Day in and day out

In the mornings, we are in rush mode to get the twins out the door to wait for the bus.  Most mornings, you'll see them eating breakfast, regardless of what it is, out on the driveway.

Some mornings the big kids join us.  And sometimes we even get to wait with daddy!

For spirit week, Emily dressed up each day, but the only ones I remembered to grab shots of were mis-matched day and college day.

Most mornings we do the kiss and go line, but since I've been substituting up at their school, I'll park and walk up with them.

My very first day of subbing, the final few minutes of the day, I was bitten by a student. (thankfully, not in any of my children's classes.)

We took a family trip up to an arcade that had bowling and bumper cars and laser tag.  It was a good time.  The twins were too short to ride the bumper cars, so they pouted and pined over them for the remainder of the day.  So, we will have to go back, when they are a little taller. = )

On Fridays the twins have homework, and they are so excited to do it (like the big kids!)  = )

I bought a Belgian waffle maker, and they are way better than eggo. = )

It's been flickering cooler weather for a month or two now, so tea has become a favorite around here. Today was the first day of really miserable cold.  Winter has begun. = (

Grace and her hello kitty  bunny were sleepy.

William noticed that the light on the floor was just like 'seven' (Aunt Rocky's dog.)

Over the weekend we played a ton of games!  The scooby doo game, battle ship, monopoly jr, candyland, several card games, and even a few rounds of blood rage. = )

And, after almost two months, and two mechanic shops, I got my car back! It feels so nice to drive it again.

So, the very first thing he did was replace the spark plugs and one of the piston heads (?)  that didn't solve the misfire issue, so he went further into the engine.  I had a broken tooth on my timing belt, so he replaced that, but it still was not the issue.  My sensors were not picking up on whatever the issue was, so he kept running mechanical diagnostics on it.  He consulted colleagues, the internet, all with no revelations. Finally, I asked him to bring it into a dealership, and see if they could diagnose it.  Within a couple of days we learned that my car does not care for the brand of spark plug he'd put in it all those weeks ago.  ugh.  Once he replaced them it was good to go.

Upon picking up my car (just in time for our grand rapids trip) I dropped off the van, since it had some issues.  He's replaced the water pump, serpentinite belt, and tie rods.  Since we just dropped 3K on the expedition, we did the bare minimum on the van for now.

And, a check engine light came in on my car.  He read the code.  Apparently my catalytic converter is (possibly) on it's way out, or at least the efficiency is reading as low.  The performance of my car is not currently affected, but it is now on the list of things to do. But I'm not willing to let go of my car again just yet.

With the cold approaching, footed pajamas have become the favorite around here.  Mostly among the older kids.  William loves them, but it makes shot nights a little tougher. = /

The day before my mom left, I accidentally poured my ground beef grease into a sink without a catch. = 0  Despite the low quantity, it was enough to completely block my drain (I'm guessing there were other things, and that this was just the last straw.)  My mom brought over chemicals, but even allowing it to sit over night it was not draining.

The next day I went to lows to get plungers and stronger chemicals, but was still unable to get it unclogged.  As these things go, Sarah was also having trouble with her drain, so we couldn't even bring dishes over to her house to run them through the dishwasher.

She took half a day off work to fight her drain and won! So, next she came over to our house with her tools and victory and unclogged my drain as well! = )

So, the other day when I made bacon, 4 layers went under the can...I'm not taking any chances. = )

On their breaks, I require the kids to read for 20 minutes each day before they turn on their electronics.  They get double time if they read to the twins.  Now that William has some sight words under his belt, he was reading to the twins. = )  He's a good reader, and an awesome big brother.

Having this week off for fall break has been nice.  It's been a little stay home and a little go go go.  But, my mom flew in yesterday, and we are so glad she's back. = )

Just like the rest of the year, October is flying by, so hopefully we can soak up a little more fall fun this weekend!

later days

Crafts

Our First MOPS meeting wasn't until the end of September this year, which gave me some time to sew, once the big kids went back to school.  I helped with décor for the meetings, and even had time to make each of the ladies at my table a welcome gift!

