Week 6: "Look Mom! Envelopes!"

I'm a little behind this week; I did decide though that I'm not a fan of the Friday blogging. My intention was to do it Monday. Then, well, you know, I get sidetracked and 'busy'. Busy of course meaning when I did have free time I didn't feel like blogging. Now here it is Wednesday- yikes!! So, anyway, start to look for the blog early in the week. It'll all even out eventually.

This week we FINALLY started our new after school format. Last year we had a different day be a different theme: craft night, dessert night, ect. But, to my dismay some of my boys (ahem Calib) is getting a little too old for crafty type things. So, this year each kid is getting a night to pick what they want to do. Asa and I are surely in for it; their brothers can decide if they want to take part or not. The other two nights are a dedicated game and movie night.

Monday is game night, and we decided to play Munchkin.Munchkin is a terrible, terrible game that we all love yet regret playing at the end. It even says on the box; backstab your neighbor and steal their treasure. Calib always comes right out of the gate trying to screw people over before they are anywhere near winning. Which needless to say, annoys everyone else. Asa and I made a deal at the end of the game to win together. This terribly bothered Calib. We tell him everytime to let that be a lesson to him, but he never does. Silly Calib. For Hayden to be included, we also played candyland. We play without the dumb pieces though, and instead pick our favorite action figers. Asa won, but only because he drew the stupid ice cream cone to get to the end.

On Hayden's night, which was good because it was also open night house at his school. We went and got a couple of books at the book fair and headed to his classroom. He shared a whole folder full of work with us and showed us around his classroom. We talked to his teacher about how he was adjusting; she of course said he was doing great. When we had a talk about his behavor she said something about how often he is on the 'blue' clip (which is the above and beyond good behavior). We got on the subject of points, and she asked about them. She said the week before when Hayden was on the blue boat he yelled 'Yes! 10 points!" She replied with "Points?" To which Hayden, who thinks everyone does the things we do here (like X's and points) answered "You know! points!" She was happy to have an explaination, since she had no idea what Hayden was talking about. The next day, Hayden was on blue. Asa calls shennanigans!

Peyton's night, he wanted to finish his terrarium. We had the plants in it, but needed to finish the water section, and build a screen for the top. Asa and Peyton went out to home depot and got the supplies. Then they got to building. It's a pretty good fit on the top, but you do have to be careful when you put the lid down that it covers the whole top. Luckily you can water the plants through the screen, so we only have to worry about opening it when we put in the crickets.

Calib wanted to play Monopoly for his night. He played it very similar to Munchkin, and was out early after landing on Asa's property with 4 houses on it. I had a really hard time collecting three properties, by the time I did Asa was maxed out on houses. In an act of desperation, I got sent to jail and decided to sit there. Then, I spent every last dollar I had maxing out my cheap properties, hoping Asa would land on them before I landed on his. He narrowly missed my spaces, and I landed on his. I was pretty happy with my desperation strategy though.

Friday nights will generally stay movie nights, or TV nights. This week,  we caught up on the DVR. It's nice that the boys are watching more than the Disney channel these days. I also took Peyton out after he was done with his school work to get some animals for his terrarium. He ended up with three fire bellied toads, a green tree frog, and three green anoles. At one point the guy in the pet store said that they wouldn't all get along. Peyton brought his lapboard he worked so hard on with him, and cited it saying he did his research. So far everyone seems to be living pretty harmoniously together.

Friday night, of course, are also home to our shopping trips. Though the night owl is gone, there is a new card allowing them to stay up until midnight on Friday or Saturday and it's pretty popular. It sold out this week!

This weekend we also headed out to Busch Gardens. I felt like we hadn't been in forever. It's all decorated up for Halloween now, and its much less humid so it's bearable to walk around now.

 I even convinced everyone to put the roller coasters on hold and go see the kangaroos. It's one of my favorite things to do there. You can feed and pet them! And this time one even had a baby in it's pouch. So cute!

