• Feb. 23, 2009
Yeah! Free Food!

I don't know about you but I love when I don't have to cook and clean up three meals a day.  I love to plan eating out into our schedule when finances allow.  This week brings us two opportunities to get food for free.

Today was Repeat Receipt at Chick-fil-a in the next town over.  Today, only, you could buy your meal and then keep your receipt.  Then any day in March bring back your receipt and receive the exact same meal for FREE up to $25.  I was so excited because the kids and I frequent Chick-fil-a quite often for lunch.  In fact it is Little Red's favorite restaurant.  Anyways, Legs had Girls Group from 3:30-5:30 and then onto to the church for FAITH.  Legs gets to eat dinner during FAITH so I knew I would drop her off and then off to dinner with the other three kids.  It was packed inside which wasn't indicated in the parking lot.  We were met with lots of noise, lines and no available high chairs.  Luckily, we didn't have to wait long to place our order.  While we were ordering, a table came avaialable and while we were waiting for our food a high chair opened up.  Anyways, the kids and I enjoyed our dinner of chicken, fries, and fruit.  I can't wait to go back in March and get our meal again and all it will cost me is to add Legs' food choice.

Tomorrow is FREE Pancake Day at IHOP.  Every person will get a FREE shortstack (3 pancakes) from 7am to 10pm.  The website says that they will be asking for donations to the charity that they support.  I plan on taking the kids around 11:00 for an early lunch before Little Red's dance class.  For the cost of a small donation and our drinks we will all have a full tummy and a yummy lunch.

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• Feb. 23, 2009
Week in Review Feb. 15-21

This week was pretty typical for us around here.  Here is what it looks like for us...

Monday...we stay home at all costs; Legs & J go to FAITH in the evenings
Tuesday...Little Red has dance class from 12:30-1:30; Legs has gymnastics practice from 4-8
Wednesday...Usually stay at home until time for dinner at church; the kids also go to their classes while I help with check-in in the Children's Dept
Thursday...I work from 9:30-11:30 at the gym while Little Man has his gymnastics class for an hour; Legs has been attending BizTown classes from 2-3:30 (catching a ride with another family which has been a blessing); Legs has gymnastics practice from 4-8
Friday...Usually errands day with might include drs appointments, shopping, bill drop-off and a visit to the church to prep my room for Sunday

We also try to add in a library trip once a week.  This year we have been struggling with finding one that meets our needs/schedule.  Before this year we had been attending a storytime in a town 10 miles from our house on Thursday mornings.  It was perfect for Little Red because we both loved the librarian that did the group time and provided a related craft.  While Little Red and I participated in group time, Legs and Little Man got to use the computers to get on Webkinz or Playhouse Disney for an hour.  Now that I am working on Thursday mornings, we have not been able to attend this much-loved storytime.  We tried the storytime at our local library around the corner but it is on Tuesday afternoon which makes us rush after dance class, it is during June Bug's naptime and then we have to rush to get Legs to practice on time.  We have tried two other ones.  One is in another town about 15 minutes away on Tuesday mornings with enough time after to get lunch before dance class.  This librarian didn't seem to have much interaction with the kids in the group and she seem to rush through the reading of the books.  The other one is set-up for local homeschoolers and they read one or two chapters from older child's book as well as picture books and then have a related craft.  This one probably fits us best but it is during June Bug's naptime and I really like to stay home on Wednesday until church time.  We may attend this one until the end of the school year and then see what next year brings.  I may not work Thursday mornings and we will be able to go back to our treasured library.

We ended the week with a trip to Wichita for the Land of Oz Meet.  Legs had to be there at 11:15 Saturday morning so we opted to stay at a hotel the night before.  The kids know that we only let them bounce on a bed at a hotel so Little Man and Little Red had their socks and shoes off before we all got in the room.  It was a really nice hotel and room.  We stayed at the Comfort Suites Airport in Wichita and I highly recommend it.  The kids and J also got to swim for awhile in the indoor pool before bedtime.  The meet itself was not one of our better ones.  Our girls only placed on the beam with one of them getting 1st, one getting 7th and Legs getting 6th.

Hotel pool pics...

Bouning on the hotel bed...

A very pouty Little Red before the meet got started.

I found Little Man asleep one night this week with the headlamp on his head.

One day this week Little Man and June Bug played together in the laundry basket with some balls from various toys of June Bug's.

