Let's Kick It

The soccer season has officially started with a practice tonight and one tomorrow.  The third (really middle) child opted not to play this year.   Maybe we'll get her cheering on the side lines.  The next two months are going to fly by with all the practices and games.  Before you know it it will be Halloween.  Whoa.



Can you believe it's the end of August?  I can't.  Happy birthday, Dad.  (I know he reads the blog everyday.)  After the 90 degree days we've had I'm ready for some cooler ones like we had last week.  I'm also ready to smell autumn in the air and walk through crunchy leaves.  I wonder how many leaves I'll have to rake this fall....I'm sure I'll post about it.

Homework...

...has begun, again.  Mickey had to work late today so I was helping two children do homework.  Let's just say I don't think I'm cut out to help two kids at the same time.  (Especially when one takes 3 hours! to do one worksheet.)  Somehow the oldest ended up not having anything to do.  I made sure she picked up the violin to get the rust off the strings and bow.



I think it's going to be a long year.  I'll have to find ways to relax and prepare for the onslaught of homework.  I guess that's the downside of having all the kids in school.  Ugh.

August 29th

Today is my birthday.  It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  (I got my grouchiness out yesterday.)  The burritos were yummy.  My mom made me a blueberry pie.  (Thanks Mom.)  I made a Hawaiian Pineapple Cake.  I think I over did the eating.  Good thing I'll be working out tomorrow.



I got these from Mickey and the kids yesterday.

There are two more just like.  I think I'll put them in the front flower bed.  It's looking rather dead now.

I also got something new to treat this.

I found out today that I've been re-exposing myself to poison ivy.  Duh.  That would explain all the new little itchy spots I keep getting.  Now that I've washed my painting clothes maybe the pills will work and I won't be itchy any more.  I guess that's my birthday wish.

Burrito Filling

Sorry about the food two days in a row but I had to share my favorite burrito filling.  I know it doesn't look that great but it tastes better than it looks.

I slaved away (I did have some help) making this for tomorrow's dinner.  It's so yummy I could eat the filling with a spoon or on a chip.  I like it wrapped up in a shell with melted cheese too.

I usually make a double batch because it can be a lot of work.  I leave out enough for one meal and end up freezing enough for at least another two.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.

The BIG Italy

Our dinner tonight was provided by Pizza Hut.

We watched "Furry Vengeance" for family movie night.  We don't recommend it.

The Master Before

I was supposed to do a do-over of Meg's first day of school.  I took the picture this afternoon but the subject of the photo was not the most cooperative.  I'll have to do another one tomorrow.  Maybe we'll get it right.  Who knows.



So today's picture is the before of our bedroom.  Imagine walking through a pretty bland (color wise) house and walking into this.  (You'll have to imagine this times four to get the true experience.)

It was rather shocking the first couple of times we walked into our room.  Today I painted this wall.  I'd already painted another one.  It's taking a while since I've had other things to do.  I would like to finish the other two walls by Saturday.  I might get it done.  I will post an After picture after I make another trip to IKEA for accessories.   I LOVE the new color.  A few comments about it (by other people) are:  calming and it's like a spa.  Totally what I was going for.  Stay tuned.  I bet you can't wait.  Neither can I.

First Day

I didn't get a single picture of Meg today.  She left a little early for me and when she came home, well, I'll get to that soon.  When Meg left for the bus stop it was still dark out.  Her bus comes 40 minutes before school starts.  She may start getting a ride with a friend the lives nearby.

Here are the reds waiting for the bus.  When the bus pulled up the kids took off to climb into the bus.  They didn't even care that it was the wrong number.  They were just excited to get on and get to school.  It was the right bus driver driving a substitute bus because the regular bus broke down.  Something related to a full moon last night.  Mickey and I introduced ourselves to the bus driver and he to us.  Then they were gone.  I couldn't believe they left without saying good bye.  I felt a tear coming but then realized I had Mickey all to myself all day.  That cheered me right up.

The reds came home happy.  Kade has the teacher Mat had for Kindergarten.  Mat has the teacher Meg had for 4th grade.  Familiar is good.

