October 29, 2026: The Month of Camping Trip 4

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Whitman and I started on our school reading this morning, but I had to stop twice-once to make sure that Campbell and Keaton took a casserole with them to work to hand off to someone and once to turn my mixer off because it was mixing up some bread. Usually, it is Marley causing me to stop reading, but today it was everything else. He doesn't mind when I leave though because that gives him the chance to play on his phone. 

Whitman then started on his school work while I made corn muffins and finished my bread. I wanted to make scones, but gracious I didn't have time to cook all day. I just feel extremely scattered cooking in the kitchen so I feel like everything takes me longer lately. I think that I have always been a bit distracted, and I'm just now realizing it. 

As soon as I finished with everything I did take a walk. I'm listening to a super long audio book so I walked longer so I could listen more. I have been listening for two days and have listened to around 7 hours, but I have 20 plus to go! This weekend it is my goal to finish the book that I'm reading and focus on the audio book next week at home when I can walk more. (I walk a good bit while camping, but I'm usually with Robby or someone else so we talk.)

I wanted to leave at 2, but it was closer to 3 when we finally left for the campground. Whitman and I stopped at Pinnacle Mountain to take a picture. Then we went the back way towards the campground-except the road said "road closed to thru traffic." Robby had talked about a road closure, so I turned around and went forever back the other way to go in the main entrance.

Of course, when I got close there, there was another sign that said road closed. This time I went around it, and goodness that road was really closed. There were working on the railroad tracks, and I could see it was indeed closed. So I turned around and went back to where I turned around the first time to started over. Whitman didn't care that we were driving all over creation nor did I so we just enjoyed our extra car time!

We finally made it to the campground, and I joined Robby outside. We sat outside as everyone started showing up. Soon the Powells, Stattons, and Kamps were all here. Shannon arrived to the camper just as we had all headed back to our camper to play mahjong. We didn't start that until after 9, and it was around midnight when we came in tonight!

October 28, 2026: The Month of Camping Trip 4

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• I woke up early this morning, but I stayed in the bed as long as I could. I was actually even awake before the sun came up, and honestly, I did not like it! I always think that I would like to be a morning person, but really, I don't want to be a morning person-I want to be a napper!
• As I was coming in the kitchen this morning, Campbell scared me because she was already standing in the kitchen. I knew that she was going to go and babysit, but I had forgotten. She was up and getting ready to go. She was gone all morning and came in just for about 10 minutes before leaving for work this afternoon. Then she was home for a bit after work before leaving to go to church. All of that is great; however, she has school to do from today plus a test to take tonight. 
• Keaton and Whitman worked on their school work this morning. It was pretty quiet this morning while they were working so I was able to load a few things in the camper. We are ready to go for Halloween (Robby is actually there now), but it is kind of sad since it looks like it is going to be pretty rainy!
• At lunch, I helped Robby make cookies, and then I worked with Whitman. Next, I walked a little bit, and when I came in Robby and the dogs left to head to Maumelle. Whitman and I will join him tomorrow. 
• I didn't have long at home though because I soon left with Whitman and Keaton. We went to Dollar Tree-there were a few Christmas stocking things I wanted from there which were not there. Plus we wanted to go something for Campbell's Mother's Day Out class for their fall party tomorrow. There was no Halloween at Dollar Tree. Thankfully, we did find some playdoh at Walmart nearby.
• Then it was on to Harvest Fest at Raymar. Whitman and I worked a plink booth for the first hour, and then I walked around and was able to help a bit. Then I just started visiting some until the they shut the party down. I think that there were a lot of people there, and things seemed to go really smoothly. Plus after it cooled off, the weather was perfect.
• I had a decent list of things to do when I got home tonight, but I have marked most of those off already.....all except for my hot chocolate and my book. 

