November 5, 2024

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  • Once again on this rainy morning, I asked Graham if he wanted to sleep in and skip school. This is kind of a college class, so maybe I am setting a bad precedent. However, it was really raining, and we can figure out his math at home. 
  • For some reason, he and his class are a little bit behind-we have a reasonable plan to catch up. Today, though, we were working on math and did over half of it before we realize that we could have been graphing the silly problems saving us so much time. Now, he knows how to do it all on paper though.
  • Whitman does get his work finished each day, but he just disappears for so long that I forget about him. This means that around lunch time, I realize that I haven't seen him since 10! I usually text, and he is upstairs working on math. So then I tell him to come and find me when he finished that. When I do see him, then we check math and I try to knock out everything else that we need to do.
  • Anderson has 2 essays and a final left for his comp class so he is nearing the end of his most stressful class. Next semester, I think that he will be taking 3 college classes so that might prove to be stressful for him...and me, but maybe it will be good practice for next semester.
  • This afternoon Keaton set out most of our Snow Village houses-she did a great job, and all but 2 houses are out. The house now looks like it is from a Hallmark movie....it actually looks so Hallmarky-ish that we are debating waiting on putting up the big Christmas tree for a few more weeks. 
  • Tonight I ran a few errands with Robby and brought home supper for the kids. They were all huddled around the tv watching election results when we came in, but after supper they all when their separate ways. Now, Robby and I are the only ones left in the living room-the news is on, but my book is going to be much more interesting.


November 4, 2024

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  • I was running a little bit behind this morning, and I was really hoping that it was going to be raining when I looked out the window. However, it was not so Bentley and I went on our morning walk. We made it back just in time to start reading with Keaton and Whitman.
  • Campbell always climbs out of bed soon after we start reading, and most days Graham is up a bit after Campbell. But hardly ever does Anderson wake up until my third or fourth time up the stairs. I hope that he will be able to register for all afternoon classes in college.
  • We were able knock out most of our work before lunch time-don't be too impressed because kitchen doesn't really start getting busy for lunch until around 1 or later these days. Whitman even asked to do all of our work together before lunch instead of waiting until later in the afternoon.
  • Graham and Campbell went to work today. They were busy most of the afternoon long while Keaton and I were also busy most of the afternoon long. We pulled out all of the Christmas from the attic-and our Christmas attic is not easy to move around in-there are pipes, wires and a super low ceiling.
  • We managed though with some help from Anderson. Then we went to town trying to Christmas up this place. Keaton did the decorating around the house while I put up one tree. So currently, the school room is filled to the brim with Christmas boxes. It is a lot-so much that really I should just tell them to skip school tomorrow. 
  • After we stopped Christmassing the house, it was time for Robby and I to run and pick up some supper. We all ate, and I went to work on the Christmas ornament blog that I do each year. It will be pretty short this year since we only bought two ornaments this travel year. 
  • Now I am about to check on a different attic for my Christmas things and heat me up some hot chocolate before settling in with my book tonight. 