Peyton FINALLY went on the Shiekra too. He's been tall enough for awhile, but it's a pretty frightening coaster. The line was short enough, Asa wouldn't be upset even if he decided to chicken out, so he took the chance. Peyton loved it, or so he says. We'll see if he rides it again.

I had a good time seeing the animals with Hayden, and he even made it on a few 'big kid' rides too. I got an awesome picture of the Lions.

Hayden thought the new sand pit to dig in was the best thing ever. He dug a hole for like 30 minutes, and then pulled up a tiny rock and tiny piece of wood and yelled 'I knew it! TREASURE! AH HA!' I wish I got that excited about nothing. Silly Hayden.

We're not going to talk about the game Sunday. So deflating and depressing. Calib was pretty funny though, all his teams were playing on the same time so he put on all his jerseys and changed what was on top depending on who he was rooting for.

It was also a great home school week. We got lots done: We alphabetized our cups; had our spelling test in the pool; and played lots of math games.

Plus Flat Peyton continued to make his way around Ireland and England!

Speaking of school, Asa also passed another class. I'm now married to a college sophomore, people! Rootbeer floats all around!

Funny things heard in the Waterstraut household this week:

Asa: "If you take away the K in that person's name it's allergies."
Hayden: "Isn't that one of our fishes last names?"
Asa:" What?"
Hayden: "Our fish! Picasso, the plecostomus."
Asa: "Fish don't have last names
Hayden: "Oh wait, thats what he eats! The plecostomus eats allergies"
Asa: "The plecostomus eats allergies?"
Hayden: "Yea!"
Me: "No Hayden, he eats algae."
Hayden: "Oh. Same thing."

I was away from the kitchen while food was cooking-
Peyton: "I smell something burning."
Asa: "Oh no! Anosmia!"

While looking at Antelopes-
Hayden: "Mom! Look! Envelopes!"

Next Up: A dumb week of Asa working 8-5, Disney MANIA, Fishermans pie!! and football madness!

Week 5: There's A Papaya On The Doorstep

Blah! I am so frustrated today. I knew I was going to get sick. It's the beginning of the school year, and so my kids are like little germ incubators. Even worse they're both around totally new kids with new germy snot, and therefore even more susceptible to bringing something home to me. Don't you dare correct my Science behind this, Brandy Schalow. I know what I'm talking about.. sort of.

Anyway, last weekend Calib had a slight cold. Then, Hayden started to come down with it. Next thing I knew immune system of steel, Peyton was sniffling and asking for the puke bowl. And that was that. So, I sit here today, coming to you live from the couch in the Family Room. Yes, I have ventured that far away from my bed for the first time in days. But, if I'm watching college football, I'm going to be watching it in HD; that means migrating to the couch.

Last weekend was fun though. I got up early Saturday morning to meet Katie, her mom, and Kevin's mom at David's Bridal to hunt for a wedding dress. She hadn't planned on getting bridesmaid dresses; but after she found such a great deal on her dress, and found ones that were super cute, I also ended up with a bridesmaid dress. It's really pretty cute, and I might actually wear it again. If I ever get to go on a cruise again and have a fancy formal night it would be perfect.

 After I met the boys at Kevin and Katies house (so I didn't have to go all the way back home), we headed out to Orlando. We had to go get our pass certificates to Disney exchanged for our actual passes. Since you have to renew them within a month, we were cutting it awfully close (our old ones expired the day before my birthday). We stopped by Downtown Disney first to exchange them. Secretly, we were hoping we could upgrade them to Premium passes (to include the water parks and Disney Quest) and get put on the monthly payment program. Luckily, it worked out, and we could. The monthly payment is even super small. Totally worth it.

It was funny, when we were talking to the lady at the counter about if we could even do that, Peyton whispers... "Premium? Whats premium? Mom, what's premium?" They were super excited when they found out we were the best Disney passholders, ever.