Later we walked down to Meg's bus stop and waited and waited and waited.  The bus finally came but no child got off the bus.  What the heck?  I walked back to the house while Mickey waited to see if she just missed the stop and the driver would drop her off.  Nope.  I get home and see that someone has tried to call the house and my cell.  I call the number back (something I never do).  It's Meg's school.  She missed the bus.  The office lady hands Meg the phone.  She told me what happened and that since she couldn't get me (or her dad at work, or either of her grandmothers) she called her friend's mom who lives down the street.  At least she had someone else to call.  The friend's mom showed up and took her home with her.  I went to pick her up and told Meg she needs to learn her dad's cell number since he always has it on him.  Afterward I was a little concerned with the school allowing Meg to go home with someone not on her emergency card.  Huh?  Thanks again, Amy.  Meg did enjoy her day at the new school.  We met her teachers last night.  One is the athletic director.  One is the softball coach.  And the orchestra teacher seemed glad to have her.  She knew four students in her home room from her elementary school.  Like I said, familiar is good.

Mickey thought I should include this picture.  Mat clicking her heels three times and saying "There's no place like school".

School Day Eve

The supplies have been purchased and packed.

The clothes have been chosen and laid out.

Children are clean and nestled in bed.  Well, almost.

Buses will be arriving early in the morning.

The mother can't be more pleased....

For the children will learn so much in school.

The Kids' Bathroom

I finished up the kids' bathroom last week but had to wait another day or so for Mickey to put up the towel rack before I took pictures.  I also had to remember to take the picture early in the afternoon or it wouldn't turn out.  Here it is.

And from the other side.

I really liked how it turned out.  The green is a little yellower than I had wanted but it works.  I'm going to make a white valance for the window and sew on ric-rac or ribbons in the colors from the shower curtain.  That should be fun.  My favorite little thing is this.

We found the bowl and washcloths at Target as well as the shower curtain and rugs (there are two of them, one in each room).  It still needs some art work but that shouldn't be too hard to find or make.

Tasty Combo

This is what we had for dinner tonight.

It was good.  Pulled pork and Sweet Baby Ray's on a bun.  Yum.

I had good intentions last night to put the pork roast in the crock pot before church.  Well...three slow moving kids plus a tired and itchy mom don't really allow for extra time or even a thought about dinner plans.  (I think I've only used my crock pot about 10 times in the 17 years I've had it.  It doesn't rank very high on my kitchen tools list.  Obviously.)  I ended up putting it in the oven in the clay baker from Pampered Chef.  It turned out pretty juicy.  I just wish pork wasn't so fatty.

Relief

It is so good to have friends and family members in the medical field.



Poison ivy (or poison something) was the diagnose I got from our doctor friend.  I still have no idea how I got it.  I self medicated this morning and it only flared up and itched more (it could have been the progress of the allergic reaction not necessarily what I put on it).  The one Benedryl I took this morning knocked me out for a few hours this afternoon.  Guess what I'll be taking soon?  A few more Benedryl.  I'm looking forward to a good night sleep.  After visiting with our friend I'm now armed with different, and hopefully better, medication.  Did I already mention how nice it is to know doctors? So nice.

We also found some relief at ABC Warehouse.  Our refrigerator is dying.  The freezer's fine but the fridge just isn't cold enough.  We've had to throw out a few gallons of milk.  We bought a plain old fridge this morning as a place filler.  We would like to get a different, bigger refrigerator but have to get a wall moved in order for it to fit.  I don't think that will be too bad.  But in the meantime we needed something.  Once all the construction is done and the new fridge purchased the one we bought today will go in the basement as an extra.  I have really missed having a second fridge.  That will mean I won't have to make a milk run the second half of the week.  Yay!

P.S. The wall in the background is the new color of our room.  It's not exactly the same in person but I love it.  I can't wait to finish it.

Summer's End

Summer is coming to an end.  Next week school starts.  We filled our day with all kinds of activities.  This morning we had to go to Meg's new school because somehow they didn't have her in the system at all.  Then they made a schedule for her only to have it be for a 5th grader and not 6th.  She now has the right schedule.  Today was the last day my kids would get to play with our little friend Finn, since they'll be in school when he comes over.  They played on the trampoline, the neighbors' playset, and blew bubbles.

