Guess she was really hungry!

I think Chloe is going through a growth spurt lately. She actually took a nap a couple of days, which she hasn't done since she was two. Also, since she's been home from Florida, she's hungry ever couple of hours. If I think any of the kids, not just Chloe, have had enough to eat, then I offer only healthy snacks, like fruit or yogurt. I figure if they're hungry, they'll eat. If not, then they were probably just bored. Anyway, last week we had vbs, and we ate at church before, so by the time we got home, she was hungry. We let her have a little something each night, and I think she just got used to it. The next night, after vbs, she wanted something at bedtime again. The only problem was that she didn't eat very well at supper. So, I offered her carrots and broccoli, since that's what she didn't eat. She wasn't very happy with that, but after a few minutes, she called and asked for some carrots. I just had to get a picture of her eating carrots in bed. Guess she was really hungry! I'm so glad that I gave her a healthy option instead of just telling her to go to sleep.

I'm really on top of things lately

Or not. Whatever. Today we headed out to pick up Keith, so we could drive to Nashville and get his iPhone. The excuse to go was that I needed a new ID card, but the phone was the real reason. Forget that we could have picked it up on Sat! Anyway, as I was leaving the house, I backed out of the garage with the back of the van open. I don't recommend doing that. It tore a small piece off the back, where it covers the handle to open it. It looks lovely now. Really classy. Thankfully the drive to and from Nashville was uneventful, but upon returning home, I found our front door open. It wasn't just unlocked, but actually open. My first reaction was to panic (and overreact) but then I figured it out. Right before leaving the house, I gave each boy a job. One went out the garage, but the other went out the front door. I went on out through the garage, so I didn't notice that the door was open. Then that boy, came into the garage, and didn't think about the front door ever again. I felt better knowing that we left it open (ok, I also felt worse/stupid), but I still wondered if anyone had been in here. I haven't found anyone yet, so I guess we're good. I hope my brain returns to me soon, before we need a new van!!

I'm trying!

I'm really trying to get back into posting regularly. This week has been busy, but fun. Last night was our final night of VBS. Keith and I both had fun helping out, but I'm looking forward to doing nothing tonight. The kids had a great time. Two of Brady's friends went with us most of the week, and last night one of Avery's friends joined us as well. The boys really enjoyed that. It was a loud ride home each night though!
We've had some storms come through this week, with lots of lightning. We had quite a show on the way home Monday. I really don't remember seeing that much lightning before. Chloe kept saying that it looked like day time! Last night's storms took down a pretty big branch in the back yard, but more importantly, it brought with it cooler temps. My walk this morning was much cooler than yesterday. I'm excited about the weekend being cooler too.
I feel like school is just around the corner. I've already bought some school supplies, but I'm really not ready for it to start yet. As the kids get older, I'm trying to enjoy the summers more. I know each one puts them closer and closer to...well, I don't really want to talk about that right now! :) I'll just focus on the here and now...a time that they still rely on me for everything. So, we're going to try to make the most of the last few weeks of summer. We're headed back to Florida next week. We're looking forward to hanging out with family, going to the beach (something we don't get around to very often) and playing with some puppies(but not getting attached)! Hope you're all having a great summer!

Back from vacation...kind of

We haven't really been on vacation for the past month. I just took an unplanned vacation from blogging. I've missed it, and thought several times about blogging, but it just didn't happen. Things have been pretty busy around here. We enjoyed a couple of weeks just hanging out after school ended, and then it got crazy. Keith and I have both traveled some, me just to Chicago, and Keith to Dallas for a week. It was a guard trip, plus he's had a few extra guard days locally. The week after his Dallas trip all of us except for Chloe went to church camp. I could have taken her, but I don't think I would have been much help, plus she would have been worn out. She went to Granny and Pops' for the week, and I'm sure she enjoyed being there without the boys. The rest of us had a great week at camp. The weather was perfect, and being with the kids was great. I didn't get to see the boys very much, but I liked being there with them. The Friday that camp ended, we headed down to Dothan for the 4th. (I came home Thursday night to wash clothes, or this wouldn't have been possible!) Keith's aunt and uncle live there, and they had a big reunion/party. We had a fun weekend, and then all three kids headed back to Florida with Keith's parents. It was funny just seeing Chloe for the weekend. I wondered if she would be ready to go home with us, but she didn't even hesitate. She was quite clingy all weekend, but I guess she got her fill! Keith and I had a nice week just the two of us. He wasn't able to take off from work because he was out for two weeks, but that's ok because I enjoyed some time to myself during the day. :) We went out on several dates, and got quite a bit of cleaning done around the house. I know that doesn't sound very exciting, but it really feels good to get rid of stuff. We're planning on having a yard sale soon, so I'm hoping to clean the house out. I'm so tired of having so much stuff that we can't even enjoy any of it. I'm ready to have less, and enjoy it. So, that's the past month around here. Keith is on his way back right know with the kids. Fortunately the rain we really need is finally here, but unfortunately he's driving in it. There are storms popping up everywhere, and it's making his drive slow and frustrating. Hopefully they'll be home soon, and we'll all head to VBS.

I don't have many pictures to share, but I just have to share this of our garden. We don't have much, but what we have is doing well. The kids got some seeds from my mom recently, and we started them inside. That's pretty much the whole reason for the garden, but we're hooked now, so next year it will be much bigger! We have pumkins, watermelons and sunflowers. They're all getting huge. The pumpkin and watermelon plants are growing out of the garden! And last night when we were watering, Keith discovered that we actually have a watermelon!! We were so excited! We actually have several, but only one that's recognizable. So, here's our watermelon. I know it looks like we really need to weed, but it's actually where the plant is growing into our yard.

Chicago

I went to Chicago this past weekend with Renee. She had a conference to go to, and I just tagged along. I went out one day on my own while she was in class, but our last day we explored together. It was so much fun!! We definitely have to do stuff like that more often!! One thing I wanted to do was try some deep dish pizza. It was SO good! I don't think I can eat regular pizza again!! Thanks Renee for inviting me! I say we start planning our next trip now!!

The randomness of a four year old

This is the cake Chloe wanted for her birthday recently. I was asking her what she wanted, and I was looking for picture on this website. She told me she wanted a strawberry cake, not strawberry flavored, but a strawberry. I don't know why she chose a strawberry. Originally, I thought I was just going to do a plain strawberry, but then we came across this cake, and that's what she wanted. On the website it was Strawberry Shortcake, but she wanted it without that. I figured I would give it a shot, and I think it turned out pretty good. To add to the randomness, she picked out My Little Pony plates and napkins! It was her birthday, so that's what she got!!

I feel old.

Yesterday I had to go to the grocery store, with all three kids, on senior citizen day. I'm pretty sure that deserves a medal, but that's not the point. We walked into Kroger, and we were getting some produce, when Avery spotted a table by the door that had free coffee. He pointed it out to me to see if I wanted any, and I told him that it was only for senior citizens. He asked me how old you had to be, and I told him. He said, "Well, you're not too far from that." Or something like that. Basically he told me I was a junior senior citizen. As soon as he saw my face, he started trying to make it sound better. It really didn't matter what he said from that point. There wasn't any way to make it better. He should have just shut his mouth, but if you know Avery, then you know he doesn't know how to shut his mouth! I'm going to remember that and aggravate him every chance I get.... at least until my memory goes!!