We're Off to Binghamton

I know, I know -- there's been a complete lack of blogging on my part this week. I've been not only like a single mother, but also having Odyssey of the Mind practices every day. Bryan leaves the house at 6:00am, so I have my kids and the daycare kids for breakfast and getting ready for school. OM lasts until 5:30pm (6:00 on Monday). Bryan usually doesn't get home until after the kids' bedtime. Yesterday he got home at 5:45, while I still had a daycare kid and an OM kid here, and we had to be at the Cub Scout Banquet at 6:00. We didn't get home until after 8pm. Needless to say, it's been crazy.
I've spent the last couple of days getting ready for the weekend, and I'm still not ready. Not only do I have to pack for a weekend away, I also have to pack for the competition. I have lots of different lists so I won't worry that I forgot something. I had to pack up all the costumes, props, etc. and make sure all the paperwork was together. I printed out maps, directions, and schedules for all the parents. I had to fill out forms, make copies of forms, and get checks from the school for the hotel and tournament fees. Some forms the kids need to fill out, others have to go to the registration desk, others have to go to the staging area judges. It's very complicated and time-consuming. On top of all this, I'm trying to get the house cleaned and laundry caught up and some meals put together ahead of time for Faye this weekend. No wonder I'm exhausted!
Here is a picture of the kids getting off the bus for the last OM practice yesterday. Chase is on the left end and Myles is on the right end; the seven kids between them are our team. Plus I had Merlyn, Berkleigh, and CJ waiting with me in the house. 1 adult + 12 kids = pure chaos. We have a good group of kids, though, and I do enjoy them.


Despite everything, I'm really looking forward to the weekend. It'll seem almost like a vacation with just Carter with Bryan and I. I don't remember the last time the adults outnumbered the kids in our family! The whole team is very excited about the trip. I'm going to try to videotape the performance on Saturday. Also, the Awards Ceremony is going to be streamed live online at 6:00 on Saturday night. If you want to watch it and maybe catch a glimpse of us, go to:
www.ws.binghamton.edu/live/
I'll let you know how it goes, and I promise I will catch up on blogging next week. I won't know what to do with myself with no OM practices. Also, I will try to fix the pictures from my last post. It's Bryan's fault (I think) that you can't see them, but he was trying to help so I can't complain. I have some cute pictures from the last couple of weeks.

Merlyn, Myles, Orange Smiles, and a Sled Train

Here is a variety of pictures to help me catch up. First, we have Merlyn, who still is sensitive to noise. The other day I had four kids in the house: Merlyn, Berkleigh, Cole (4) and Alison (20 months). I was only having a 25% success rate, because three out of the four kids were crying. Merlyn was coloring and instead of complaining about the noise, she simply went and put on her ear muffs.

Myles wrapped himself in the t-shirt quilt I made for Bryan many years ago. He looked like a little vampire until he flashed his signature smile for the camera.

One day at lunch we had oranges, and I didn't want to peel them all like I usually do so I cut them into pieces and showed the kids how to make orange smiles. Here are theirs:

There's Merlyn, Berkleigh, CJ, and Cole. Cole is my newest daycare kid, and he's a VERY picky eater. He wouldn't even put the orange up to his mouth, but I took a picture of his cute orange-less smile.

The preschool bus comes a little after noon to drop off either Aleesa or CJ or both. When CJ is by himself, we go down to the end of the driveway to meet the bus. If the weather permits, we play outside beforehand. A few days ago I tied sleds together to make a train and I pulled Berkleigh, Cole, and Merlyn down the driveway. It's very cute to see it from my point of view as I look back while pulling them. They love it when I run in circles so the kids in back whip around. And yes, I do pull four big kids (Merlyn, Berkleigh, Cole, and CJ) all the way back up the driveway and end by running in circles in the turnaround spot. It's cheaper than a gym membership!

Student of the Month and a Sunrise

On Friday Bryan and I took Merlyn, Berkleigh, Alison, and Aleesa to the school to attend the character education assembly. Carter was awarded student of the month for "Pride and Self Respect" His certificate says, "Carter has so much of which to be proud and the self respect it takes for a good balance of the two. He is a great role model and motivator for all of us."
This is Carter's third student of the month award; he has gotten one each year of school, and we are very proud of him.

This is a group picture of all the students of the month. One kid from each classroom receives the award for a different character trait each month. Their picture will be in the newspaper.

I took this picture the other morning from our front porch. It was warm and rainy all day yesterday, so we don't have any more icicles now.

Poor Berkleigh

Last week Berkleigh fell while running on our slippery floors in her socks. She got a little bloody nose, but she was hurt more emotionally than physically. While I held her, on my way to get a cold washcloth for her nose, she fell right asleep. I laid her on Bryan's chair, then couldn't resist taking pictures.




Berkleigh picks out her own clothes each morning. This outfit at least doesn't clash like some of her selections. Notice how she even touches her belly button in her sleep!