Venting about my Day

This morning started out good. I slept until 8:45! Riana was laying nicely in Shayla's bed waiting for me to get up. Shayla and Trin had slept at my MIL. Jeff went and dropped Riana at his mom's too when he got up. I got to go to the grocery store all by myself. But just as I was about to pull into the parking lot I realized I forgot the ATM card and I was out of checks. So I came all the way back home. All the way back to the store. Got everything I needed and had $11.00 in coupons. So with the coupons and the sale items I saved $83. I picked up the kids and came home to unpack all the groceries. The kids and Jeff helped. But then it is now 1:00 and the kids need lunch and Riana is running late for her nap. I made lunch and did the dishes. Riana went down for her nap at almost 2.While she is sleeping I decide to take Trin for some "special time" and we go to feed the geese. We come home and the kids want to go to the movies. Jeff doesn't want to go and neither do I. So I suggest we rent a movie. Kids agree. So back in the car. I told Jeff lobsters were on sale, he wants them for dinner. We hit the Pharmacy to get Jeff's RX, Video store, then Grocery store. Get the lobsters and a few more things I forgot earlier. we are in line and jeff calls to ask me to grab some lobsters for his mom amd grandma. Plus he wanted beer and my ID was in the car. So I pay, put the first bags in the car, go back in and get the lobsters and beer. Drop the lobsters at his mom and get home at 5pm. At 5:30 I asked Jeff to start cooking. Trinity and Riana made a mess in my room by taking all th blankets off my bed and trins bed. They made a pile and were jumping into it. At least they were getting along. Jeff was teaching Shayla how to shell a lobster. I laid on the couch wishing I stayed home during Riana's nap so I could have some time to myself. Dinner was ready at 7. I was glad I gave Riana and Trin cereal at 6 because I knew they wouldn't eat it. Shay sat down with us with cereal to eat. I now go to clean up my room. I bring Trin's blankets back in her room and find out whyRiana left us alone while we were eating. She took every DVD off the shelf and put it in her bed. The VHS tapes she took out of the cases and put in her bed too. I just can't win so I think I am going to bed now!!!

Shayla Starts 2nd Grade

Wednesday, Aug 27 Shayla started 2nd grade. She was so excited she didn't sleep much the night before. I think she was also nervous. Over the summer we didn't find anyone that had her same teacher. This would be the first year she wasn't in the same class as Toby. Toby and Cassidy were going to a different school because they are moving. Toby and Shayla have been in the same class since the first year of preschool. Even worst, her best friend had moved to another town. We woke up 20 minutes late. I still made the special breakfast she wanted, Green Eggs and Ham. We walked out the door 5 minutes early. The bus pulled up and we were happy to see our favorite bus driver was still on our route. We waved goodbye then I drove Trinity to her school. Her second day was just fine. I almost didn't get a kiss goodbye. Riana was not very happy about the whole school thing. She cried most of the ride home. She missed her big sisters that she spent all summer with. It was quiet at home with just Riana. Shayla got off the bus and as usual I had to probe for info. She liked her teacher and a girl from her class last year was in her class. She knew a few other people too. She was happy and that made me happy.

Trin's First Day of School

Trinity's First Day of School was Monday. Yes it is still August. The 25th to be exact. She will go Mon, Wed, Fri from 8:30 to 12:30. We all got up on time and even got a few minutes of cartoons. Jeff had to go to work early so all the kids came with me. We walked around the front of the school to take the (top) picture. Then we went through the gate and took the (bottom) picture at the door. Guess who wanted to ring the doorbell? Everyone! So Trin rang it first and then Shayla. twice was enough and I figured Riana gets to do it all the time. We walked in and Trinity glanced towards her old classroom. She didn't recognize anyone so she turned right into her new classroom. I signed her in. We found her cubby. I put her spare clothes in the bin and put her "homework" on top. It was a star that told things about them like her favorite foods and activities. Also a paper doll that I, I mean, she colored to look like her. I saw she was fighting back tears. But her teacher asked her to come join circle after she gave me a kiss and hug. She found a spot next to a girl that she knew from last year. That was it I was out the door with Shayla and Riana following me.
I thought it must be hard to go to school when she knew the other 2 were coming home with me. I also thought how next year I will be sending her on the bus to Kindergarten . But Shayla will be there to sit with her and show her where to go. My next thought was Riana will be going to school in about 365 days. Then I will be free! For 4 hours at least. Two years after that, all 3 kids will be at the same school. That will be so nice but it will only happen for 1 year. Shayla will go to the new Middle school (they start building this week) for 6th grade.
Time to pick up Trin and I am about 1 minute late. She was waiting at the door of the classroom with a huge smile on her face. I wish I got the picture of that! She was excited and had a great first day. She told me they played outside and playdough and took a tour of the school. This year she has to be careful to go in the correct bathroom. It is now the first door for the girls instead of the second when her class was on the left. So she survived and now we will concur the 2nd day tomorrow. Last year that was a little harder for her to handle. I know she will want to get on that big yellow bus tomorrow when Shayla goes for her first day. Soon enough, little one.

