Birds of Prey

This morning we took the kids to the library for the raptors presentation and I was pleasantly surprised at how cool it was.  This guy was hit by a car after breaking his wing several years ago.  He is now a "teaching" owl and is trained to do some pretty cool stuff.  The kids were enthralled by the whole thing.  They also got  to see a falcon.  I think we will be visiting this nature center where he lives soon.

A Huge Relief

Chiggie is now officially and formally, a 6th grader.  After all of the stress and anxiety over putting together her portfolio and submitting the evaluation I was extremely relieved to get it back with raving postive reviews.  I am so very proud of her!  What a great ending to our very first year!

Out and About

Today we took a rare break from swimming and decided to get out a little.  We went to the park and to the river where the kids waded and tried to catch minnows. 

Midge had some dental work done on Monday and is just now starting to feel better.  It wasn't a major procedure, but her gums had a hard time adjusting afterwards.  She was also very bruised from the shots she had gotten.

 This picture of Boo pretty much sums her up.  She is a very active girl.  She rarely walks anywhere.  She is definitely a future athlete.

 This picture of Tea and Buster just cracks me up.  Tea looks like his nanny or something.

We finished the day off at Chiggie and my little sister Marlee's volleyball game.  They didn't win but they had fun playing and we enjoyed watching them as well!

Absence

It's Wednesday already and I haven't blogged since Saturday.  I am sad about that.  I don't have much to say, or I really don't know what to say right now.  We're all fine, just dealing with stuff I really didn't want to be dealing with.  That's life I know, but still I don't like it.

Living

We have had a rough week.  Things didn't go at all as planned and unfortunately I don't fly by the seat of my pants well.  I blame myself for being so rigid but really I don't know how to be more flexible when I am so stressed out.  Still, progress has been made.  I completed and mailed off Chiggie's evaluation/portfolio.  I would be lying if I said that doesn't make me nervous too.  Mostly because it's my first one.  I will feel so much better when it's just done and over with.  Not sure how long that will take. 

We're still enjoying many outdoor activities but it has been so incredibly hot.  The temps have hovered in the high 90's and low 100's.  Unless water is involved it's too miserable in the middle of the day.  I hope to be a little more creative this week with some fun activities.  Hopefully next week will be better....

Another Hot Day



Today was another beautiful hot day.  It was 104 degrees out and we loved it!  Am I the only one out there that actually loves the heat?  I am sure I would feel different if we didn't have an amazing swamp cooler that keeps the house cool for us.  The kids love the heat too and have been swimming 5 or more hours a day.  We have also been eating outside under the awning and I am loving the easy clean up.  I think my love for the warm summer weather comes from the fact that I live in state where for at least half the year the weather is unbearably cold and dreary.  I hope everyone else is enjoying this lovely seasonal weather!

Cooling Off

Buster had his own way of cooling off today.  He had me make him his very own "baby pool" out of this little tub that we normally use as a foot bath for the big pool.  He submerged himself and then later even dunked his head in the water. 

100 Degrees!

Monday

It's definitely a Monday around here.  We could talk about the 2 quarts of pink lemonade that were spilled on the kitchen floor last night.  Or the fistfuls of rocks Buster threw into the pool.  The unmade beds, and scattered toys.  A sinkful of dishes and piles of laundry that would make most shudder.  Instead I will just reminisce on the really great weekend we just had!

Long Weekends

The King's new schedule is pretty much amazing.  Who wouldn't love three day weekends?  Last night we took the kids to see Madagascar 3 at the drive in.  What a funny movie.  The weather was perfect too and we were able to sit outside.  Not even any mosquitoes to bother us.  The kids will continue with their regularly scheduled summer activities next week while I will be beginning to plan out our next school year.  

Firsts

A couple of firsts today!  Chiggie was sick last week and missed her team's first volleyball game.  So tonight was her very first game and she did awesome!  I am so darn proud of that kid.  The other one in the picture is my little sister Marlee.  She did pretty great herself!

Midge also got her very first library card.  I am very proud of her as well.  She is reading, for real.  She reads so well it's crazy.  She was such an easy kid to teach and I thank her for going easy on me!

Slow Down

That's what I thought to myself as I lay in bed this morning well past 8.  I am loving these late nights without the horrible consequence of early mornings.  The kids are adjusting as well.  Today was also Chiggie's first day of Jr. High youth group.  Again, slow down.  How can that even be possible?  She started with the youth group in our church in Kindergarten.  She had a great time and can't wait to go back again next week.  I am happy for her.  Her life is really great right now and she deserves that. 

I promised myself when school got out that I would give myself a full two week vacation form even thinking about anything school related.  They're almost up and I can't believe how fast they went by.  Slow down!  Next week I really need to start my planning.  I haven't even picked a start date yet.  What can I say we're enjoying our time off.  On that note....slow down!

Just a Summer Day

Busy, good week so far.  Yesterday we got dental cleanings and exams over with for Midge, Boo, and Chiggie.  Unfortunately Midge and Boo each had a cavity so we'll be back later in the month to have those filled.  Chiggie's teeth are great.  The dentist even asked if she had orthodontic work done.  Nope, just naturally blessed thank goodness. 

Today was Breakfast Club for Chiggie and Tea.  I made big cinnamon rolls and they were a hit.  The little kids and I took a walk down by the river while they discussed this week's lesson.  It's nice to be out so early when no one else really is.  Buster was thrilled to get to see the train go by. After that we headed home and had lunch.  My mom and little sisters came in the afternoon, bearing sonic drinks and DQ treats, and stayed for a swim.  Chiggie ended up going home with my mom and then walking next door to the middle school for volleyball practice while I took the others to karate.  What a day! Now we all need some sleep.

