Summer

Last kinder, first freshman

We spent much of last week up in Greer. The weather was great, at least in the day. For some reason we only packed two camping mats, so the nights were a little a uncomfortable..hard, cold ground. One night, the girls and I slept in the van because Rachel was terrified that a bear was going to get us. We left the boys out there in the tent and since they were ok in the morning, Rachel thought it was safe to return to the tent the next night.

Short Haircut for Lizzie girl

 Hard to believe the end of school is right around the corner. I've decided that having kids in school puts me in a time warp...time seeming to move fast and slow at different times. We just finished track this week for Matt and Meg in middle school and Michael just tonight found out he didn't qualify for the state meet..bummer but he's just a frosh and there's plenty of time. Surprise of season...Meg's favorite event was the 400m! She started with the mile and didn't think it was that fun..imagine that. All three did great, but we are kind of excited to come home right after school to eat popsicles and watch Arthur.
Rachel played soccer and did running club this year. She enjoyed both as long as it wasn't too hot. She is extremely competitive, reminiscent of Meghan, who we are reluctant to play even a board game with, for fear of the fireworks that come with a loss. Rachel's little soccer team lost all but one and that one was a tie.

Rachel in running club fun run

 Despite my insisting that they weren't keeping score, she was and doesn't want to play anymore games because she doesn't want to lose...will just let it rest for awhile :0
Lizzie came home one day toying with the idea of cutting her hair shorter. Three days later she was begging to get it done. We love it!

 Jonnie boy had his Pinewood Derby as a new Webelos. He had a great car that he and Dave worked at. Dave couldn't be at the race. My fear always is that the car will be to heavy. Guess what, too heavy by a full ounce! So there we were trying to drill out an ounce out of the body, right up until start time. Then he got entered as a Bear. Oh well, not our night, but a great car for sure.

Jon with Night Train

Heart Day

Jon doing homework on Friday night :)

I love Valentines...with all the red and pink everywhere. Rachel and Lizzie have made lots of hearts this week. We wanted to make sugar cookies and give them out as treats, but we have had a sick week. On Thursday, for the first time ever, all six kids were home sick from school...all throwing up, but Jon, who just felt like he was going to. Yuck and tiring. Dave is in Arkansas, missing the fun. I remember a few years ago...I think before Rachel and Liz were even born, also on a trip of Dave's to Arkansas all the kids got sick...like every 45 minutes another one started throwing up. It was crazy..back then they just stood wherever and out it came. It's so much easier now that they can all make it to the toilet. A learned skill, I guess, for which I have been very thankful for this week. Meg got it first, and still has it the worst. She has had a hard week. One good thing is that I haven't had to cook a thing, really. We made a pot of pasta tonight, put a little butter on it and that was it. For the rest of today and yesterday it has been mostly canned soup, saltines and gingerale, if anything. Tonight as I was putting everyone to bed I heard all the little "happy Valentine's day, Mom," as I walked up and down the hall.

Lizzie loves this bandana she got at school today.

It is like that on every holiday. They just can't wish us enough happiness on special days...Halloween, Ground Hog Day, St Patricks, etc. Not just the big ones. So cute.