Awards and Finals

Yesterday the 6th grade had their awards ceremony. I had gotten a heads up from one of the teachers that Kirsten would be receiving an award so that we would know to be there if possible. That's the beauty of owning our own business because we can make that happen and the kids - well, the girls anyway - were excited to see us there.

Kirsten's award was for Academic Achievement in world cultures.

We were also pleasantly surprised for Addison to get an award in language arts for going 'above and beyond.' (That might be code for trying to help the teacher run the class.) Here's the picture I was able to get of her since she didn't stay still long enough.

Nice, huh?

The kids also have finals this week. For their world cultures class they had to pick a person in history and right a report about them in first person. They also had to make a mask and today they are having a masquerade ball.

I never saw Wyatt's mask because he did his completely at school. At least that's the story that I'm told. I guess we'll know for sure when report cards come home.

Abigail chose Betsy Ross.....

Addison chose Queen Elizabeth (I think that's the right queen)......

And Kirsten chose Edgar Allen Poe.....

I'm anxious to see what kind of grades they get on these because they did put a lot of work into them.

I also sorta hope they don't want to keep them because they kinda' creep me out laying around the house.

Their last day of school is tomorrow and they're pretty excited about that. I think we'll still be pretty busy this summer though because they've got lots of things lined up already and some of it starts as soon as next week.

But I'm not complaining.......I'll at least get to sleep in a little......even if it is only an extra hour or so, I'll take it!

End of the year......

It's almost the end of the school year. The kids are done at noon on Thursday.


That means that things get even crazier around here!


On Friday the kids had a field trip to Fiesta Texas for their part in helping to raise money for St. Jude's Chirldren's Hospital. They had fun, and since they didn't get back until early evening, Dax & I got to take a nap. Woohoo!!!  It was supposed to be bad weather all day on Friday, but fortunately that storms held off until after they got home safe and sound.


On Saturday Abigail and Addison had their Spring Show for cheerleading.

They were nervous but they did an excellent job.....especially for their first time performing.


Poor Addison tripped and fell down on their way out to the floor, but she was able to shake it off when they started perfoming.

There is a set of identical twins on the outgoing 8th grade squad and I could hear the man behind me telling his wife about the twins on that squad and ANOTHER set of twins on the incoming 7th grade squad. He was telling her how it was hart to tell that they were twins out on the floor because they were spread so far apart.


Aaaahhhh, if only he knew the real story. LOL

While I was at the grocery store on Saturday morning, Dax decided it was time to clean out our closet. OMG!!!! Who knew you could get so much crap crammed into one space?! When I got home he had everything pulled out and all over the bedroom. I almost passed out when I saw it!  But, hey, the closet is looking much better now and we have a whole lot of stuff to pass on to charity to boot.

That's a good thing, right?

Back to normal.......I guess

Well, Dax made it home safe and sound.


However, my time without him didn't really get any better.


On Thursday we had some pretty nasty thunder storms come through here. I don't know if they had anything to do with it, but when I got to the office on Friday morning our computers were no longer speaking to our server. Now, even knowing what the server is uses about all of my computer smarts so other than turning it off and turning it back on, I was at a loss. (The computer guy didn't actually get everything running again util yesterday.)

Kirsten was all set to spend the night with a friend on Friday. She went home from school with her, but then her friend's mom had to call me that evening to get her because she wasn't feeling well and her fever was 102.9. I'm sure she had whatever Abigail had the weekend before. (By the way, am I the only one that has kids that never get sick unless the doctor's office is closed?)

She was feeling better on Saturday so we went to the outdoor theatre to see Rio. This theatre is not only outside, it's also 'old school' and uses the old reels. When they were changing the reels during the middle of the movie, the kids decided it was too cold and wanted to go home so we've only seen part of the movie. But seriously, who knew it would drop down into the 50's?

The kids missed Dax a lot too. Kirsten and Abigail left a trail of flower petals up the sidewalk and on the steps to welcome Dax home.

They said they had to use over 100 flowers to do it.

Dax came home in his uniform so I decided to take a picture.

He was trying to give me a tough look so I decided to leave the cute little bunnies in the picture too. lol

It's time to come home!

Dax left yesterday morning to do his anual training for the State Guard.


I'm ready for him to come home already!!!


This was waiting for us when we got home yesterday. And I mean waiting. He didn't move at all when we stopped there.

I tried to run over it, but I think it got away. Addison and I couldn't find any trace of it. (I know that's not very politically correct. In my defense, though, I don't go out on our land looking for snakes. But, if they bring themselves to my attention then I treat them all like they're poisonous and send them to meet-their-maker, so to speak.)

Anyway, we also got rain last night for the first time this year. Of course it came in the form of big storms with lots of thunder, lightning, and hail. And not until about 10:00 at night. So, Bodie was freaking out and kept me awake until almost 1:00 this morning.


