- Wednesday morning here and everyone was asleep except the two big boys. I woke up the rest of the gang and started trying to get them moving. I did haul Whitman down the stairs which caused me to have to sit down on the side of the bed and catch my breath!
- As I helped Whitman get his breakfast, I made him empty the silverware from the dishwasher. When it was almost time to leave, I heated up my Wednesday bagel. Today I had new strawberry cream cheese which made my Wednesday start off super well. My friend tried to convince me today, that if my Wednesday bagels make me so happy, then I should eat them every day of the week. I told her that they wouldn't be as special anymore so that wouldn't make me as happy.
- Robby came to pick up Keaton from Bible study because she had her eczema appointment. They said to increase the dose of her medicine so we definitely do that. Her arms aren't much better at all (different but still worse) but there is some change in her arms so hopefully a larger dose of medicine will help.
- We met our buddies at Third Realm after Bible study. Robby dropped Keaton off with me so she was able to jump as well. When it was time to leave, Sara took my little 2 and I had my boys, Reagan, Alyssa, Kennedy and Noah. So it was all big kids at my house and Whitman.
- I read to Whitman this afternoon for a little bit. The big kids had some popcorn, watched some tv and played spoons for a little bit.
- All too soon, well actually after my 8 minute nap, it was time to load up to head back to church. We ate at church tonight-I brought home a whole container of ham and cheese croissants that my people didn't finish.
- My game time went by pretty quickly tonight. But when the evening was over, I was tired and I made sure that everyone headed home! Robby had brownies ready for us so we had a snack once we came in. Then we had a bit of downtime before bed. Tomorrow it is back to school for the crew after our mid week break.
- We started our morning with breakfast in my room while I was reading to everyone. I am not sure how everyone manages to get something different in the mornings but they did this morning. I didn't give them very long to grab their breakfasts so getting such a variety was quite an accomplishment.
- After our reading, everyone started on their work. For some reason, I was pretty busy this morning and didn't even get my laundry put up until noon.
- Whitman and Keaton enjoyed listening to a book on tape after their school work was finished. Keaton flies through her work, so I try to give her something extra to do to keep her busy while she waits for lunch.
- We then ate our lunch quickly and then started reading again. I had a hair appointment this afternoon so I had to hurry out the door to get there in time. While we were working together this afternoon, we did work on a Jr. Ranger book from our last trip. Since we aren't doing the book at the visitor's center, it makes a little bit more difficult to get the right answers. So as I ran out the door, instructing the big 3 to take a page and find the info on the internet while I was gone.
- When I came home, Reagan looked at me and said, "you got your hair cut." I reminded her that I had been gone to get my hair cut, but she seemed fuzzy on remembering that I had even left the house. Sometimes I worry about my kids!
- When Robby came home this evening, we offered to take the kids to Third Realm. Only the little 3 wanted to come with us. Campbell and Keaton had been outside waiting on the neighbors to come out yet they were still working on their school work at 5.
- On the way home, we did have to run by the Wilson's house. Whitman had left his shoes there the other night. He had actually left 2 right shoes at their house leaving him only with 2 left shoes here. I figured that we needed to fix this before I let him to go Bible study tomorrow.
- Once we made it home, the kids started on their showers while Robby and I made supper-waffles, strawberries and sausage. I do think that it was a hit but I still have my pot of taco soup in the fridge. Robby is trying to save Anderson from having to eat it another night.
- We watched a few game shows before it was finally time to send the kiddos to bed for the evening.
- Graham still said that he was chilly last night even with the heater going in his room. I highly doubt that since Graham has at least 5 blankets in his bed at all times. I think that they were pretty warm and cozy in that room last night.
- The entire house has been pretty warm today-except when you stand in front of the dishwasher. You can feel the cold air blowing into the house. We survived though and began our school work with most folks eating the pumpkin muffins we made yesterday.
- School was fairly uneventful. Reagan did have quite a bit of work today plus she had to leave early for her orthodontist appointment. She had a decent appointment-they said only two more visits and then she can get her braces off.
- When she came home, we all loaded up to meet our buddies for our PE time at Third Realm. The kids all enjoyed playing today and even though it was cold, some of my people were just wearing shorts and tshirts.
- We came home for a few minutes and then loaded back up for soccer try outs. Thankfully, the try outs were in the church house and not at freezing cold Raymar. The lines were long but it didn't take too long. Robby helped with try outs so after we had finished, the kids had some time to run around for a bit.
