Why?

I went to the doctor's office yesterday to get the 15yo a sports/camp physical only to find they had removed EVERY FREAKING TOY from their office. My kids loved that office and now thanks to germ nazi's there was nary a crayon or car to be found. Ad wanted to bathe in the water fountain, Mel wanted to crawl under the furniture and F whined about the little (and I do mean little) work I brought for him to do. And then we waited an hour and a half. I say, bring back the toys (and yes, I'd have brought some but I didn't because they always had really cool stuff and no one told me the toys were banned.) And for the record I often don't bother with sun screen or bug spray or shoes either. So there, I'm a neglectful parent who just wanted some peace in the doctor's office and I'm willing to risk germs to do it.

Family Friday or Why I Don't Post

Notice her version of a batting glove. Think she's been to too many games?

Monday -3 soccer practices and a Boy Scout Committee meeting-which S has to attend because he's head poobah, I mean Senior Patrol Leader
Tue-3 baseball games at 6-7 & 8 and a regular Boy Scout Meeting
Wed-tilled the garden, now to buy plants to go in it, worked in the yard, cleaned the house, oh the excitement
Thu-Phil had blood draw in morning, soccer practice at 5, ball games at 6 and 7:30, E and S had afterschool stuff, dinner in shifts (which I hate)
Fri-S has party he needs picked up from, E has study group, BUT no baseball or soccer all weekend not even the usual soccer practice tonight, I think dh and I are going to friends to grill hot dogs and I'm leaving C to babysit, like it or not
Sat-Phil is working this weekend and it might be nice to get some food so I guess I'll go grocery shopping
Somehow school for F eats up the morning. He's not one to work independently for long. Riding his bike in endless circles outside is lots more interesting, along with dirt, water, bugs, worms,etc. etc. All that is good but you do have to be able to balance your check book and read a job ap so it's my job to , shall we say, redirect him?

Zzzzzz

I have found a redeeming point for coaches pitch. Unlike Pony League, the games do not go on until 10:30 at night.

Tightwad Tuesday-organize

It's time for Tightwad Tuesday
Organize-and I don't mean buy eighty seven hundred little containers. I conducted the great clothing sort (done twice yearly, ack) this weekend. I have various and non-matching plastic tubs stacked in the basement with size marked on the side. I admit, however, that I have been known to stuff an outgrown piece into whatever tub is on top. I never really thought much about my 'system' until a friend came over Saturday and was boggled. She just throws stuff into a bag or gets rid of it. Now granted, having seven kids means I'm likely to use stuff again, but having it organized (relatively) all in one spot saves time and because I can see what the kids might actually need it saves money. No buying extra shorts when they have five pair already, etc. Menus are another form of organization. I don't stick slavishly to my menu, but having an idea of what I can fix saves me dithering over what to do and running to the store to get some forgotten ingredient. Try it, even if your personal vision of yourself is as an artistic free spirit. Believe me, I am not some naturally born orderly person. What I am is a person with not alot of time to waste looking for things.
Yesterday was insane. Two soccer practices, the county track meet (both of these 20 miles from home) and a kid pick up at another time (also 20 miles from home. I wish high school was not so far) This week's menu that I was too busy to post yesterday.

Mon-salisbury steak, apple sauce, corn bread (busy night)
Tue-chicken, rice and broccoli casserole, oranges
Wed-sausage penne, salad, garlic bread
Thu-crockpot enchilada casserole, corn, apple salad
Fri-hot dogs, relishes, chips, pudgy pies (cook out)
Sat-macaroni, cauliflower & cheese, carrots, cookies
Sun-stroganoff on noodles, peas, pie

Big Numbers

Anyone who knows me knows I'm into being frugal (ok, cheap) and budgeting. So I found this video especially eye opening. Please, no political commentary, I'm too far out to belong to either party. I just found this interesting.

Graduation

Ok, preschool graduation, but a big deal for Mel.

The graduate and her proud mom.

Ok, preschool graduation, but a big deal for Mel.

Wacky Wednesday

So last night coming home from softball practice a song comes on the radio. It has a line about smoke and ash. L doubled over in laughter. I, perplexed, asked why.
"Duh mom, that song said smokin' ass." Ah, and I thought I had two years before middle school with this one.

On the busy front. Monday was E's Honor Society induction. She is an officer and gave a speech. Dh and I sat very far back and wondered how we produced one of those kids. I've discovered that Pony League thinks practicing until 10pm is ok. Hey, I'm ready for bed here. Tonight is pre-school graduation. I'm wondering how I became one of those people who have high schoolers and pre-schoolers. I figured out that Ad will be starting 1st grade the year E graduates college. Ack! How many more years of sports and clubs and dancing and running is that? S has a horrible cold. I am feeling sorry for him from across the room. F is nearly done with his 2nd grade curriculum and I'm starting on 3rd grade stuff. No reason to wait. Mel is doing Kindergarten stuff with me too and is sooo close to reading. Someone asked me if we had plans for Memorial Day. I said that it was the only day in May not filled in on my calendar. They laughed and assumed I was joking. Don't I wish.

Menu and Catch Up

Week of May 3rd
Sun-broccoli cheese soup and 1 hr french bread
Mon-chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, peas
Tue-spaghetti&meatballs, bread sticks, salad
Wed-pepper steak, rice, oranges
Thu-taco skillet, corn
Fri-pizza (they want it weekly), ice cream
Sat-hog dogs, potato salad, fruit salad, s'mores

I'm not sure what happened to me posting last week. I kept thinking of posts but between all the stuff I've got going on time to sit down and actually type it never materialized. Tonight I'm ignoring all the practices, meets (sorry C, you'll have to walk home, etc) to attend the Honor Society installment. E is giving a speech. I hate not being able to be everywhere at once, but since ripping the curtain of time isn't one of my superpowers, I'll just have to choose.