Yet another wild weekend

Cameron had fun dancing with Quincy at my cousin's wedding reception. I thought it was very sweet. Notice, this little girl does not enjoy wearing shoes! Despite getting lost on the way to the reception, we had a good time when we got there! We are very happy for my cousin Wes and his new wife, Jessica, and we wish them many years of happiness!
Since all the kids were somewhat cleaned up, I decided to take a photo op...none of the photos turned out very well...someone always had their hands in their faces. I guess we will have to call up my friend Melissa to get our Christmas photo again this year!!

We ended up our weekend in the E.R. with Colin. He decided that he could do some trick riding on his new bike, but it didn't turn out too well! He got 7 stitches in the chin. He always manages to do these injury things on Sunday evening when our doctor's office is closed, and after the Express care places close for the evening. E.R. is always a bit of a freakshow, and we got our money's worth this evening! Colin is a little sad because he can't swim for a few days, but I figure that considering the injury he could have gotten, he is pretty lucky! They asked him at the E.R. if he was wearing a helmet, and he said "yeah but it didn't really protect my chin too well!" :)

Other than the obvious running in circles, and one small injury, we are doing pretty well I think!

Overdue post

This post is long past due since Colin's team had their final game on Wednesday night. They lost to North Lyon County to be out of tournament play. It was a tough game, and the boys from N. Lyon are definitely bigger, stronger and faster than Colin's team is! They had a great season though, with great coaches, and tons of fun! These photos are from the game the night before against Eskridge (who they beat) - I don't have any photos of the N. Lyon game because it started late and it was dark. The photos from then didn't turn out. Colin played some 2nd base, shortstop, and center field in both games. N. Lyon had a monster pitcher, he pitched about as hard as any kid we have ever seen, Colin managed to get a very nice hit off of him though!

With ball season now over, we are filling our days with swimming and training some (hungry) pigs. I say hungry because our friend brought over his hog scales and they are all pretty large - Mallory and Cameron's weighed 275, Madison's was 245, and Colin's was right at 300 pounds. They are now all on diets because the optimum weight for pig showing is 230-250, and we don't want them to get much bigger. We still have 3 weeks to go before fair! It should be a challenge! They are eating, just not on full feed like they have been all summer!

Other things that seem to be sucking dry our time, doctor appointments, this week my doctor found that everything seems to be progressing normally with #7. Mallory's eye exam found that she has great vision, and Colin needed a new prescription with his glasses, his left eye got a little worse. Personally, I was somewhat happy with that diagnosis because I was very frustrated with his old glasses, as they kept breaking all the time. I am hoping that the new pair is stronger and wear a little bit better! (Not that I want the kids eyes to get progressively worse though!) I also had to get some continuing education hours for the position on the library board. I got my hours in for the next 2 years - and I must say I am happy to have that done because those classes are BORING!! This weekend, we are headed to Emporia for my cousin's wedding. It seems that they have all decided that they should be married all the sudden! Should be good, and it is always nice to have a night off from cooking!

weather

This weather is really messing with my plans of being finished with baseball...Colin's tournament game was cancelled tonight. We can't exactly finish a tournament that we haven't started!

The pool pass money is starting to feel like a waste too, since it is hard to convince the kids they want to swim when the air is 75 degrees!

It is also really impairing my work, as I have several contractors lined up for jobs, and they can't get into the places I need them due to the wet conditions. I am starting to worry that the summer is never going to dry up so we can finish these things, and I really hate having to go to dam sites in the winter! Of course, I suppose I should be thankful for the nice green shades that usually are a little browner this time of the year, and for the beautiful weather that has allowed my kids to be outside playing!

Jim has been called for Jury duty tomorrow. Last time he got called, he ended up serving on the jury. I am keeping my fingers crossed that he won't be so 'lucky' this time! I have a doctor appointment tomorrow as well, and have to follow it with a trip to wal-mart (which I despise) because we are out of everything...no deodorant or toilet paper is a very bad thing!

The shut out

Cameron's team won in a shut out game against Lyndon tonight to take 3rd place in the league tournament. This has been a great season, and we really enjoyed this team! Cam played a couple innings at catcher and a couple at 3rd base. It was an enjoyable game.

3 teams are done, one more to go!

Miss Independent

Because no outfit is complete in the middle of July without pink snowboots!

Quincy also had her first dentist appointment this week. She announced that she did not want me to come with her. She marched to the back, jumped in the chair, and had her teeth cleaned while I waited in the waiting room. When the dentist was done, she jumped up and announced that she wanted her toothbrush and bouncy ball. Guess she had seen this done before?

Pickin' and new friends

My grandma's friend needed to leave town for a couple of days, so she asked if we would like to pick her blackberries while she is gone. That was an offer we couldn't refuse! The kids had a great time picking! The boys might have done more eating than contributing to our buckets, but I can't really blame them - they are GOOD! And it was nice to see Cameron eating something that is not meat or sugar! Quincy had a little bit of difficulty because she was so excited that she forgot to pick just the black ones - we got home with a few red ones in our bucket!

