Baby Calves and "O"ppossums?

Life is so exciting with three beautiful children! Last weekend we enjoyed another fall afternoon before the weather turned really cold. We went to Warvel Park in Manchester then had lunch at Dairy Queen. Although I never miss a chance to play at the park, what we did next was even more fun. We went to Alan Stouffers with Grandpa Darrell and did the farm chores. May not sound exciting to anyone but us city folks, but we had a blast. There were 15 baby calves to bottle feed, one GINORMOUS boar, four crazy dogs and a couple goofy goats. We all had a blast. At one point I called Abbie over to me by using her full name, Abigale. She said, "Don't call me Abigale, I like Abbie!" I guess she told me. Anyway, thanks Grandpa Darrell for the memories that I'm sure will last our lifetime.
Speaking of Abigale, this week has been a rough. Several months ago, with no explanation, Abbie decided she didn't want to sleep in her own bed. This week I decided that had to change. Multiple nights of crying, screaming, running around (and that's not even considering how Abbie was behaving, lol) We've begun a rigid bedtime routine starting with a bath and ending with a couple bedtime stories. When we were reading last night (which was a little better but I don't want to jinx myself) She gave special consideration to the "O" in Oppossum. It was very cute. We can only hope and pray that the advice of Super Nanny and Dr. Lehman have turned our bedtime around.
The rest of the clan has had a couple interesting weeks as well. Austin was cut from the basketball team again this year, but this time momma insisted on some answers. I discretely met with the coach after practice the next night to discuss what areas Austin could work on. The coach explained that Austin was the hardest cut he had to make and that he was a really good kid. He had offered Austin a spot as manager so he could practice with the team and had hoped Austin would accept. He also wanted me to know that of all the children cut that day (there were 5), that Austin was the only one that thanked him for the opportunity to try out. I was in tears. It isn't often as parents we get a glimmer of hope that we are doing something right. Anyway, he accepted and have been working hard to improve his skills. I couldn't be prouder of his humbling himself to practice with the team without the promise of playing time. Young Mr. Boggs also celebrated his 14th Bday since I last wrote. We were able to take him and seven of his friends camping over fall break. They had a lot of fun riding the bike trails and playing football and jail break. It was a really good time. The reservoir offered a lot of exploration since they had already been draining it. Can't believe I'm the mother of a 14 year old.
Miss Leigha and I were able to attend the Secret Keeper Girl conference that same weekend. We enjoyed the entertainment and touching messages presented. We learned a lot of tips about modest and how beautiful we all naturally are to our creator God. I especially enjoyed a little alone time with my girl. We went to Steak and Shake afterwards and then a little shopping. I am so very proud of the beautiful young lady she's becoming.

Camping Local?

Labor day weekend was our first attempt at camping locally. We reserved two sites at Salamonie Reservior for the long holiday weekend. Austin's best friends, Grant and Chase, along with their parents joined us. The weather was perfect. A little cool, but it gave me a taste of the up and coming fall season that I love so much. It warmed up enough to go boating the last couple days which we all extremely enjoyed. Abbie was impressed with all the "eagles" (also known as seagulls) that we saw on the boat. Tina let both girls try their hand at driving the boat as well. All of the boys (Larry, Doug, Austin, Chase and Grant) showed off their tubing and kneeboarding skills. I took some really neat action pictures which we all know will take me the next year to print off. The kids also enjoyed ending each day with a few hours of "jailbreak". Abbie was a little disgruntled that she really wasn't big enough to play, so her and I retreated to the camper for some bingo. Tina was a little envious of our family's attempt at "roughing it." Her and Doug insisted on sleeping in a tent right outside our camper, while the boys stayed with us. After freezing one evening and getting wet another, she entered the camper and said, "This is not camping." I replied with, "Ask me if I care." Overall, our first local camping trip was a huge success and we can't wait to do it again. It's amazing how many friends are willing to hang out with you when you aren't hours away:)

I've spoken too soon!