October 27, 2026

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• I was awake for a good long time last night-long enough that I just debated getting out of bed for a bit. However, I was then worried that by the time I went to bed it would be too late to sleep at all. I finally was able to go to sleep after I completely changed Whitman's curriculum for high school...I know, I have plenty of time to figure all of that out. 
• Even though I was awake late last night, I still did jump out of bed when my alarm clock went off because Graham had asked me to help with his schedule. I was able to do my part and send it to him before starting my chores. (Later today, he did call, and we worked through making his schedule, but he didn't have time to turn it all in because he was headed to a football game.)
• Whitman and I did our morning reading this morning. Then I started working with Keaton and Campbell. Some days I don't feel like I do a whole lot of school, and other days I feel like I'm doing just as much school as when everyone was little. Today was one of those days-it all just took a bit of time.
• Campbell's ACT scores came back in today. Now, she isn't done taking the test by any means, but she has made enough to take Freshman Comp so she will take 3 college classes next semester. That will be a lot, but I think that will make her senior year a bit easier.
• Keaton and Campbell left around 1:30 to go and pick up their babysitting girls from their school. I believe that they took them to the park, to Menchies, and to Target. They are still babysitting now and probably will for another hour or so-the babysitting business is good right now.
• Whitman and I made a candle today and played marbles-we are doing all the pilgrim crafts from our history box. It is kind of fun! (though I'm not too sure he thinks so-I'm enjoying it though.)
• Tonight I went to Mahjong at church. They even had some twists  to the games so that was neat. Our table played 5 games, and yep, I never won once! I was able to play Mahjong and had snacks so it couldn't be any better in my book!

October 26, 2026

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• This was a pretty pleasant Monday school morning. Whitman and I read this morning, and we were able to get a lot done. I'm trying to finish a few books this week so we can start on our Christmas reading. 
• Campbell and Keaton knocked out their school work this morning. Whitman took a wee bit longer, but he had a few breaks on his ipad. 
• For lunch, we finished up all of the leftovers in the house. I had made way too much chicken pasta and way too much potato soup this weekend, but for some reason we have already eaten them all. I really enjoy soup for lunch, so maybe I need to make another pot over the next few days. 
• After lunch, I went on my walk while Whitman finished his school work. The weather was perfect today, and I could have walked and listened to my book a bit longer. I needed to come in and straighten a few things though.
• Whitman and I are continuing to enjoy his history boxes-today we made marbles like they did in Jasmestown. They probably didn't use clay that was shipped to you and then baked it in the oven. I think later this week, a recorder type instrument is in his box...maybe I will just skip that one. Last week we made a corn husk doll, and after making some yarn today with a drip spindle he has now hung the doll up as a voodoo doll. (Hopefully, I'm not the one he is thinking of.)
• Robby and I ran a few errands tonight and brought home some leftovers for the kids. Tony and Shannon brought over some leftovers for Whitman so everyone was happy tonight. 
• It is fairly quite here with half the people back at school, so that makes me sad. However, I'm planning on having some hot chocolate later so that makes me happy though!

October 25, 2026

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• I was up a bit late last night watching my phone to make sure that Graham and Campbell both got to where they were going to spend the night. Of course, I did sleep some while waiting to make sure they arrived to their final destinations because I sure couldn't stay up until 2 last night. 
• This morning I did wake up and make monkey bread. Reagan had people eating last night so I thought briefly that they might spend the night so I was prepared. They didn't, but we still had monkey bread.
• Campbell and Graham both made it to church this morning, and we all filled up a row. Everyone sat with us, and I really wanted to pull out my phone and take a picture of everyone during church, but I know that the kids would frown upon that.
• After church we celebrated Pops' 80th birthday with pizza and cake. I think he liked the Buccee's socks that we gave him, We stayed for a while and visited, but then it was time to go back home.
• At home, the kids started slowly leaving. Graham left first with Brooklyn to eat supper with their family, and then he was riding back to school with Brodie. Reagan was the next one to leave followed by Anderson. They carried so much stuff back to school-snacks, Christmas tree, lights, so, so many things. 
• Anderson pulled out of the driveway, and we left too with Keaton and Whitman for their lifegroups. We picked up Charlotte and Sophia on the way and then dropped everyone off at two different locations. While they were at their groups, Robby and I made a little bit of money before hurrying back for their pickups. 
• Now, we are gobbling up some potato soup for our supper. I tried to save room for hot chocolate too!

