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The First Day of School

Yesterday was the first day of school. Matt and Grace had a good day and were full of all kinds of stories. Gracie informed us that her teacher was very nice until she ran out of coffee! Well, I believe her teacher was just teasing them about what happens when she doesn't have her morning joe. Matt was already teasing his teacher, which hopefully will not happen again. I think both of them were glad to have school start.

Aaron, as you can see, was ready for school as well, but preschool does not start until after Labor Day. Instead he hung out with Mom. We explored our friends property and the house they are gutting, we had a close encounter with a bat, and we ran lots of errands. What a day! We also walked the mile to pick his siblings up at the bus stop. When we just about reached the park Aaron informed me he was out of gas and could not go any farther! He did, however, have enough energy to play at the park while waiting for the bus. Before heading home he stopped and jumped up and down several times before taking off at a dead run. We decided he had to "jumpstart" himself to make it home. Life is never dull!!

All in all, it was a great day! They were even in bed by 8:15, which was a feat in and of itself!

Responsibility

Matt went to work yesterday with Papa at 5:30am. I picked him up a little before noon. He went to work with Papa again today. He enjoys working with Grandpa. I think he also enjoys the idea of getting paid a little bit. He has decided to save up money to put minutes on a prepaid phone, a very cheap phone that I had picked up for Dave. Well, it is not being used anymore and Matt thinks he should have it. We are trying to talk him out of it, we are hoping he will save his money for the aquarium that he was wanting a month or two ago. Or the Wii he has talked about. Anything but minutes on a phone that does not work so well.

This morning Matt woke Grace up so she could go to work too. They were up before 6am. Well, Grace didn't get to go to work with Matt, but I had shared with her, yesterday, that I would pay her for extra chores around the house. When I came down the stairs this morning she had finished up the dishes I had started and was ready to help me fold clothes.

I have noticed in the last week or so my kiddos are trying to be more responsible. I don't know if it has anything to do with the fact that school is starting very soon and they desire the structure that comes with school or if it is just the knowledge that extra chores means a little bit of cash. All I know, is that I like the new and improved attitudes of two of my children. The youngest one just runs around shooting us with his new nerf gun!

And so it continues

Dave called a little while ago from Mitchell. They won their game tonight, which means they will play again on Thursday night. If they win that game they will be in the championship game on Saturday. At least I think that is the case. Dave and I left the kids with his parents yesterday so that we could do some school shopping and I could watch the game, but it was rained out. They called the game 15 minutes before the starting time. But at least we were able to get school supplies and we did spend the day together, which is always fun. My favorite buy was 5 cent notebooks! I can't believe school starts next week!

They Won!

Well, Dave came home sometime around 2am this morning. They won their game, which means they will play again on Sunday I believe. They had a legion player pitch the start and Dave finished the game, I am not sure how many innings. He did say it was the best he had pitched this season. So much for my hopes that this was the last year! ;) I am proud of him.

Baseball

Dave is still playing baseball. His team made it to the State Tournament in Mitchell. His first game is Thursday. We hope they win, of course. I don't think the kids and I will be joining him for this game, hopefully the next. Matt is pretty excited, he told Dave he would get the pitching award, and he did. Sorry, the picture is so fuzzy.

A Couple of Stalkers

Last night I left the house to train for my 5K. I also needed some quiet time, but that was not to be had. Two stalkers joined me from a distance and then eventually caught up with me . . .Nelly, the goat and PF (Playful), the cat. We must have been quite the sight, I was thankful that our road is not often traveled. Picture if you will, me, concentrating on keeping my abs tight and head held high, trying to spend some time in prayer while walking at a brisk pace. Nelly sneaking up on me and crowding me with her horns and very pushy personality and PF following at a safe distance stopping occasionally to see if he could find something to pounce on.

They were with me the entire two miles! I was 3/4's of the way home when I saw a vehicle pull to the stop sign several yards in front of me. It sat there longer than necessary, I am assuming laughing at the sight they saw just around the bend. They turned and came towards me with their windows down. PF saw them headed our way and stood in the middle of the road growling and hissing! I have never seen him act that way, especially when he could not have won the battle with an SUV!

I had a short conversation with the two couples with their parting comment being, "Anyone who has a goat, deserves a goat." Not knowing exactly what that meant, I responded, "Would you like one?"

Oh, well, I tried. Is there anyone else who would like a goat? I sure don't need her help with looking silly!!!

Hope this brings a little humor to your day. Have a great one!

More Birthday

Do you think they liked the ice cream?