Well, I've spoken too soon. This has not been a good week so far. Abbie has no desire to attend Kindergarten anymore. She has shed more tears over the past two days than she probably has in the past two years:( She says she doesn't like it and doesn't want to go. Monday morning she cried about not liking lunch and not having help to open her milk carton. So then I worried about the poor child not getting anything to drink with her lunch. Last night after I put her to bed, she came downstairs to ask if she would ever get a break from Kindergarten. This a.m. she cried from the time she got up until she walked up the street to the bus. The only reason she wasn't crying when she got on the bus is because she got distracted by some squirrels. Where is Calgon when I need it? I spent her lunch period with her today and she seemed better. I was relieved to see that the lunch helper was checking to make sure everyone who needed help opening their milk got it. She had made a new friend and was busy talking to her when I left..no tears then Thank God! I was in tears a the shear joy of her maybe being happy for the first time in days. She had a better evening tonight and was asleep by 9 p.m. Praying the worse it over!

Leigha had a fun project her first day of school. She had a list of questions she was suppose to answer about herself and her family by bringing in items that represented her family. Her answers were quit entertaining. For the question, "What don't you like?" She took a picture of her brother and sister. I suggested she could tell her class that she doesn't like it when they pick on her. She forgot that part and just told the class she didn't like them...which received a frown from the teacher. Also, when she had to share something that made her family special, she came to me with a fake one dollar bill. She said, "Mommy, do you think our family is cheap?" I said, "I'd like to consider us frugal instead of cheap." She started giggling...that is what she was going to take to school to signify something special about her family....cheap? Is that all we are special for? Our thriftiness? What have I done to these children? Hopefully I changed her mind when I sprung for the $2 lip gloss she wanted at the drug store this eve:)

Austin is nickel and dimeing me to death with all of his extra curricular activities. We shopped for numerous football and school supplies a few weeks ago and last night we had to go shopping for a girdle. It is more football equip even though I always thought they were just women's undergarments. I'm sure he was wishing his dad would've taken him after I had a minor meltdown when the sports store refused the coupon they gave me with my last purchase there. It wouldn't have been so bad, but they seem to find some reason to not let me use them every time...My cheap (I mean frugal) self had had it! He also desperately needs to renew his subscription to XBOX live or the world may quit spinning on its axis. Not to mention his daily requests for a cell phone. Some of these items he's earned his own money to pay for but seriously...does he realize he usually makes more an hour than his mother does? Maybe after I remind him repeatedly he will. And so are the Days of our Lives.....

My Baby starts Kindergarten?

I don't know how it happened, but my baby grew old enough to start kindergarten today. These last few years have flown by. I've been in denial for months now but had to learn to deal with it this morning. She wasn't real excited about the idea but did really well. I think her open house and bus ride last night really helped matters. She also had a few friends in her class, Sully and Kirsten. When I dropped her off we hung up her bag, picked out her lunch, and she kissed me goodbye...never looked back. Amazingly enough I was so happy that she adjusted so well, I didn't even have to redo my makeup. I couldn't wait to pick her back up. It was hard to stay focused all day at work. When I picked her up, she ran up and greeted me with a great big hug (she's always been the best greeter). When I asked her what she'd done, she proceeded to tell me about all the things she didn't do. She didn't read books or learn to tie her shoes. My girl had pretty high expectations for her first day. Then she went on about having three recesses, reading a story, and going on an alphabet hunt. A tradition of ours is to go for a treat after school the first day. All Abbie wanted was chocolate milk from McD's.
Leigha said school was boring today. She didn't even get to learn. All they did were go over rules and more rules. Austin was happy hearing rules because it meant he didn't have to work. He was promised homework for tomorrow and isn't thrilled to say the least. He had his hopes up that the first week of school would be homework free. Looks like this new chapter is gonna be a fun and challenged filled adventure for all of us.