Friday's Just Another Busy Day

I came downstairs to this sight this morning: Miss A had apparently gotten up during the night to sleep on the rocking chair.

After I got IC on the bus, I got the girls ready for the day and we headed to the medium city to get some laundry supplies and grocery shop, among other things.

No, these sweet angels were NOT the children I had at WalMart just an hour before. They were little whiners and terrors most of the time.

After we got home, I unloaded the car and put the cold stuff away while the girls were napping in the car.

We then headed back to town to pick up IC and home to play, Mommy planted a few flowers and finish the rest of the day like usual. (Except Miss A had a MAJOR meltdown/temper tandrum right before we went inside for the night-it was NOT pretty!)

This is Miss A's scooter, but E loves to ride it. Unfortunately, I have to pull her along because she can't do it. She loves it and calls it her "bike". Miss A doesn't play on it much since IC says he's too big for his scooter and needs a new one. (I told him to ask Santa for that.)

I could go on and on with the details of the day, but I'm much too tired for that.

Stormy Night

Well, I had plans for a big post about our happenings (though they might be boring to the average person).

Unfortunately, it will have to wait tonight. First it was a tornado watch, then a thunderstorm warning.

Hopefully, both will miss us.

It's Wednesday, I Think

What a day-and I still don't think I accomplished much!

Little Miss E got up with the big kids this am, so no chance of getting some cleaning done this morning.

So, after the others left for school, we headed upstairs to work on putting the storeroom back together. We worked on it most of the morning and a little while in the afternoon.

It's close to being done, but have a few things to do yet.

The girls decided it would be fun to climb on top of the play kitchen while I worked. I wasn't happy with that, since I could just see someone falling off.

They, on the other hand, thought it was great.

Now, I'll probably catch them up there all the time.

And we just might get that ER visit for stitches, too. I can just see it.

Anyway, today I picked IC up from school since it was nice, except for the wind blowing a hundred miles an hour (give or take).

We stopped at the grocery store, where E decided to run around the store, Miss A ran after her, and yep, it was embarassing. At the checkout, they finally converged, only for IC and Miss A to beat on each other enough to make a scene.

And, yep, I was still embarassed and ticked off by this time.

After that, it was the usual, get home and outside, showers, supper, bed, etc.

While we were outside, my FIL was in the yard. Apparently, he couldn't stand being at home any longer. He wasn't around a long time, but he was out.

After all, he'd just had knee surgery a week ago today.

I'd say he's doing well.

E amazingly, fell asleep at 9 pm-THIS IS A RECORD!!!!!!!!

And if I had had my laundry caught up, I could have used it to my advantage.

But, of course, I was behind on that, so it took me a LONG time to get it all under control.

Needless to say, I'm not getting to bed early tonight and I have several very full laundry baskets to put away tomorrow.

Ah well-I think I will make sure E gets up at a good time tomorrow, I like having an hour or 2 at night-that's very nice. :)

Cosignment Tuesday

Today was a deviation from routine, which was good, but it wasn't the most stellar day, which isn't as good.

It started with a long night with E. She is rebelling against sleep in the worst way and it was 11:15 before she finally went to sleep.

Only to fuss on and off during the night for reasons unknown to anyone but her.

Getting up in the morning greeted me with complaints of headaches and tummy aches from the older 2.

I sent them to school anyway. (They were fine, by the way, at school-no one came home sick)

Finally, I headed to big city to take the van loaded with toys, crib mattress, baby gates, and clothing to the cosignment sale for this weekend.

I get there fine, except I forgot to mark some of the tags, so I was trying to do that and get everything out at the same time.

It managed to end nicely, anyway.

Off to Walmart to find Miss A a couple of Sunday dresses, IC some Sunday shirts, school pants and sandals, and the essentials.

I didn't find everything I wanted and I did run out of time today to get groceries, so it looks as if me and the girls will be taking a trip on Friday to medium city for the rest of the essentials.

After Wally World, I grabbed a bite and then headed to find a scrapbook store that I had a gift card to for a winning entry at the state fair last year.

THAT was the fun part of my day. I enjoyed it and wished I could have spent more!

Next, it was exchange IC's boots at the western store. I couldn't find the exact size I wanted and ended up with a 3.5 instead of 3-hope we can make that work anyway.

By that time, I knew I'd better head home, as it was around 3:30.

I was able to quickly use my BIL's lawn sweeper to get the worst of the thick grass I mowed from yesterday before my mom headed home-that was a good thing.

After that, things weren't great. Supper was fraut with unruly children, and I've been getting E out of trouble constantly all evening.

