still here, just busy

I feel bad that I haven't blogged in awhile...I haven't taken any pictures (the pictures above are from a couple of weeks ago) and we really haven't done much lately, which has been quite nice.  I started volleyball last week with having 6 hours a practice a day, three days of teacher trainings, and getting my classroom ready has been keeping me busy.  But it has been so nice only coaching 5 minutes away from my house.  In between practices I come home see the kids and get a bite to eat and Pat brings the kids by practice so they can see mommy's volleyball girls.  I hope to take some pictures of the kids this week!

their first Mariners game

On our to-do list this summer was to take the kids to their first Mariners game and the aquarium.  So we decided to go to Mariners game and then stay the night in the hotel right across the street from Safeco and then go to the Aquarium the next day.  It went great except the kids were tired before the game even started and Tatum was a nightmare in the hotel.  We went the Pyramid Brewery for dinner and Pat's mom and step dad were already in Seattle for a conference so they met us for dinner.  I am glad we went to that restaurant because it was loud and the kids were too so they blended right in.                                                  

"mad" face drawing

This is Ty's drawing a man with a "mad" face.  I know I am his mama but I think this is pretty good for a three year old!

arts festival 2010

I love taking the kids to the Anacortes Arts Festival every year.  There is a section for kids that has free activities and crafts for them to do.  They played on the gigantic mound of sand, got their face painted, got balloon animals (they even had a spiderman ballon!) and made hats.  We ran into a lot of people we knew so that was fun.                    

6 long days

My husband was gone for six days in San Diego for a class that he teaches.  I hate when he is gone.  I can't sleep very well and I don't like to parent by myself.  I am just glad that he usually is never gone.  All week I just kept thinking about all the military families I know and how their spouse is sometimes gone for longer than 6 months, I don't know how they do it, I could barely do it for six days! 

Since Pat was gone for a week I made a to-do-list of things to do at night when the kids went to bed. 

• clean my closet: I finally found all my socks!
• finish putting bricks around the back corner flower bed and put red rocks on it (didn't quite get to that)
• sew, sew, sew:  I wanted to stock pile some burp cloths and taggie blankets.  I only made 7 burp cloths, 3 taggie blankets and a spiderman pillow case
• rearrange my bedroom
• organize the garage:  I bought the Rubbermaid hanging tool thing from Costco, it was so easy to put up and I was able to hang all shovels, rakes, etc.
• Clean counters and get on my hands and knees and mop the floor
• wash, dry and fold every piece of dirty clothing
• clean the inside of the car: only for it to be dirty three days later!

Some of the fun stuff:
Sunday-Tatum and I went to Costco and Jo Ann Fabrics, went to Aunt Patty's for dinner
Monday-We went to down to "Grammersville" and visited my sister and grandparents, went to Grandma Maggie's for dinner
Tuesday-Jungle Playland with Cari, Riley and Kayliegh
Wednesday-went to the Park, visited Papa Swapp, Ty got a haircut, had Cari, Riley and Kayleigh over
Thursday-Went to the Thousand Trails where my sister was camping with her family and spent the day swimming
Friday-went to the Arts Festival, had Papa Swapp watch the kids so I could go shopping with Nicole, visited a high school friend and met her baby 

This week was fun, rewarding, frustrating and long but glad it's over!  And one more thing, Tatum can now sing her ABC's, yeah!


Now I am just counting down the minutes until my hubby gets home!

a reunion

A few weeks ago my sister and I were able to get our families together with a high school friend who lives in Georgia.  They were here visiting family and they were able to take time for a visit to get the kids to play and for us to catch up!  All nine kids got along great and were are bummed that they don't live closer!