After we finished picking the blackberries, we ran out to grandma's farm to take care of the pigs. Cameron and Preston managed to catch this lizard in grandma's flower beds. He is cute, and I am trying to teach the kids that lizards and snakes are our friends since they eat bugs...but grandma doesn't much care for either one! So we brought the lizard home and let him go near Bev's lily pond (she does like snakes and lizards). Now the boys keep running over to check on "Frank" the lizard. Poor thing is probably traumatized!

Overbrook Nightmares take 3rd place!

Despite having 2 players missing, theses girls did a great job!
Madison was a striking out machine!

Madison batting

Mallory batting

Mallory on 2nd - a pop fly catching maniac!

In the girl's last softball game for the season, they played a very hard-fought game against Eskridge for 3rd place in the league tournament. It was probably the best game they have played this season, and it was fun to watch. Madison pitched the whole game, and she did absolutely great! Mallory played 2nd for the night, and she had some awesome plays! They were excited to win, and this momma is excited to have the season wrapped up!

Cameron finishes his season tonight, and then we will have Colin's tournament next week. When ball ends, it seems that it doesn't take long for school to start!

Guess what we got???

When I got home from work today, I was greeted by a table full of boxes and one excited home school boy!

Quite honestly, I was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of stuff that Lawrence Virtual sent to us! I guess I was thinking that I would have to go to the library for support materials, but it would seem that these boxes came complete with everything that we will need! Even his science box came packed with modeling clay, a magnet set, beakers, magnifying glasses, and I don't even know what all! Cameron was so excited, he thought we should start working immediately! I think I will need a few days to digest it all, and we can start when the other kids go back to school. I am so very happy that he is excited, and I am praying that we are successful with teaching him, and nurturing his love of learning as well as his creativity! I am also very curious to see how the system works so that we can make a decision on what to do school-wise in the future.

Enjoying...

An evening at home before tournament games start this week for Mallory, Madison and Cameron (Colin's tourney is next week). The kids have been playing croquet in the yard and I even made home made bierocks.

Jim took Colin to the doctor today. The poor kid has been sick for days now, and yesterday he broke out in some weird hives. It would seem that his body was over-reacting to all the diseases he is carrying! He has double ear infections, a nasty cold, still has some poison ivy spots, and his asthma has been pretty bad. He is now on multiple prescriptions, so we hope he will be a new kid in a day or 2!

The kids pig walking seems to be getting easier, as the big guys (and Sarah Piglin) tend to enjoy being under the newly installed misting system that grandma and grandpa put in for them. They might walk a few feet, but then they turn right back around to go where it is cool and wet! I was worried about using so much water, but this system supposedly uses only half gallon of water per hour. I guess we will see how well it works when grandma gets her next water bill! My only fear is that they will not enjoy the county fair AT ALL considering that they will be so spoiled! (Spoiled is an understatement!)

What happened to the week?

Colin is the one in black - the photos didn't turn out very clear.

Well, its Sunday and I don't know what happened to this week, or for that matter this weekend! Yesterday was Quincy's 3rd birthday! She is such a fun kid! We are very blessed by her presence in our lives! She definitely keeps us on our toes! She was excited to get a new baby and some new clothes, and then we were off to Preston's last t-ball game....complete with a trophy ceremony. From the last t-ball game we ran to the Sunflower State games to watch Colin wrestle. Unfortunately, Colin has been very sick for the past few days, and so wrestling wasn't so good. He wrestled in his first match, and was pinned. When he came off the mat he couldn't breathe and was feeling really gross, so he had to scratch from his other 2 matches. He still placed 3rd since there were only 3 kids in the bracket! So he got a medal and a cool new shirt! He did enjoy watching his teammates wrestle...and a dad to some of his friends wrestled, so that was entertaining as well.

We also played our last regular season base/softball games this week. We are awaiting the tournament schedules and will have tournaments the next 2 weeks. Then we will be able to concentrate on 4-H projects and the county fair. This whole summer is flying by!

Also, for losing track of time, I am having a hard time believing that my baby is 3 years old! She came into this world 4 weeks early. She was the smallest little peanut of a baby - she didn't even fill out the nursery blanket! She looked up at us with those big blue eyes and melted all of our hearts! She is definitely a gift straight from God! Happy birthday big girl - we all love ya!

Tuesday

I just can't stay quiet any more. I was a huge Michael Jackson fan in the 80's and I was a bit saddened by his death (yes I admit it). However I can't believe that they waited 12 days to lay him to rest, and frankly, I can't believe the media attention that this is getting! And the funeral has an elephant parade? Come on folks he was a talented musician, but still a human being for pity sake!

On the other hand, what a better send off to the King of Weird!

This is the last week of regular season base/softball for us! It has been fun, and it is hard to believe how fast the summer is zipping by! I hope that the tournaments go well and that the kids have had fun!

Colin starts another wrestling camp this week. He will probably be miserable since he will have to wear pants to cover the poison ivy spots! Actually, he is much better thanks to the steroids and million dollar cream!

