- Last night I asked Anderson what time he wanted to leave to do some dorm shopping this morning. I thought that he might say 11 or later, but he said 9 was fine for him. That was a bit early for me, but I figured that since he was still asleep, I had time to take my morning walk.
- I woke him up, and soon we were off to Walmart. Reagan had thought that we were going to Home Goods, and I reminded her that I was lucky that I was able to get Anderson to go shopping anywhere so I would just settle for Walmart.
- We picked up a few things at the store for his dorm room. Reagan wanted a few more decorative items than Anderson (and I think that she has a long list of things that she needs this year as well since their room is bigger and she has a living space.) I think that Anderson was pleased with all of his purchases-Reagan figured our pretty quick shopping with me for her dorm room that whatever she mentioned, I would buy. Anderson is too practical for any of that-he only would get what he thought he needed.
- I woke the girls up when we came home and asked if they wanted to run a few errands with me. Reagan had mentioned going to Home Goods, but she opted to sleep a bit more. Campbell was quick to get up for Platos, and Target caught Keaton's attention.
- We started off at Platos where they had no luck-or maybe Robby was the lucky one since no one bought anything. Then on to Target where Keaton bought a birthday present and some make up while Campbell bought some candy and a little toy to play with her babysitting peeps.
- Next stop was Academy to look for shorts for Anderson, but we struck out there. Dollar Tree didn't have anything for us either, but Michaels did have yarn for me. I bought 2 of the off white color, but I really wanted another color too, but it was out of stock.
- Then we picked up Graham's birthday bundt cake on the way home. When we were unloading the car, Keaton realized that she had left her wallet at Michaels. So we quickly threw our purchases inside and went back to town.
- She called on the way, and they had found her wallet so that made us feel better. She didn't have much in it, but she was sure mad at herself for leaving it. When I was checking out, I couldn't get my coupon to scan so both girls were helping. Keaton had set her wallet down while working, and I figure that no one was right behind us in line to see it. It all turned out fine except when we came home, we only had about 30 minutes until we left again.
- Robby came home a bit after we had left again-this time I took Keaton and Campbell to their babysitting gig for the evening. I'm still waiting on my text to come and get them. Usually I receive a text that says, "leave in 3" so I have to drop everything and run out the door, Robby has just gotten up to go and get ice cream so hopefully, I can sit here and eat it before I leave.
- Graham went to eat lunch with some friends and ended up fishing and even catching a fish. Then this evening he and Anderson went to play volleyball. Reagan left a bit after they did to go and play pickleball, so it is just Robby, Whitman, and I here right now.
July 25, 2025
July 24, 2025
- This morning Anderson and Graham went to Nonna and Pops' house to work in their yard for a little bit. Anderson did the mowing while Graham weed eated. Anderson was more confident in the mowing, than Graham was in his week eating skills. He was afraid that he butchered Pops' yard, but that kind of is the point.
- I did confirm with Pops that they did a good job. He was pleased with their work, so that was all that mattered. When they came home, they mentioned that the back tire looked low, so Robby went out to check that.
- Robby ended up taking Campbell and Keaton to babysit and then taking the car to the tire shop. There was a nail in the tire which Robby thought would be an easy and inexpensive fix. However, the front tires were wearing quite a bit, so they had to replaced. That part was not inexpensive even though the hole was patched for free.
- The girls babysat for about 3 hours and came home with a good payday and a drink that the mom had bought for them. They babysit tomorrow night plus Campbell babysits Saturday night and Tuesday. This is going to a be a profitable week for them for sure.
- When I came home with the girls, Graham left soon after to go and play basketball. He made it home a little bit before Reagan and Anderson left to go to church tonight. Really, someone is always gone around here-It feels a bit chaotic, but it is just summer with teenagers.
- Reagan went to play pickleball after church while Graham went to meet Anderson and others playing volleyball. It is just now 10 so I don't expect anyone home for a little bit-the volleyball usually breaks up before 11, and the pickleball lights turn off at 11, but then Reagan usually goes to Sonic.