We had lunch, dropped Finn at his house, and went swimming with our friends in green water.  (I forgot the camera.  I'm sure it would have made an interesting picture.)  We spent two hours at the pool and headed home.  I had some girlfriends coming over and Mickey decided to take the kids out for the evening.  They went to dinner and then watched Shrek Forever After.  They came home and went to bed after getting the mandatory snack.

I chatted with my friends until we were all very tired.  (I also found out that I might have poison ivy.  No idea where I got it from.)  Then I posted this lovely bit of news and now I'm heading to bed so I can start another busy day.

Brave Boy

Four shots.  That's what Kade got today.  He was a little nervous about it but he's so tough.  I think the girls were even more nervous for him.  (Those two can be such worried little mothers.)  After his check up the time finally came for the shots.  He had a little reward waiting for him at home if he could get through it without giving the nurse or me any problems.  He was awesome.  There were two nurses, each doing a shot at the same time, twice.  Kade held my hands and only said "Ow" and grimaced both times.  There wasn't one little tear.  He was so brave.  Mattey had to step out of the room for the vaccinations.  I thought that was funny.

Bouncin' Fun

When we announced we were selling the house and then gave away the kids' old play set we made a promise to get them a trampoline at the new house.  While we were out house hunting the realtor had offered hers to us since her kids have outgrown it.  Mickey went to pick it up today.



Here's a couple of action shots.

The tramp didn't come with a pad for the springs so we're searching for one.  We're also looking for an enclosure.  Gotta keep those kids safe.

Splash Universe

This morning we woke up and had a breakfast buffet at the hotel.  Fresh waffles are always welcomed.  Then Mickey took the kids to the waterpark while I packed.  I ran down to take some pictures too.  Here's Meg making a splash.

We didn't do too much today.  It was nice to take it easy.  Here's a few more pictures.  I managed to not have my picture taken.  I guess I need to learn to pass the camera around.

I'm off to finish painting the kids' bathroom.  Yes, I'm still not done.  School starts next week.  Yippee!

August 16th

At the last minute yesterday we decided to get away for the day and night.  We didn't go far.  We went to...

...located in Shipshewana.  The kids had a great time.  Mickey enjoyed himself and I think I might have too.  (I don't like waterparks.)

Here's some photos from Monday.  We went walking around after dinner.  I put descriptions with the photos so they tell the story.

Be Back Tomorrow

New Wardrobe

The kids aren't the only ones around here getting new clothes.  Since Mickey has joined the "suit club" at church he had to go out and find a few suits.  We went to Kohl's this week and found him two.  One on clearance and the other on sale.  Can't beat that.

Bikers

This morning after cleaning the church the kids went home with Grandma and Grandpa.  Mickey and I did a little shopping and came home.  To a quiet house.  After we had lunch we couldn't decide what we wanted to do.  Go see a movie?  Pull weeds in the yard/garden?  What?  We finally decided to go on a bike ride.

We had a great time.  We both got pretty sweaty and could feel the achy muscles in the end but it was worth it.  (I loved that I could beat him going down hills.)  We ended up going 5 miles.  I can't wait to do it again.



This evening we got to go out.  Alone.  My mom came over while Mickey and I went to a 70's-80's dance at church (for the youth).  We both dressed the part.  Mickey in 70's and me in 80's.  The dance wasn't all that fun but for once I really enjoyed dressing up and going out.  If we ever get a picture I'll attach it.

Movie Night

We try to watch a movie as a family every Friday night.  Sometimes it's hard to find something we all want to see.  This is what we watched tonight.

We borrowed my brother's projector and watched a big version of the movie.  We all liked it.  (I would have liked a couple words to not be said but really, what can you do?)  Meg has read part of the first book and I read the entire series.  I recommend it.

Pokemon

Are you or someone you know into Pokemon?  Our three kids are.  Meg is the one that started it all a few years ago.  Mickey has tried to understand and play some games with her.  I, on the other hand, cannot seem to grasp the purpose of a world with weird creatures that evolve into different forms.  Which is odd because I like sci-fi/paranormal stuff.  Anyway.



