Hat Day 2012

Can you say Allergy Eyes?

This picture actually looks pretty good. Mac is struggling with some allergies. I've posted pictures of his skin before in the Springtime, but it seems to be getting worse. We wanted to wait until he was 5 to do an allergy panel, but right now, we can't take him off antihistamines long enough to make the test accurate (recommended 5 days of no meds before test).

So, we are just waiting. Hopefully, we can get the test done in July and, most likely, get him started on allergy shots.

His eyes are almost swollen shut each morning and we have to clean them out (not pink eye, confirmed by three different doctors) with warm washcloths. Poor boy, right now, he is on Claritin in the morning and afternoon, even though it is a 24 hr med. Plus, he has to take a Benedryl at bedtime. They also have him on nose spray and eye drops, which say only once a day, but he is doing them three times.

I hate it for him, but pray it will give him some relief! (and so thankful for Dr's that give us samples)

5th Grade Recorders

The school has gotten a new music teacher for the Elementary School. She has proven to be incredible and the kids LOVE her!
Tonight was a 5th grade recorder performance, which usually is painful, but tonight was really great. It was maybe 20 minutesAnd afterwards, the band teacher gave a small presentation - as to lure the kids to want to sign up for band when they head to Middle School next year.

And it worked, Mollee is begging us to sign up! :)

Spring Break 2012

No surprise trips to Atlanta this year, but I think the kids have had fun. I've tried to cram in some fun, around paperwork and phone calls. Tuesday night I worked until 11:30 trying to get caught up, and more, so I wouldn't feel bad about taking time off with the kids.

Monday, Daegan woke up with fever and we ended up at the dr office. About every three weeks he does this and it is always strep. Yes, I know what that means, pondering/fearing another tonsillectomy in my brain......Despite the germs, we still had Dusty and Rachel and Chloe over for dinner. I am so glad they love me because I invited them for dinner. Then called and told them we were sick and we'd probably just get pizza. Then called them late and asked them to pick up the pizza. What a good friend am I!?

Tuesday, we laid low and ended up on our weekly kids-eat-free with the Bond crew at Chik-fil-A. This particular week the Dad's couldn't make it so M and I ended up with three tables, ten kids and two tired mommies, and we lived to tell about it!

Wednesday is $1.99 Happy Meals so we went to McDonalds (after a second trip to dr because Mac's eyes were so swollen - just allergies) with the Harris cousins and then we went to the $1 theater to see 'Hugo'. It was nothing what I expected, but it was good and the kids loved it. Tavis had his math tutoring class at 4:00 and then we had dinner at church and Covenant Cadets. And, of course, my couch bible study.

Thursday, we went and got allergy shots and then joined friends at Pump It Up for some playtime, got home for a late 2:00 lunch, headed back out to drop Daegan at a friend's house and then I had to pick up some signs for work (the kids always love how I cram in a little work on every outing). After home I worked on paperwork for awhile and at 6:00 took Mac for a walk because the kids were out playing in the neighborhood and he got left behind. I stopped in at my Mom's to see Grandma J for a little bit and headed home before the rain came at 7:00 to try to find something for dinner - tacos a a good go-to meal!

Friday, I don't remember very well. Lots of paperwork and pizza for dinner. In case you are keeping track, there wasn't a lot of meal preparation on my part this week. I got a Redbox for the kids, and Jason wanted to sit on the deck and read (his mode of relaxation), so I went and did my grocery shopping, so I wouldn't have to go Saturday morning. It was so nice, everything on sale was still in stock and there was no line, and I didn't have to get up and go Saturday.

Saturday, I slept in, and Mollee had a friend over, which really made my day peaceful. Mollee and Tavis get along fairly well, but they also can drive each other nuts. Mollee played with Ally and Tavis went down and played with cousins all day. Daegan does his own thing and Capps and Mac always play together ALL day Saturday. Jason had had a very long week, so he did a lot of reading on the deck and I got to run some 'fun' errands. Jase left at 4:30 to go hang out with his brother and I took Ally home. For some reason I decided to clean out the boys drawers (putting up winter clothes) after cereal for dinner. I made them all get pjs on and in bed by 6:45 to read and have down time. It was awesome, they did it without complaint and I got all the work done before 8:00 bedtime.

Today, we went to church and then ate dinner at my parent's. It was Hannah's birthday this week so we got to see the Philip and Sarah family. Jason had to help some friends move at 4:00, so he headed over there and we headed home. We were supposed to be at Shepherding Group at 6:00, but Jason didn't get home until 6:30. The kids were not happy we missed, but it was probably better since they've been staying up late all week and needed to get to bed at a reasonable time for school.

Back to school tomorrow! Eight weeks to go!

Ducktape Wallets

My first Pinterest attempt was a success. I've only been on the site a few times, but saw duck tape wallets and thought we'd give it a try. We bought a few colors yesterday - you wouldn't believe to options? Who needs zebra striped duck tape?

Of course, everyone had their own style!

And their own opinions!A close up of a few
This was mine - ironically, my nail polish matched it?
That is as fun as this Spring Break is gonna get!

Danielle, thanks for finally inviting me to Pinterest!

So what if wear wrinkled clothes!

Growing up, I did the laundry. It was never something that bothered me. I could keep it rolling for eight people, not a problem.

Now, I don't mind it, but I can't seem to stay on top of it, which is a little frustrating.