Happy Eleventh Birthday Chiggie!

It is amazing that I am now the proud parent of an amazing 11 year old.  We are fast approaching the teen years, and I know it may sound odd, but I am actually looking forward to it.  Chiggie is such a joy to us in so many ways.  I love her heart, I really do.  To celebrate this year we kept up with our pool theme and she had a pool party/tent in the backyard slumber party.  All involved appeared to have a blast.

I don't remember for sure what she was opening here, but it looks like everyone was pretty excited about it.  She loved her gifts and was very appreciative of everything she got.

 Also no real clue what was going on here.  Perhaps they were playing Jaws.  It looks like Chiggie was the first victim and J was afraid she might be next?

 This is a really great group of girls.  It never feels as insane as it should when they are all around.  They get along like a dream

 Of course Chiggie insisted on the royal treatment since it was her birthday afterall!

 The King set up the tent in the backyard so they could have their first camp out of the summer.

 Instead of cake this year, Chiggie wanted brownie sundaes.  Ummm yum, need I say more?

It was a great party.  I am a lucky mom!  Happy Birthday Chiggie!

Yuck!

Like most things, it got a whole lot worse before it got any better!  It ended up with all of the kids getting sick on the very same night.  It was awful, but at the same time kind of a relief to just get it over with, so I thought.  Unfortunately the next day the King and I both fell too.  It was no fun what so ever, but at least by then the kids were feeling better.  My sickness only lasted the duration of one night so the kids were all sleeping anyway.  We're much better now and moving on to more fun summer activities!

The Good the Bad and the Ugly

After a wonderful day at the zoo, we got home and madness struck.  Two kids, Chiggie and Midge, simultaneously fell ill with the stomach flu.  It didn't come as a complete surprise as Boo had it just a day ago.  It was rotten with her but only lasted one day.  Now I am worried for poor Tea and Buster.  Not to mention the King and I.  Plus Chiggie's b-day party is Friday with her actual b-day on Saturday.  I really don't want anyone, including myself, to be sick on either of those days.  To top it off we spent the day with half of the guest list, so I hope they don't get sick either.  Ugh, I really really dislike summer illness!

Zoo Day

This summer, our church youth group is taking several trips to some really fun locations.  The kids have been really excited about this and today was the first one.  We went to a nearby zoo and the weather cooperated wonderfully!

We were all assigned different groups and then had a fun scavenger hunt type activity full of fun and interesting facts for the kids to try and uncover.  It really made it fun and ensured that we wouldn't miss anything along the way.

 Buster really liked checking out this great big pig.  When Tea saw it she said, "I thought I wanted a pig, but never mind!"

 One of the activities included seeing how far you could jump.  Apparently Boo can jump about as far as a flea!

 Hardly anyone was there today which really made it nice.  We were at our leisure and really able to enjoy the exhibits without feeling too rushed.

It was a great day and I am looking forward to the other trips we have planned!

Good Morning

This morning was the big girls first Breakfast Club meeting.  They are meeting at our local duck park so I just hung around with the little ones and they played and watched the ducks.  It's nice that they will have something to do on these mornings as well.

This duck swam right up to the shore expecting us to feed it I'm sure.  Unfortunately I had the pack of expired hot dog buns sitting on the kitchen counter.  Sorry duck, better luck next time.

Whispering

The little cough I had has ended up robbing me of my voice.  I can barely speak at all even though I feel just fine.  It made today a little difficult as it was hard for the kids to hear what I was saying.  They entertained themselves well though and were pretty good at interpreting my charades.  They spent much of the day swimming, which is good because the weather got nasty this evening.  We got some much needed rain, but I am sure it will be yucky in the pool water tomorrow.

In the morning the big girls have their first breakfast club meeting.  It's at a local park so the little kids and I will just play while they do their study.  The little girls also have karate and Chiggie has volleyball practice.  Then on Wednesday we are going to the zoo with the elementary youth group.  I hope I am back to talking by then!

What a Weekend

Typical of our life, we had a crazy weekend.  It started out perfectly normal.  I cleaned the house Saturday morning and then took the three middle girls to a birthday party at the public pool.  They had a great time and swam for hours.  When we got home Bussy was just getting up from his nap.  Right away the King and I noticed he looked different.  His left ear was very swollen.  Both the actual ear and the area right behind on the skull.  His ear wasn't lying flat against his head and instead was sticking right out.  He was also running a fever.  I checked him thoroughly and there was no sign of a bite or mark of any kind.  I ended up taking him to the ER where we really got no clear answer.  He was put on a broad spectrum antibiotic and looked much better today.  I am still a little worried though.  It just seems like such a strange thing to have happen.  The girls also happened to have 3 friends spending the night so The King gets bonus points for holding down the fort with 7 girls while we were at the hospital!

First Harvest

Tonight my mom and sisters came by to help us pick some cherries from our sweet cherry tree.  It was a surprise, but we were so glad.  The girls hopped right out of the pool and ran out to help.  

Chiggie climbed as high as she could to try to help with the ones on top.  It's amazing how many cherries can grow on one tree. 



We picked several bucket fulls and I can't wait to sample the pie my mom is planning to make.  Afterwards we all came in and had a piece of the cake I made earlier.  A great night for sure!



Happy June!

I am so excited that June is finally here.  I really do love this time of year and June is such a happy month.  Today marked our very first day of summer vacation.  I took the kids and got them signed up for the summer reading program.  They checked out some books to read this week and then we ran a few other errands around town and went by the grocery store.  The weather is a little cloudy so we're taking a break from swimming.  Tonight I am going to make chicken fried steaks for dinner and a cake for dessert.  Just a nice relaxing Friday.