- Afterwards, we ran to Dairy Queen and Freddies for our suppers. When we met up again, we all headed home and cuddled together in the living room watching game shows before bedtime.
- For some reason there are always a few Dennie kids who have not brushed their teeth when it is time to go load up the car to head to the church house. I guess I should at least be pleased that everyone was dressed in appropriate clothes and had their hair combed.
- We made it to church in plenty of time to see the grandparents. While the kids started to see my folks, I ran upstairs. My friend from Conway was at church on Saturday. She wrote to our group asking for someone to go and check a class room because she had left her coffee mug in the room. After I wrote her during church saying that I couldn't find it, she wrote back saying that she had just discovered it-in her purse! Ha!
- After church, the children's had an event. We started with pizza and then each grade went to different stations. Anderson and Graham helped in the sports station. Reagan helped in the painting. Robby and I took our third graders around to the different stations so Campbell was with us. Now, since we also had Whitman with us, he went with Keaton with the first graders. Not only was there sports and art, we also went to science and cooking (pancake making.)
- It was 3:30 or after when we finally made it home. Now, we did stop for Sonic drinks on the way home-everyone was rewarded for helping (big 3) and doing the right thing (little man being able to hang with the big kids.)
- Robby and I did take our afternoon nap even though we didn't have much time for one. Now, the girls and Whitman were working hard making perler bead minecraft things to put on Whitman's birthday cake next month. I am not sure why those perler beads only come out on Sunday afternoons when I am trying to take my nap.
- I had taco soup in the crock pot for supper. I was pleased with my meal though Anderson was not. The recipe called for a can of soup. I thought that I had one but only had cream style corn so I used one ear of corn in the entire pot of soup. Anderson is not a fan of corn, so he ate little soup if any at all.
- I then started making pumpkin chocolate chip muffins with Campbell's help. As soon as those were out of the mixer, Keaton started making chocolate chip cookies for our snack. At some point, the Wilsons wrote for us to come over for some ice cream.
- So we made a few of Keaton's cookies and everyone had one as we walked out the door. We put the rest of the cookie dough in the fridge for tomorrow night or another day. We had some cake and ice cream over there and caught up on our visiting while the kids played.
- It was bedtime when we came home. Robby is trying out a heater in the boys' room tonight since it has been a bit chilly in their the past few days. Anderson even slept with a blanket in front of his window last night so he could stay a bit warmer. I am sure that they will be warm and cozy tonight though.
- The kids were kind this morning and slept in a little bit. I heard Campbell helping Whitman get his breakfast. They were fairly noisy, but at least he didn't eat 4 or 5 servings of cereal. Robby and I stayed in the bed for as long as we could.
- Then we scurried around marking things off of my list. Robby reminded me that if we woke up a little bit earlier, then we wouldn't have to rush around. I reminded him that if we finished our list early in the morning then what would we do all day long.
- Our first stop this morning was at Third Realm. We did leave Reagan at home because she was still sound asleep when Robby went to ask her if she wanted to go with us. The kids jumped and jumped. Graham is always the sweatiest Dennie when we leave every single time.
- We then ran to one restaurant for Robby to do a mystery shop while I took some of the other kids to Subway to pick out their lunch. Then we picked up Robby and ran back to the grocery store. Yep, we like to go on Friday and Saturday each week. I don't know what our problem is-well, I do know what our problem is, we can't pass up a bargain.
- Back at home, we unloaded our groceries. Then the kids found the neighbors outside. They played for most of the afternoon only coming in to wake me up from my nap and ask me multiple questions! I was able to have a pretty good nap this afternoon and read a good bit of my book.
- Robby pulled out all of the leftovers from the fridge. Everyone found something that they wanted for supper, but unfortunately we still put lots of leftovers back in the fridge.
- The kids then started on their Saturday showers. Afterwards, we watched some tv while eating some ice cream. The kids had theirs tonight while I plan on eating my ice cream tonight while I am not answering any questions.
- I woke up in the middle of the night (not really, but 5:30 is the middle of the night for me) and thought that I heard someone knocking. I guess I didn't because they didn't knock again. I am pretty sure that I just woke up because I had to go the bathroom and heard the ice maker dropping it's ice. It did unnerve me for a good little bit though.
- I have been having crazy dreams lately so that probably also added to my knocking dream. A few days ago I dreamed that I was running late to take the ACT, couldn't find the class room in the rain and had Whitman with me. Now why in the world would I be taking the ACT with Whitman.
