Hickman2000

Week in review

Melissa — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 01:43:39 +0000

I got all our stuff packed up last Saturday, in preparation for the trip to Maine. Then I went to go to the grocery store, and the truck gave me a hard time starting. This after stranding me at the post office the day before. Then I realized that it was just not reliable enough for that long a drive. I’ve been worried about it, but there is just no way I would want to be stuck out in the middle of who knows where, travelling alone with three kids. Sigh. I made the decision to cancel the trip. It was difficult calling Mom and telling her, I know she was beyond upset - but it was the only thing to do. The girls were upset too, but they managed to keep calm and carry on, as the saying goes.

Sunday, I unpacked everything I had packed the day before.

This week has been a little slow, but not in a bad way. Monday and Tuesday afternoon we went to the pool, yesterday we went to the dollar movies (Monsters vs. Aliens) and did some coupon shopping. Today we were back at the pool. :) It was our break-even point - we have now visited the pool enough times to compensate for buying the pool pass. It’s pure profit from here on out! Ha!

Tuesday morning and afternoon, and again this morning, I spent a lot of time working in the garden. Yet again, it had gotten out of control with the weeds. We love planting the garden, but the upkeep? Not so much. It gets so darn hot out, and I don’t want to be out there sweating my butt off, pulling weeds. YUCK! I had to take out the brussel sprouts (gnawed on by bugs or caterpillars or something), spinach (past ready for harvest - tough), and the peas (done….at least we got to eat them). We had a hail storm yesterday afternoon, followed by strong winds and heavy rains last night - a lot of the corn was down, and several tomato plants were as well. I got the corn back up (I think), and will work on the tomatoes tomorrow.

You guessed it!

Melissa — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 03:26:42 +0000

Yup, another busy week! I think I use that phrase too much…but it almost always fits.

Monday - girls started at Cheer Camp, followed by 3 hours at the pool

Tuesday - Cheer Camp, 2 1/2 hours at the pool

Wednesday - Cheer Camp, bank/shopping/couponing errands, Autumn and Logan came over for the afternoon to play

Thursday - Cheer Camp, Brooks girls came over while their Dad went in for outpatient surgery; I took all 6 kids to the dollar movies to see Rango

Friday - Cheer Camp exhibition, errands, and 3 hours at the pool - Rob even came with us!

I’ve got two days before we leave for Maine, and I’m not prepared in the least. Arrangements have been made for Angie to come during the day to take Robbie out since Rob will be working long hours, but other than that I haven’t prepared. No packing done. Nothing. I keep telling myself I work well under pressure, but this is ridiculous!

Yuck.

Melissa — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:39:36 +0000

I just cleared some junk out of the truck….disgusting how much shtuff accumulates in there! I removed:

2 pair of socks
1 pair Crocs
1 pair flip flops
2 bottles of water (mostly full)
2 refillable water bottles (empty)
2 headbands
2 hats
4 empty Capri Sun packs
1 grocery store bag of trash

Nasty.

In other news, yesterday we went to visit JP & Nellie, and got to see some of the extended family as well. :) Sunday afternoons there are sweet!

Unproductive day

Melissa — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 02:00:04 +0000

I had an unproductive day - and it was great! I did make waffles for the girls this morning, so I guess that was something. Rob and Sara took the prop from the boat up to Knoxville to be worked on, and while they were gone I rearranged the living room. Again. Then we had lunch, and before they got back I was in bed! I napped for 2.5 hours….loved it! Got up, went to the grocery store, and that was pretty much it until dinner clean-up (Rob made nachos); later Sara and I picked peas in the garden, but that was just plain fun.

Another scorcher

Melissa — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 12:49:50 +0000

The girls and I went back to the pool yesterday for a “short” visit - which turned into three hours! They helped me get some things done around the house in the morning, and then they were having such a good time that I didn’t feel like leaving earlier. I brought our sun shade along this time, which was a lifesaver for me - I didn’t have to rent a cover, it was easily transportable (except the part where I couldn’t remember how to fold the dang thing up when it came time to leave), and it kept me out of the sun. It’s a real pain in the butt, being allergic to every sunscreen I’ve ever tried.

Not sure what’s on the agenda for today. I want to rearrange the living room again, but that doesn’t count for much! We’ll see how the day goes.

Babbling

Melissa — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 03:11:44 +0000

It has been another hectic day! It started off early, too - earliest morning since school let out. ;) Abby and Sara woke me up at 7:30 with snuggles and sweetness…the best way to wake up! It actually was good to get up and moving before 9 am - I didn’t feel quite so lazy. I made a delicious pasta salad (with some of my free pasta, no less!), and the girls picked and shelled the peas for it. Yay! Shredded carrots, diced leftover chicken, and a bit of creamy parmesan salad dressing…it was SO good!

