Recap

I'm just now making it back onto the blog to write about our vacation. Getting back into the groove of things took longer than I anticipated. Most of our vacation time was spent at the pool that was at the house we rented. The kids loved, absolutely loved being at the pool, and I think they would have slept there if we would have let them. We also took the kids to the Wright Brothers Memorial. They were very excited to see that , especially since we'd been reading about it before we left. We visited a lighthouse which our youngest truly loved, and we also visited the NC Aquarium. For us adults, our favorite part of vacation was the food! We love seafood, but we seldom eat it here. It's just not the same as the fresh seafood from the coast. My in-laws even kept the kids for an evening so that we could enjoy a night out to ourselves. It had been very long since that happened, so we splurged on a bottle of wine, an appetizer, and dessert to go along with our entrees. We decided to skip Monticello on the way home. We were all just tired and really just wanted to get home. We might take a little mini-trip somewhere next week, but that has yet to be decided. All-in-all, we had a wonderful time!

We're back!

We had a wonderful vacation, and at the same time we are so glad to be home. The weather is absolutely gorgeous here today! We did lots of fun things while we were gone, and thoroughly enjoyed spending the week with my husbands family. So much to share, but first so much unpacking to do! I'll be back later today or tomorrow!

Strep throat

Yep, it's strep throat. Yippee! Actually, she feels pretty good today, and we are getting her on antibiotics right now. The doctor says that we can still leave tomorrow, and at this point that is our plan. We did decide to leave about 5 hours later than originally planned so that she can get a good night sleep in her own bed. Hopefully this won't make the rounds through the rest of the family. This will probably be my last post until we return from vacation on the 29th. We are stopping at Monticello on the way home from the Outer Banks so we should have lots of good stories! Have a great week!

Not part of the plan

We are in day two of JC's fever. She was around 100 all night, but then had spiked to 102.7 by this morning, and vomited. She is on her way to urgent care with my wonderful husband. Her dance recital for this evening is clearly out of the question, and leaving for vacation tomorrow is in doubt at this point. We are hopeful that, worst case scenario, we can leave by Tuesday...things are just up in the air at this point. All we can do is go with the flow, and most importantly, I just want my little girl to feel better!

Fever 101

Actually, JC's temp around Noon today was 101.6. AGH! She had slept all morning, but I just assumed she was that exhausted. We'd had several very long weeks, and the last two days have been very, very long. I finally checked on her at Noon and discovered she was burning up. I felt awful for letting her suffer so long. Fortunately, the Tylenol does seem to be working, but she has to get better fast. Tomorrow is her dance recital. I would hate for her to have to miss it after she has worked so very hard at ballet for the last nine months. And not to mention of course, that we are supposed to leave on vacation Sunday. Sending some prayers that she is okay!

Absent from the blog

Things have been pretty crazy around here. My father's office has a project that I can work on from home and get paid, so I've been working like a crazy woman on that. In addition, we are leaving for vacation this Sunday, and since I'm responsible for 95% of the packing I've been trying to work on that as well. My wonderful husband decided to start a painting project this week, and we've also had ball games, basketball camp, a scout meeting, ballet lesson, and guitar lesson. So much for summer being more relaxing! It's not that bad though. Saturday is the culmination of JC's nine months of ballet lessons in her recital. We have rehearsal first which means we will be at the auditorium for about seven hours all together. Needless to say, all of the packing has to be finished before hand, so I apologize for my absences, before and after this post! I'll try to post again before we leave, but there will be no computer while we are gone so it will be a while before I can post again once we leave. Hope every has a great weekend and week next week!

Season over

Baseball/softball/tball season has come to an end for our family. Since practices started on March 30, I think we are ready for ball season to be over. This was a particularly tough week. I've always said that the toughest part of working with children is always the parents, and this week proved to be no exception. Apparently, hoping that adults will behave as responsible adults is asking too much out of some people. On the upside, though, all of our kids had a good time, and we especially saw some skills develop in our youngest. They are all now getting excited about soccer practice, which will begin in about a month. I'm glad they are active kids!

