The Strep continues on it's path.  The latest "victim" is Jayson.  It was really bad timing, first being Saturday and the doctor being closed, but moreso because we are in the middle of little league play offs.  Dh got to go coach his team short a player, but on a positive note they won!  Now Jayson should be well enough by Wednesday to play in the championship game.

Allyson got home from church girls camp on Friday, just to do laundry and pack again for her trip to Utah.  She leaves bright and early tomorrow morning and we won't see her again until we meet her in California for vacation.  I am excited for her to have so much planned this summer, but of course we all miss her.  She and I will be up late tonight finishing her transcripts so I can get them mailed to the college before we leave in 2 weeks.

What fun illness can be when you have a large family.  Dear friends of ours volunteered to host Allysons graduation party at their home last Saturday.  The party was a success, but it appears we returned home with a gift.  Their family went to the dr. on Monday and some of them were diagnosed with strep.  On Tuesday, Landon developed a stomach ache and fever and we also had a strep diagnosis by the end of the day.  On Wednesday, Dalton continued the trend with a headache and fever.  Luckily the ped volunteered to phone in a prescription for him since Landon had already had a positive swab.  Tonight our oldest son Patrick called to say our grandson was running a fever.  And it goes on.  I have a hint of a sore throat myself, but not sure if it is power of suggestion at this point.  I am praying that it either makes its rounds quickly or stops here.

Though it certainly appears that way, huh?  I had no idea so much time had passed.  I guess life has taken over around my house.  So much has changed since November!  A new baby, a graduated senior, birthdays, a child returned home, perparations for college.............the list goes on and on.  Time to try and catch up I suppose!

Our day started first with Jayson and Dalton being wide awake at 6 am due to the time change.  Then at 7 Allyson came into my room to tell me the bird we were bird sitting was dead    We have no idea what happened, and have been over all of the possible causes several times.  It is just so sad and even harder when it was someone elses pet you were responsible for.

I then went downstairs to start some laundry and ironically there was a wild bird that had somehow gotten inside and was flying around our family room!  We managed to get this bird relocated back outside.

Phoenix (grandson) came for the day, as has become the routine several days a week while his parents work.  It has been fun having a little baby around, we will see how fun it is when our own baby is here in a few more weeks!

I have been a bit under the weather today, not sure if it is the stress of the day, the pregnancy, a bug, or maybe a combination of all of the above.  Here's hoping I feel better tomorrow and can get some more accomplished than today.

I think I have posted before that we are in the proccess of redoing some rooms and rearranging to make room for the new baby.  Currently Patricks old room is completely emptied, carpet and tack strips ripped out, and the walls almost completely primed.  Brad is hoping to have the room painted and the floor installed by the end of the week so we can move my sewing room/ office into it this weekend.  Then the next project will be the current sewing room, which will become Landon and the new babies bedroom.  Exciting stuff happening around here!

I have been really bad about menus and shopping lately.  Now with a new baby and then Christmas coming, it is even more important that I get back on track.

Monday-Beef Stew and rice

Tuesday- Pinto beans and corn bread

Wednesday- Hamburger Casserole

Thursday- Chicken tacos

Friday- Tuna Casserole

Saturday- Leftovers

Sunday- Roast

We attended our fourth field trip of the year yesterday.  We generally shoot for one a month but these have all been too good to miss. 

Yesterday was the Nanticoke Indian Museum .  It started out with the children sitting on the floor and one of the museum volunteers telling them some history of the tribe and the museum.  She sang traditional songs for them and really engaged them in her discussion.  Afterwards they were able to explore the museum and see all of the displays.  We were there for about an hour.  I definitely think even the smallest children learned something.

Two weeks ago we went to Mt. Vernon .  There is so much to see there, and even the kids were impressed that they were walking where George Washington walked.  It is alot of walking and standing though, more than I was prepared for in my very pregnant state.  We plan on returning later when I have more energy and maybe when Dad can join us.

