Thursday

Today we had such a great day.  We had a really fun field trip.  I took the kids to the Desert Botanical Gardens Pumpkin Festival, and the Mariposa Monarch exhibit.  Both were very fun.  We started out going to the butterfly exhibit.  I've never seen so many Monarch butterflies in my life.  They were so beautiful, graceful, and delicate.  There were hundreds of the butterflies resting on the sides and roof of the tent we were in,when something startled them.  All of a sudden we were surrounded by hundreds of butterflies.  It was amazing.  Even Amelia noticed.  All of the kids were in awe.  It was a really neat experience.  Unfortunately I didn't have my camera on me.  It was left in the car.  Once we left the butterflies, we went back to the car to pick-up the camera.  We went back to the area where they were having the Pumpkin Festival.  We waited in line for the hayride to take us to the pumpkin patch.  The hayride was bumpy and Amelia was mad and hungry.  Once we arrived at the patch each of the kids were able to pick any pumpkin they wanted.  My rule was "If you can carry it, you can have it".  Michael's eyes were bigger than his muscles, but he managed to carry his very big pumpkin around.  There were supplies there to decorate the pumpkins, so we sat there for about half an hour decorating them, and feeding Amelia.  Once she was fed, we went to the petting zoo portion of the festival.  Burke was afraid of the tiny chickens, but not of the miniature horse.  He pet all the animals they had.  I have always been against petting zoos (it's the germs), but as part of that idealistic childhood that I want them to have I let them go.  Tommy had a bit of an allergy problem, but they all loved it.  Once we finished petting the animals, we gathered the pumpkins and I took the kids picture on a John Deere tractor.  We took the hayride back to the other festivities where the kids played a lot of games and did a few art projects.  It was a really fun time, and I loved seeing the kids enjoy themselves so much.  I love my job.

The boys decorated theirs with all things Harry Potter.

When you arrive at the pumpkin patch, you have to
 go through a hay maze to make it to the activities

There was live music, too.  They were really good.

Wednesday

Another busy day.  I woke-up at 4:15 because I was worried that I wouldn't be up in time to meet my friend for our 5:30 run.  Amelia woke soon after me and I nursed her and put her back to bed.  She is so good to go back to sleep.  I couldn't find my running shoes, finally found them, and went for a 3 mile run.  I could have gone faster, I don't know why I didn't.
I came home and had the kids eat breakfast, and prepare for school.  Alexis had the day off of math because she finished her Singapore math book yesterday.  She is flying through school.

Tommy's friend, Jason, came over for the afternoon.  All of the boys played Harry Potter.  Each of them had a wand and a Hogwarts school schedule.  A few spells were thrown my way.  Luckily I have a protective barrier surrounding me or I'd be a mess right now.  Alexis passed out most of her birthday invites tonight.  Amy is having a birthday party for her Felicity doll.  Michael is reading, and doing much better pronouncing his R's.  Amelia is feeling better, and so is Burke.


Tuesday

Amelia had her 6 month check up and was given a lot of shots.  She already didn't feel well because she has a cold.  By the time we went to soccer practice, she had a fever and was miserable.  I felt so bad for her.  She couldn't even smile.   Burke and Amy were given the flu mist at the pediatric office.  It was so much better that a shot.  No tears.

Monday

I woke-up too early this morning.  I had dreams of grading papers and lesson planning.  I had to plan lessons for the week.  After I planned today, Steve and I went for a short run.  My phone wasn't quite on track with what we were actually doing.  It ended up saying that I ran 3.01 miles in 27:55.  I felt good about it, but I'm sure I went farther than that.

School was off to a really slow start today.  I know it's because we had a late start on our run.  The kids were not ready, and we hadn't read scriptures.  Tommy didn't wake-up until 8:00.  We didn't start school until 9:15.  Tommy took 90 minutes to do 15 problems doing averages.  He doesn't like averages, even though they are "too easy".  Alexis finished all her work early and then went baby-sitting.  Michael and Amy are doing well.  Burke is really learning his letters.  He can name 16 consistently.  Amelia has a head cold and isn't feeling well.  She had a rough day today.