- Last night everyone was home, so I was able to go to bed a bit early. It was nice! I have been waiting to take my shower until they all come home-I go to the kitchen to get the scoop about their evening and usually find out quite a bit of information.
- I made pasta for supper, and Campbell made beignets for dessert, and Shannon even came over with cookies so we had a bit evening. Earlier in the evening, Robby had made breakfast burritos, but I still haven't scooped them up yet!
July 23, 2025
- Walking was the first thing that I did this morning-I'm listening to a book about walking the Appalachian Trail so at least walking a bit of it in each state that it passes though is now on my short list. To accomplish this I might need to start walking more than 2 miles a day.
- The house was pretty quiet again this morning. It is going to be a shock to everyone's system when we do start school in a week and a half-mine included. I ran a few errands with Robby this morning, and when we came back I was surprised that everyone was awake-it was almost 1 so I shouldn't have been too surprised.
- Anderson and Graham went to play basketball this afternoon. Graham had already gone on his run, and Reagan went a run as well. It sounds like we are becoming athletic around here-but that is not the case at all.
- There were some chores done as well as a bit of school accomplished. I took Campbell to a friend's house this evening for a little bit too watch a show. And when I came home, Keaton was in the middle of making chicken breasts, mashed potatoes, green beans, and corn. When they was finished, she made lava cakes and offered to cook every Thursday when school starts back. I definitely took her up on that offer!
July 22, 2025
- There were no early morning runners this morning, but I did take my walk before it became too hot this morning. After my walk and my dishes and laundry, I ran to Nonna and Pops' house to return some pans.
- When I came home, I worked a little bit upstairs trying to organize some of Whitman's clothes. I really need to tackle the whole upstairs, but I have to get everyone on board for that-and today is not the day and tomorrow is not the day either.
- I did a bit of spelling work with Whitman. We were really consistent with it early this summer but haven't done much spelling lately so I'm trying to get back after it.
- Reagan went to work out this afternoon with Ethan-I'm not sure how much working out she actually did, but she came home with lunch. Anderson found out that he is on the end room and doesn't have suite mates this year, so he was excited about that news.
- Soon Anderson, Graham, Campbell, and Keaton went to Raymar for Bible study. Whitman skipped out tonight. After it was over, Anderson and Graham went to play volleyball. Reagan picked up Campbell and Keaton and took them to play pickleball with them and her friends.
- Robby and I haven't done much all evening long. However, we have watched our show, and now he is going to have some ice cream, and I'm going to have some hot chocolate.
July 21, 2025
- I wasn't the first one awake this morning-when we went to bed last night, Reagan said that she was going to get up early and run. I didn't really think that it was going to happen, but she did run for at least a little bit.
- I was the next one to go on my walk. It was already warm so Bentley just went on a short portion of it. I just walk back and forth in the shade during my walk so I don't get too warm in the sun. When I came home, Graham was already out on his run. He did say that his short hair cut did help quite a bit.
- Keaton had spent the night at a friend, so they both went to their Monday morning Bible study first. Then they caught up with Anderson, Campbell, Graham, and Whitman at Newks for the student's lunch hangout. However, Campbell ended up getting food from Taco Bell, and the big boys got food from Layne's Chicken.
- Whitman and Keaton left Newk's to go skating with the middle school. Whitman said that he had fun, but it was hard to skate. It has been a few years since we have been skating. Keaton only had one buddy there, but she had a lot of fun too.
- I picked Graham up at Newk's to take him to his dentist appointment. He had a cavity that needed a filling. This is the dentist appointment that I originally understood that Anderson had to have, but eventually found out that it was Graham instead. I get the boys (all the kids) mixed up often, but the dentist is the one who confused me.
- Graham did fine. I dropped him off at home, and left to drop off Campbell. She went swimming at a friend's house this afternoon. After dropping her off, I picked up Keaton and Whitman from church and ran to the library on the way home.
- I'm gathering books for school to start the first Monday of August. However, that is going to be fairly difficult because the kids keep adding things to their schedules. We will just get done what we can and really buckle down when everyone starts school.
