Going to Camp

IC, Miss A and I are headed to Camp Fontanelle this morning. This will be Miss A's first time and IC and my second time. IC's excited and I think Miss A is, too. We will be gone overnight and are planning to stay in the basement of the lodge (Mommy doesn't like the A frames, but used the excuse that Miss A might get scared in them).

I hope Miss A is not whiney today and I hope it doesn't get as hot as it has been. Right now it is foggy-blech.

Hopefully, E bunny isn't too crabby when we leave. She woke early this morning fussing because she thought I left already. She hates to be left behind. My MIL is watching her this weekend since my mom is gone to Ohio until Monday. Mom must be having a pretty decent time there-she only called once to let me know she'd gotten there.

I am hoping next week will be quieter, with the exception of probably having to put up corn and go to the pool-the kids are tired from VBS and will be tired after camp. We need a week to recover.

Or at least, I need one!

Friends, part 3

It's been an enjoyable week this week, spending time with our Texas friends. Our kids have had a good time together and Katherine and I had a good visit.

I will definately miss them again.

Today, I had a rather busy start to the morning-finishing laundry loads, watering some flowers and the vegetable garden, packing for camp, and trying to get the girls to get dressed this morning.

I was a little panicky due to the fact that the sweet corn JJ picked for us last night was in it's prime-which means, if there's even enough to put up to freeze, it might be too far gone by Monday.

I decided to just let it go-if there's some Monday, I'll do it, if not, then I'll try to find some from someone else.

So, at 2 pm, we met our friends for the last time this week (they head south tomorrow and we head northeast) at the park.

And it was HOT. Hot enough the kids didn't play a whole lot and we left after one hour.

We headed to the ice cream store in the Subway for a cool relief. It was an excellent way to end our time together.

Tonight is the last day for the kids' VBS. I wasn't sure how well 5 evenings would go for them, but they loved it! IC said he wants to go again next year. They had a good craft every day, IC really liked the games and songs, and both kids got a free T-shirt. It was definately good for them. And yes, they did learn about God, though they couldn't tell me much that was specific, but it was still good anyway.

Tomorrow's our big day, heading to church camp. Should be interesting, hopefully it won't be horribly hot, and fun.

E-bunny

This is the girl who has decided to swing only on a big kid swing-no more toddler swing.

She loves Dora the Explorer, Blue's Clues and just about any other cartoon the other kids like to watch.

She learned a new word yesterday, "notebook"- (from Blues Clues, of course).

She took to our Texan friends almost immediately.

She started doggy paddling in the big pool today.

She's not too interested in potty training yet (bummer!)

She started pretend playing with her My Little Ponies today-it was very cute!

She had quit putting everything in her mouth for awhile-and recently restarted doing it again.

She likes money and hiding things she knows she's not supposed to have.

She's growing up awful fast!

Awesome Friends, part 2

It was day #2 with our friends. First, though, this morning, I had a podiatrist appt. I was up in plenty of time, but cut it pretty close with getting the kids up in time-we ended up a "tad" bit rushed, but we got there in time.

Home to make dinner and after that, I took care of the trash and got ready for the pool. We met our Texan friends there and had a pretty good time.

It was HOT outside, that's for sure. We have plans to see each other one more time tomorrow before they (and us!) leave on Saturday morning. I am SO glad we've been able to spend so much time with them.

Friends Are Awesome!

The moms.

Just Swingin'

Looking for the kitties.

E almost falling asleep on the horsey swing.

The spies.

AKA:good friends

Girlies.

The whole troup!



It was an EXCELLENT day today. This morning started with finishing the cleaning of the house and picking up several toys. We ended up cleaning until it was time to make dinner, all the while, waiting for the phone to ring to see when we could meet up with our friends.

After dinner, we got the call, and they were here by 1:30. It was fun. The boys played well. The girls played well. E was a little lost, but being she was the youngest, it happens. She made herself known to everyone in the house anyway. Katherine and I picked up without any problems and had a great conversation.

After snack at 3:30, we headed outside to see kitties, play on the swing set and "shoot" things (the boys did that). E nearly fell asleep on the horsey swing-she never really ended up with much of a nap today, but that's ok.

Our Texas friends left at 5, we quickly ate supper and headed to VBS, where we saw them again, as their oldest and youngest decided to go. After shucking a little corn, feeding animals and showering, it was soon time to head back to church.

We met up with our friends and are planning one more meet tomorrow at the swimming pool at 2pm.