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• Feb. 20, 2009
June Bug-1 Year Check-up

I took June Bug to the doctor for her one-year check-up.  She weighs 22lbs and is 20 3/4 inches long.  Everything else looks great!  The doctor wants to see her again at 15 months old unless something becomes a concern before then.

She did have to get four shots because she missed her HIB shot the last time due to the national shortage.  Our doctor office got some in yesterday.  Little Red had gone into the examination room with us and was okay until it was time for shots.  Little Red chose to stand in the hallway while the nurse and I administered the shots.  Then Little Red got to get the stickers and candy as awards for baby sister's shots.  She didn't mind that at all.

We also got "antique" pictures made of the kids this morning.  My sister-in-law bought the coupon for the setting for us.  The money raised helps a local family to adopt more than one Russian orphan.  The kids were all dressed up in old-fashioned clothes with beads, hats, etc.  They got some group and individual pics that were really cute!  We get to see the prints and purchase any we want later in March.  I can't wait.

The kids finished up the morning and into the early afternoon by going to the church to get my classroom ready for Sunday.  We grabbed a bite to eat, got the oil changed, got gas and washed the van in prep for our road trip to Wichita for a gymnastics meet this weekend.

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• Feb. 17, 2009
A Week In Review

We had quite a busy week last week with a birthday, work and Valentine's Day and a gymnastics meet.  Sunday the 8th was June Bug's party day with family and friends.
The cake was made by a local lady.  This is exactly what my cake looked like at June Bug's baby shower.  It was so cute and very delicious!
Opening presents with bubby and sissies.
Enjoying her slice of the cake.  It looks like June Bug is saying "shhh" but really she was getting the cake off of her finger.  No wasting of food for June Bug.

I had to work a lot of extra hours at Legs' gym this week because of coworkers needing to being gone and we also hosted a two-day TAG Meet.  That usually means a little less fun at home but we still managed to fit in some tea parties and dress-up time around school work.
Every time June Bug went to pour her tea pot, she would tip her head to the side.
Little Man and Little Red joined June Bug in her tea party.
My little astronaut.
My little princess.

Wednesday brought June Bug's actual birthday, a Valentine Bowling Party and dinner out in honor of the birthday girl.
Decorating Valentine Boxes...Legs had lots of High School Musical and Zach Efron, Little Man had Nascar drivers Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr and Little Red used a lot of pink.
Enjoying bowling.  My kids LOVE this sport!  June Bug just relaxed and enjoyed watching everyone bowl.  We met other homeschooling friends at the alley and we exchanged Valentine's and ate many sweet things.

Wednesday night we went with J to deliver a computer to a client in the big town and then onto Cracker Barrel for dinner with the birthday girl.
June Bug's reaction to sitting in her car seat for the first time after it was turned around to face the front. 
J and Little Red while J was talking to his aunt about a computer/internet service problem.
Mommy and June Bug smiling for the camera.  Legs isn't too bad of a photographer.
June Bug enjoyed finding clothes inside her present.
A fun and musical mailbox.  June Bug really like opening and closing the mailbox.

We ended the week at a meet on Saturday evening.  Our Level 5 team took 3rd at the meet but their all-around scores weren't their best.  Lots of little details to be worked on before the next meet.

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• Feb. 11, 2009
Happy 1st Birthday to June Bug

Happy Birthday Miss June Bug.  We love you bunches!

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• Feb. 9, 2009
A Party in our Bedroom

J and I had a family sleeping party in our room last night.  With four kids, invariably there is someone needed to "sleep" with mommy and daddy sometime during the week due to scary dreams, storms, etc.  Anyways, we decided in order for mommy and daddy to get some much needed sleep we would set up a sleeping bag on the floor next to our bed for the kids.  They feel safe while J and I are also comfortable enough in our bed.

Last night didn't happen quite as planned.  Little Red had gotten up to go potty which means she comes thru our bedroom to the only downstairs bathroom.  J got up to help her because Little Red was still half asleep.  Little Red has her daddy wrapped around around her finger and so she ended up cuddling with her daddy in our bed.  I heard J tell her they could cuddle for just a little while which I knew would turn into all night which it did.  So spoiled!

Early morning the wind and rain predicted came in and I woke to the blowing noises.  About 5 minutes later, I heard Little Man coming down the stairs with sleeping buddies in tow.  The wind and rain was much louder upstairs so he wanted to sleep in our room.  I was about to tell him to climb into the sleeping bag when I realized that Legs was already there.  J got up and helped make a pallet of blankets for Little Man and all was better and all went back to sleep.