Everyone else is doing our usual summer routine - mom gets off work, we go to the pool, we clean out a pig pen, we walk the pigs, and then we shower and go to the ballpark! Fun times! So long as I am admitting to things, I will say that I am especially attached to a hog. I never thought it would happen...I have never seen anything except breakfast when I look at pigs, but Jenius is so friendly and has these jowly cheeks and comes up to see me when I am there. I think he really likes me too! I might be a tad bit sad when he gets sold at the auction next month!

Birthday Girl

Quincy's actual birthday isn't until next weekend, but since we are planning to attend a wrestling tournament, we had her party this evening. She had a great time being the birthday girl!

Fun 4th

We had a very good 4th today! We started out our day at the annual Overbrook non-motorized children's parade.

The kids had a good time, and it was fun to see how this event has grown from a few kids on bikes 4 years ago, to a ton of kids this year! The PRIDE sponsors it, and all the kids are treated to cookies and watermelon afterward! It is a fun time!

From the parade, it was on to buy fireworks. We had a wonderful time blowing up stuff, and luckily nobody was hurt, or burned and our house and all the neighbor's houses are still standing!

After a few hours of shooting off fireworks in our front yard, it was onto our neighbor, Bev's house for smoked ribs and swimming. The kids love Bev, and Jim and I really enjoyed her cooking! (Actually we all love her- we are very blessed to have such wonderful neighbors!)

We followed up the eating/swimming frenzy with a visit from our "Aunt" Grace. Grace is Madison and Quincy's Godmother, and she brought presents for Quincy's birthday. Quincy is very excited with her Barbie, and is now socked out on the living room floor with her! Thank you Grace, for the nice visit and the great gifts!

We finished our day off with working the concession stand at the city's fireworks display, and the kids and I even deserted Jim and got to watch the fireworks!

The kids also pointed out that we have lived in our house for 9 years now, since we moved here on the 4th of July in 2000. Jim pointed out that this is the longest that we have ever lived in any one house!

Overall I would say that we had a great 4th of July! I am proud to be an American, and blessed to have such great family and friends!

Day Off?????

Well, I was excited to have a day off work today - paid even! But my excitement was short lived! When we picked up the boys off the camp bus, we immediately noticed that Colin's poison ivy had gotten much worse, despite sending quite a lot of medication with him. So we had to go to Topeka to the Doctor, but this is a 'holiday' so our doc was not in today. We spent our time instead at Express Care. Now, I don't like to point out the obvious, but if you are going to call yourself Express care, then folks really shouldn't have to wait an eternity to see a doctor there. After waiting patiently, we finally saw a doctor who told me that Colin has poison ivy. Yep, that was money well spent! He phoned out some prescriptions and we were on our way. However, the insurance would not cover the meds that they phoned out. So we begged Walgreen's to call the doctor and get generics. They finally got a response, but the Walgreen's we were at was out of the medication that they phoned out. So they were kind enough to find another Walgreen's who had everything in stock. So we drove across town, only to discover that we had left our insurance card at the first Walgreen's! By this time I was about to have a major meltdown and I think that the pharmacist could tell, so he told me that if I came back within 7 days with the insurance information, they would refund my money. OK so this means another trip to Topeka, but I COULD NOT TAKE ANY MORE TODAY!! We are home now and I am going to bed at 9!

Have a fun and safe 4th from all of us here in insane land!

Too quiet...

Life at home is so quiet and calm with my big guys gone...I can't wait to pick them up tomorrow! I hope they are having a great time at camp!

Last night the nursing home up the street had the military band come and then they put on a great fireworks show! We didn't attend the concert due to the fact that I had a library board meeting, but we did enjoy the fireworks right from our backyard! Mallory set up blankets for the little ones and they had a great time! I tried to get some photos, but they turned out really dark and awful!

Madison attended a Christian rock concert last night with her friend. She had a great time too! She said the music was good even though it isn't typical music she listens too, and she was really impressed with the special effects.

Jim and I are looking forward to having tomorrow off work! And we are looking forward to an extremely busy weekend full of parties and fun!

First Night Game

Preston giving mom a 'thumbs up'
My action shots are not very good - I have never been a photographer, but Preston got a great hit without using the T.

Quincy says that 6 pm ballgames with no shade are too hot!

Preston's t-ball team had a game last night. He was very excited to get to play a "night game" like the big kids! (Usually his games are on Saturday mornings).

Quincy was not impressed with the sun/heat of sitting out at Preston's night game though!

On a happier note, Quincy has decided that wearing underpants isn't so bad and that she even can potty with no help! I am excited at the thought of getting a break from diapers (at least until December). A break from both buying and changing them!! Yeah!

On a differnt note entirely, Jim and I were both badly behaved at the girl's game last night. We are finding that sitting at games and being quiet when the umpires are bad, and the other team's coach is really bad is just difficult or almost impossible. I never wanted to be one of 'those' parents, but last night we both were! OH well! I guess we can try again next week! Happily, we have no more games this week...with the boys being away at camp and then the holiday weekend, we are done for now! By next week we can get together a new attitude!

Camp

We put the boys on a bus for Rock Spring's 4-H camp. I have so many good memories of going there when I was a kid! I hope that Cameron and Colin have a great time!