If this is the terrible 2's, I sure hope to terrible 3's are better! I'm exhausted from getting her out of everything all the time. She's much more into stuff than the other 2 were at her age.

Now, it will be late before JJ comes home from the field, too tired to talk. It will be a fight to get E to bed AGAIN. It looks as if I STILL don't have an article done yet for my job-I've had writers block this week (I know, it's early, I just don't know why I have)

On the rest of the week agenda: write 2 articles for my job
work on cradle roll stuff and take one set to new baby
clean house
patch some of IC's farm jeans
get groceries and laundry supplies in medium city
get store room put back together
Gee, is that enough stuff yet?

I'd better get to work or I'm going to run out of hours this week!

Monday Morning

It's another crazy Monday, what more can be said?

I sent the older 2 to school this morning, even with complaints of tummy aches and headaches. IC said he didn't feel the best and last time I sent him, he came home sick. Unfortunately, I've kept him home before and he's been a bored tyrant most of the time, so I never know if I should send him or not.

JJ's theory is it's easier to get them from school if they're sick rather than go crazy from keeping them home when it turns out it wasn't needed.

I still feel guilty for sending him. Miss A was ok, I think. Actually, she's now getting home from school and seems to be fine, again. She also brought home registration papers for next fall's school year to fill out.

While the kids were at school this morning, I got E up and we ran to town to get JJ's trees and bushes from the NRCS to replace some dead ones in the tree line. Then I dropped them off at home before heading to mom's to pick up the cosignment clothes I was storing there.

Back at home, I'm trying to run through mountains of laundry (how does it pile up so fast?) and finish tagging a couple of new items for the sale. Apparently, E is much happier without the bed rail on her bed, so I left it off and decided to sell it. We have 2, since I have one at mom's, also, so I can get rid of one and still be ok, plus have more space!

Yesterday afternoon, JJ worked on putting up some shelves in my store room closet (ones promised several years ago). I hope to get them stocked with our books and clean out the closet stuff before putting it back in the closet. It's currently scattered and stacked around the upstairs in various places. I am deterimined to clear out what we don't need and purge.

This afternoon, mom is coming over to watch the girls while I mow the ever-growing yard. It didn't get mowed last week and with the wind blowing like crazy today, it's starting to get the "green sea" look. This is really tall grass blowing in the wind, flowing like the ocean or sea. People from my area know what I'm talking about-since the wind is ALWAYS blowing like crazy around here.

JJ's in the field this am, hoping it doesn't rain for awhile. There's actually chances of rain most of the week. This will make farmers get frantic, worried and grumpy.

Not to mention, if I don't get this grass mowed today, we may not be able to find the kids' toys in the yard soon.

More Recital Pics

My pics from yesterday's recital are a little fuzzy since no flash photography was allowed during the programs, as it was also being filmed. And yes, I decided to get a DVD since I know several girls who were dancing and I wasn't sure I'd be able to tape things on my camera since I didn't know how Miss A would do. She did great, by the way, especially considering how big of a day it was.

I am still recovering today.

My Recital Angel

My recital angel made it through rehearsal this morning, AND 2 recitals this afternoon. It was awesome, exciting, and exhausting.

I am now trying to recover from the big day and sensory overload.

Thank Goodness I got to hang out with a couple of dance moms, they were definately a help and made the day enjoyable. I also met up with my friend during the 2 pm show, whom I haven't seen forever.

All in all, there were no meltdowns on the stage. It truly was a good day.

Friday, the 23rd

It's Friday, 8:35 am. The girls and JJ are still in bed. I think IC and I would still be there if it weren't for the fact that he had school this am.

I finished my 3rd article for work this morning and now I need to get motivated.

It's a foggy, gray morning this morning-therefore, I'd rather just lay around. Except for cleaning the house the past 2 mornings, I really haven't accomplished much this week it seems. I did get the kids' stuff all finished/ready for next week's cosignment sale, so that was good. And up until yesterday, had the laundry all folded and PUT AWAY. This is also an accomplishment.

Today, there's more laundry to catch up on, cleaning up my desk and the pile of mail that has accumulated over the week, just general clutter.

Last night, we had a pretty good thunderstorm. The dog, who freaks at storms, was in the basement. She freaked a couple of times and I think she fell down the stairs once. JJ had to get up and calm her down once. At least the kids didn't wake up during it and the electricity didn't blink.

That's always a bonus.