November 3, 2024

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  • Last night I ended my blog as the boys' were driving home from their evening of playing at Raymar and their friend's house nearby. When they walked in the door, Graham had his shirt off, and his whole everything was covered in hives. He was bright red!
  • Apparently, while they were playing hide n seek, Graham and 2 other boys laid down in the grass. The other boys weren't bit by ants, but Graham has over 50 ant bites all over his legs. I guess after this, their playtime was over, and they walked back to someone's house about a mile away.
  • Anderson said that Graham looked even worse back at the house-bad enough for the kid to call his mom a nurse. She instructed them to dope him up with benedryl and some creams which they did. When he came in the house, we sent him to the shower and gave him more benedryl after his shower. By bedtime, his hives were gone, but today his ant bites are incredibly itchy. 
  • Even though we had an hour of extra sleep last night, I had a hard time waking up all of the boys. The girls were all up-Keaton had a friend spend the night, and they were dressed and ready when I went to check on them, and Campbell was sitting up in her bed. 
  • We did the church thing this morning-Robby and I had missed a few Sundays because of camping, and it was good to be back at church. It was also good to be back in our Sunday lunch routine at Grannymom and Grandpa's house. Dana and Cash were there, and after lunch everyone visited for a good while before we headed home. 
  • Before heading home though I dropped Robby off at Sams and Walmart, and I drove the van and all the kids to Old Navy to pick up sweatpants for Campbell. Then it was back to pick up Robby. Then we did get home, and I promptly had my Sunday afternoon nap.
  • Soon it was time for the kids to leave for Rock Creek. Tonight was a special evening-costume night: Anderson and Graham were sporting their Storm Troopers costumes that we have worked so much on this last weekend. Whitman made fun of them yesterday but did admit that he would happily wear them for halloween. Keaton and Collyn were Campbell and Keaton's cow costumes. 
  • Keaton and Collyn made it to the championship for middle school and lost against a much older team. Anderson and Graham were pretty close to winning the costume contest but did lose to another team, and they also made it to the championship. They all did come home in a decent mood  despite the losses.
  • The Wilsons came over for supper this evening-Robby made quesadillas and a cinnamon cake. It was all good. We visited until it was time to call the weekend to a close. 
  • The kids must be tired because they have been throwing down laundry and even straightening their rooms this evening without anyone asking them to. Actually, I'm pretty tired myself despite that extra hour of sleep.

November 2, 2024

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  • I was the first one awake this morning and after my dishes and laundry, I went to work on the boys' project. They started out doing it on their own, and Anderson did quite a bit. However, I do enjoy a craft project plus I really want my kitchen back. Their project had started on the kitchen table and has now spread to every chair and the entire bar. By the end of the night though, their outfits will be finished so we can return to our regularly scheduled programming.
  • Anderson and Graham left the house pretty early this morning to go and help one of Grannymom's friends move Christmas things from her attic. They said that they really didn't do much at all. I'm glad they didn't feel like they did much because this week they will have to help me get Christmas things out of my attic...and I won't be paying. They are good boys though and always willing to help out.
  • Campbell, Keaton, and I were the next ones to leave. I helped throw a wedding shower for sweet Layne. It was a fun shower and a fun group of hostesses. I enjoyed getting to visit with everyone today. 
  • Campbell wasn't able to stay long at the shower because she had a soccer game. Robby picked her up and hauled her back to the other side of the town. She made it to her game just in time for kickoff. This was their last official game, and after losing every game-they tied! So that is good! Campbell played most of the game, and that girl does love her some soccer.
  • While we were all gone, the big boys left to go and play at Raymar. I think that they played frisbee golf, but I know that they were all over the Raymar property along with the surrounding neighborhood. They also already cashed in their free nuggets at ChickFilA so I think that they have had a good evening especially since they are just not on their way home.
  • When Keaton and I came home from the shower, Whitman helped me unload the car. Soon afterwards, Keaton left for a birthday party. They arranged flowers at the party which was such a neat idea. I picked her and two friends up, and after dropping off one of those friends, we came home.
  • Whitman has just finished his shower, the girls are all in the bonus room, the big boys are heading home, and Robby is cleaning out his office. 