I took the kids to the Philly library for the kick off of the summer reading program. It was our first visit to the library…which is remarkably, incredibly small. Two of our Junior Girl Scouts were assisting with the program as part of their bronze award work, and we wanted to show our support for them. Good thing too, with the Scouts there were around 14 kids there; 10 of which were the Scouts. They had a gentleman from the local animal shelter talking about animal behavior, pet care, and pet responsibility - it was very interesting, and Emily asked a lot of questions! Afterwards, we went into town and got our family pass for the pool - I’m thinking we’ll use it tomorrow.

The Brooks girls came over after lunch, and the girls all played for a while before I had to load up the cat (and kids) for a trip to the vet. Poor Spook has a swollen and infected toe. :( He had a lot of support there with him though, six little girls and a mom looking after him. They x-rayed his foot, and the toe isn’t crushed or broken, so that’s good. He had antibiotic and anti-inflammatory shots (and continues on oral antibiotics), and it remains to see if the toe will heal, or need to be taken off.

Later, the older girls helped me bake sweet biscuits for strawberry shortcake, then they all played Just Dance on the Wii. What a hoot, to watch them! We had an early dinner after the Brooks girls went home, as Rob was working late. After getting cleaned up, I went and mowed the yard…that was long overdue. Now, it’s 11:11 pm and I’m going to bed! G’night!

A scorcher

Melissa — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 23:37:04 +0000

It was a scorcher today! With the head index, we probably got over 100 degrees today. Right now it’s around 7:30 pm, and it’s 91 - or 94 with the heat index. At 7:30 in the evening!! Sheesh.

The girls and I met some friends at the city pool today, and it was SO nice. We’ve never been to the city pool recreationally before, only for swimming lessons. The girls had a wonderful time, and I enjoyed sitting in the shade talking with the other moms - and taking a dip to cool off as well. :) They charge an entry fee per person, and it was $11 for the four of us. I’m going tomorrow to get the summer family pass - $60 for all of us, all summer - it’ll be well worth it! The concession stand prices were reasonable ($1 for a hot dog, $2 for nachos), but we brought our own snacks and water bottles. I like to save a buck, ya know!!

Flippin’ over my new toy!

Melissa — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:18:19 +0000

Last week I ordered myself a Flip video camera - it was partly a Mother’s Day gift that Rob didn’t know he bought me, and partly something I was getting myself. :) It arrived today - I LOVE THIS THING! It’s small and easy to handle, the picture is so clear, and it’s easy to upload/share videos. I can already tell I’m going to have a blast video’ing the fun this summer!!

Good afternoon for a boat ride

Melissa — Tue, 31 May 2011 02:50:23 +0000

Rob spent the morning and early afternoon cleaning up the boat, and getting it ready for our first outing today. I’ll have to admit, I didn’t really want to go - I don’t know why, I just was not into it. But, I got food ready, got the kids ready, and we left here around 4:00. A bit of a late start, but with no school it was doable. We got out there, headed for the island, and were glad to find nobody was pulled up there. I’d guess that all the other boaters were home with their hangovers from the long weekend! The girls got right into the water with some silly little water rings, and Rob fired up the grill. I settled in with a book, and kept an eye on the kids. :) The girls had a blast playing in the river, then we had a great dinner, then cut into a chilled watermelon. Good stuff! The girls got back to playing in the water after dinner, we got things cleaned up then Rob started getting fishing rods ready. Eventually, he and the girls did some fishing (only caught one little sunfish), and I went back to my book. A thoroughly enjoyable evening!

Sunday, Sunday

Melissa — Mon, 30 May 2011 02:46:04 +0000

It started out as a very lazy Sunday! I slept in until 9 (yesterday it was 9:30), got my coffee, then just slugged out on the couch until about noon. Rob had been talking about maybe taking the girls to a movie, but I started to think about the laundry and housework that needed to get done. I suggested he take the girls to a movie while I stayed home to do these things, but he decided to work on the tiller instead. In the end, I’m still working on the laundry, but he did get the tiller running!

I managed to sort out the girls bedrooms, vac’d, swept, and mopped upstairs, and cleaned the bathroom. At one point, Abby wanted a hug. She reached up, I leaned down to pick her up…and she jumped up. Knocked her head into my jaw…hurt like the dickens! Busted open my bottom lip, my teeth hurt…ouch. Despite icing it several times, my lip is swollen and purple. Nice.

Rob suggested we go to Carabba’s for dinner tonight - it is such a treat to go there! Abby loves the cheese ravioli, Sara and Emily shared a Pasta Carabba (my favorite!) - I had one of their specials, and Rob had the chicken parmesan. We topped it off by sharing between the five of us a Sogno Di Cioccolata - or as I like to call it, Chocolate Awesome! I so appreciate that the girls are at an age where we can go out as a family to a nice restaurant, and have an enjoyable time. Rob and I still like to get out on our when we can, but it’s nice to go all together, especially when the girls behave like little ladies.