24 Nov

A Day To Celebrate

I knew it would only be a few years before Ben’s birthday would fall on Thanksgiving Day. Today was that day. He woke up and requested donuts. I went in search but it turns out no donut places were open on Thanksgiving Day. The grocery store was open and chocolate muffins were a crowd favorite. Then we spent the day watching the parade, cooking, eating, visiting with family, and celebrating a birthday!

23 Nov

November 23, 2022

We had a nice lazy day planned. Everyone slowly woke up, we had afternoon plans for a movie. Perfection.

21 Nov

Game Night

Kaitlyn couldn’t wait to get a game of Bingo started. It has become one of her favorite activities at Gram’s house. Wade was happy to join in the fun and we were all shocked to realize he had never played with us before. Kaitlyn won a growing dinosaur, which she gave to Ben. Wade won snowcaps, which he gave to me. Then it was bedtime.

20 Nov

November 20, 2022

Sticks:

1. Everyone starts with one finger out on each hand.

2. The players take turns tapping hands. The number of fingers out on your hand is the number of fingers that the other player must put out on the hand that you tapped. So, if your opponent taps your hand with three fingers out on their hand and you have one finger out, you add three fingers for a total of four fingers out.

3. If after being tapped you have to add so many fingers that your total is now over 5, put out the number of fingers past 5.

Example: You have three fingers out. Your opponent taps that hand with three fingers. You now have 1 finger out. (3 + 3 = 6, 6 is 1 past 5.)

4. If you end up with exactly five fingers out on one hand, that hand is “out.”

5. You win by getting both of your opponent’s hands out!

20 Nov

We Have Arrived

The kids were so excited to see Gram! They came in the door calling her name and begging for her attention. Before too long the cousins arrived and that made the day even better. We had our usual Chick-fil-A nuggets, Burch locks, and general chaos.

18 Nov

November 18, 2022

When you are going to be out of town for two Saturdays, you have to do chores before you leave town.

17 Nov

Birthday Boy

Ben always gets to celebrate a couple of times for his birthday – once at home and once on the road. Today was the day we celebrated at home.

The plan was donuts for breakfast. I had planned to get up and go to Dunkin. Alex had taken orders the night before and told me he was going to walk down to pick them up, but I didn’t quite believe him. I knew it was going to be early, cold, and dark. Imagine my surprise when I got downstairs this morning and there was Alex sitting at the table, drinking hot chocolate (our favorite is from Dunkin), with a box of donuts.

We had candles in donuts and then Ben chose a present to open. He chose the biggest and it was the Gabby Dollhouse he has been hoping and hoping to get. I put it together and he and Kaitlyn played until the bus came.

Ben and I had a sushi lunch (his favorite) and then he picked Chick-fil-a with milkshakes for dinner. His cake was paw patrol but we did presents first, at his request. He had a fabulous birthday and he can’t wait to celebrate again in KY.

17 Nov

November 17, 2022

Because we will be gone on Ben’s birthday, we had our own celebration today.

15 Nov

November 15, 2022

The best days are homework free and Teague can read all he wants without interruption.

13 Nov

Bell Ringer

Teague joined the bell choir this year, but it is a very small bell choir. They started the year with three ringers, but at some point the number dropped down to two. They kept practicing and hoping to recruit more kids. Sadly that hasn’t happened. Wade has pitched in to practice with them and today they had their first performance. Teague did a great job and it was fun to see him up front!

05 Nov

November 5, 2022

I mentioned earlier in the week how Alex always made his bed, Teague is the opposite. He only makes his bed on Saturday, the day it is required along with room cleaning. Later today this room will look amazing.

03 Nov

Years Of Appointments

Teague had his yearly eye appointment today with Dr. Hunter. The office called yesterday to tell me there was a new address. I was a little shocked. We have been visiting in the same building since Teague was 18 months old. One of the earliest pictures I could find was 2014. We still love Dr. Hunter!

02 Nov

November 2, 2022

Its sock weather again – which also means Teague’s socks are found all over the downstairs.

31 Oct

October 31, 2022

Happy Halloween!

(Teague – T-rex, Kaitlyn – Elsa, Ben – light up stickman)

31 Oct

Halloween Night

Halloween is always a little more tricky when it’s on a school night, but the kids were up to the challenge. We started the night at one of my friend’s houses for a little party (pizza, bouncy house, etc). The best part is she lives on South St – THE Street for trick or treating. The street is closed down and people come from all over. There is a definite party atmosphere with music, glow sticks, and candy – lots of candy. Alex joined us for dinner but headed home afterwards to watch an outdoor movie with friends. We met up with some of Kaitlyn’s friends and proceeded up and down the street.

Side note: Ben’s costume was the best! Having him in a costume with lights made it so easy to keep up with him! I’m going to try to push a light up costume of some kind next year too!

30 Oct

October 30, 2022

Teague offered to help out with my chores today and I gladly took him up on it!

30 Oct

Trunk or Treat

Today was the Trunk or Treat at our church. We had a whirlwind day full of activities, so Wade and Ben went first in the minitruck (our “trunk”). I arrived with the other kids and then we got to the candy portion of the afternoon. Ben loved running wild, Alex loved scaring little kids in the “Scary Hallway,” and the other two loved traditional candy acquiring.

27 Oct

October 27, 2022

Teague has a new book series and is flying through the books.

26 Oct

New Family Favorite

Kaitlyn tried a new Raddish recipe tonight and it was a winner! She cooked pretzel bites and they were devoured in minutes!

26 Oct

October 26, 2022

It’s a rare morning that all four of my kids are in the kitchen at the same time.

25 Oct

October 25, 2022

Teague got bored waiting for me to check his homework and decided a nap was a good option.

24 Oct

Favorite Fall Activity

Wade spent the weekend working on leaf pickup. That of course means that the kids spent the weekend outside playing in the leaves.

24 Oct

October 24, 2022

Wade is out of town this week so everybody has to go with me when I go to school early for Fun Run reasons. They didn’t seem to upset…

23 Oct

October 23, 2022

I tried to be on top of things and take the Sunday picture before church – nobody liked hat idea (even if I did get a few smiles).

22 Oct

October 22, 2022

Ben eventually convinced Teague to join him in some leaf play.

20 Oct

Fun Run

Today was the day! The kids’ biggest fundraiser of the year for their school. Being on the PTG board, I was heavily involved all week and spent the day taking pictures of the event. The run was a huge success and we almost doubled the goal we set!

19 Oct

October 19, 2022

Sometimes a nap seems like a better choice than getting started on the homework.

18 Oct

October 18, 2022

Teague brought this game home as a Fun Run prize and convinced Alex to play.

17 Oct

October 17, 2022

It’s been a really busy afternoon. Alex was bored. Teague was tired of waiting for me to get to his homework. Alex decided to go ahead and check the homework. Hilarity ensued.