A Day in A Life: October

A Day in A Life: October

I would say this was a pretty normal day.  Busy, with a touch of dramatic is how we do things here.

I wake the kids up at 6:40am…showers, begging the kids to take showers, and then making sure they really shower is always a WAKE UP CALL!  

Getting my children to dress in weather appropriate clothes, mostly impossible with Caleb but Ainsley half did it.  I made her put a warm skirt over her leggings so her bum wouldn't get cold!

 Ainsley throws on her gross shoes and one child done! Braiding Aubrey's hair, getting her the required 2 breakfast bars, making sure Caleb brushes his teeth, and begging him to wear a sweatshirt (no luck).

 With all of the morning hustle Tate is content in his box watching Wild Krats.  If only all my kids could be 4th children! :)

 Trash Day…get in the car before 7:25am with Aubrey and make sure the other 2 are on the way to the bus stop WITH their backpacks.  

Drop Aubrey off for student council and head to McDonalds with Tate to get him a breakfast burrito/hash brown because he was so good!  We love driving threw the airbase on the way home, sometimes we see the double army helicopters taking off!

 Hour by hour directions for the dinner Brisket.  

(which has seriously gone up in price!!!!!!)

 Work on my lesson for Sunday while I wait for Tate to hand me his shoes so we can make it to his play date on time.  No pictures, but perfect weather!

Come home and make lunch.  Do laundry, dishes, and walk the dog.

Also, calling the school to discuss the upcoming school directory that I was put in charge of, no luck.

Soccer was cancelled so, 4:30…3 different sets of homework (an hour each)…I have a love-hate relationship with common core, depending on the child. 

 The usual afternoon meltdown over a homework folder and the spelling of Make vs Made.  Also, a black folder but it got pretty intense and I couldn't understand…I just tried to hug and console!

 Homemade dinner leftover from last night.  It was "flavorless" according to Andy (I never have to wonder why my kids are so picky and hate everything I make)  I loved it, so I ate if for dinner while  half of the other children ate Brisket!

Ainsley's reward.  After months of trying an 'x' system I needed them to truly understand the importance of the rules/discipline I have and the long term rewards that come to everyone involved.  After 7 days of eating the dinners I made (without complain), doing homework without complaint, helping around the house, and offering to clean Tate's room (he couldn't find the right super hero and destroyed his room while looking for it) Ainsley earned the dinner of her choice with a milk shake upgrade.  I think that 2 of the other 3 with start taking it more seriously because YUM YUM that looked good!!!

After Ainsely's reward I hustled Aubrey/Caleb in the car because I had NO idea what Tuesday of the month it is…only to find out that it's the 1st Tuesday of the month so no scouts or activity days.  We live to far away from the church for me to drive them back home so they had to find something to do while I had my YW meeting.  

Coming home at 9:00pm to a $300 broken decoration I guess is better than last week when Tate's face was bruised and bleeding from his bike accident:(  

Win some you loose some.  Played with Winston a little, gave Tate some water, sang a song to Caleb, and the night was done.  It was an absolute normal day for me:)

I must add that I am sad this project is ending.  I enjoyed it and reading everyone else's as well!  

SURPRISED?!

Boy or Girl?

Real Due Date?

How far along am I?

How do I feel?

What about a name?

It like 50 questions up in here!!!  Well…

TATE PROMISES NOT TO TEACH HIS LITTLE BROTHER HOW TO BREAK VASES!!

Tate is beyond over joyed.  I knew it was going to be a boy because that is what Andy wanted and for the last 4 babies he got exactly what he wanted!!  

I am excited too.  Boys, while destructive are not as dramatic!!  

I am almost 20 weeks, due February 26th that puts me at the beginning of February (hopefully, not sooner)!

I don't really like when people ask me how I am feeling.  I feel like I should lie and say good.  The truth is my pregnancies are miserable, I throw up all night and most of the day.  Smells make me throw up and stress makes me throw up.  It is nice not having 3 little kids home all day with me, but during the hours I feel okay I have to rush to get everything done!!

A name…we have the perfect girl name picked out.  We can't decide on a boy name…my guess is we will decide in the hospital minutes before his birth!

Our house is extremely excited…every little thing, every hour, and every day the kids are just happy and excited about it!  My sister is due right after me so I am triple excited to find out if she is having a boy or girl!

