Standiford Family

Since it’s September and it’s time for reading, writing, and arithmetic I thought I’d share one of my favorite reads.

I stumbled on “Hunger Games” some time early last year.  Loved it!  It does have violence but my mind can’t really visualize it so it works for me.  When I finished it I was ready to read “Catching Fire”.  I had to wait a w-h-i-l-e for that.  It was good too.  I read somewhere, probably on Amazon.com, that the third installment, “Mockingjay”, was coming out right before my birthday.  My plan was to get it first at the library and then order the set for myself if I liked it.  Well, it didn’t quiet work out that way.  I remembered too late to place a hold and when I looked there were about 56 holds already.  I looked up the books on Amazon.com and decided to just order them.  I’m skimming through the second although I just reread it a few months ago and then I’m sure I’ll devour “Mockingjay”.  I hope Suzanne Collins doesn’t let me down.  I’ll update the post after I read it and let you know if I liked it.

Added on September 2nd: I finished “Mockingjay” this afternoon.  (I was up until 3 am with heartburn.  So fun.)  Suzanne Collins came through.  The third installment was as good as the first two.  It was a bit more gory though, but that’s just how it had to finish.

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.

…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.

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.

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”.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.