August 31

August 30

 We made lava lamps in Chem Phys class.

Pre-K Story Time had a green theme. The craft was to spray water on Kool-Aid powder. The kids thought they were big stuff.

August 29

 

 Elliott requested donuts for his birthday breakfast.

We have lost our ever-loving minds. I need to stock up on Tylenol.

 

 The wee dude wanted the Hibachi-Sushi Buffet for lunch. He's the only 7 year-old I know that enjoys raw oysters!

 

 Mamaw and Bapaw took Elliott to a go-kart place for his birthday gift.

Elliott had a fabulous day on his first day as a seven year-old-until he threw up at 11:30pm! He slept good last night, so hopefully it was just something he ate.

August 28

 Happy 7th Birthday Elliott!

 Kat raced in her second cross country meet yesterday. She finished 61 out of 166 girls with a 2K (1.25 miles) time of 10:29. She improved her time even in the heat- it was much hotter this week than last.

We celebrated Kat (she turns 10 next month) and Elliott's birthdays with a joint robot battle party yesterday. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 27

 Who doesn't want to spend their birthday at the dentist? Clay couldn't make his appointment because his work has been hectic lately. I originally scheduled the appointments for my birthday because I thought Clay would be able to take the whole day off and we could all hang out. That didn't quite work out, but the kids and I all had good cleanings (no cavities!) and the kids got a good chunk of schoolwork done while waiting.

 

 After the dentist, Kat decidied we should visit Papaw G. We mentioned to him that we needed to go to the grocery store, and he needed some stuff, so we took him along. Because who doesn't want to shop with 4 kids!?! Me! It was actually fun. Papaw used to be the manager at this store, so he enjoyed showing the kids around and he showed them how to tell if your produce is ripe, etc. My children will forever be thumping on watermelons now. We'll be our own little reggae band!

 

 After we got home and finished up schoolwork, it was time to start getting things ready for Kat and Elliott's joint birthday party, which is today. Elliott has been a little obsessed with orcas ever since we visited Seaworld. This cake was super easy - toy orcas, rock candy, and laminated scrapbook paper waves. It isn't perfect, but Elliott loves it. That's all that matters. And the watermelon shark is thanks to Pinterest. 

Clay brought home pizza for dinner last night and then we all snuggled up on the couch for a movie. All six of us were literally curled up on 2 couch cushions. "Miracles From Heaven" was great, but a little intense for the kids at times.

Now it's time to celebrate Kat and Elliott... but first gymnastics practice and a cross country meet!

August 26

5th grade girls having fun during AWANA rec time (Kat's on the left side)

Matthew gave Elliott his birthday gift.

Yesterday the kids had to get up early and go across town with me to a doctor appointment. It took us 50 minutes because of traffic. The appointment lasted a whopping 20 minutes. Rather than get back in the car for a long drive, we went to a park to enjoy some time outside before it go too hot.

Today is my birthday. Clay asked me what I want to do to celebrate. I said, "I don't care as long as I don't have to cook and I don't have to drive anywhere." I have put over 1,300 miles on our new van and we haven't even traveled anywhere. That's just running kids to activities, etc.

August 25

We have instituted quiet time after schoolwork gets gone. Julia and Kat chose to play a few games and Lucy took a nap. Elliott is absolutely tortured by having to hang out quietly in his room for an hour. He's allowed to read, play with Legos, toys, even play with his basketball goal, but so far he just lays on his bed and pouts/cries. Oh the shame! This mean old Mom isn't letting him ride his bike or play the Wii. Life is rough! 

August 24

Happy Birthday Uncle Bob!

 

We haven't spent much time outside at our own house this summer because it's either been raining, too hot, or the #$@! mosquitoes have been awful. While Julia was at gymnastics, and Clay and Kat were at cross country practice, I took Elliott and Lucy outside to ride bikes for a bit. Even with insect repellent, I got eaten alive! I am ready for the first freeze to get rid of the little vampires!

August 23

Co-op #2 is in the books.

 We sung "Happy Birthday" to Elliott (is he really almost 7!?!)

 My Chem-Phys class made a density tower out of different liquids.We then dropped different things into the cup (popcorn kernel, cherry tomato, dice, etc) to see which layer the object would stop in. Ten years ago, if you had told me I would enjoy working with 5th and 6th graders more than preschoolers, I would have told you that you were nuts. These kids are great!

These cuties are fun too... but they are some wiggle worms! We read stories with a blue theme and then made a blue craft.

August 22

 

Kat and Elliott are having a joint birthday party this coming weekend. Kat doesn't like cake very much, so we found this alternative idea on Pinterest and went ahead and made it yesterday. My sugar-loving kid is excited about it!

August 21

Kat had her first cross country meet yesterday. Nothing like starting your weekend waking up at 6:15am! We don't know her official results yet, but Clay said she was the first on her team to cross the finish line. She was around the 50th person to cross the line and ran a 9 or 10 minute mile. She enjoyed it and has her next meet this weekend.

 

 

 

 I can promise you that I would not look this cute after running 2K!

Clay and I got to have a date night last night. We went to a fun bar/restaurant that had yummy food and a bunch of arcade games from our childhood - Ms Pacman, Frogger, pinball machines, etc. Afterwards we saw the movie "Bad Moms". It was totally raunchy and a bit over-the-top, but I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. It was hilarious! 

August 20

 

Second Place!

 Elliott, someone's trying to get your attention...

  

 Because who doesn't go to the fair to listen to their favorite talk radio show live? This boy and his KSR podcasts.... what can you do!?!

 Elliott received a basketball from the National Guard for doing 15 pushups.

 Ummm... I think the sun might have been in their eyes 

  

 

 

"Hey Mom! If you pet their nose they are vewy fwendly." 

 

 Chinese acrobats

 

Lucy thought the acrobat dragons were a hoot!

Just as we were about to leave, we stumbled upon a kids game show. Three of the four (sorry Kat) were selected as contestants. Julia won the whole thing!

Doesn't Lucy look thrilled!?! Her face was priceless.

 

 Elliott playing "Toss Your Cookies"

 

We were are the fair from 9am until 7pm. We had to get home before too late because Julia has gymnastics at 9am today and Kat has her first cross country meet at 8am. It's an early start to our Saturday!