Growing up, I ironed some, but it wasn't my thing. My mother would iron and startch my Dad's things, my sister would iron her t-shirts (which is crazy to me) and my little brother (ironically) was obsessed with ironing his dollar bills.

Our church has children's bulletins. They pull from the Scripture that is related to the sermon. It made me laugh out loud (in church) when Capps was looking at his and said, "I understand what I'm supposed to do, but I have no idea was number 5 is?"

So, we wear wrinkled clothes!

My husband is a carpenter, not a banker.

Kindergarten Assessment Test

Today was Mac's Assessment Test for kindergarten. This was my fifth time around, so I knew what to expect, but Mac wasn't so sure. Last night when I put him to bed he said his stomach hurt. I assured him that the test was going to be fun and that I was going to be with him the entire time. He quickly seemed to be "healed".

He got to show Mr. Salter his jumping skills. Mr. Bel asked him to build something with blocks. He built three tower-looking things and when Mr. Bel asked him what it was he said, "Three guys sinking in mud"?

Isn't my left-hander so cute?

Of course, he loved Mrs. Wieldraayer (kindergarten teacher for all three of his brothers). At one point, I heard him telling her knock-knock jokes. He loves to tell jokes, but they NEVER make sense, which makes us all laugh, but for other reasons.

I heard him say, "Knock-Knock" and she replied, "Who's There?". "Bunny". "Bunny who". "Laughing Bunny". This is one of his favorite jokes, do you want to know why?

Because it rhymes??? Not so impressive for a kindergarten assessment.

Maybe he needs to stay home another year?

Grocery Bill on the Rise

I'm beginning to realize that our grocery bill is only going to get worse. Right now the older boys are 10, 9 and 7, and they are growing, FAST. Here are some examples:

We've always been able to get two pizzas and have some left over. Now, I have to buy 3 or 4 larges and a breadsticks. I have a feeling when they hit high school, I'll be buying one per boy and maybe Mollee and I will get a piece or two.

We also eat eggs often. It is a quick meal that I don't have to plan ahead. I feel like that not long ago I could make a meal out of less than a dozen. Of course, we always have bacon or sausage along with toast and grits. Jason, Mollee and I eat fried eggs, but the boys eat scrambled with cream cheese chunks (don't knock it until you try, it is soooo yummy). We used two dozen eggs the other night.

If I try to be lazy and just have cereal for dinner, that usually bites me because we use our cereal stash too fast. Capps and Daegan always try to get three bowls. I don't mind having sweet cereals in the house, but usually they just want Cheerios with honey and milk - how can I complain about that?

Thankfully, Mac doesn't eat much - YET! But they all have their items that they can't get enough of, Mac's would be "trees" (aka. broccolli). Daegan's is any meat, that boy takes after his Dad - meat and potatoes kind of guy, without the potatoes. :) Tavis is strawberries or mac-n-cheese. Mollee is anything. She has always been a good eater. She always tries everything and likes most things. Capps, not sure he has one particular thing - maybe pizza and Cheerios?

Better get back to my couponing.....

Capps Free-Hand, no Tracing!

Told Capps to distract himself the other day and he drew these, for his favorite books....

Daegan's Other Birthdays

Friday Night at the Brown's = 790 piece Lego setand singing in the kitchen?And peanut butter pie!

Sunday at the Caines

A Saturday Bowl with the Kemps

Dusty and Mac, a unique bond:(look at them on the left)
How much longer until Mollee bumps up to the 'no bumper' lane, that is the question?
Capps may have put on Tavis' jeans this morning (and never thought to change them). He bowled with one hand, while holding up his pants with the other hand.
Love that boy!

Daegan turns 9, not 7 (like Daddy thought)

Life is a little hectic around here. Before I wrote "Daegan's Birthday" on my calendar, I offered to babysit for two different people. Later realizing it was going to be assumed I was eating lunch with Daegan at school.

I made it and I survived! Along with Mac, Malachi and Mia.

Also, before the calendar was marked, Jason made an appointment to meet with customers at 3:30 and then another at 5:30. *sigh*

Daegan wanted Krispy Kreme and McDonald's. So, with Daddy delayed, we made it a field trip. We went at watched the doughnuts being made for at least 30 minutes, if not longer.
Then we stopped and got our McDonalds and ate dinner and waited and waited and waited for Daddy. Daegan tried to be patient. :)

Jason got home just after 7:00 and we jumped right into festivities. Our doughnut cake:
And presents!
>A set of locks?!
Some Legos
And a Happy Napper pillow. It is a castle pillow...
that flips around into a dragon.
Happy Birthday, Daegan!This is how we passed time waiting for Daddy - goofy faces at the camera!

A Carpenter's Notepad

When my husband leaves notes from work laying around, it is the type that you might stub your toe on.

Or even get a splinter from.

Spring Has Sprung!

Let the drippy noses and watery eyes begin!

23rd Annual Wax Museum

The 5th grade has been working hard on a project for many weeks. They had to pick one person to study and write a report on. Mollee chose Annie Oakley.

Today they were supposed to dress up like their person and be available for questioning. They had to prepare a speech and say it to whomever asked to hear it.
The gym was full of different characters
Mac kept Mia happy!
Others I spotted: Babe Ruth
and Robert E. Lee
Always a good time for the Elementary School.