August

No way is tomorrow the first day of August. It just seems impossible. It promises to start off with a bang too. This week is Cuh-razy. I seriously do not know what I was thinking, but this will be our last play for awhile. Add to that a baby who is running a high fever (104) and not sleeping at all and you have a recipe for complete exhaustion. Oh well, it's just a week and it will go by fast. They all do.

New Beginnings

I know I am cheating by posting so many entries in one day, but hey if I don't do it now, it will never happen.

We are wrapping up our summer activities around here. The older girls have less than a week left of play rehearsals before opening night next Thursday. They have enjoyed themselves immensely, but I am ready for this to end. We are spending more time in the car than at home. It is very hard to plan dinner when they have to be there at 6 and don't get done until 9. I just want some normalcy I suppose, whatever that is.

After this we are taking at least a 3 month, much needed, break from any new activities. The little girls will continue with Karate, and all three older girls will go to youth group in the fall, but nothing new. I need a break. Doing this by myself isn't easy and I know the kids need more time at home too. Especially at night. I can make it one more week. Right?

Belt Tests

Today Midge and Boo had their Karate Belt Test. They both enjoy Karate class so much It's a lot of fun to watch them too. I am so proud of everything they have learned so far and excited for what is to come!
Midge is now an orange belt and Boo is right behind her with her yellow belt. Congrats to both girls!

Lucky Number 7

Of all of the kids Tea has changed the most this year. On Tuesday she turned 7! Wow. She is getting so big. One thing has remained the same. She is an artist at heart. Her desire to create is a powerful one. She is almost always coloring, painting, drawing, or molding something. She got a pottery wheel for her birthday and I can't wait to set it up and see what she makes! We love you TT! Just don't grow up too fast!

Boo Turns 4

Saturday my baby girl turned 4! We have been crazy busy celebrating her birthday then Tea's birthday and all of the other busy summer fun stuff so I'm playing catch up now!
She is all about Karate right now. She catches on to things so quickly it never ceases to amaze me. She is a talker and will talk the ear off of anyone who will listen.

I love you Karate girl! I can't believe you're 4. Slow down!

Party X 2

With two birthdays so close together, the same family and friends, and the fact that it's summertime we decided on a joint party for Tea and Boo this year. They wanted cookie cakes and the King and I made them ourselves. Not bad for complete novices.

The kids played on this water slide for 2 straight hours. There were a total of 18 kids and no problems. They loved it! What a great day!

Progress

I've been enjoying the slow pace of summer. The late nights and sleeping in. The pool days, camping trips, and late night walks. It's been great, but I know that all good things will eventually come to an end. In that spirit I have been spending my late nights planning for our upcoming school year. I would say I am about 85% ready. Just a few more odds and ends here and there and we'll be good. At least for now.

I went back and forth over where I really thought the kids would do the majority of their written school work. I didn't really see the need for a "school room" and we don't really have the space anyway. Finally I decided to convert the unused section of the master bedroom into a school area. It was just wasted space before and they'll only use it in the mornings. I spent a good part of this afternoon rearranging and setting up some of their things. I am very pleased with the way it turned out and will share pictures very soon when it's all done!

Reality

The worst part of almost any vacation or time away is returning to normalcy. This time has been no exception. With piles of laundry, kids that never stop moving, and a full schedule I am missing the peace and quiet of the mountains. I forgot to share that right before we left, Boo got a haircut. I love it and so does she. In this picture you can see how cute the back looks curled under.

Buster is due for another trim as well. His hair grows so fast and it's very thick. If I can fit it in this weekend I think I will take him. We have 3 birthday parties to go to and are having 1. Should be a good time though!

O'Haver Lake

Early Sunday morning we headed up to O'Haver Lake to meet the King and Mema and Papa for a camping trip. It was the first time we had all gone together since '06. The girls were all so cute and little back then. (L to R Marlee, Camie, Midge, Chiggie, and Tea)
It didn't take long to set up camp and then we made some lunch. The kids kicked back and relaxed enjoying the mountain air.

After lunch we headed to the lake for some wading and fishing. Mema taught Boo had to put her worm on the hook.


Chiggie and Camie stayed back in the shade and enjoyed a magazine. You can see in this picture how close our site was to the lake!
In fact we were able to set our tents up on the shore. The last night we were there a bear came down to get a drink and look for fish and circled our tents. Luckily the kids scared it off with their crazy screaming. They didn't even know about the bear until afterwards.

The King caught a fish this time. He fishes all the time, but up until this trip had never caught a fish in this lake.
The scenery was just beautiful. It was so nice to get away for a few days. The weather was pretty nice during the days, with some wind and rain in the evenings.

Midge really wanted to catch a fish. She tried to have patience. Unfortunately her and I got skunked.