A Day in a Life: September

A Day in a Life: September

I am extremely excited that I did the right day…the 4th.  I came so close to 14 pictures but I got sick and life got crazy when 4:30pm hit.  So here is my almost 14 pictures on September 4th!

 The announcement picture.  After 4+ years of trying, 2 specialists, and 1 primary doctor we sadly came to the final conclusion it was not in the cards for us…Imagine our surprise then!!  Gigantic confusion, "No, there's no way", and scared joy was the reaction.  The kids didn't believe us and when we finally convinced them 100% for real they were so excited!  So we are over joyed and happy to announce….TATE IS BEING PROMOTED TO BIG BROTHER!  

 Since the early morning weather was nice I mowed the lawn and came in to find Winston had ate one of my flip-flops!  Just cruel, he will eat anything!

 By 9:30am Tate and I were off the local farm for a play date.  

 We watched the ending of a giant cow get milked and Tate tried in out too…

 Tate and Coltin explored the tee-pee's and looked at indian artifacts.

 Ride your own tractor…OF COURSE!

 Feed the baby goats a bottle…for some reason the gate to go in wasn't open this morning but boys are easy to please!

 Pump your own water.

On our way to the mom goats I was so excited to see the oversized pigs but sadly there are 2 baby pigs there now.  Poor Wilber!

 Feed the pregnant mom goats food.  Now, pregnant mom goats look sadly gross…you can see the outline of a baby in their stomach its super SUPER gross!

 Tate had to hug each and every one of them!

Play on a the play ground, get covered in hot sticky sand, and have the time of your life all for free!  By 12:30pm it was over 90 degrees, so with the heat added to all of the wonderful smells of a farm it was enough to make a pregnant person vomit.  I bribed Tate a chocolate dipped ice-cream cone on the way home and he happily agreed!

The picture of Tate covered in ice-cream is not shown because the smell of ice-cream/chocolate made me sick…but it was a fun morning followed by laundry, walking/chasing the dog dinner, homework, soccer practice, and a re-run of Parenthood.  I doesn't get any better than that!

A Day in A Life: August

A Day in A life:  AUGUST

I really enjoy doing this project, although I bombed this month because it was going to be insanely crazy on the 4th so I did the 3rd.  It was too boring of a day to get in 14 pictures.  I am really a boring person, sad. I will try to do something exciting next month.

 Knowing you have to take your kids school supply shopping is a dreaded moment.  Finding an extra big box of Hot Tamales in my sock drawer…SO AWESOME!!

 First, I wasn't taking anyone out in public unless they look clean and happy and like someone cares about them!  So…Tate took the slowest bath in history.  Filling it up so very slow.  I just smiled and told him what a good choice he was making.  3 of my kids hate showering and baths.  They hate being clean I guess which is a battle.

 So many school supplies, with the help of the kids getting their own and me refereeing that helps a lot but it is always crowded and can be frustrating.  3 grades and a lot of stuff.  We tried to beat the giant storm.  We drove through it, ran inside the store while it was sprinkling, and it hit while we were inside!  During shopping I say things like "why are dry erasers so expensive when we need 24 all together" and "for goodness sake just pick a folder!"  Add in a bulk box of snacks for each class and socks. It is the most un-fun bill of the summer.
Side note…of course, Caleb "accidentally" only brought one shoe (I think he was hoping we would have to go home).  I made him sit in the cart while school supplies were being tossed in left and right.  I am very sure that next time he will choose differently.

 The kids were excited to divide and pack.  I called out who needed what and they dug through the pile.

 Aubrey is the most organized of course having to put everything in her backpack in the order it says on the list, Caleb would just assume fold everything and crumble it to fit, and Ainsley puts everything in every single pocket.

 Tate felt left out the he didn't get to buy school supplies, until he opened his birthday card and his Preschool teacher sent a text saying he needed glue sticks!  

 Sharpening 100 pencils is a terrible sound.  Time consuming.

Lets not forget about Winston's involvement in all of this.  He got a hold of a tissue box.  WINSTON!!!!

School prep was done.  Of course, I forgot a couple of things but not so bad!  Until next year, or until January when most the supplies are out and I have to stock up again.

Check out Clair's Day in A Life! http://cgdickson.com, follow the circle!!

First Day of School 

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The night before school starts in always exciting.  Aubrey says she wish school never got out for summer!  Ainsley lays all of her clothes out and Caleb finally goes to sleep without arguing with Tate.