Somehow big sister Megan has influenced the reds and they all have Pokemon paraphernalia laying around.  There are even fights (can you believe it?) over what card belongs to who.  Very common occurrence.  When we go to the library Meg almost always gets Pokemon movies, if one is in.  I swear she's probably watched all of them 10 times already.  It makes her happy.  So that's the potd.  A Pokemon movie.

Rose Bush Gone Wild

Today's post was going to be about my grandma's funeral but when I went to take a picture of something the camera wouldn't work.  Duh, I left the battery charging at home.  I really need to find my brain.  The funeral was nice but they are so much better when the minister or whoever actually knows the person that's died.  We had a family luncheon at Honkers afterward.  My kids were sure to point out all the geese to me.  I'll admit it, it was a little scary being in there.  Not.



On to the post...



I few weeks ago Mickey and I did some yard work.  I tackled about 6 bushes.  Apparently I missed a part of the rose bush.

It was growing through the deck floor.  I know I really cut that thing back but this stem must have been hiding under the deck and then made it's way through.  I took care of that stem and a few others that had grown a foot or two in the last few weeks.  I think it's growing faster than the weeds and the kids.

Baby Kaleb

Tonight was my grandma's viewing.  We visited with lots of family and some friends.  It was nice.  The best part (for the kids) was a room off the entry called the lounge.  There was a table set up with food and some comfy places to sit.  While enjoying the chips, cookies, and brownies (why would they think of eating anything healthy) the kids had some free entertainment.  Their cousin, baby Kaleb.

Besides chasing the crawling cousin around I'm not sure how Kaleb kept their attention other than the normal baby things he does.  Which are cute.  I'm sure his big brother Sabe helped keep them occupied too.  I wanted a picture of them all doting on Kaleb but it turned into a posed and unnatural thing.  Oh well.  I'm still preserving our day.

Family Home Evening

I know I've posted about this before but today it's more about how we organize it.  We used to have a wooden peg board to keep track of all the jobs and make the rotating easier.  When I made that Kade wasn't around yet.  So I stuck a nail in to add him to the rotation.  I tossed that when we moved.  While I'm looking around for the perfect way to keep track of the FHE responsibilities (I do have something in mind.  That means I'll never find it or it will come with only 4 hooks and not 5) this is what we use.  Cheap.  Easy.  And quick.

Friends

Meg and Grace have known each other since Meg was just over a year and Grace was just a few months old.  They grew up together.  Played together countless times.  Over the years they have remained friends without getting together all that often.  It's so sad that Grace is moving away.  That's life living here.

This morning Mickey was called as the Second Counselor in the Bishopric.  Our lives are going to change.  I know we will be blessed, but that doesn't mean life will be easy.

It's Our Turn

As church members we, as well as a dozen other families, have a responsibility to clean the church building on the Saturdays of one month.  August is our month.  We went this morning to do our part.

The kids did windows and dust mopped the gym floor.  Mickey and I did a lot of vacuuming.  When all the families show up we get the job done in about an hour.  This morning only 4 families showed so we were there a little longer.

Summer Camp

We hadn't signed the kids up to do much this summer.  I think we felt we needed to settle into the house and neighborhood.  An opportunity did present itself for Meg to participate in a week long softball summer camp at her new school.  The coach is also one of the sixth grade teachers.  I hope Meg made a good impression.  (I kind of doubt that.  She told me she told the coach that she still liked her old school better.  The coach tossed a cup of water in her face.  She was already wet from the slip 'n slide.)  It was nice for her to get out and meet some new girls she'll be attending school with.  She did make a new friend who happens to be a sixth grader too.



I got a call from my mom a little while ago.  My grandma has passed.  She is now finally at peace.  We'll miss her.

Humidity

(Sorry this is going to be a lame post.)



Here in the mid-west we have pretty high humidity.  I love it for the most part.  My skin doesn't crack.  My nose rarely bleeds.  My hair is curlier.  I still use lotion but only once a day.  We, like most people, don't like the humidity to be high in the house.  That's where the AC comes in.  It leaves enough for us to be comfortable.



