30
Mar
These two requested a snuggling picture.
29
Mar
Everybody loves a game night.
28
Mar
Teague swears he is only eating breakfast because he was told it was important by his teachers for the states testing he is undergoing this week. I know the truth. He saw avocados and wanted avocado toast.
27
Mar
This snuggling went with a lot of “Teaguey Bear” and “Benji Bear.” They love these nicknames for each other and use them at every opportunity.
26
Mar
Sunday lineup – Two have had little sleep from the lock-in last night but otherwise everyone was in good spirits.
25
Mar
The big boys had plans to attend a church lock-in tonight.
24
Mar
Pepper has lots of not so great qualities, but she does play fetch. We all love that. Pepper tends to be a little particular about what she fetches – a Kong frisbee – yes; a nerf ball – yes; a tennis ball – no. Wade came home today with a new fetching toy. I was a little skeptical because we have had similar toys before. However, today, Wade worked with her and got her to fetch the tennis ball the toy throws. Then we turned it over to the kids. The little kids love being able to throw the tennis ball much farther than normal.
24
Mar
It’s a Friday night and should theoretically be homework free, but Teague had a little bit. We have found it is much easier to get it done on Friday nights than Saturday afternoon or Sunday nights.
23
Mar
When it was time for dinner, I found that Teague had snuck down in the shop with his Dad to work on a project.
22
Mar
The kids have been begging Wade to put the trampoline up for weeks. Today he agreed to check to see if the ground was hard enough. With the mild winter we have had, the ground was firm enough for a trampoline. Kaitlyn helped bring all the pieces from the barn and the springs. Alex helped with the parts that could be considered a two-man job. Teague helped put up the net. Ben did all of the testing.
22
Mar
Today we put the trampoline back up and it’s one time when all four get along and jump together. Alex was rather proud when he managed to pin all of his siblings at one time.
21
Mar
Teague and his never ending homework – at least in his mind.
20
Mar
Wade has been putting in all new doorknobs and Teague followed him around keeping him company.
19
Mar
Sunday roundup.
18
Mar
Bingo night at church.
18
Mar
Our church hosted a potluck and game night. The kids were in various stages of excitement to attend, but we all got there and I brought their favorite Chimichurri sandwiches. As luck would have it, the games were Bingo and trivia. (We haven’t played Bingo since the last time we were in KY and now we have played twice in three days.) The younger kids were very excited by the prize options – candy, toys, etc. Alex was being a teenager but didn’t put up too much fuss and willingly played the games. Kaitlyn even got to call numbers and tell some of her favorite jokes to the crowd.
17
Mar
Some nights this is exactly what game night looks like.
(If you look closely, you will see that Wade now has his own gaming computer.)
16
Mar
The elementary school had a fundraiser tonight for the 6th grade’s trip to Nature’s Classroom. The PTG and the principals worked together to coordinate the event. Parents donated baked goods to sell for dessert and 6th graders donated their time as wait staff. I was there early for setup and to man the cashbox. Wade brought the family to the second seating. Ben was so excited for his “bingo” and Kaitlyn helped him choose a prize. The goal was $1000 and they got pretty close to their goal!
16
Mar
Pasta and Bingo Night at the elementary school.
15
Mar
Bus stop dash. Teague and Kaitlyn always race each other from the bus to the back door. Obviously Teague got a head start today.
14
Mar
Teague was bored with the snow day by dinner time and offered to help me cook dinner.
13
Mar
Teague was demonstrating how he was going to return his friend’s forgotten hat.
12
Mar
We gave Teague a day of skiing for his birthday and today was the first day we could make it happen. He and I had a perfect day. It was sunny skies and mid 40 degrees. The lift lines were fairly long, but we didn’t mind. We had a lot of fun.
12
Mar
Sunday lineup.
(Just for you Gram the big boys are not wearing red plaid shirts.)
11
Mar
Playate central at our house today.
10
Mar
Kaitlyn was cooking, Alex was unloading the dishwasher, and Teague was playing with Ben. Then Alex asked Teague to come in and talk to him about their latest video game. Brother bonding and a plus that Teague helped him with some of the unloading.
09
Mar
Turns out Teague’s apple bread is an after school favorite.
08
Mar
Teague decided to try a new recipe – Apple Harvest Bread. It was a hit with everybody!
07
Mar
Teague decided to “teach” Ben how to unload the dishwasher this morning. (I’m pretty sure he just wanted a little help.)
06
Mar
Morning bus stop.
05
Mar
Our church used to have quite a thriving Sunday School program. Then COVID happened. It has been a slow struggle to find teachers and get kids back to church. Some Sundays my four have been the entire kids’ program. Thankfully that is not the case currently, but we are still struggling to find teachers. Wade recently offered to teach the middle/high school. His plan is to make pancakes and then throw a little learning in there too. I deliver my younger two and then teach where needed, which is often Ben’s age group.
05
Mar
Sunday roundup.
04
Mar
Saturday morning cartoons.
03
Mar
Reading makes for a far happier Teague than homework.
02
Mar
Lunch and snack prep.
01
Mar
Minecraft has now become the most popular game in the house – with all four kids.
28
Feb
We had our first real snow day of the year! School was canceled last night so the big boys slept in late. The little kids and I woke up to several inches and more snow falling. After a lazy morning, we rallied and most of us went out to play. Kaitlyn even built a snowman!
28
Feb
Snow day lunch.
27
Feb
All four in the kitchen at breakfast time? This never happens anymore.
26
Feb
25
Feb
Teague got quite a bit of candy for his birthday. He also has quite a bit of trouble with self-control. Therefore, he isn’t allowed to keep candy in his room. Normally we keep all sweets in the kitchen and then the owner can somewhat have them at will. Teague was quite worried someone was going to eat his candy so he brought his safe downstairs to the kitchen to lock up his favorites.
25
Feb
Saturday = chore day.
24
Feb
Wade treated the boys to lunch at Ben’s favorite place. His favorite lady even gave them all tootsie pops.
23
Feb
Wade was in charge of the boys while we were gone. I have no doubts they had a blast.
22
Feb
Break week means making donuts for breakfast.
21
Feb
Teague is one lucky kid. Every year his birthday falls on February break (which I had never heard of before moving to Massachusetts). We started the day with a surprise snowfall, birthday donuts, and hot chocolate. Then we opened a few gifts before everyone started getting ready for the day. Lunch was Teague’s choice of Chick-fil-a. Then we split up for a few errands. Wade took Teague on a surprise visit to see some high end cars and I did some last minute birthday shopping. Dinner was everyone’s favorite Papa John’s pizza and then Alex’s cake. Teague finished the night with his presents and some extra gaming time.
21
Feb
Birthday boy!
20
Feb
Thank goodness their new desks are extra long. Teague spends more time building legos on it than he does playing his computer (only because he has a time limit on his usage).
19
Feb
It used to be that when Alexa announced “Dinner time” my kids came running. Now they know that really means it is time to set the table. Unless someone happens to be in the living room and in my eye sight, I can’t get anyone to respond. Tonight Teague was nearby and got roped into helping.
18
Feb
Cookies coming right up!