We had planned on going to Epcot, since it's the only park we hadn't made it to this summer, but with going dress shopping it was already 2 o'clock, and the heat of the day. We opted to hit Blizzard Beach instead. Blizzard Beach is probably my favorite waterpark of all time. If not for it's awesome slides, and forever long lazy river, for sure for their ice cream buckets. It was my first stop when we got into the park. After all, who doesn't love a sand pail full of ice cream?

Hayden was so little the last time we were there; it was like a whole new park to him. He loved climbing on the ice burgs across the water, and going on the bigger kids slides; while his brothers opted for going on the zipline that drops you into the water.

 

Asa is hell bent on going on Summit Plummet (the ridiculously tall water slide), despite the fact he's terrified of it. Besides sting rays, this is the only real fear I know Asa to have. He didn't go on it this time though, because we only ended up having about 2 hours at the park before closing. I didn't want him to spend half the time waiting in line for it.

After the park closed, we changed back into our clothes and headed over to Disney Quest. I wasn't sure I would be totally sold on Disney Quest, but I will say, it was kind of super awesome. (Yes, I realize the contradiction there) It is a 5 story tall arcade. And, everything in it is free, once you pay the admission. They have regular old games. And by old, I mean like stuff we had on the Commodore 64! Like Qbert and Dig Dug! They also have things like guitar hero, and air hockey; racing games, and little kid games. But then they have things like virtual reality games, and six player pirate ship games. Plus Peyton loved the create your own roller coaster then ride in it! The boys had an absolute field day. Of course by boys, I mean Asa included. He thought it was the best place ever.

After a couple hours at Disney Quest, we had some stuff I had packed for dinner and started to head home. We stopped by Katie and Kevin's to pick up the other car and visited with them awhile. The boys all played Madden while Katie and I went out to get the stuff to make the centerpieces for the wedding. We got home a little before midnight.

Sunday was the much, much, much, much, much, much anticipated Bucs game. NFL Football is back---- yayyyy!! Calib even put on his Ronde Barber jersey for Ronde's 200th game. Whats sad about this jersey- when he got it, it went down to his knees. I think this might be the last season it fits him.

Anyway, I put some Italian Beef in the slow cooker, and parked it in front of the TV.We had Verizon Fios and Red Zone issues, but it was all fixed in time to see the Bucs win! Yes, WIN. They hadn't done that since early October last year. If I don't see them win for a long time again, it will be ok. I just needed that to keep my hopes up.

Monday it was back to the old grind, but that's when the illness descended upon the house. We only home schooled Monday and Tuesday. By Wednesday Peyton was too sick to function, and by Thursday it had gotten to me. Hayden also missed a day of school this week. Calib toughed it out. He said he'd just have a ton of homework to catch up on.

This week, however, has inspired me to make a 'Mom's out Sick- What Do We Do?' Binder for not only homeschool, but for chores and such. That way if I can't be home for whatever reason, or if I'm sick they will have that to guide them.

The new school rules are yet to go into effect. Between the Great Illness of Fall 2012, and the hospital we're yet to hit our new school year groove and routine. I told the boys next week we start with our new nightly format, our video game sign out sheet, and the new chore list. We did however have the school year's version of the auction. Because they earn less points, not being at home all the time, and because some rewards if given out during the school year would be considered bad parenting; They instead of a shopping trip. There are less exciting options, but still some good stuff to pick from. There is three of everything, so no competing for the same thing, and we'll hold it on Friday nights to give them the weekend to use some weekend only rewards. We'll see how it works out.

Hopefully, next week we get back to normal. It's a busy week ahead of us, and I'd really like to get started on our fall format soon: Disney/Busch Gardens/Seaworld Day on Saturday, and football Sundays! The tourists are gone, and the humidity is on it's way out as well. It's my favorite time of the year.