Lots to do

We had a really nice weekend here in our house. Friday evening was supposed to be make up games for the younger two, but the other team never showed up for the youngest. Saturday morning JR had a scout den meeting, then in the afternoon JC had ballet practice. We spent the entire evening at the third birthday party of a good friend, which then morphed into a graduation party for another friend. It was a very, very late night, and our oldest was up until 3AM. We had managed to put the littler two down, but even then it was close to 11. We got up for church yesterday, then had dinner with some other friends. Needless to say, everyone was in bed very early last night. I was still sleeping soundly this morning when I was awakened by a phone call regarding a basketball camp that was supposed to begin tomorrow, but oh wait it's today. AGH! Only six days until we leave for vacation, but it's going to be a heck of a six days!

Resolving to read

One of the things I'm trying to do this summer is to read. I read to and with the kids all of the time, but I'd really like to try to find time to read stuff for me. Right now I can't even seem to find time to catch up on magazines, but I'd like to find a really good book. Suggestions? No, I haven't read Twilight but my good friends are addicted and it just doesn't sound interesting to me. I really, really like autobiographies and many things that are non-fiction, so if anyone has some thoughts please let me know!

Summer begins!

Okay, I know that today is the second day of summer for the kids and even my husband was home today, but as far as I am concerned, our summer vacation officially began at 3:30 this afternoon. I've been babysitting for friends this week and today was the "big" event...9 children ages 2-10 were here all day. Thank goodness my husband was home because that would have been a lot to handle by myself. The kids were fairly well behaved and there weren't any major problems. And now I consider myself to be officially celebrating the beginning of summer!

This is day 1?

Day one of summer vacation has not gotten off to the best start. I'm still babysitting today, and one of our guests had an absolute meltdown over breakfast this morning. I know that she is tired, and after she calmed down we hugged and decided to have a better day. My younger two and the youngest of our guests were playing upstairs. I knew it was too quiet, so I thought I better check. Sure enough they were using buckets (a play one is upstairs with a housekeeping toy) of water to "mop" the floor of our daughter's room (she has a wood floor). AGHHHHHHHH! All of this occurred before 10AM. Wow, can't wait to see what the rest of the summer brings!

Seriously needing coffee

This morning, for the second time this week, I was awakened by thunder, followed almost immediately by HT shrieking for me. He's developed a strong fear of thunder. I went to get him and brought him into bed with me where he clung to me. My husband was already up for work (his last day!) and I could smell the coffee brewing. Since I'm babysitting again today, there was no point in really trying to go back to sleep. I let my husband have his morning alone/quiet time, then I came downstairs all ready to poor myself a cup of coffee. Unfortunately, my husband had taken the entire pot with him in a giant travel mug. SO disappointing. I could brew another pot, but I'm not that motivated. Let me assure you that the decaf instant coffee I'm drinking instead is not cutting it this morning!

School's out!

Finally the end of the school year has arrived! Rain caused field day to be moved indoors, but it sounds as though the kids had just as much fun as if they'd been outdoors. Report cards also arrived home today and I'm very pleased with them. All-in-all, it was really a wonderful year for the kids. And, no more homework until August! We'll be working on various things throughout the summer of course, but no rigid schedule. No sleeping in right now, as we are babysitting some friends' kids until the teachers have completed their work as well. Still, summer is officially here in our house!

End of an era

Today my youngest finished preschool. I can't believe that preschool days are completely behind us. I'm a little sad about it, but I (fortunately) didn't shed any tears. It helped tremendously that my little guy isn't the least bit sad about the end of his preschool days. In fact, if he could start kindergarten tomorrow I think he would be absolutely thrilled. I'm glad that he enjoys school, and I'm grateful that he's ready to move on. Now we just have two more days for the older ones!