Since it rained, it looks as if JJ won't have a problem going to Miss A's dance recital tomorrow. I am glad he should be around to help mom get the other 2 ready to go, as I probably won't be able to come home in between shows. I am praying Miss A makes it through the whole day. I am going to pack lots of snacks, drinks, and activities for her to do tomorrow.

I've been following a blog of a family with 7 year old twin girls, one of whom was diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago. She's been in treatment for a relapse and they've come to the end of the chemo. Unless there's a drug trial she can qualify for, only a miracle from God will stop the cancer and save her life. She has the same first name as E, so I've been interested in their family for awhile.

How easily we get wrapped up in our own petty worries and forget those whose struggles are bigger.

They have an amazing faith in God-which I am so glad they do. How the mom has unknowingly shown me faith is hard to explain. I do pray they get their miracle.

Earth Day

Today is Earth Day. I know this because IC was supposed to pick up trash with the rest of the school this afternoon. This got postponed because of the rain.

There was just enough rain to chase JJ out of the field. So, we actually got to eat supper together-that was a nice change.

Today, though for me, was very unproductive. I did get the floors cleaned, but that was it. The rest of the time, I spent getting E off the dresser, off the kitchen counter, out of the refrigerator, out of the computer desk, out of the mud room, etc, etc, etc. . . . . . . .

So much for getting things crossed off the list.

Ah well-so it goes.

Just A Tuesday of Ordinary Proportions

The blossoming peach tree.

The blossoming sour cherry tree.

The puny sour cherry tree. It's the first it's bloomed in several years.

The flower bed I worked on yesterday. There's 2 hostas well established and I planted 4 ferns yesterday there, also. I didn't plant right by the sandbox, between kids trampling through there and sand always finding itself out of the sandbox, all I did was clear out the weeds. I had some bricks there by the sandbox, but the weeds still grow through them and so I don't know if I'll put them back or not.

This is my north flower bed. It's been a work-in-progress for nearly 10 years. I'd have hoped to have it full of perennials by now, but it's not. Things have died and I STILL hope to have a bird bath in the center someday.

I wish it had been sunny yesterday, as my pictures would have turned out a little better. It's been cloudy for a couple of days, with the threat of rain, but other than 10 drops yesterday, we've seen nothing.

After E's nap, the girls and I headed outside to work a little on the flower bed north of the wash house, after filling yet another hole the dog had dug in the front yard.

We were still outside when IC came home, so he came out after a little bit and helped me clear away the weeds by the sandbox.

E has been on a stripping streak lately and yesterday, decided to strip off her diaper. So I pulled up her pants and let her go without a diaper yesterday outside. She actually didn't wet her pants, which was good. She's always taking her shirt, pants or both off, and trying to take her diaper off daily, also. Too bad she's not ready to potty train yet, that would make life a lot easier (and cheaper, too!)

JJ actually got home before the kids went to bed last night, as he was planting out here south of the house and got to a stopping point. Apparently, he'd not been feeling the greatest all day, so he came home to chore and call it a day. It was nice that Daddy got to read stories last night.

Rehearsal Night

Last night I took Miss A into town for dance rehearsal at the theater. We started at 6 pm and the little girls got to leave early-at 7:30! It was a long wait for the girls and a rather long evening.

Hopefully, it won't be as bad on Saturday, as I have to bring IC and E bunny along.

Last night, my mom was able to watch them, so it was just Miss A and I-which was really nice. Saturday morning we have practice again and then there are 2 performances -2 and 4 pm. Unfortunately, we're supposed to be at the theater at 12:45 for the first performance!!! Luckily, my mom is going to watch IC and E bunny and I'll have to put their car seats in her car or something because she and JJ will have to bring the other 2 for the 4 pm performance.

Saturday looks to be a long and rather loss of a day. Ah well, it's only 1 day. Then we will have a break from dance for a few months.

How to Put Up A Basketball Hoop In a Weekend

First, let your hubby talk you into putting the rim and backboard and as it turned out in the directions, the back support together with children on Friday.

Isn't she cute?

On Saturday, have hubby dig a 2 ft. deep hole and let him talk said 6 yr old, who was complaining he wasn't getting to help, pick up the dirt out of the bottom.

Cart the extra dirt to your flower bed, which is luckily just a few steps away.

Next, hubby gets to mix the cement to pour in said hole while son tries to help a little (until he gets bored).

Then let whiny daughter have a hand at running the water for mixing cement.

Take a break and snap picture of daugher #3 singing while playing on Daddy's pickup.

After cement hole is filled, Daddy gets to make sure it's level.

Let cement set up overnight.