Awards for the Week:

Best Flat Peyton travel Companion: My Mom, Aunt Bonnie, and Aunt Pat who have taken him to England! Here he is pictured where my Grandpa (Peyton's Great-Grandpa) was baptized. Pretty cool! (Thank goodness he made it in time)

Best Bad Parenting Moment: Hayden lost a tooth, and the tooth fairy forgot to come. Luckily, Hayden had forgotten to put it under his pillow, or in the Tooth Fairy pocket that hangs on his door; We told him the Tooth Fairy won't come if the tooth isn't in the right place. The next day he got $2.

Fastest Leaf Participants: The Gatchels of Michigan! They already sent us some leaves for our project.

Best Improvisation: Asa Waterstraut! Our washing machine won't drain, and although they are coming Wednesday to fix it (yay warranty!) Asa has come up with a plan to drain it involving pvc pipe and a pool noodle. My husband is super smart.

Grossest Moment of the Week: Watching Kevin and Katie's fish eat a giant bug that landed in the fish tank. So gross!

Best Neighbors: Lonnie and Jane. Last night 5 of their papayas had finally ripened and fell off the tree into our yard. Asa left them on their doorstep last night when they weren't home. Today we woke up to two of them on our doorstep.

Weirdest WTF Moment of the week: Walked into the bathroom to find Penelope doing this:

Next Up: Another Rootbeer float night (so soon! Gooooo Asa!), Book Fairs, and feeling better!

Week 4: The Favretastic Four

This weeks blog title is brought to you by my fantasy football team. So what if Brett Favre doesn't play football anymore? I can still name my team after him. Also, Asa, I would like to go to an Oak Grove High School Game. Please, and thank you.

Such a better week around here!! The big news for the week: Katie got out of the hospital. So, life is sort of returning to normal. Thanks everyone for your well wishes/positive thoughts/prayers that you sent for Katie. They still have to figure it all out- and she can't drive or go to work or anything- BUT she's home. And, thats a huge step in the right direction.

Saturday morning after going out to the fresh market to get our whatever pops (I even got my free one for having my card all punched!) we can home and straightened up the house. Katie didn't want everyone at the hospital all weekend, because she didn't want us to 'waste' our holiday weekend there. (I contend it wouldn't be wasting our time, but I've learned not to argue). We were supposed to have Crazy Cran-straut Camping, but for obvious reasons that had to be put on hold as well.

So anyway, Saturday afternoon Kevin and Angela came over to our house. Justin also showed up, and we watched the Gators beat BGSU (Yay for beating Ohio teams *does gator chomp*) and went out to the pool for awhile. After a cookout dinner, I left the boys to do boy things (aka rock band)- and I went to visit Katie at the hospital.

Kevin and Angela ended up spending the night at Katie's request- since she wouldn't be there to keep Kevin awake on the car ride home. Everyone cleared out of the livingroom for Kevin, and the kids slept in the Family Room. For some kids, that wasn't enough separation from Kevin's snoring. We had this problem camping. For those of you who were every around my dads snoring; Kevin's is pretty comparable. One kid with no problem sleeping: Calib. The kid slept so soundly in the morning when we were all up making waffles and eggs, he was still asleep rolling around in his sleeping bag running into walls.

After breakfast, we took the kids out the beach so that Kevin could spend some time with Katie. We knew it was going to be crowded with it being labor day weekend and all, but it wasn't too terrible. The beach was only about half as big as it was last time I was there though. (The beaches here have been kind of crazy like that this year). Peyton and Angela tried their best to catch some fish and crabs, but had no luck. Everyone had a good time playing in the sand too.

After the beach we did our usual sprayground/snow cone stop. It's so awesome, because you leave the beach and it's all gross and sandy and salty; then you get to the sprayground and the water is clean, clean, and cold. So awesome.

The kids happily ate their $1 snow cones and played on the playground. I had promised Angela a sprayground trip when she was here at the beginning of the summer, so she had really been anticipating going.

Once we got home we had a low country boil for dinner, complete with the paper table cloth. The boys always love this, and Angela thought it was totally cool too. Note to Kevin: she said this is how she wants to eat every night. So, good luck with that.