The Cake

Well, this cake was quite the ordeal. Once again, I was experimenting. I made the bugs from melted chocolate and candy wafers, tracing drawings I had made on paper earlier Friday evening. I really pushed my artistic talent to the limit. The kids were very supportive. Gracie and Aaron kept saying, 'You are so talented, Mom.' 'You should do this everyday and sell them, you would do really good.' It did this mom's heart good to hear my kiddos praising me. They also seem to know my dreams for 'someday.'

I also need to tell you that while the cakes were cooling on the table, Tank came inside and took a bite of one layer. I cut off the half he bit out of and split the good part in half to create another layer. You can see the middle layer of the cake bulging. Oh, well it still tasted great.

The Birthday Boy and Friends

The Bug Party

Saturday we celebrated Aaron's birthday, he turns 5 on Monday! We had a bug party at G-ma and G-pa's house. We were a little naughty. . .we fried onion rings and chicken. The onion rings were the winner, hands down. We also had birthday cake and homemade ice cream. Needless to say, no one left hungry.

A Challenge

While I am waiting for M to wake up, so he can share his thoughts on Chicago I thought I would share some news!

In my never ending quest to become a better me; healthier, better organized, better housekeeper, better mom and so on and so forth, I have risen to a new challenge. I have joined two other ladies in training for a 5K run! Now, I know a few of you have just fallen off of your chairs in shock since this is so far from who I am, but I am excited to have a goal. I am not a runner and neither are the other ladies. We are going to do this. Yesterday, was my first workout. We are starting out slow, walking for 30 min. If anyone knows of a 5K run, please let me know. Preferably, one that is next spring!

Millenium Park

This is where M had to learn that it is okay to hold his ground.

Legos! Legos! and more Legos!

The Field Museum in Chicago

Today, I am sharings some of M's pictures of Chicago. Tomorrow I am going to let him share some of his memories.

Another give away

I just visited one of my new favorite sites, 4 Reluctant Entertainers, and she is having another give away. She is giving away canning supplies. I have often thought of canning, but have never taken the time to learn. I do hope to make Grandma's pickles this summer, because I will have a plethora of cucumbers this year! I hope to also make tomato sauce and salsa and freeze sweet corn, beans, and sweet peas. Who knows what will happen! How about you? Do you can? Do you hope to learn someday? Please share your thoughts and don't forget to visit Sandy's sight and comment to have a chance to win this prize.

Menu Plan Monday #4

My menu this week is simple and a challenge for myself. I have decided to clean out the cupboards and the freezer. This will be a little interesting, who knows what I will come up with!!

It is a quiet week. Dave and I have a board meeting tonight, tomorrow is Dave's baseball game and Friday I am catering a rehearsal dinner.

I hope you have a great week.

As you may have noticed I am not posting a daily menu, because who knows what I will find in my cupboards!

A Quiet Morning

It is very quiet here this morning, M is in Chicago visiting my sister, G spent the night at a friend's house, and A is still sleeping. Quietness does not seem to settle on this house very often and I am enjoying this.

I spoke with M this morning. He went to a Cubs' game yesterday afternoon and they are going on a picnic this evening on the beach near J&M's home. Chicago is a whole other world to a nine year old compared to rural America. He has plenty of questions for his aunt and uncle. Yesterday, it was "why are those men carrying purses?" He had never seen a 'man purse,' can't say that I have for that matter! I can't wait to talk with him again. I do know he found some good books at the library there. He is enjoying reading again, Yeah!

Have a great day!

Menu Plan Monday #3

Well, we didn't do too well last week following our menu. Hopefully, this week will be better!

Monday: grilled chicken,Fettuccine Alfredo, salad, and cantaloupe

Tuesday: smothered beef sandwiches, mashed potatoes, broccoli

Wednesday: tacos

Thursday: brats, grilled chicken, potato salad, fruit

Friday: sandwiches, or wraps and chips (Dave has a game)

Saturday: Homemade pizza, salad

Sunday: Dad's choice

For more menu ideas, please check out orgjunkie.com

What a way to end the day!

What could better than water balloons, the slip and slide, Papa's famous pizza, fireworks, and friends. We had really hoped to have a big get together with friends, but it just didn't work out. We did however have a great time with our friends, Mike and Erika and their girls, Elka and Ursie. Dad did awesome once again on his pizza and I made some fried ice cream per Dave's request. After supper we lit some fireworks and then went up to the deck to watch everyone else's fireworks. One of the advantages to living on a hill is being able to see all the way to Ainsworth on a clear night. It was a great day with family and friends.