November 1, 2024

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  • This was the first Friday in a very long while that I was not at a campsite, and even though I had time to do a few extra things, I still wish that I was camping. Robby and I decided that we could possibly camp somewhere every other weekend. Actually, we thought that we could be on the road for a good 2-3 years before needing to come home to find a home base.
  • I did the morning things and was even prepared to take Bentley 2 miles on today's walk. I usually walk a mile in the morning and a mile in the afternoon, but on Fridays since I don't have school to deal with, I try to walk both miles in the morning. Bentley barely made it half of a mile before I brought her home today. She kept stopping where I had to pull her to keep walking.
  • I took Campbell and Keaton to Platos this morning for them to do a little bit of shopping. Keaton was able to find 2 pairs of jeans and a jacket-I bought one, she bought one, and one was for Christmas. Campbell found herself a sweater, and we bought a shirt for Anderson so it was a successful visit.
  • Campbell and Graham went to work today. Campbell was just working for these last 2 weeks so maybe she will get more hours, but she did get her first real paycheck today so that was fun. 
  • Robby and I ran a few errands this afternoon, and I made a few recipes of spinach dip as well. However, most of the day was spent painting Anderson and Graham's costumes. We have spent so much time on them, and have quite a bit to do tomorrow.
  • Campbell had a dgroup in Benton today so Robby dropped me off at a store and then dropped off Campbell. Then he ran a few errands and picked me up before picking up Campbell. We were pretty speedy and were able to get quite a bit done in one hour.
  • When we came home, Robby and I went to eat at Cantina Larado. It was good, but overall, it wasn't that great-On the Border is still our favorite, but we did like the dessert that we ordered.

October 31, 2024

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  • Since it was raining this morning pretty good and since Graham is ahead in math, I went upstairs to ask if he wanted to skip his class today. He sure didn't hesitate to agree and roll back over for another hour for sleep.
  • And let's discuss this-Graham didn't do great on his midterm for college algebra. The teacher does go back and review each problem to make sure that an extra space wasn't entered or something else that would cause the computer based grading program to mark something wrong that was actually correct. 
  • Well, when she went back and checked Graham's his grade went from really low to an 89. The low grade didn't stress me out at all, but this much higher grade has me completely shocked. 
  • Robby took Campbell and Keaton to Mother's Day Out. Keaton had a kiddo that cried the whole time and was only content with Keaton. Campbell's group wasn't able to go on the playground due to the rainy day so it seemed a little bit longer for her. 
  • Anderson and Graham finished their school work while Whitman crawled through his. I do stop him every once in a while and make him do a few extra things with me. This helps us accomplish the pile of things that I save for us to do in the afternoon.
  • Robby brought home lunch for the boys, and then I went to pick up the girls. Once at home, I finally was able to have my walk. Then I finished up Whitman's school work.
  • Most of the evening has been spent working on Anderson and Graham's costumes for this weekend. They are trying to win a costume contest-I'm not really sure if they will, but oh, the pictures I can take!
  • I made potato soup for supper while Keaton made cookies for our dessert tonight. I thought that we would have a trick or treater and even had candy by the door, but no one came by. We haven't been home in forever on a Halloween night so I didn't know.
  • I've had my hot chocolate and football is on tv plus my book is within reach so it is a pretty perfect Thursday evening. 

October 30, 2024

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  • This morning we did the normal school thing. I haven't mentioned my library books that I am trying to read to the kids lately, but I am slowly going through them. Quite a few this semester are about civics and the election process, so time is of the essence on those readings.
  • Keaton and Campbell always do extra work on Wednesdays which leave me behind quite a bit of the day. They did some extra work, but still have some to do later-I hope they aren't expecting me to grade anything at bedtime tonight. 
  • Graham and Campbell went to work around noon so they could get home in time to ride with us tonight. Anderson had to be at Raymar at 2, so Keaton went with him. She sure didn't want to miss a party, and it sounded like she was helpful while there. 
  • I have been a little bit confused on my days lately, and not going to church tonight is not going to help either. Instead of church, there was Harvest Fest at Raymar. Keaton and her friends helped at a booth while Robby and I also worked the first hour in a booth. Whitman was a candy runner delivering candy to the booths-I'm glad that he was able to help, and I think that he had fun doing it. Later in the evening, Anderson and Graham were also candy runners.
  • I think that we all enjoyed the night, and we even stayed until the bitter end. Anderson stayed later to help clean up. He made it home not too much later than us though, and everyone was able to find good in the fridge for supper so that was win.