I'm looking forward to it.

Playdate Afternoon

The girls ganging up on IC in the baby pool.

Yesterdays' playdate was very fun for the kids. We got there a little after 11 am and had a lunch of hot dogs and macaroni and cheese for dinner. The kids played in the wading pool, with water guns and on the trampoline.

E decided to play in the sandbox-that was a little messy.

Miss A had a bad attitude for quite a long time-she didn't want to play in the water, then later did. She wanted to play inside, but it was an outside playdate, so she pouted some about that.

She later had a better attitude, but it wasn't completely great.

After a couple of hours, the kids decided they wanted to go to the swimming pool. So, at 2 pm, we moved the playdate to the swimming pool and ended up staying until 4:45.

Even mom enjoyed herself today.

A 2nd Bible School

We have friends coming so I have an excellent reason to clean my house and de-clutter.

This morning I actually got up before 7 and got started. The bathroom is 3/4 clean and I can see the kitchen counter where all my papers tend to accumulate-unfortunately, that means the office desk just got a bunch more stuff on it and it's already piled high!

Ah well.

I hope to work some more tonight while the other 2 are at Bible School, if E will let me.

Right now, we are heading to town for a playdate with (2 of their 3) pastor's. Their middle child is IC's age and youngest is Miss A's age. There have been multiple requests for a playdate, so this is when they have time as they are headed on vacation next week.

Yesterday was a busy day with groceries in the morning, mowing in the afternoon, and then taking the 2 older ones to the Evangelical Free Church's Bible School. IC has 2 school classmates and another friend in his group and Miss A has 2 children she knows in her group. It runs from 6-8:30 pm (it seems late, but my kids are still up at that time anyway).

I asked IC what he learned-he couldn't tell me, but did say that they had fun. Better than nothing, I guess.

While they were at bible school, E and I washed the car (I'm trying to make it rain!) and worked on our church's nursery and the Kindergarten S.S. room, before I went to the music committee meeting.

Tonight, I hope to clean and de-clutter while they are at Bible school. Yes, I repeated that in the hopes that it will stick in my mind to keep working tonight!

Now, it's time to let the kids play for awhile!

Minature Golf

AFter ice cream, we tried to go to the music store, but it was closed.

So, off we went to minature golf!

This was a hit with the kids last year, so we forgoed the score cards and just played ball. E got tired after the 10th hole, so we had some trouble dealing with her, as she wanted to run off, but all in all, it was good.

E, when she did want to hit the ball, got lessons both hitting right and left handed. She's been writing with her left hand, so I thought she might need to hit that way, too. She I worked with her lefty and JJ worked with her righty.

After that, we ate at Burger King before heading home to clean up and hit the beds, eventually.

The Children's Museum

One of E's favorite activities was playing in the water.

Miss A loved the grocery store.

Of course, Daddy and IC had to build something.

Ride 'em cowboy!

All 3 kids loved the space ship.

Flyin' with Daddy.

The boys playin' chess.

I think E will excel in her phone skills-she's always practicing!


Sunday's family trip to Lincoln was quite the trip. We first got to town and stopped at Wal-mart (of course) in search of a couple of light bulbs that had recently burned out. Then, we ate at Runza.

We took a slight detour to meander through the old state fair park, since the fair's been moved to Grand Island. We saw a few buildings had been torn down and the horse stalls moved to the beef barn and others in the llama barn. The sheep barn was completely gone-it was kinda sad, actually.

Off then, to the Children's Museum. The kids had a blast, especially E. Of course, the girls went with me and IC had Daddy. Miss A kept running off-it was hard to keep track of both girls, so I definately stayed with E the whole time.

After 2 hrs, the girls and I ended up in the baby room (as we have every year we've come), waiting for the boys.

Then, it was off to enjoy some ice cream!

Maybe Some Other Time

Just got home from a big family day in Lincoln.

Hoping the kids will crash at a decent time so that I can too.

The day wasn't too bad, but it had it's moments, both good and bad.

I am glad we didn't take a big vacation somewhere-the kids just didn't have what it would have taken to go somewhere that required traveling for any length of time.

Maybe next year.

Then again, maybe when E is IC's age we MIGHT have a chance at a halfway enjoyable vacation.

Heaven knows, our daycations weren't all that great this year.

Saturday's Happenings and Thoughts

E's very first movie! She did great-despite the pullup leaking a little while she was sitting on my lap and we both had wet pants for part of the movie! They both dried by the ending, so it's all good.