Allow kids to keep busy for awhile cleaning out cement mixing bucket while Mommy works on her flower bed. Of course, they play in the water a lot longer than the necessary cleaning, but THEY STAYED BUSY AWHILE. (This is a good thing).

Sunday, mix MORE cement to put down the basketball pole. Encourage son to use mallet to lightly tap cement down the tube so he feels like he's helping.

Let cement set AGAIN. Hubby and BIL move said pole after planting corn in late evening.

Monday morning, Mommy uses said lawn chair to support basketball hoop and rim to attach to said pole while girls mess with the many bolts and nuts and extra pieces included with said hoop and pole setup.

ALL DONE! After 4 days, we have a basketball hoop. This thing better last a lifetime!

No Rest for the Wicked

This is my south flowerbed. I have been working on this thing for almost 10 years. And I've pretty much had to start over (and over and over . . . . ) Hopefully, this is the LAST time I will have to start from scratch.

The only things I didn't change was the 2 spirea bushes and 1 mum that Grandma had originally.

At least, there are still a few blooms left.

Somehow Sunday, the "Day of Rest" is not so restful anymore.

It was another busy day. Today was "Camp Sunday" so we got to come to church in our camp shirts and after church, there was a meal of french toast, sausage, etc. It was very good, by the way.'

We had choir today and there were a few of us who had solos during our song, me included. It went well.

We left church early so that JJ could get out to the field in the afternoon. First, though, he played a little Wii with the kids, and worked on the basketball pole with the kids, before working on the planter. He didn't head to the field until after 3.

I was able to finish my transplanting flowers in my bed south of the house. I worked hard on it yesterday afternoon, and had started it last week. It's nearly done, just a little arranging of rock to do and I may have to envelop it in ugly tall fence until the dog won't dig there anymore (which might be when she's dead, but oh well).

Remember when I mentioned that my tulips were blooming and that usually a devasting to my blooms phenomenon usually soon follows. This year, instead of a nature phenomenon destroying my flowers, it was of another sort-E bunny pulled several blooms off my tulips yesterday while I was transplanting flowers. Sigh.

After I got the flowers done, I played with the kids-riding bikes, swings, football, even a little picnic of snacks and water in the backyard.

After that, time to head in, clean up and get ready for supper. By absolute grace, my parents called. On their way home from the medium city, they offered to bring pizza.

I was thrilled. So we had supper courtesy of Pizza Hut and I didn't have to cook all day today. BONUS! I wish I enjoyed cooking, but I don't

Getting kids to bed was the same ol' thing. I wish once they were in bed, they would STAY there. Drinks, headaches, etc It gets very old.

I let E watch "The Wonder Pets" while I finished a couple of things on the computer-she was singing "teamwor" while they sang their teamwork song. Very cute.

Not cute, but a good sign is that E can usually tell me when she's got poopy pants. It's a start.

Now, it's off to decide if I'm going to make this online job work and get the final clothes for the cosignment sale priced.

I'd rather go to bed. Ah well.

The Workout

You'd think that with all my running around with kids that I would have lost my weight by now.

For example:

Yesterday after E and mine! naps (poor Miss A, I fell asleep for a little bit while playing My Little Pony with her), and snack, the girls and I headed outside.

First, I worked out my arms pushing both girls on the swings.

Next, I worked my whole body dragging 64 lbs of girls in the red wagon around the farmyard.

Then, IC came home off the bus, so I was running to keep E from getting too close to the road and bus.

JJ came home then, with the kids' new basketball hoop and pole. He suggested we put the rim and backboard together. THAT was a nice bonding idea, but it didn't work out quite that way. I did a lot of running after E to bring back wrenches, bolts, etc and then I had to basically hold the thing together by myself while trying to put the nuts on the bolts.

But I digress.

After that fun, then I had to field a frisbee from Miss A and a football from IC. AT THE SAME TIME.

Next, it was push the girls on the swing AGAIN.

Then, it was bounce pass the basketball with IC.

Then, it was clean up time, in which I ALWAYS seem to do that by myself A LOT.

That, folks, was my workout for the day.

E's first big sentence

E said her first big sentence that I was actually able to understand.

I was holding her up to the window in the kitchen, in which you can see the cows in the feedlot across the driveway.

E bunny said, "Cows eat corn."

Sorry, I just really thought it was cute today. :)

New Layouts

These are all for E bunny's baby album. Yes, I am only up to her 1 month old pictures.

This one didn't scan correctly, but it's close enough you can see-it's just missing the blue frame around the edges.