It's storming now and he's beside himself everytime he hears the thunder.


It's probably also putting the brakes on the Diabetes Walk at the school today. I'm just guessing, here.


I know it's only been over night, but I'm ready for Dax to come home now......

Another whirlwind weekend.....

This weekend was the state tournament for Addison's soccer team.


This time the games were in Houston so we had to pack up and head out of town.


Of course, that means boarding the dogs.


So, all of our trips out of town start off looking something like this......

Jealous aren't you?


It gets a little cramped with 4 kids and 5 dogs, don't you think?


We got the dogs dropped off and headed to Houston. About 1-1/2 hours into the trip we stopped at McDonald's to grab a bite to eat. Abigail had been feeling bad when she got back to school from her field trip earlier in the day. She had been sleeping most of the time we were in the car. While we were standing in line waiting to order she told me that she felt dizzy so she was leaning against me and I had my arms around her. It was a good thing too, because she passed out!!! Dax came and got her out of my arms and carried her to a chair and sat with her. She was running a fever but we had no way of knowing how high. I made her take some motrin and made her eat something. I don't think she had eaten much all day and I really think that's what made her pass out.


Once we left there, we were able to make it the rest of the way to Houston without incident.


Addison had two games on Saturday, with the first one starting at 7:30 am.  I'm certain that the people doing the scheduling must have lost their minds!!! We had to be at the fields at 6:30....... on. a. Saturday!


They lost the first game and won the second game.


The Grandparents all came to the 2nd game and got to see their victory and we all went out to eat after the game. Then, we headed back to the hotel and most of the team hit the pool.


Abigail started running a high fever again on Saturday night (after she had been fine all day) and I had some trouble finally getting it to break. Bless her heart, she certainly didn't get to have much fun on this trip.


Sunday, Addison played again at 7:30 in the morning. (Happy Mother's Day, right?) They tied that game, but it was enough to move them into 2nd place for State.


The girls are all very excited and we're very proud of them!!!


Here's Addison getting her medal.

And here's a great team photo....

Do I have a talent for catching people at their best, or what?


We made it home safely with no fainting spells from Abigail. So far, every night at just about 6:00 she starts running a fever again. It's the only time of the day that she does. It's just weird! So yesterday I called the doctor and she has her on a different antibiotic this time to see if we can get rid of whatever is bothering her once and for all.

Hounded by the Paparazzi

Evidently the paparazzi followed Wyatt to his hockey practice.

It's been reported that someone heard him say "Mom!!! Quit!" (Whatever that means.)

He really enjoys doing this. (The hockey, I mean. Not the pictures.)

In case you wonder too.....

People often ask us if (or have the assumption that) it gets easier having multiples as they get older.


Uhmmmmm, NO!!!


When they were babies we certainly got less sleep, BUT when we put them down some place (like in their beds), they would still be in that place when we got back.  Once they get mobile, everything changes.


Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that it's more difficult now. It's just not easier.


And, it doesn't get easier, it just changes.


Take this past week for example.

Monday: Abigail home sick so off to the clinic. Soccer practice.

Tuesday: Cheer practice.


Thursday: Dentist appointments for all four kids. Soccer practice.

Saturday: Wyatt and Abigail at school by 3 AM to leave for band competition.
Addison to soccer fields by 8 AM for all day soccer tournament.
Took Addison and Kirsten to dinner and a little shopping.
Pick Wyatt and Abigail up at school when the band returns from tournament. They were running late so didn't arrive until around midnight.

Sunday: Addison back at soccer fields by 8:00 for more tournament play.
Wyatt to hockey practice.


See, still plenty of activity and what is certainly feeling like not enough sleep. 


Addison's team did a fantastic job at the tournament. After day one of play we were a little nervous. They had gone into the tournament ranked 4th place for our division. On Saturday they lost the first game and tied the other two.

Incredibly that left them still in 4th place for Sunday's games. They won both of those games and finished the tournament in 2nd place!!!

I tried over and over to get an action shot of Addison, but it just didn't happen. :0)

This was from the final game on Sunday. It was so wonderful for the girls to beat this team because they played dirty. (It's the same team with the girl that bit Addison during a game.) Their coach was a terrible sport, the girls were, and they were fighting with each other. After the game he was arguing with the ref about some of the calls and I think the ref told him basically that if his girls were the better team they would have won.

I know the girls were happy to beat this team too.

 The girls were waiting to get their medals and this is when Addison realized that her Dad was drinking her smoothie.

 Addison getting her medal from her coach.

She is VERY proud of that medal......as she should be. Those girls worked hard to earn them.

She put it back on when she got out of the shower last night and I had to make her take it off when she went to bed.

She wore it to school this morning, too. :0)

Next weekend we're off for them to compete for the STATE title!!


So, even though it's not any easier, it is so very worth every minute of it!! We are so proud of all four of our children, and I certainly wouldn't change a thing!