IC's been on a need to play outside today. He played out there first thing this morning and wanted to go right after dinner, but I made him wait until E was down for her nap or she'd not go to sleep until 4 pm-which is bad, bedtime-wise.

He got Miss A to go out with him after 2 pm and who should show in the yard, but Bouncing B.

Sigh.

As much as I care for my niece, she can be somewhat in the thick of trouble at times. She was rather running everywhere during the rodeo the other night-she's only 7! I do worry what she'll be like when she's a teenager. Miss A just looks up to her all the time, but she is not a real good example very often. This, is not all of her fault. Her life at home is not structured at all.

Then again, I worry what MY kids will be like when they are teens-Miss A scares me a lot!

Miss A will not be going to the movie tonight-she lost her priviledge after multiple times of defiance yesterday. Either JJ or I will stay home with the girls and the other will go w/IC to see Toy Story 3.

Tomorrow is supposed to be one more outing to Lincoln before school to go to the Children's Museum.

No better than the kids act makes me wonder if I shouldn't cancel it. They've been pretty bad-acting this summer, I am not sure what's going on, but it's tough to know how to deal with it.

I just keep plugging away the best I can.

Growing A Little

IC this morning:

"Mom, can you help me practice my guitar?" Um, ok. IC: "Well, I don't want to tell Dad that I don't want to play it anymore, so I'll keep playing it." (That was the condition of quitting the guitar - he had to tell Dad directly.) He actually talked about realizing that Dad spent quite a bit on it for him.

Well, Dude, if that is what it will take for you to stick to something, I'm ok with it.

Tough Days of Attitude

Yesterday was another hot day, so we went to the pool in the afternoon.

IC got bored early because there wasn't anyone to play with (so he said), but still managed to stay the 1 1/2 hours we'd planned.

Then, we went to the coffee shop for smoothies, in which I finished both of the kids' (good thing I didn't order one of my own).

Then, we stopped at my local scrap store for awhile. I got things on 40% off, but the kids (her child and my oldest) didn't get along very well.

IC informed me that he doesn't want to play guitar anymore-that didn't make me happy. I am hoping JJ will get around to changing his mind.

Today didn't seem to go better with misbehaving and bad attitudes, disrespect and difficultness.

They woke up crabby and difficult, the older 2 fought 1/2 of the day, the 2 yo constantly took her shoes off everywhere and now the 4 yo thinks she should do it also, and they didn't listen to me tonight at bedtime.

It's been traumatic, to say the least.

We started our trip to Lincoln with a stop at Shopko for IC's shoes-hopefully, these will last him all year.

Then, we headed to the pottery place to paint pottery. IC picked a small soccer ball, Miss A picked a unicorn and E picked a kitty. That was fun-the biggest highlight of the day.

Then, we stopped at the Western store for boots for IC for church before heading to McDonald's to eat. Miss A nearly got hit by a car. She'd run off to look at someone's dog in their pickup bed and I called to her and she ran out in front of it. It's still a surreal scene in my head. I'd a had a heart attack if it wasn't for the fact I only caught the last half of the whole thing, as I was wrestling w/E's shoes at the time.

Off to the used children's clothing store-that was something with E stripping her shoes, all the kids having to use the potty AND trying to find a few fall/winter things for the kids.

Next, we searched for the fun place that has a jungle gym, inflatables, ball pit (inside in the a/c!) in town, but I couldn't find it.

So, we went to Target to school shop.

That was where things REALLY fell apart. The kids were awful.

And I don't know if I can really add anymore to that statement.

It was embarrassing-I was yelling or talking sternly to them constantly-I was exhausted by the time I'd finally just quit and given up for the day.

I didn't get to go to WalMart-I didn't want to repeat the previous stores' disaster, so I will have to do that another time.

We get home and feed the animals and the kids played for awhile outside while I put the supplies away.

Then, it was the usual

Of course, IC just HAD to have his Wii tonight. He wanted me to play with him, yet, when I'd played 1 game alone, he immediately wanted to play, so I just gave up enjoying that tonight. ( I just didn't want anymore nagging tonight).

Then, the kids didn't listen to me when it was time to go to bed, so stories did not get read tonight. I am pretty tired of them not getting ready for bed when it's time. They apparently decided they needed to finish the day right and push me all the way through bedtime, so I pushed back.

Tomorrow, we are supposed to go to the movie in town, but I'm tempted to skip it and stay home w/E.