Needing some sleep

Everyone in this house seriously needs some sleep! My in-laws arrived on Wednesday, and I've been letting the kids stay up later in the evenings to enjoy their time together since the kids are in school all day. We also had baseball games Thursday and last night, and there were other fun activities with Nonie & Pappy along the way. This morning we had breakfast with them at Bob Evans, then they drove home. We were supposed to go a scout fishing outing today, but JR didn't realize it was even happening so we decided to stay home and just do some unwinding. The kids had a fun day outside, with bike riding and catch, and even some neighbors joined in. This evening my husband is at a Reds game with friends and the kids and I attended a graduation party for a girl who sometimes babysits. Tomorrow is a gathering for my grandmother's 80th birthday, so after the grad party the kids and I are staying in this evening, watching movies, and having an early bedtime. As tired as we all are, it's been fun!

Not the manners I was going for

Obviously I try to teach the kids good manners. Some days are better than others! The other day I was getting a poptart for HT to eat for breakfast. Most mornings lately he's been sleeping in past when the other two go to school, so by the time he's eating breakfast it's just he and I. He asked for poptarts so I brought him his favorite...blueberry. He's usually a very polite little child, but there was no response this time when I handed him the plate. I gently reminded him, "What do you say?" and he responded, in an irritated tone, "I wanted two." Still have some work to do in the manners department!

Hail storm

We unexpectedly spent 1/2 hour in our basement last evening! A tornado warning was never actually issued for our area, but we weren't taking any chances. They issued a tornado warning for the next county over, and several times kept mentioning our town when they mentioned the path of the storm. The strange thing is that there really wasn't any thunder or lightning associated with the storm, but the hail was unbelievable. Most of it was dime size, but there were several pieces that were quarter size, and we even located one that was golf ball sized. The kids were excited (once the storm actually passed) to see all the hail on the ground. They were out running to collect the pieces. This morning HT ran to the window to see if the "ice cubes" were still on the ground. He really broke my heart last night. He was so absolutely and totally terrified of the storm that he was shivering in my arms uncontrollably. I remember feeling that fear as a child, and I've always been terrified of storms. Having children changes my perspective though. First I have to be calm for them, and secondly I actually feel calm because I know in the deepest part of my heart that I would never and could never let anything happen to them if there is anything at all in my power I can do to control it. Anyway, we got our evening back on track after the excitement, and spent lots of time studying for tests today, as well as just reading some good books. Only five more days of school after today!

Way too optimistic

Apparently I was way too optimistic about not having homework this week. I know it's still a full week, but not only do both kids have spelling tests and nightly homework still, JR also has both a Social Studies test and a Science test tomorrow. I really find this ridiculous. I would think that the teachers wouldn't want to give major tests on the same day, but this is the second time in a row that it's happened. It's really frustrating for me! The other issue I have is that they are only giving us one day's notice. We have an agenda book, but they didn't bother to list it until today, nor was it included in Progress Book (the website used by the teachers). I'm just grateful that none of our kids have games this evening or JR would really be out of luck!

Late night

I'm almost never on the computer this late at night. In fact, I try to not even be awake at this time. Alas, HT has a horrible cough and we've brought him down to the couch. It's nothing serious, but he's got some heavy duty phlegm going on right now from allergies. He's also got some major gag reflexes, and phlegm tends to cause some problems, so we brought him down to the couch just to be safe. I don't sleep particularly well on the couch, so I thought I would get up and see what's going on in cyberspace. My wonderful husband volunteered to come down and sleep, but he has to work all day tomorrow, and I have nothing in particular that needs to be accomplished. In fact, we have absolutely nothing on our calendar tomorrow. We are looking forward to that!

Another month gone by

I can't believe that June is here already! And I can't believe school isn't closer to being out! We'll live, I know. There was beautiful weather here yesterday. I mean, absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately, I was suffering from allergies and sinuses, so after getting the flowers planted in the front flower bed, I was in the house the rest of the afternoon. It was wonderful sleeping weather last night, and so far I'm feeling much better today (meaning I can actually breathe out of my nose). Three ball games tonight, although there is a chance of storms. My in-laws arrive Wednesday, and we have a very full weekend next weekend. Have a good week!