The only child to stay in their bed all night was June Bug.  I think if the storms had woke her up and she was old enough to get out of her bed, she would have joined all of us in our bedroom.

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• Feb. 7, 2009
God Cares About the Little Things

This week has been crazy with our activities.  Legs got home Monday with my parents from Pikes Peak where she competed in a meet.  She was home about 20 minutes before she had to leave to go to Girls Group and then onto her first night of FAITH.

Girls Group is a Christian-based club that another local homeschooling mom leads.  It is similar to Girl Scouts but without a national organization or fundraising.  This local group has a corporate sponsor in Modern Woodsmen.  I love that the girls are learning so many different things like crochet, croquet, cake decorating, etc.  You can view some of the things that the leader is using for her curriculum at Keepers of the Faith

Hannah had a blast on her first night of FAITH.  The semester is 12 weeks long so they went out on visits on the first night.  Hannah told me of a family that had really cute dogs and that they also met a man that only spoke Spanish.  Luckily, our Children's director knows a little Spanish.  She has some daily homework to do in her FAITH workbook and she is counting down to next Monday.

On Thursday, Legs had her weekly BizTown class.  She had to go to class more dressed-up because all of the students had interviews for their top three choices.  Legs interviewed for bank teller, bank file clerk and beverage manager at Arby's.  She is also counting down to the day they actually go the BizTown site and take part in running the town for the day.  I was so proud of her and how professional she looked, but silly mommy forgot to take pictures.  Maybe I can talk her into dressing up again just so I can take pictures...you would be surprised to see how grown-up she looks.  The BizTown director told the students they would try to have their acceptance letters sent in the mail this week but if not, then they would find out next Thursday what job they got.

This week has also brought me more hours at the gym.  I worked Monday, Tuesday and Friday night as well as Thursday morning.  I normally only work Thursday and Friday but two other employees asked me to sub for them.  When I work more, it makes our days shorter and it is harder to have dinner on the table at a timely manner but we can use the hours credited to Legs' team account.

Legs got to do some home ec this week to make snacks for Little Red to take to church Wednesday night.  Little Red was SO excited that it was her turn to take snacks to her class.  I had Rice Crispies and marshmellows so Legs got to make Rice Crispies treats.  Legs had a great time and Little Red was so proud!


In reference to my title, the competitive team at our gym has been waiting on the host of our next meet to let us know what the schedule would be for our girls.  It not only has been a little nerve racking for us parents but our gym owner is hosting their own non-competitive meet on the same weekend.  Anyways, I had told our owner I would work our meet on next Friday night and I assumed she would need me on Saturday also but that would mean that I would possibly have to miss Legs competing.  I got the call on Wednesday night after church that Legs doesn't have to be at ther meet until Saturday night at 6:30 so I can work Friday night and Saturday morning and still leave in plenty of time to see Legs compete Saturday evening.  I had prayed that God would work everything out so that I would be able to attend Legs' meet and now I get to go.  \o/

Legs also experienced a small prayer being answered.  Friday night during practice, she was asked to do something that is a level or two above her current level.  Anyways, her mind was playing tricks on her and she was apprehensive and scared to do what the coach was asking her to do.  She told me later that she said a little prayer for God to help her overcome her worry and fright.  Legs was able to perform the required task on the beam and had a quite productive night at practice.  \o/

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• Feb. 2, 2009
Go Steelers!

I am not a big NFL fan but I do like to watch the Steelers play on occasion and tonight was one of those occasions.  Plus, I couldn't very well miss those "cool" commericals, now could I? 

Incase you don't know, the Steelers won!  Yeah!

I sent J, Little Man and Little Red to a friend's house for a watch party while June Bug and I stayed home.  I got a quiet house while June Bug got to do some of her own exploring without anyone really stopping her.  She truly enjoyed touching any toys of Little Man's or Little Red's that they had left in her reach.

I have to say I was so what disappointed in the commericals this year.  Past years have been so much better in my opinion.  I don't condone drinking but I really like the Budweiser horse ads.  The other ads I enjoyed were Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head, Cheetos and the characters from Heros playing football with NFL greats.