 Ainsley is stuck with the Hulk comforter until her birthday because he got "FLARP" all over it.  I absolutely can't get it out and it doesn't try so is can stain and spread.  She still looks comfy enough! 

 Caleb slept cozied up next to Tate like always.  I try to put them in their separate beds and they end up right next to each other.

Aubrey, while excited, still has her nightly routine.  

This year I have caved to the fact that I can not pick out the children's clothes.  If Ainsley doesn't want to wear a dress or a dress shirt on the first day then let her pick.  I did make Caleb take a break from basketball shorts (I hate those things and he has 10 that a friend gave me) but I am pretty sure he will wear them until January when it snows.

 First Day Pictures (with multiple "OH MOM", it is for the memories!!!) 

 Ainsley, 1st grade.  She has the teacher I wanted her to have and she gets to sit across from her buddy Wyatt.  She was pretty excited to be at an all boy table.  What a silly girl!

 Aubrey, 4th grade.  This is her last year of elementary school.  She has the kindest, soft spoken teacher.  Aubrey was excited to have her and I am too.

 Caleb, 3rd grade.  He was less than excited when he found out none of his best buddies were in his class.  He was "bent out of shape" about going to Meet the Teachers last night but just like I told him…the minute he walks through the door everyone is calling his name!  He has a boy teacher, which I wasn't so sure about but now I am excited.  His teacher is really fun and loves science, perfect for Caleb!

 Walking to the bus wasn't so bad…30 minutes later than last year but the bus was 15 minutes late!  Yikes, I hope the get to school on time!  A new bus and a new bus driver this year!

 Tate, bummed about not getting to ride the bus and being left behind.  He gets to start preschool across town next week.  He has a wonderful teacher that takes them on nature walks and is just incredibly wonderful!

With small class sizes this year, a new school layout this is going to be a great year for the Griners!!

It is kind of a bummer that I won't ever have all 4 kids in the same school, not good planning on my part!  :)

TATE IS 4

TATE

Tate is 4.  He is my best buddy, we do everything together.

He wants to be a construction worker when he grows up (the kind that dig in the dirt)

He is kind, and constantly randomly tells me he loves me.

He loves swimming and paying with action figures.

He is always exploring and digging.

He loves to ride his bike!

 On August 4th I told Tate he could do anything he wanted and pick a restaurant to eat out.  He just wanted to stay up forever and drink juice boxes.  He drank 3 and lasted through Swiss Family Robinsons, 9:00pm.

The weekend before his birthday we went camping and sailing!!

He said it was the best time of his life!!

We love you Tate! (not Tater Tot…he does not like that anymore)

Aubrey's 10

Aubrey is 10!

It is fun to think about…a 10 year old.  When I look back it seem like the time has past, 10 years of memories and moment.  10 years of growing and learning.  10!!

Aubrey went from being shy and oh so very quiet to opinionated, laughing, and a little bit outgoing when in a comfortable situation.  She stands strong and never wavers.  She is kind and loves to ride her bike.  She loves to go to church and she loves to play barbies.

She is wonderful and fun to be around.

 Aubrey doesn't like having her picture taken unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary and by then I have one shot.  No more.  She loves school and she loves to draw.

 For Aubrey's 10th birthday she wanted a Candy Land party, similar to Ainsley's the year before.  So we invited her new friends and a special SURPRISE old friend to make the party great!

 The string game.. it was very hard to put together and time consuming but the girls loved it!

 While some friends slide right through, others struggled :)

 The Candy Bar game.  Aubrey ended up with the most at the end!  She pays extreme attention and is so quiet that by the time everyone realized she was dominating it was WAY TOO LATE!!

 Decorate your own rainbow cupcake.  The girls thought those were the coolest and most delicious dessert ever!  Andy also made homemade pizza and purple punch guaranteed smiles and endless laughs!

 Along with collecting candy from around the house the girls made a fun craft!  Lollipop bouquet!

 A lot of girls added their own flare!  Aubrey loved seeing Dasia again and boy have we missed having her around!

 We ended with the punch game and the present game.  They were a fun group of girls and some even stayed until 9:00pm!!

This will be a fun year!!  Happy Birthday Aubrey!

A picture from last month…I never got a chance to post it because the camera has been MIA for a month but we has such a wonderful day at the temple.  Walking and watching a bridal party.  Tate said he would like us to build a house across the street because he loved it so much.  I told him then he would always have to wear pants outside…He said he would think about it!