was Whitman and pulled him back off of Robby.
- Robby didn't last too long in the bed since Whitman was really tossing and turning. He ended up in Whitman's bed, which later Graham told me scared him. He said that he looked up and a big man was sleeping in Whitman's bed. It took him a bit to realize that it was his daddy.
- Soon Robby took Campbell and Keaton to basketball camp. They were excited, but Keaton was a bit nervous. Soon Robby called telling me that they had moved the girls to the afternoon session. Now, this would have been good to know since the next three days were already planned out including Campbell's birthday party start time.
- By the time Robby and the girls made it home, I had rescheduled all of her birthday party friend pick ups. We had talked about swimming this afternoon while Graham was at camp, so Campbell asked to go this morning.
- The neighbors were already out so as soon as Keaton and Campbell made it home, they headed outside with Graham. They all played outside for a good while. Then Campbell and Whitman headed to the pool for a little bit. They are my fish and love the water.
- We picked Campbell up from the pool right before their basketball camp time. Keaton didn't have to be too nervous since Campbell is in her group. I made it home from the library about the time Robby and Whitman arrived back home as well.
- After reading to Whitman for a bit, it was soon time to turn around and pick up the basketball players. Once they were home, they all headed outside along with Whitman. Between the neighbors, their cousins and friends at one time there were 16 kiddos in the street.
- Campbell and Keaton did come in for a little bit to ice her cupcakes.
- At supper, we made the girls come in since they were the only ones still out. Afterwards, they went out again with Whitman since they could see neighbors playing in the water. Whitman didn't last too long outside and soon was back in taking his second shower of the day.
- From supper on, we spent our time watching the Hogs game. At some point, Graham gave up on the game and joined girls outside. They played outside until it was 9:30. When they walked in the door, I asked if they were coming in. Campbell was quick to tell me that I called them. I had not left the couch, but I guess it was time to come in.
- On the way down, Graham fell off of his bike and scratched himself up pretty good. He went in the shower so he could wash off his scratches. After doctoring them, he was fine especially since he was able to see the Hogs win.
- Then it was time for bed. I had told the kids that they could sleep in their fort tonight. So the girls and Whitman are in there and Graham is on the couch. Meanwhile, we are quietly eating cookie dough in our bed!