On a side note, June Bug had me a little worried this morning.  I took off her diaper to give her a bath before church and her diaper was bone dry.  She had not peed since 7:00pm Saturday night.  She didn't show any signs of discomfort or dehydration but I alerted the nursery workers to keep an eye on her and let me know how the diaper situation went.  They later informed me that she had 2 or 3 very loose stools so it was hard to tell if June Bug had peed but I did change a wet diaper this afternoon so I think all is well.  She ate a great lunch and drank some milk from her new sippy cup so I don't think she is any worse for the wear.

One last note, June Bug has her third tooth coming in.  It is her top left center tooth.  That probably explains the fussiness lately.  We only have 9 days to her 1st birthday.

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• Jan. 31, 2009
Snow, Spagehtti, and Jeff Gordon

We have had quite a week here in our little world.  First, we had a good layer of ice come thru on Monday which basically immobilized the entire state with a thin layer of snow on top of the ice.  The kids were so excited to see the snow and were chomping at the bit to play in it.  I did let them get all bundled up and play in the snow on Tuesday, but I didn't get any pictures because I was inside rocking June Bug to sleep for her nap.

The ice/snow storm caused all the local schools to be closed Tuesday-Thursday but Legs still had gymnastics practice on Tuesday and Wednesday.  J braved the roads on Tuesday to get her there and back.  On Wednesday, we all got out to take her to practice and run a few quick errands.  We wouldn't have worried about practice but Legs left Thursday with my parents to go to Pikes Peak for a meet so she really couldn't miss those last two practices.

Tuesday night we had spagehtti.  This was the first time for June Bug to try it and she instantly like it and had no problem finishing all that I gave her and would have eaten more had I let her. 

My mom kept us updated on the meet scores thru out Saturday morning.  The Pikes Peak Invitational was a rather difficult meet for our team.  Legs scored the highest out of all our gymnasts and only got an 8th on the Beam and 10th in the All-Around.  She is having a great time and looking forward to some playtime now that the meet is over.

The other night I was looking/playing on Ebay and came across an ad of someone selling an orginial Jeff Gordon race car.  This car was used in Nascar races back in 2002, the same year Little Man (or our own little Jeff Gordon) was born.  The car is located in our state only about 1.5 hours away so J got the idea to contact the seller and see if he would be willing to let us take a road trip to see the car and let Little Man sit in the car while we take pictures.  The gentleman was so nice and considerate and said that he would love to let us share this moment with our son.  Little Man was SO stoked!  I had to search for his Jeff Gordon costume that he got over 2 years ago and he put it on as soon as he woke and before coming out of the bedroom this morning.  It was a little short but otherwise fit well.  When we got there, he got to climb in instantly and unexpectedly, he was at a loss for words.

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• Jan. 28, 2009
Weekly Summary Jan. 19-25

We had quite a week.  We plugged away at our bookwork and reading.  We also got two beautiful days of weather so we played outside, including going to the park.  Legs had her BizTown class on Thursday, two days of gymnastics practice and on Friday we went on a field trip to the air and space museum.  There was a traveling exhibit called Science Matters and the museum set aside a special time and price for homeschoolers to come to visit.

June Bug had a few "firsts" this week.  She got to go down a slide and swing for the first time at the park on Thursday.  She is eating more table food and got to try milk mixed into her cereal.  My mom and dad also resuced a walker from the trash and replaced the wheels and with a lot of scrubbing, it looks like new.  June Bug had a blast on Saturday trying that out at my parent's house.  She only went backwards but the freedom of getting to go wherever she wanted was very exciting for her.  The other three kids better watch out, she will be running them over before they know it.

Saturday was a day set aside for J, the kids and I to go visit my papa in the nursing home.  Papa has Parkinson's as well as Alzimerher's.  Parkinson's affects his muscles in a way that he doesn't have control over his muscles and his fingers and arms are all curled up all the time.  The medicine he takes for the Parkinson's causes Papa to have hallucinations and while we were visiting, he had some whoppers of a story to tell us.  We just all smiled and let him talk but in the back of my mind, I remembered all the times he was so full of information and so articulate and "all knowing".  It just breaks my heart to see and hear a man talk that in any other situation is a very smart man and doesn't hesitate to tell you what he thinks.  I am just so blessed to have had to wonderful sets of grandparents that stayed married and showed their kids and grandkids that no matter what life throws at you, you have to find the blessing in every situation.

I hope you enjoy the pictures from last week...

Little Man & Little Red made this dinosaur from pattern blocks











Little Red was pouting because she was tired of waiting for Legs to get finish on her Mars mission.


Playing with different settings I just found on my camera...

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