Monday was my boring catch up day: laundry, dishes, dinner planning, lesson plans. But, the awesome part was I got a TON done. I even went on to next week lesson planning so I hardly have much to do for next week. It was a nice relaxing day capped off with Asa making his Alaska Salads. So good.

Tuesday was Katie's go home day! So, that was surely the highlight. Hayden also was on the 'blue' boat  for going above and beyond whats expected of him, as he was 'a good role model for all of his friends'.   We also had Calib watch his brothers, and went to open house at the Middle School. We were supposed to follow Calibs schedule, and be in each class for 10 minutes. First period was 20 minutes long though, so we could hear the principals and school boards announcements.

I almost couldn't take the school boards pre-taped video. After all we went through with them, and their denial of having my kids in the same school, it made my blood boil when they went on and on: "We care about your child. We want your child to be comfortable and happy. We are always concerned with what is best for your child. We are here for you. Please let us know of anything we can do for you or your children". For real? Because my one experience with them they failed to do any of the above, and in fact dragged their feet for so long, a week before school started I still didn't have an answer for my request submitted the week we moved here- in FEBRUARY. Ugh. It makes me so angry.

Anyway, Calib's teachers seem like they run the typical gamete for middle school teachers. Some are super DUPER boring, some are pretty awesome, and some are just ok. But man, that 5th period language arts teacher; she's a real snoozer. So much so, Asa and I decided to ditch sixth period and cut out early. Don't judge us. It's just drama class- and he only has it for a quarter.

After all that, we still had to have our fantasy football draft. We put it off as long as we could (for those of you who missed it- real football started Wednesday! whoooooooo!) We were waiting for Katie to get of the hospital to have the draft- so good thing she was out on Tuesday. I was pretty angry I picked last in the first round. But, I got LeSean McCoy(1st) and Megatron (2nd), so I won't complain.

The rest of the week has been pretty good. I got to watch football, home school is going well, my lesson plans are almost all done for next week, and the house is getting put back together from my absence slowly but surely.

I should have taken pictures of all the homeschool stuff we've been doing. Some if it is super awesome. We did get the terrarium put together this week, minus the lid Asa has to build and the animals.  Our alphabetizing games have been going well, we have zombie typing games, and made the coolest geography flip book ever. Plus Peyton's lapboard and presentation this week on the stages of writing went really well, and will totally help him on his writing next week. He's even excited about writing stories *gasp!* I'm going to have to take more pictures next week. I am loving home school though, and so is Peyton. So far- two thumbs up!

Our best project of the week had to have been Flat Peyton, though. Flat Peyton is going to travel the country (and the world!) through out the year by visiting with people we know. So many people have been generous enough to help us with this project, but if you want to be a part of it please let me know. We are really hoping to keep this going all year. Peyton is going to keep a facebook page about Flat Peyton's adventures, and track him throughout the country. It's going to be kind of awesome.

Calib is doing well in all his classes too. Since he's in middle school now, we have access to esembler, which allows us to see all his grades from all his classes as they are entered in. It's a pretty cool tool. He has an A in everything, so far so good.

Besides being on the blue boat this week, Hayden is flying through his reading and getting to pick out of the treasure box a couple times a week for reading so many books. Adjusting to the new school, and riding the bus (except today when somehow we missed it and he had to be driven to school) seems to be going well.

Next week I'm promising more pictures, and more excitement. No more hospital visits for me!

Quotes from the week:

Our 'we're getting old moment':
Me "I'm just going to put on my jammies and my sexy black cotton underwear"
Asa: "I'm almost 30 too"

Smack your head moment:
Brandy: "I got eight running backs, is that good"

And, to wrap it all up: Everyone is so spoiled in this house, even our gecko has 'first world gecko problems'. Peyton moved his house and now he can't be on his heating pad and in his house at the same time.

Next Up: Wedding Planning Mania for Katie and Kevin! Disney Pass Renewals! And we finally get to see the Bucs play!!!