9/30/18 - Grumpy Kids, Penny Poop, Moldy Wall

Why does church always seem to go so smoothly, but the free time at home is a wreck? It's the non-busy days at home that seem to bring out the worse behavior and attitudes. The kiddos were terribly grumpy and picking at each other all afternoon. They needed separation therapy, aka TV time... oops!

Anthony and I spent the afternoon cleaning and reorganizing the back bedroom. It was time to get my crafting stuff away from Kaycee's play area. She spends nap time there, playing with everything she can get her hands on, which sometimes is my expensive crafting items. While moving stuff around we noticed a gross, moldy spot on the wall. It's tricky because it's not consistent with outside water and nothing wet was placed up against the wall for a long period of time. It's a mystery. 

Tripp pooped out his penny tonight! It was shiny clean, it looked like it had lost all color. No matter, I was super glad it was finally out! 

8/13 'Svisus Cookie' the birdy

On Sunday evening, we took a family walk around the block. We haven't taken too many walks together, so the kids were confused. "Where are we going?" "Are we walking to the park?" "My legs hurt!" After much whining and answering the same question over and over again, we were finally on the last stretch. (I mean it was only around the block...)

Kaycee was running ahead when she stopped suddenly to admire a birdy on the sidewalk. As she got closer the birdy did not fly away. That's when we knew the something was wrong with the birdy. Anthony took the kids home while I made some phone calls, trying to find someone who could help the birdy. I left messages with Flint Creek Wildlife and 2 wildlife rehibilitors, but they never called back. It was Sunday night, so it wasn't surprising. So I scooted the birdy into a box, with a stick, and put the box on the porch swing in front of our house. 

This morning, the birdy was still in the box when we left for the swimming pool. However, when we got back, the birdy was on the ground chirping away. I watched the birdy hop all over the ground, but it couldn't fly. I spent the afternoon/evening calling different wildlife places trying to get someone to answer. I probably made 30 phone calls between the 2 days. Finally, I got a hold of someone at Willowbrook Wildlife who gave me the name of some bird ladies in the area! After dinner, our family took a trip to Ms. Mary's house where we dropped off "Svisus Cookie."

Kaycee cried the whole way home... "I'll never see Cookie again. I'll never see another baby bird, ever."

We pray Cookie makes a full recovery and flies off into a blissful life! 

5.4.18 Park Fun

Last night the children had Momma up for 2 hours in the middle of the night. As a result, Momma was grumpy this morning and needed to take the kids out of the house. So, we met Mema at the church park and played! Mema took Kaycee and Tripp to visit Uncle Marty too! 

5.3.18

Today was a simple day at home. We pulled out the car blanket to play cars this morning! After Olive and Nolan went home, Kaycee and Momma were going to run to Walmart, except the car wouldn't start. So instead, Anthony went and bought a new batter and installed it in the car! Walmart will have to wait till tomorrow.

5.2.18

Today was Kaycee and Tripp's last gymnastics class. It was pajama day which made Tripp very happy!

I painted and hung a new oils shelf to house my growing collection. Izzy covered herself in yogurt and walked around with the Mickey Backpack on for at least an hour straight. Nolan laid on his tummy for a half hour straight, longest stretch so far and Olive played like normal! 

Anthony and I had a date tonight. We recorded the first podcast in the "Keeping it Neal" podcast series, baked and decorated a cake, and started a marriage devotional!

Jan. 12 - Friday Tot Lot

This morning Olive had therapy with Ms. Punam. She seemed to be doing really well, despite not having therapy for the last 3 weeks. She's working on stepping down from a step and can do it without help about 50% of the time. 

Then we all went to Friday Tot Lot at the Schaumburg Park District Sports Center. Basically, it was a basketball court, set up with 1 play structure and many bikes and balls to play on. The kids ran around for 2 hours playing, riding bikes and throwing balls. They all had a blast and were unhappy when it was time to go. On our way home we stopped to pick up a new toy shelving unit, which Momma is super excited about! 

Miss Lauren brought Kaycee a present today! She found a mermaid swim suit at Target. It's a pink/purple 3 piece suit. 1 top, 1 bottom and 1 tail! Kaycee was so happy she hugged Ms. Lauren and immediately put it on. She didn't take it off till bedtime. I can only imagine we'll have a fight on our hands when I won't let her wear the tail to swimming lessons next week. 

Tonight, Momma worked on Olive's birthday cake! 2 books, stacked on top of each other. The bottom tier was a marble cake with fresh strawberry filling. The middle tier was a gluten free cake with chocolate buttercream and the top tier was a rice crispy treat (for Olive's allergies). There was only 1 mishap with the fridge peed on the blue fondant and dripped blue coloring down the white cake. However, once the cake was put together, it looked fantastic! Hopefully, Olive will like it tomorrow! 

Daddy won today! He's pretty amazing and super sweet! He sent Momma a text telling her that she was loved and that she could have whatever she wanted for dinner. (She chose Buffalo Wild Wings)! He also had yellow flowers delivered to the door! He's amazing and Momma felt totally loved!