10 on Tuesday

1. Yesterday, a woman I knew in high school lost her sweet 3 year old, Paxton, to cancer. He was diagnosed when he was 2 and fought it for a year. Her strength and faith throughout his fight was inspiring. I can only imagine how heartbroken she and her family must be today, but knowing that he isn't in pain anymore gives some solace. Please think about them and keep them in your prayers.

2. Emma got her ears pierced this week - before her big sister was brave enough. She is so cute with them - keeps tucking her hair behind her ears so everyone can see them sparkle. ;-)

3. Owen started soccer season with a bang - his team, the Racers, has won both games so far --- unlike last year where they lost.every.single.game. Maybe the neon green shirts they wear blind the other team as they run past?

4. Still waiting on social security to come back with an answer..part of me wants them to just go ahead and get it over with and deny it so I can start working on the appeal process. I hate waiting. BUT then I have hope that it will just be approved and we can go on with life and dealing with the VA.

5. I am starting a diet TODAY. My back has finally started to feel stronger and my anemia is much better now - still have low days, but nothing like last year where I felt like a sponge with no energy. :) Fred and I have been walking 3 miles a day to get it started and I threw away the candy that was in the house last night. Now to not buy more...that's the hard part!

6. The people interested in our house are still interested, they just have to sell theirs first...so we are waiting. Which is good because we have NO idea where the heck we want to go. We are looking at Atlanta, different parts of NC and pretty much the entire rest of the country. Apparently we want the scenery of the New England area, the weather of Seattle/California,  and the closeness of family and friends of NC. Anyone know the perfect spot? When you can chose from everything, it makes it really hard to choose!

7. Kaitlin - age 14 :)

8. Joey - age 1-ish. He has always been my class clown. :)



9. Tomorrow is supposed to be Emma's field trip to the pumpkin farm..and since it finally decided to rain for the last two days, I'm thinking it will be cancelled. I'm mentally preparing myself for the meltdown that occurs when I tell her this.

10. I'm having hard time thinking of a number 10 since my brain is full of the Target list I have to get today and fire trucks keep going by the house with their sirens blaring..so you get 9 today. :)

Hugs,

KT

Five on Friday

Here we go - trying to get back in the swing of this!
1. Today MIGHT be someone's new birthday! Yay for babies! My best friend, Jenny, is having her second and is at the hospital right now! She is keeping the sex a surprise, but my money is on GIRL!

2. The letter of the week is H..and that is why our hamster is going to school today. We are bringing the hamster for the class to see and then will stay to eat lunch with the boys.

3. Emma is cheering for the rec league football teams and Owen is playing on the soccer league..which means Monday, Tuesday and Thursday we are at the fields and Wednesday we are at church groups..which means my crockpot and soup/sandwich recipe selections are getting a workout this month!

4. We still don't know where we want to end up..we look at New York, we look at Washington, we look at Minnesota, we look at Atlanta, we look at NC. Do you know how hard it is to decide on a place to live when you have no parameters to search with?? impossible. Sometimes the whole get an RV for a year and travel thing sounds REALLY tempting...but I don't know what we would do with school and if we would survive!

5. I <3 Fall! Seriously. The BEST time of the year. I got some mums yesterday for the porch now that they won't wither instantly and we are getting some pumpkins this weekend. LOVE!

More Summer Fun

Summer Catch-up

I just can't get into a routine with blogging anymore..have to make it more of a priority I guess. I really would like to (and do enjoy now)be able to look back on these posts and remember the goofy things the kids did growing up. Must.focus.more! :)

So..our summer so far:


Celebrated a birthday



Opened presents



and more presents (a new bike helmet)

made tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes

slept :)

got candy at Opie's

saw the largest granite formation in the U.S. - the astronauts can even see it from space!

climbed a rock on a camping trip

watched movies with friends (Beezus and Ramona - Summer and Emma)

fell off the back of the truck onto a large rock, causing a trip to the ER, the pediatrican and a heart attack for the parents

another birthday...

Diego, of course!

...complete with Dora presents of all varieties!

...shared Slushees at Sams Club

...went for a walk

Phew, we've been busy..maybe we should do more of the sleeping!;-)

Hugs,
Katie

The Start of the Crazy Season...

It seems like everyone gets all stressed at Christmas time, or Thanksgiving - all the family coming to visit, gifts to buy, and more..but for me, the end of the school year and the beginning of Summer Vacation is my stressor. Buy tons of presents on a budget - easy. Decorate and entertain and cook for a bunch - ha. I do it everyday. No sweat. Entertain 5 kids in million degree temperatures without spending an arm and a leg (camp is out) while gas prices are hovering at $4/gallon? I'd rather be committed. Seriously. I don't think I will survive. I'm as planned as I can and I'm going to spend these last 4 days..well 3.5 since they get out at 11 on Thursday...I think that's just a joke they play on parents. Bring them in, sit in the house for an hour or two and stress and then come pick them back up...anyway, I'm going to spend the next 3.5 days cleaning and getting everything re-organized. The hardest thing for me this summer is the fact that we are TRYING to sell the house..which means keeping it clean on the off (and because of the market, the very off)chance that someone wants to see it..with 5 kids all playing different things. I'm thinking about structuring our days just like a school - playtime, recess, meals, storytime, arts/crafts, field trips. Mondays will be our outside in the morning, library after lunch and then either roller skating (it's Christian Music night at the rink for $2 a person, free skate rental) or bowling (we have free kids bowling and we have a pass for Fred and I..looking for cheap bowling shoes because $4.35 a pair adds up quickly on 7 feet!) We'll rotate one week skate, one week bowling. Then Tuesday and Thursday will be hang at home days and Wednesday will be another Augusta day but with the $1 Summer Movie in the morning and then grocery shopping since the sale flyers start that day. Friday, Saturday and Sunday will depend on the money left for the week but we'll try to throw in some park visits, musuems,etc. Swimming and playing outside will be their primary activity...until it reaches a million degrees...then we'll have to revisit the activities! For my sake more than theirs! :)

Here's some pics of what we've been up to - more on the end of school conferences next time!

 Owen and his best buddy, Ricky and some girl that Owen was very upset snuck into the picture..I think her name is Chauncey?

 Abby blowing bubbles with one of her crew, Ashland Reese

 Joey enjoying a little snowcone and popcorn at the end of the year party

 Joey bouncing his little heart out

 Joey and his teachers, Ms. Barbara and Ms. Andrea

 Abby eating..or smearing...a very blue cupcake

 Kaitlin doing face painting at the end of the year party (Abby chose pink of course)

 Emma minus one tooth (and soon to be the one next to it also!)

 Emma's End of Year Awards - Best Daily Effort and Star Reader

 Joey getting a green basketball..

 Just another pic of Joey in the sack race...I just love it that much. And to be fair, he won the first one..I just didn't get a picture. :)

Owen at Pre-K