October 24, 2026

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• As soon as I put the laundry in the dryer last night, I knew that I would need to do another load this morning to keep up. Plus there were a few new things that I wanted to wash separately, so a bit of my morning was filled with laundry. 
• I also made some type of puff pastry toaster strudel today for whoever wanted them. Anderson wasn't too pleased with them, but Reagan had 4 so at least I had one person that liked them. Robby and I left as soon as I was done to run some errands. 
• We were not the first ones to leave-Campbell left super early to go to a friend's house to get ready for homecoming tonight. Reagan and Keaton left fairly soon after we did; their goal was to find Reagan a dress, and they succeeded in that. 
• When Robby and I came home, I threw two recipes of potato soup into the crock pot (no, we didn't eat all of it, but we will eat some over the next few days.) Then it was time for me to tie the ribbon on Graham's bouquet for Brooklyn. My only part in the bouquets was funding them, but Campbell just went right to it yesterday and made the most beautiful bouquets. 
• Tying Graham's tie was a struggle at prom, and it was today too. He is taller than Robby so that throws Robby off, and he makes it too short or too long. They eventually got it, but Graham was running late so while they were working I was helping load the car for him. 
• He started off in Bryant, and then went downtown to take pictures, and then to Benton to eat, and then back to Bryant for the homecoming. He made it clear that they were not the planners who organized tonight. Campbell's group had a little less driving-her group started in Bryant, went downtown for pictures, then Little Rock for supper, and then to Bryant for homecoming. 
• Keaton and I went to take pictures of Campbell's group-well, Keaton went to take pictures of Campbell's group. I just drove her there. Keaton took quite a few pictures and added them to the photocircle which has over 400 pictures right now. Brandy sent me pictures of Graham so I have plenty of them too. 
• Keaton and I had to hurry home though because I needed to get the rest of supper ready for Reagan's two friends who came over tonight. We just had potato soup, grilled cheese, and chocolate chip cookies (which were made from frozen) so I didn't have to do too much prep. 
• Campbell and Graham are just now finishing eating and then heading to their homecoming. They both have afterparties and are then spending the night with friends. The rest of us though are in for the night!

October 23, 2026

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• Campbell left before anyone woke up this morning-she had to babysit at 8 in Benton so she left at 7:30. She stayed there all morning and came in for a few minutes before work. After work she was here long enough to make her bouquet and Brooklyn's bouquet for tomorrow before she left again to pick up Adi. First though, she dropped off Keaton who is babysitting, and now after going to a football game and Sonic she is hanging out at a friend's house until we need her pick up Keaton. 
• I was awake next and did some things around the house before I left to get my hair cut. It didn't take me too long, but I could have driven around some more because the book I'm listening too currently is cute. (Well, cute may not be the right term to describe a murder book, but I do like the book and could have listened longer.)
• When I came home, the three big kids were awake, and we left soon afterwards. Our first stop was voting-we voted at the Children's Library. When Anderson came through they asked him if it was his first time to vote, but no one asked Graham. Anderson got claps and cheese twice voting, but Graham who was also a first time voter didn't get any (he didn't care.)
• Our next stop was flu shots for all of us at Sams. We also got free fountain drinks there, pizza samples, and sushi for Reagan's lunch. The next stop was ChickFilA for Graham's lunch and a milkshake for Robby and me. Finally, we stopped at Five Guys for Anderson's post flu shot reward.
• Back at the house, Graham left first to go and carve pumpkins at Brooklyn's house. Campbell came in for a few minutes when she finished work, and pretty much after she left the rest of us left (Reagan, Anderson, Whitman, Robby, and I). We picked up Tony and Brett and headed to Conway.
• There we met Layne, Ben, and Shannon to eat Mexican before playing Cornhole Golf at Beaver Fork Lake. It was a mix between mini golf and corn hole. It was really neat and most of us said that we enjoyed it more than putt putt. We did all 18 holes, and with our big group it did take a while. Of course, our scores were a little lower because of our sore arms from our flu shots! (That really didn't affect the scores much at all.)
• Robby made brownies when we made it home so that is our next fall break activity here.