These 3 are all for E's 1 month layout. The top one about the bath I got done yesterday afternoon, from start to finish. The 3 page lo laid on my desk for several days before I just finally finished it yesterday.

Loong Night

E bunny caused Mommy to have a rather long night last night.

First, she didn't go to bed until after 10 and then it was 11 before she FINALLY conked out.

Then, she fussed several times during the night. I went up the first time, JJ the third time (in which she got mad at him for shushing her) and finally, I went up the 4th time. Then I stayed until I got up for the day. Two straight hours on the floor was rather rough and my back hurts today.

Before E fell asleep the first time, she had gotten mad at me because I wouldn't let her take books into bed. She proceeded to cuss me out with,"bebe alone, k?" Translation:leave me alone, ok? She got that from Miss A and once in awhile, I tell the kids to leave me alone for a few minutes (especially when they've gotten so bad on my nerves I need a break before I lose it).

Then, after that, she was talking about "eat corn." That, I'm not sure what she meant. Right now, the dog, us, and everyone else eats corn according to her. I think she got that from us feeding the squirrels (field) corn cobs. Any vegetable at the table is corn, whether it is or not, so that must be her generalization for food right now. Miss A's word was beans when she was E's age.

It's cute. Don't tell E, but her telling me off last night was cute, too. Luckily, it was too dark for her to see me smile. That might have made it worse if she'd have seen it.

Hair Salon

The side pony.

Two ponys side by side.

Yesterday, the girls and I passed part of the afternoon playing hair salon.

First, I let them play with my hair. E bunny is a little rough;she whacked me more than once with the hairbrush.

After awhile, I worked on Miss A's hair. Next week is her recital and I am trying to figure out how to put her hair up the best way so her obnoxious hairpiece will work.

Okay, it's not obnoxious, but for a girlie with thin, straight, fine hair, it's EXTREMELY hard to keep the thing in her hair.

I talked to the hairdresser Wednesday. She suggested either 2 ponytails on top of her head or a side pony. So I tried out both, but I'm not really sure which I like yet.

Poor girl got my hair genes. I apologize Miss A.

Yesterday

A couple of things came about yesterday-not really on the good side.

First, JJ got a call to go help my BIL to load pigs, as my FIL hurt his knee and couldn't do it. It looks as if he's torn a ligament in it. He's had both knees worked on in the past, so this isn't new.

Next, I posted my first article for my job and got back feedback yesterday. I may not be able to continue the job due to the fact that they want 50% of my articles to be localized. Well, they're local is the big city. Trying to talk about people and events over an hour away in articles every week may be more than I can do.

I am going to email my mentor today and see what happens.

I may have to job hunt more.

Bummer.

Tripping Through the Tulips

Yesterday, my tulips started blooming.

They are pretty, but jinxed.

Everytime my tulips bloom, it either hails, or a bad windstorm comes up. My tulips have NEVERED bloomed for very long as some nasty storm comes up and tears them to shreds.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

E bunny and bedtime.

I need to find something to keep E bunny in bed at night. Preferrably, besides me laying on the floor by her bed. She insisted on staying in the big-kid bed, so we sent the crib back with my SIL at Easter, but she wants to play instead of going to sleep.

And not just play by herself quietly, she wants someone to be there with her! Usually me.

Sigh.

My back hurts from laying on the floor for an hour at night and almost always, I FALL ASLEEP on the floor because I'm so tired.

I have learned that once it's time to take E up to bed, I'm done for the night.

More than once, JJ has come up and woke me up.

I never had this much trouble with the other 2. IC stayed in bed once there and Miss A didn't get up that much.

I don't know how to change things.

Maybe I need the Supernanny. We did try the one thing she does, but it's not working.

I'm kinda not sure what to do, but my back is wanting me to figure it out soon!

Yesterday's Fun Run

Waiting for the run to start.

E bunny took off at first with the other kids.

IC crossing the finish line.

Miss A crossing the finish line.

The after-race popcicle.

Yesterday, the school's 3rd fun run for the year went on as planned. It was a comfortable day and we didn't have any more rain, so it was pretty good.

E bunny started out with everyone else running. By the 2nd turn, though, she had slowed down and soon wanted to be carried. I didn't want to carry her the whole way to the finish line, so we cut across the football field (elementary) and met IC and Miss A at the finish line. I thought she did pretty good for her first time and she just turning 2. I think next year, she'll want to do most of it by the time they are all done.

Miss A thought I was going to have to run with her, but she met up with her friend, Micah and they ran hand-in-hand until the last turn, during which they sped up a little. IC did well, even beating some of the bigger kids.