- Tonight Reagan went to play pickleball while the big boys went to play volleyball. After they all left, I went to pick up Campbell from her swimming party. Now, my driving is done for the day, and I plan to stay on the couch for the rest of the evening.
July 20, 2025-Dennie Family Trip 2025
Keaton ended up sleeping in the moving room with Whitman last night. I think that she wanted to try that room out, but I also think that she was a bit worried about him being by himself. They must have both slept well because when Robby went to wake them up, they were both sleeping well.
Robby and I got ready quickly this morning, and then started making sure that we had gathered all of our things. Campbell was the last one to stir even though she was sleeping in the loft by our bedroom where sh could hear everything.
Once we had picked our stuff up, we loaded up and said our good byes. It didn't take long to get back to Little Rock. Graham was happy that we were home so early because he wanted to hear the intern teach Sunday school for the last time. He was able to help us unload and then headed to Sunday school with Campbell and Keaton.
Robby, Whitman, and I stayed home. Robby worked in the yard while I worked in the house and tried to get things ready for Monday. Whitman had received a new toy in the mail that he ordered last week, so he busy playing with that.
When Campbell got in the car after church, she was quick to text me about lunch. I quickly suggested grilled cheese and started cooking when they made it home. Reagan was so tired when she came in that she headed straight to bed. Everyone else gobbled up a few sandwiches.
Anderson and some people from his grade spent the afternoon at Lake Degray. They ate pizza at church, and then headed to the lake. I doubt that Anderson took any pictures, but I did get a video of him tubing with some friends. It is after 10, and he is just now on his way home so they made a day of it.
I took a nap this afternoon, and then Robby and I ran to do some mystery shops. Graham and Campbell left next to go to Rock Creek for Sunday night church. Then Reagan and Keaton left. Keaton wrote to ask me to take her to a friend's house tonight just as I was driving by the friend's house on my errands.
I said that I would, but thankfully Reagan was heading that exact way to play pickleball. Those girls figured all of that out themselves so it was a win for me. Robby, Whitman, and I went to the Wilson's for our Sunday night supper. Shannon had a full meal prepared for us which was delicious-we were hungry, but it was good.
Graham and Campbell came and played a game with Brett before they went home. Robby and I stayed until it was time to start the week. When we did get home, Graham had a few plans-Graham has been planning on buzzing his hair for a few days so tonight was the night. I think he looks pretty much the same We tried to convince Whitman to also cut his hair, but he was a no go!
July 19, 2025-Dennie Family Trip 2025
Robby and I had signed up for breakfast this morning-after we had bought our food we decided that we possibly should have just picked up doughnuts. However, it was fun making a big breakfast-we made monkey bread first. Then downstairs we put the biscuits in that oven while Robby worked on frying sausage. Once the monkey bread was out, we put the hashbrown patties in the oven while I pulled out the strawberries, grapes, and blueberries.
Breakfast was ready around 8:30 so we definitely called that a success. Everyone ate, and before long the first boat ride of people were going out. Keaton and Campbell made sure that they were on the first boat ride. Whitman, Anderson, Graham, and Reagan were on the next one.
They all enjoyed the boat and tubing. Also the kayaks have been a huge hit. Robby and I used them while the others were on the boat. It was quite a work out but probably would be good for me to do every day. My arms were a bit shaky for a bit afterwards, but they aren't yet sore.
Dana made taco salad and all of the fixings for our lunch along with a key lime ice box pie that Anderson asked for the recipe for. Then it was time for a family pictures before most everyone spent the afternoon napping, sunning, swimming, or kayaking.
Les bought pizza for tonight's supper. After we ate, Reagan and Anderson headed home. She has work tomorrow (her last day), and Anderson is going to the lake with some friends after church so he needed to be home.
Also during the afternoon many of us finished our clay project by painting, and some people painted a rock as well. Campbell and Keaton spent some time in the hot tub while Graham went on a run this evening. Now the house is a little bit quiet, and I'm headed to my shower.