Speaking of Amelia, today is her 6 month birthday. It really is hard to believe.  I know it's a short span of time, but it seems like she's always been here. She can brighten anyone's day.  She has such a sweet demeanor.   She really is a kind, well tempered baby.  I know that sounds silly, but she really is.

Yesterday we had a special meeting at church.  All of our regular meetings were cancelled because Elder Neil L. Anderson of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles spoke to our stake.  It was the first time in 30 years that  an apostle has been in our building.  The talks were all very good.  The spirit was strong.  After the talks, they invited anyone who would like to shake Elder Anderson's hand.  Tommy and Michael went up.  Tommy  told him that he enjoyed his talk and Elder Anderson responded "Well, I like you."  I would have liked to have taken a picture.

Yesterday we also had a couple of families over for dinner.  We had personal pizzas.  They were so good.  It also happened to be National Carmel Apple Day.  Of course we had to participate.  So yummy.

Soccer Firsts

We had a soccer filled morning this morning.  Tommy's game was at 8:00 and he scored his first goal.  He was so excited.  His team won. Then we had Michael and Amy's first game at 10:30.  Michael scored his first goal.  He was so excited too.  Amy was so cute out there with a huge grin and little pig-tails. I brought the camera, but the battery had died. That's not a first for me.  Next week I'll take pictures of the games.

Fall Break 2012

Yes, we did take time off from school.  All kids need a break.  I loved this Fall Break.  We didn't do anything glamorous or spectacular.  We did spend some good time with friends and just at home with each other.  Steve was out of town the whole week.  He had a conference in Washington D.C..

Monday we cleaned the house and went swimming at our friends house along with five other families.  I love seeing the kids running around and being kids.  Alexis and her friend talked and looked at cookbooks.  The boys turned were crazy boys running around having a blast. Amy made a new friend, who we invited over for that afternoon.

Tuesday we had a Pride and Prejudice day.  We had a few friends over to watch the wonderful six hour long  A&E version.  So fun.  Then we took Tommy to soccer practice, ran to Del Taco, and went to meet a group of friends at the drive-in movie theater.  That was not my favorite way to watch a movie, but it was cheap and the kids liked it.  I don't think I'd recommend the movie to anyone.  Hotel Transylvania.

Wednesday we were out of the house all day.  We went to see grandma. Then we went to the mall, I needed to pick something up.  Then we went to the library.  Then we decided to go to lunch.  I was a little apprehensive about taking all six kids out to eat without another adult to help.  Alexis was a great help.  We went to Pugzies because we were right there and they have a GF option for Tommy.  We opted to sit out on the patio, so we wouldn't disturb anyone.  It was one of the longest lunches we've had.  It was nice too not be in a hurry.  We just sat and ate and talked.  I think we were there for an hour.  The kids were calm and good.  It was one of my favorite days.

Thursday we chose to have a stay home and clean the house day.  Unfortunately that only works if everyone is excited about cleaning, and kids take good naps and no one cries.  I filled a GF free order.  Michael became a vampire who is afraid of the sun.  He didn't want to turn to ash.  We did lots of laundry.  Tommy and Michael and Amy all had soccer at the same time.  I took Tom to his and Steve's mom stayed with Michael and Amy at theirs.  Steve arrived home from D.C. five hours early.  I was so happy to see him, but wished I still had five more hours to work on the house before he came home.  He brought lots of gifts from vendors at the conference.  Everyone has a yo-yo now.  I have a new water bottle.  Tommy had a "late over" with a friend and came home at 11:00.

Friday, who knows what today will bring?  The weather is cooler out, so maybe we'll play at the park later.

I love being a mom.  And I really love homeschooling.

An Amelia Milestone

I don't think I posted last month that Amelia cut her first tooth.  I can't remember the day unfortunately, though it was early September.  I can remember the day that she cut her second tooth.  It was this past Sunday, the 30th of September.  I was in the backseat of the car with her and was cooing with her.  I noticed her bottom gum was bloody and felt it with my finger.  Sure enough her tooth had just erupted.  She has been so good.  I have to say that I really do believe she is the best baby, but I am quite biased.

Locks of Love