Fun on the Farm

The kids and I went to a birthday party at a farm on Sunday. When we got there the kids got to play on the Playground. There was little houses and swings and see-saws. Lots of things to play on. A little while later we went for a horse-drawn wagon ride down the street. Most of the parents got to stay behind at the farm but I figured Riana would need me there. So it was 3 moms and 30 kids! All the kids thought it was just great that the horses pooped in the road. Then came the 20 questions: Why? Who was going to clean it up? Are we going to drive over it with our car? Can we go by it again?! 5 minutes into the 20 minute ride, I was wishing I took my allergy medicine. I was also hoping I had some in the van. I survived and went right to the van and found 1 tablet. Just enough and I started to feel better shortly after. After the ride it was time for cake. My kids didn't eat very much of it. I was surprised. They had a blast watching the animals. There were rabbits, ponies, goats and sheep. Amazingly, Trinity didn't have any mishaps with the animals. She has been chased by a large bird at the zoo, stuck her arm in the throat of a bull while feeding it, and bit by an ostrich! The kids had a great time and the 2 hours in the fresh air wore them out.



Trin playing on the junglegym.
Trinity sat with McKeena.
Shayla sat with Riana on the other side.
Look, I am in a picture!
The sheep were inside the barn and everytime the kids said "Baaa" the sheep would answer back. It was very funny. This went on for several mionutes until the farmer brought the sheep and goats hay so they came out of the barn.
This was Riana's reaction when the sheep answered. She made a surprised face and covered her mouth.
Shayla looking out for her baby sister. How sweet!

Puddles of Fun

What kids don't like a big puddle after the rain? I guess Trinity is the answer. She didn't come out to join us until we were done. Some good wet summer fun. Shayla and Riana had a blast. The driveway didn't have any big puddles so we went in front of the neighbors house. I am going to try to add the video to this but I haven't ever done that before so we will see how it comes out. The stroller that Riana is pushing has been saved by her from the garbage. I put it outside to go out with the weekly trash but she took it. The fabric is all ripped but she thinks it works just fine. It was upstairs to get changed after all this wet fun. Riana with her stroller.
Shayla's clothes need a good wash!
Shayla makes some big splashes.
Video on Left is when Trinity finally joined us. Video on Right is Shayla and Riana.

Tick-Tick here, Tick-Tick there, Everywhere a tick!

My morning started off at 7:45. Trin was in our bed again after I had already walked her to her own bed in the middle of the night. When she came back into our bed, Haven't a clue. Give her and Shay breakfast. Riana wakes up a half hour later and I notice a black spot on her eyelid. Try to brush it off but it doesn't move. Now I have to check it out. I grab the flashlight and magnifyne glass. But before I can check it out she makes me look at her teeth, ears, belly. Yup, it's a deer tick. The tiny ones! I call Corey to see if her mom (the expert tick remover) can do these little ones too. I call her mom but she isn't home. So I call the doctor's office because I think they are in on Saturdays. I get the answering service who says the office will be open in 15 mins so I leave my message. Walk into the Living room where Riana is eating her cereal. The tick is gone! So I call the dr. to cancel my message. The office says to mark it on the calendar and watch her for 3 weeks. Then I vacuum the living room.
We went to the birthday party in Shelton at 3:00. The kids played in the pool and had a great time. About 30 mins before we were ready to leave I saw a tiny tick walking up Riana's arm. What is it today with ticks?!! I find some bug spray in Jeff's car and spray the 3 kids.
When we get home I make the girls strip down so I can check for ticks. Riana is first, and is clear. Trinity is next and I find one on her back. Tiny little deer tick. Don't say anything, I tell myself. I don't want to freak her out. I check Shayla next, clear. Now to deal with the tick. I try the Dawn dish soap like I had been told to do years ago by the E.R. Not working or I'm not waiting long enough. So I go looking for the vaseline. I can't find it. Call down stairs to ask if Uncle Jimmy has any. As he is checking I find ours. This wasn't working either so it is up to the tweezers. I am so glad she can't see it. I get it out and clean the spot with alcohol, put antibiotic ointment and a band-aid. Now my calender says: Riana tick eye/ Trin tick back. What a great title I came up with for today's blog! You thought I was kidding,huh?Can we avoid Lyme Disease twice(almost 3 times) in one day? I pray we can.