Earlier in October we were able to visit Pizza Hut for a field trip.  The management and staff was really great and accomadating.  We received a tour of the back of the restaraunt, and then everyone made their own pan pizza, got their drink, and carried it all to our tables.  We ate together and then bussed our own tables.  I thought it was a great lesson in service for the kids, they got a glimpse into the work involved by the employees at places we visit.

Our first field trip of the year was to Fort Delaware .  We all had a great time on this trip.  The volunteers are all in period dress and character.  The tour included the children actually sitting in the classroom with a teacher, and helping to load a cannon.  To get to the Fort, you travel across the Delaware Bay by ferry, which of course the kids loved!  The only draw back to this trip is that it was blazing hot the day we went!  lol  We had tried to do this one during previous school years but seems it always rained on the scheduled day.  I guess the heat was a fair trade off for no rain.

We are officially bowing out of any more field trips until after the first of the year now.  The driving and walking and standing have just become too much for me at this point.

Where has this year gone??  I have been very negligent in my blogging, so a new month is the perfect time to recommit.  So much has been going on here, between school, the new grandbaby, our impending new addition..........I will be working dilligently to catch you all up this month. 

Thursdays as you know are our co-op day.  First is our history/ science co-op with one other family, and then our large community co-op in the afternoon.  I had one of those moments today that I was very grateful for the resources we have available to us.  I was not having a good day, I think I overdid it last night walking the kids around trick or treating, so I was very sore.  The other mother in our morning co-op has come down with a cold and hadn't slept well.  Our co-op may not have been as energetic as usual, but we persevered and tackled one more unit of history and science.  I know that had it not been for the co-op, both families likely would not have accomplished those subjects this week.  There is indeed strength in numbers!

The afternoon co-op only has 2 weeks left of the fall session, which I am also grateful for.  I am teaching 2 hours this session, and now that I am 5 weeks away from delivery, I am tired!  It is time for me to finish up some things at home and put my feet up. 

The kids have been extra tired today after Halloween, so Jayson and Dalton went to bed early.  Landon is still up since he had an extra long nap after co-op, which is fine since we are waiting for Phoenix to be picked up for the night.   Allyson had rehearsal for childrens theater (she is playing Peppermint Patty in "You're a good man Charlie Brown") so she has only been home about a half hour. 

I have a ton of pictures to post, plus field trip reports and baby updates, so check back soon and get caught up with me!

I have sat down to post several times but just haven't felt like I have much to say this week.  That is really bizarre for me    We are plugging along with school and continueing with "project declutter"  FIL is coming for a visit at the end of the month so we would at least like to have one of the empty rooms done before he comes so he has a nice place to stay. 

Allyson decided to take a stage crew position at the theater after not getting a part in this production, so she has been there three nights a week.  She has also been working for the family she was a nanny for last year.  They no longer need her full time, but still need her occasionally.  She is in the proccess of looking for a new job so has been out a couple times this week turning in applications and on interviews.

Fall ball is in full swing now so Brad is out with the boys for the third night this week at the ball field.  Dalton is happy to be playing again, Jayson not so much.  He would have been happier to be at the theater with Allyson. 

Our big co-op was cancelled this week due to a schedule conflict at the church.  We started our history/ science co-op.  Jayson is excited about the history, Dalton doesn't get very excited about any schoolwork.  Today didn't go completely smooth, but that is to be expected as we work out the kinks.  Art starts tomorrow, and then we will officially have a full schedule.

Since last week was so busy, we have some meals/ food leftover that will affect this weeks menu.

Monday-leftover bbq from yesterday, dh cooked enough meet to feed about 30 people I think!  lol

Tuesday-Chicken alfredo (also from last weeks menu)

Wednesday-Fish sticks and tator tots

Thursday-Goulash

Friday- Potato Soup

Saturday-leftovers

Sunday-Pinto beans and cornbread (another carryover, what DID we eat last week?!)