Mema on the other hand caught enough for all of us. There for a while she hardly had her pole out each time before she was reeling back in another. She caught one that was over 12" but it got away because we didn't have the net.

Tea caught her first fish ever on this trip. It was a "suicide fish." She left her pole out while she went to swim and play and when she came back and reeled it in, sure enough there was a fish on the end! She was so excited.

Sadly my camera battery died very early on in the trip and I missed a lot of photo opportunities. The kids rigged up a hook less pole and "caught" several chipmunks with cookie bait. We went for several hikes and saw some deer very close up. The meals were delicious, especially breakfast every morning. There was a fire ban so we weren't able to have a fire, but we did make s'mores on the propane. It was a great trip and I'm glad to be making memories with the kids!

Crazy NIght

Thanks to a wonderful friend, yesterday I hooked up a window ac unit upstairs. It was amazing how quickly it cooled down up there. I was so relieved and very much looking forward to the having the main level back to myself that night. I put everybody to bed like normal and took a nice relaxing shower. I was getting ready to go to bed and everyone was sleeping when I heard a loud noise and all the lights went out. It was pitch black and I could hear all of the kids panicking and screaming. I spoke loudly but calmly telling them to stay where they were and I would come to them. I grabbed a flashlight as quickly as I could, it was very dark, and made my way towards the stairs. The girls were wide awake and scared.

I got them downstairs on the couches and turned on some flashlights and lit some candles. I looked outside and there was no light what so ever. It turns out the entire town was without power. It was so weird to see things that dark. The girls couldn't seem to fall back asleep and were very nervous that the power wouldn't come back on. A little after 2 am it finally did. They were still up. I was absolutely exhausted. I had spent the entire day cleaning and had planned on a great nights sleep. We are trying again tonight and hoping for no disasters!

Short Week

Why is that short Holiday week's always feel longer than the normal ones? This week has really drug on and on. We are all exhausted. We haven't even been getting home from play practices until well after 9pm. By the time everyone settles down and goes to bed it's very late. The baby, who still goes right to bed, gets up early so I haven't been able to sleep as late as the other kids. The other kids, who by the way have been sleeping downstairs in the family room due to the fact that the upstairs is an oven. See, we never go the air conditioner fixed last year. We have two window units downstairs and of course heat rises. We can't spare one of the downstairs units because of the layout of the house. At least it's comfortable down here I suppose.

This weekend promises to be pretty boring. I really need to use the free time to get this place cleaned up. I can't seem to figure out how to clone myself and get more done during the week. At least we've been out enjoying summer right?

Celebration

We had gorgeous weather for the 4th this year. It could've been a little less windy, but that seems to be the case a lot lately. The fabulously festive desserts. Yummy! The flag cake is tradition. My mom makes one every year and has for as long as I can remember.

To beat the heat the kids jumped in the sprinklers and played in the hose.

Buster was very interested in the concept of a water balloon. When his would pop he would say "uh oh" and come right over for another one.


Mema lightly showered the kids off.

Then she turned on them and cranked it up!

Then it was back to our house to watch the firework show off the mountain.

The kids danced and played while we waited what seemed like forever for the show to start.




Finally the show started. We only got to see a few though. Unfortunately we are under extreme fire danger right now and just the few fireworks shot off started another fire. It was sad for the kids and not a great ending, but I was glad to hear this morning that the fire had been contained.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July. I am so thankful for the freedom and independence. We will celebrate with bbq, sipping tea, water play, and fireworks show! Without the sacrifices of so many I know we would not have been able to make many of the choices we have for our family. Thanks to those who have made it all possible!

Summer Nights

Why I Should Not Have Electronics

We just don't mix. Technology and I that is. I don't seem capable of protecting elecronic things from harm. Go back a bit through my archives and you will soon know exactly what I mean. Now for possible casualty #687:

Yesterday I casually placed my cell phone on an end table in my room hooked up to the charger. I was reading library books to the little girls when Buster walked over and handed me the charger. Hmmm. I went into my room and the phone was gone. I looked under the bed, on the floor, and all around the end table. No such luck. I looked in the neighboring rooms and when it didn't turn up my heart sank. In a panic I had Chiggie call my phone from her phone. I listened by the vent in our room. Nothing. We walked all through the house and didn't hear a thing. Then, from the bathroom, a buzzing sound. A vibrating, buzzing sound, coming from the toilet. Noooooooooooooo! Sure enough there she was. No idea how long she was under water without air.

I grabbed her out, immediately removed the battery, pumped her little chest and screamed "live!" Now I'm no trauma nurse, but as I've previously mentioned electronic emergencies are no stranger to me. I followed protocol. Into a bowl of rice she went and there she has been since. I can't bear the thought of another casualty. I really hope she makes it!