I guess we'll see how it goes.

Rodeo Time!

Well, things were pretty calm yesterday for most of the day. I made a point to feed the animals early so that we wouldn't have to do it when we got home and mom showed while we were out, so we played outside for a little bit. After being cloudy all the day-the sun had finally started to show, so it was pretty nice despite the humidity.

I got the older 2 ready for the fair while mom took care of E, who got to stay home w/her.

JJ got in and we headed out about 5:10. We ate first before I had to gather up all of our entries and take them out to the van.

Then, it was time to find seats for the rodeo-of course, it was fairly hot by then as the sun had been out, so we were sweating for quite awhile. About 1/2 way through the first part of the rodeo, the sun FINALLY hid behind the clouds so we could be relieved from the heat (but not the humidity).

Miss A had a good time, although she didn't watch it for long before she was playing with the toddlers and their toys in our area. After the intermission, she sat w/Daddy to watch the rest of the rodeo.

IC watched the whole thing and enjoyed the clowns. He said he thought the rodeo was more fun this year than last year.

There were quite a few cowboys that limped away from their rides, with only 4 who rode the whole time. Apparently, this had been a hard summer injury-wise on them.

It was an enjoyable time-the kids got a little candy and soda at the start of the rodeo and a funnel cake at the end of the rodeo before heading home.

At home, it was a push to get them in bed and after 10 before I got to jump in the shower. E, of course, was still awake when we got home, but she did go to bed at a decent time. It's been a record 3 days of her going to bed before 11 pm and going down for a nap without a big fight.

WhooHoo! Doesn't take much to thrill me!

IC's 9 am Announcement

"Mom, I gave both the girls a weapon."

Um, great, IC, like I need them to fight with each other using objects.

County Fair

Miss A's first time in the pedal tractor pull.

IC's an old hand at the tractor pull.

Balloon animals-IC got a crocodile, Miss A got a puppy and E got a bunny rabbit.

Unfortunately, they didn't even last the night before the kids had untwisted them-ah well, they were free!

Riding the carousel.

Riding the kiddee roller coaster. E thought it was great at first, and then she hid her head the 2nd 1/2 of the ride.

Daddy and IC getting to shoot targets at the carnival games.

Riding the elephant ride that was broke down the 1st 45 minutes we were there, but it was up and running in time for our last set of tickets.

Yesterday was a very interesting day. At dinner time, JJ was late, so we went ahead and ate. A sudden thunderstorm occured so I had to quick shut down the computers, etc. THEN the dog freaked out and I had to go in the middle of dinner and tie her up in the barn.

I set the older 2 to shucking some corn while I cleaned up dinner and put E down for her nap. E now goes to sleep for nap time without me if I turn on her lamp, read her a story and then turn on the "Hannah Montana" CD. A couple of weeks ago, I got a lamp that clips to furniture from Wally World and am so glad I did. E loves to look at a book until she crashes for her nap-it was a great idea by accident! I figured I might need it to read to E at bedtime while Miss A was asleep, and since it clips to her bed, I can turn it away from Miss A (not that she's been going to sleep before E gets to bed-lately, she's been still awake at 10:30 pm!)

This was our first evening at the county fair. We started with the kids' pedal tractor pull. It was A's first time and IC's 3rd time and both did average-going about 1/2 of the way. Normal for us.

We were able to look up our entries during the down time and the kids did well. Me, not as good as in the past with my photos, but my flowers did well for it being the first time.

Also during the down time was a person making balloon animals, some face painting and caricature drawing, but we just did the balloon animals-long lines took forever!

After our meal, we headed out to visit the animals and pet the donkey and minature horse that was available to pet. Miss A loves the rabbits and cows. E loved all the animals. IC, I'm not sure what he likes. He's adamant about showing a bucket calf next year, but we'll see.

Then, it was to the rides. It had been more comfortable earlier in the day with the sun behind the clouds, but the sun decided to come out by the time we'd gone outside, so it got HOT during the rides. The girls got to pick a duck and get an inflatable animal, so IC got to do a target shooting game and a ball game in order for it to be fair. IC didn't get anything with the 2nd one, but did good enough with the other (with Dad's help) to get a small prize-of course, he picked a plastic gun that shoots darts with suction cups on the end. Yippee (heavy in sarcasm, by the way)

At home, it was chore time and cleanup and bedtime. The older 2 didn't get to bed until after 9, but they were still up for quite awhile afterward.

It wasn't too bad of a day, despite the heat.