In our new house it seems the humidity is even higher.  We've had to buy a dehumidifier for the basement because water was dripping from the ceiling.  Not good.  Every night I empty and start the dehumidifier.  It takes 12-14 hours for the 2-2.5 gallon tank to fill up.  I believe we could have a pool in the basement if we didn't run it all the time.

Mickey and I were discussing why we have to run it everyday here when we almost never had to run it at the old house.  (The previous owner wasn't running one.)  The only difference we could come up with is that our current basement is pretty empty and not finished.   (The previous owner had the basement filled with crap.  I guess it absorbed the moisture.)   Anyone have any other thoughts?

Like I said, pretty lame.

In other news, I bought paint for the kids bathroom along with towel bars, a hook, and a light fixture.  I will post when it's finished otherwise a lot of posts over the next few months will all be about painting the house.  That'll get boring for sure.

Shish-Ka-Bust

Looking at this picture don't you think we'd have a good tasty dinner?  I thought so.  But that's not what happened.  I hadn't made shish-ka-bobs in a long while.  I'm not sure what went wrong, or that anything really did go wrong.  It just didn't work out the way we had hoped.  We tried some potatoes (regular and sweet) but they don't cook fast enough.  I think for next time we'll ka-bob the meats and cook the veggies in foil.  At least we had enough to pick at to be satisfied.  Afterwards the cookies Mickey baked filled us to the top.

The Count Down Begins

School starts in three weeks from tomorrow.  Yippee!  I had wanted to start the school shopping early this time around but somehow taking three ornery kids out shopping didn't sound too appealing to me so....I didn't think about it much.  Until Mickey said something today.  The girls had Activity Days tonight and I had asked Mickey to run some errands with me while the girls were busy.  I forgot the paint chips so Home Depot was out.  We decided to take Kade out for his first ever school shopping.  (One kid at a time will probably work out better.)  We stopped at Target to see what we could find in a half hours time.

Kade left with a few shirts, some nice cargo shorts (we'll buy pants later), and a new pair of shoes he wants to learn to tie.  We also stopped at Hobby Lobby and picked up the baseball lamp he saw last week.  So glad I waited.  It's 50% off this week.  Nice.

One started two more to go......

Pool Party

That was the theme of the day but the potd doesn't reflect that at all.  First about the pool.  The girls were invited to a birthday/farewell party for their friend Grace.  The party was way south of town so I decided Kade and I could spend some quality time with my sister-in-law and her kids that live close by.  Everyone had a lot of fun.  The girls did not want to leave when I went to pick them up.  They somehow managed to get an extra 30 minutes of swimming out of me.



We made the ride home dropping off a few friends along the way.  We ate dinner and had Family Home Evening.  Meg had the activity for the night.  She picked a bike ride.  Mickey and I didn't know how this would work since Mat doesn't really want to ride her bike and Kade's bike no longer has training wheels and didn't want to do the whole ride being held.  Long story short, we made it around a huge block without anyone getting hurt.  (That's a big improvement from our last attempt at a family bike ride.)  When we came home I noticed a butterfly fluttering around the butterfly bush we have out front.  I ran for the camera because I have been waiting for an opportunity to shoot one.  Here it is.

The little bike ride had left me wanting a longer one.  I put Kade to bed after he and Mickey finished putting my new dresser together and went for a ride around the neighborhood.  It was so much fun.  There are all kinds of hills and curvy roads to drive on.  I think a third of the ride I got to coast but I really had to work to get up the next hill.  The only way it could have been better is if Mickey had come with me.  Maybe next time.

Awesome August

Here we are.  August 1st.  This will be a great month.  The kids go back to school.  I'll get back in a routine, meaning daily workouts will actually be possible.  I'll also have my crappy birthday.



We had something new tonight.  Scones.  Or as Kade called them "crouckons".  I don't know why.  This was the first time the kids and I ever had them.  I made them because I'd remembered Mickey commenting about having one not too long ago and actually liking it.  He didn't remember but once he saw them he did.

I used this recipe.  I doubled it and then divided the dough in thirds.  One third I left plain and everyone wanted cinnamon and sugar on top.  One third I put in mini chocolate chips.  The other third I added cinnamon and golden raisins.  They were all really good.  I'll have to find a healthier recipe so we can have them more often.