- I was still in bed this morning when Graham came in our room. He dropped a pile of papers and told me that he was already done with school. Now when you skip your word problems in math, don't do your math on the computer and just barely finish your writing assignment then yep, you can finish your school quickly.
- I woke up everyone else, except for Whitman. Whitman had already decided that he was hungry and got himself a mound of Lucky Charms on a plate. I swear by the time that I saw it, it was at least 2 bowls full and he had already eaten all of the marshmallows.
- I read while everyone had their breakfasts and then they all started on their school work. Anderson once again saved all of his difficult items to Friday. This makes me crazy, but not nearly as crazy as Keaton coming in and showing that Graham and Reagan had not done their computer math. (We had already fixed his real math and writing.)
- Then I started looking and found that Reagan has only done her computer math about 3 times in the month of February. It was a good thing that I saw all of this about the time that Robby and I were getting ready to go to lunch with the Wilsons. Don't worry though, I have given Reagan plenty of extra work next week to make up for all of those days that she missed! Urgh!
- We went to the White Pig Inn in NLR for lunch. They are 99 years old, closing next Friday and were just became a member of the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame. We aren't really sure what it is normally like, but when we tried to order today, the lady cut us off and said we only have pork sandwiches and fries. So that is what we had.
- Now, by the time that we left, some people were getting bowls of something-possibly beans. We had asked about fried pies but I don't think that lady wanted us to have them so we didn't get any. That was fine though because on the way out of the hood, we stopped at Wink's. Robby and I split a peanut butter shake and some peanut brittle. The peanut brittle was wonderful, and the ice cream still did a number on my stomach.
- Anyway, once we came home, it was time for me to turn around and take Reagan, Anderson and Graham to East and to drop Campbell and Keaton off with Sara to play with her girls for a bit. The kids seemed to enjoy East. I sat near the door so I was able to hear most of their class. And the girls had fun playing at Sara's house.
- Afterwards, we dropped the boys off at basketball. Then I ran into the grocery store with Keaton and Campbell. I wasn't planning on buying a lot but we ended up with a completely full buggy-I was even carrying things by the time we made it to the cashier.
- At home, we headed up supper. Robby ate really quickly and then headed off to pick up the boys. They were ready to go tonight and came home hungry. By the time I could finish working on next week's school work, they had already eaten and showered.
- I think that Thursdays are one of my very favorite days o the week. There is nothing really different about Thursdays than any other day of the week. However, it is almost Friday which is almost the weekend which really makes me happy.
- I had to wake up all of the girls and Anderson this morning. I think that he is turning into a teenage boy because he has been sleeping more and harder to wake up each morning. This place will sure change around here when Graham starts sleeping more!
- We did our school work this morning. Whitman was one of the last ones finished this morning. He didn't seem to care and spent at least 45 minutes this morning wrapped up in a blanket laying in the floor. This, of course, caused me to ask him if his tummy hurt and to check his forehead each time I walked by. He was just "taking a break."
- It was still 12:45 when we ate our lunch. I intend to eat around 12:15. That would ideally give me to time to finish up school at 12, and then have a few minutes to regroup. However, that rarely happens. I will admit that I was fairly distracted a bit this morning with a few text strings blowing up my phone.
- We ate our lunch, and as I cleaned the kitchen, Campbell worked on cooking our meat for tonight's quesadillas. Then we started on our afternoon reading. It sometimes seems like a bit much but we are nearing the end of our science book and only have about 100 more pages of our history book to read. (In case you are wondering, that leaves me about 4 pages to read a day which is still a lot.)
- One of the text strings this morning was about an impromptu meeting at Third Realm. Yep, we have been there 4 times this week. Keaton did wear out this afternoon, and Graham's ankle was giving him problems. However, they all still were jumping as hard as they could at the end of the hour. In 15 days, we have been to jump 13 times. That isn't too bad.
- On the way there and back we listened to our book. We are listening to Wonder, and it is so very good. I love listening to books in the car because everyone is so quiet on the entire ride. Once at home, we had a few minutes before Robby and I started on supper.
- Supper was a hit tonight-quesadillas without refried beans. Robby and I like refried beans in our quesadillas, but the kids do not. We don't really care, but unfortunately, tonight we were out of beans so they were pleased! Afterwards, it was time for showers and a little bit of tv watching this evening.
