Newest Family Member

This is Jim's new car "Rusty." She ain't perty but she runs good!

I killed Jim's other car waaaaaayyy back in June. We have been sharing rides, and running our household with one vehicle ever since. As much as I didn't mind sharing rides etc, I am happy to have Rusty with us. We have been having a giant question over what to do about a second vehicle. With #7 coming this winter, we know that we are going to have to buy a bigger van, but we have not found one that we like, or that we can afford. I really hated the idea that if I took the van somewhere, Jim was here with no vehicle. With our other kids being over at Carbondale at school, I really hated the idea that he had no way to go pick them up if something happened. That's when our local mechanic offered to trade our old car and a few dollars for this rustbucket. Let's just say that no payments will be made on Rusty! Jim and the boys have big plans of painting her purple. I figure that we will still have to buy the bigger van, but the girls are a few months away from being able to get a learner's permit (no, I can't believe it either) and this is just the kind of car that I want them to start out driving...that way when they back into the mailbox, I don't have to cry!

Fall must be here...

Colin played his first football game last night (actually a scrimmage). They let the youth team play after the high school's annual scrimmage. The jr. high also played, so it was a whole night of football. Colin played quarterback on offense and was on the line on defense. He did really well, and made a lot of great plays, so it was pretty exciting to watch.

We signed Cameron up to play flag football this week. We have enjoyed the Carbondale Rec program for a few years now, the games are played on Sunday afternoons, so it is usually nice weather and lots of fun!

The girls are not playing any fall sports this year, it is the first year in a long time when they aren't playing volleyball. I have to admit that I enjoy volleyball, and am kind of sad that they decided not to play, but on the other hand it is nice to have the extra time!

We're drying ---YEAH!!

It might not seem all that exciting of a thing to post about, but the service locator sent me a dryer repairman today!!! I now have freshly dried clothes and towels that do not feel like cardboard (yeah for Downy fabric softner!!).
The stupid part of this story really is that I just have a dryer that is too fancy for my sad, redneck use! Apparently, if the dryer's mesh lent trap gets too clogged up, there is a safetly switch that turns itself off and won't allow it to heat, apparently so that you don't burn down your house! Although I am pretty religious about cleaning out the lent trap, I should have been running the thing through my dishwasher once a month or so. Who knew?

Quincy's off

Quincy got up out of bed and announced "I ain't going to Mr. Becky's preschool today" then proceeded to fight me while I dressed her and combed her hair. When I went to brush my teeth so we could leave, she took off her shoes and socks and was attempting to take off her shirt. UUG! I thought for sure that she was going to give me a terrible, guilty morning when I dropped her off. However, Preston started talking to her. It was very sweet, he told her about the playground with the twirly slide and the painting that he got to do on an easel, and the yummy chocolate milk. Somehow by the time I took her over, she was excited again and she went willingly! I hope the rest of her first day at preschool is wonderful! I also hope that this group of 3 year olds doesn't cause the Jumpstart preschool to close permanently!!

Preschool update

Preston's first day was great! He got to paint, play in the sand table, and he made some new friends (although he can't exactly remember their names). He also got a banana for a snack and Miss Becky gave him CHOCOLATE milk!

Quincy announced today that she is NOT going to MR. Becky's preschool - she wants to stay at work with mom. Tomorrow morning could be interesting! We might have to do the old distract her and mom runs out the door trick. Actually, she has been looking forward to this all summer, so I am not sure why the cold feet now! Quincy was also extremely upset today when we drove by the city pool and they were draining the water out with a large pump. I tried to explain that summer was over - but my goodness she was miffed! That is HER city pool and she wasn't done swimming in it!

One more thing, I have always had this little fantasy about homeschooling our kids. I always thought it would be very relaxing and wonderful with a kind of free from schedule feeling. I was so very wrong! I am not going to lie, I am totally enjoying it, but it is a ton of work getting prepared, making sure we are covering all the materials, and trying to stay ahead so that Cameron is not bored. I am going to have to learn to be a lot more organized for sure! I had my first conference with Cameron's virtual school teacher today. I had totally missed a couple of things that he was supposed to do (luckily it is Ms. Alison's job to keep me on track!). I felt that we had been doing really well though, and am a bit disappointed in myself for not realizing these things! So far Cam seems to be enjoying it, and hasn't given me any grief about doing the work, or been distracted by other things (tv, playstation etc) in the house.

The other kids seem to be settling in to a schedule as well. Mallory and Madison have the normal teenaged things to say about certain teachers, which we kind of giggle about. Colin announced today that his teacher has given more homework in the first 3 days of school than he has ever had in his life! Right now he is very motivated to get it done because he is enjoying playing football so much! We are also getting ready to start flag football season with Cameron. I enjoy football season - cooler weather, hot chocolate at games, and I actually understand football rules for the most part!

I also finally got some medication for the ick that I have had for the past 2 weeks. I tried to wait and take just tylenol and be the good pregnant woman, but I finally got so run down from not sleeping that I called and begged my doctor for drugs. I have a nasty sinus infection, and I am hoping that the meds work quickly!

Preston's first day

Today is Preston's first day back at Jumpstart preschool. This is a private preschool through the local Methodist Church and we absolutely loved it last year! Preston was so excited to go back! He started telling me (firmly) at 7:30 it was time to go- even though his school doesn't start until 8:30. It was a long hour wait! I hope his first day back is great!

Weekend Update

Yesterday, Uncle Jay came up from Kentucky to go with Jim, Colin and Cameron to KSU fan appreciation night. The boys (the 43 year old included) got to meet Bill Snyder and he signed their hats. Cameron now thinks that his hat is worth at least $1000. He was a little bit indignant with me when I made him take it off before mass this morning. I am not sure that our new parish priest holds Bill Snyder in the same high regard as my boys do! The boys have always spent a day at the KSU spring game - its tradition - now I see that they will add another tradition to the mix! They had a great time, brought home tons of KSU stuff, and tons and tons of autographs. The only thing is that next time I am pretty sure they aren't going to get away with leaving Preston at home!

The girls and I had a veg in front of the tv night - watching chick flicks with no interruptions from the men! It was a great night for everyone!

We managed to get family photos taken yesterday as well. Our church has decided to put together a new parish directory. The last time they did this I was pregnant with Quincy. This means that we once again have a family photo which will need to be updated in only a few months! Oh well, the opportunity was too good to pass up!

Last weekend was the first weekend with our new priest. So far, I really like him. He seems to be a very nice, young and holy man. I was especially excited when he announced this morning that he wanted to move our mass time back 1/2 an hour. This means more sleep on Sunday mornings! Or more time to wrangle the troops out the door! Whichever!

I spent today trying to catch up. Home school means that I have to plan ahead, something that is going to be a struggle for me because I am the eternal procrastinator! So far, I am loving it though, it is so cool to spend the time with my boy learning things, and then applying them to life. I am sure that this time is one that I will always cherish! I am also trying to catch up on laundry, and am thankful that there was no rain this weekend to interfere with my Little House on the Prairie clothes drying! I am proudly almost caught up!