Please Vote for Riana

Please vote for Riana in The American Baby Contest. I entered her and we need your vote. EVERY DAY! PLEASE!!!

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Summer is coming to an end

As the end of Summer Vacation is in sight, I try to fit in all the things we should have done more of. Thursday, We went to a new playground with Baby Story Time kids. (We need a new name and I am open to suggestions. The "Babies are all turning 4) The kids had a blast. After we went next door to the Library and they had a Teddy Bear Picnic Storytime outside. Well it started outside but the rain made us go inside. The kids were pretty good. We weren't planning on the storytime but I said, "Why not?" Today we got off to a late start. The kids and I went shopping for new school shoes. Trin found ones she liked. The one Shayla and I agreed on, they didn't have her size. I wanted her to get sneakers. She wanted slip on flats. Let the clothes War Begin!! Then it was right to our library for the ice cream party to end the summer reading program. I read almost 70 books this summer. Opps, I maen "they" read. Jeff came home early again from work tonight. No leads. So he took out the kids to play and I get to type in peace. Just heard thunder so my quiet time is over. Tomorrow we have a birthday picnic. Sunday, we have another birthday party at a farm. Hopefully I will remember my camera.

Vacation Bible School

Shayla and Trinity went to VBS for the first time this year. It was a Corey's church. Monday thru Thursday they went from 9-12. Thursday Night they did a little show with the songs they learned. We also got to pick up all the crafts they did. Friday was 9-11:30. That day they had a bouncy castle and magician come. Shayla loved everything that week. She wanted to go everyday and never leave. Trinity said she didn't like it but she did make a little friend named Nikki and they danced together during the show. Her mom took a picture and gave it to Trinity. I enjoyed the break of only having Riana with me. Thursday morning I striped the blankets off their beds and washed them. Friday morning I cleaned out their room. A garbage bag later, the room looked clean. Now I just have to get rid of the baby toys that Riana doesn't play with anymore. Soon it will be time for a toddler bed since she showed me last week she can climb out of her crib. It took longer than I thought. She scaled the playpen 9 months ago! So I am now in the process of looking for a bookshelf that I can give each girl their own shelf. Maybe their beds will stay free of clutter. They horde their stuff in their so the others won't play with it. We will see.

Vacation in Vermont

We were off again for a last minute vacation. We had planned a few weeks ago to go up to my Grandparent's house in Vermont. Our plan was to leave July 29th and return August 3. But Jeff had taken July 21-25 because he was sick. So we figured we would try to go up another time, before the kids go back to school(August 25th and 27). Wednesday Jeff went to work and his boss said there wasn't much work so he could go. I got a phone call from him at 1:00 to start packing. I packed and we were on the ride in a few hours. It takes 5 hours to get there so I figured they could take there naps then. As we got close the Riana got very cranky. I took out the portable DVD player. It WOULDN"T read the disc. I was so mad. But we made do without it. We got there at 8:30 pm.
While we were there, I found a toad. Trinity was the only brave one to touch it. She wouldn't kiss it to see if it turned into a Prince. Riana loved to play outside. It did rain everyday. Jeff and I were lucky to go to the Movies twice! My Grandparents watched the girls for us. We saw X-Files and The Dark Knight. The kids were good.
Shayla didn't complain about the ride there. She kept busy with little things that I had brought. I am so happy to have the room in the mini van.
On the way home, we left at 8:30 am. Shayla and Trinity slept some of the way. Riana did not! We stopped at the Cider Mill and at McDonald's for lunch. We made good time. It was nice to get away. Today Shayla and Trinity started Vacation Bible School. It is for the week from 9-12. I was able to unpack and get 2 loads of laundry done. It is nice to get away but always nice to be home.