Sent the teachers some of those cute toilet paper pumpkins, monogrammed napkins and Halloween socks to kick of October. = )

I even got to a point where my sewing desk was clear!

But, this week the crafting urge kicked in, so I made a set of bags for Jessica's little ones.  The J's were too much for me to keep straight, but the vintage angel/avocado green was just too perfect!

I've also been working on William's birthday invitations, but they are not ready just yet. And next it will be time to start on teacher Christmas gifts! = )

later days

Uncle John's Cider Mill

Last weekend was the final weekend of nice weather before Michigan went into winter mode, so despite waking up to a rainy day, we decided to go check out Uncle John's Cider Mill.

It turned out to be a good decision.  The rain subsided, but many of the events were free, since everything was wet.  The kids really enjoyed the jumping pillow.

William was the driver of the 'cool bus.'  We did get to catch a little bit of sun when the clouds moved out.

We rode the tram out to the corn maze.

While daddy turned in the tokens and grabbed a map, everyone else played.

Once in the maze, we went about 1/3 of the way in, before we ended up making turns back toward the front. = )

We also walked over to the nature trail, but it was kind of short.

We got to see the pumpkin patch, and fruit launching, but headed back to the pavilion area to catch the train.

Thanks to the rain, train rides were also free!  I missed out on the first ride, but no one complained about going a second round for mutti. = )

After the train, we played some corn hole, used the screens to sift for pretty stones in the sand, and ate lunch to a live band.

Sadly, when we were finished eating, it started to rain.  And it didn't stop.

So, we loaded our wet selves into the car, and Emily was so sad that she didn't get to pick a pumpkin.  As soon as we were all buckled, the rain tapered off, but i was not unloading and reloading everyone. So Alice, Emily and I went to the pumpkin patch to get a pumpkin for everyone.  They all fell asleep in the time it took us to pick them and pay.

Despite the rain, I was really happy that we went to check it out and enjoyed the day as a family. = )

We will hopefully go back next year, but with all the apple cider places up here, it might just be one in our rotation. = )

later days

William's Field Trip to Country Mill

Last Thursday William's class had a field trip to country mill.  Since we didn't need to be back at the school until 9:30, and drop off is before 8:30, I took the opportunity to run to chick-fil-a for breakfast (and grabbed the freebie sandwich for William's teacher = ))

Despite my breakfast run, I was still early and got to watch them do their morning review.  William totally rocked the first sound matching.

Since all the kindergarteners were on one bus, parents had to drive themselves.  It's not a bad drive, and I arrived before the bus.  The temperature was quickly plummeting though, and so I grabbed the 'emergency' winter layers from the back of the van.

William's partner for the trip was absent, so we hung out with Zariah and Vivi for the tour.

We saw the giant refrigerator where they keep the apples (it was cold in there!) and where they press the apples to make the cider.

As we walked outside, William asked if he could just hold hands with Vivi "by ourselves."  I really thought I had at least a few more years before the inevitable moment when he chooses someone to replace me as the number one girl in his life!  Apparently not. = (

We each picked an apple and pumpkin as part of the tour.  I saw my perfect pumpkin from afar, and when I held it up, William asked if we could trade!  Since they both ended up on our front stairs, it didn't really mater.

We finished the tour by enjoying some donuts and cider from the café.  Vivi's twin sister is in another class, but sat with us at the very end of the day.

It was a chilly day, but I had a fun time with my boy and his friends.  Soon, as in a few weeks, I get to go back and do it again with Grace and Juliet!

later days

Endocrinologist, for a checkup

This is the latest post in the series of William, Grace and Juliet's journey with hypophosphatasia.

Billy took Friday off, so that he could pick up the big girls from school, should we be in Grand Rapids longer than expected.  

After taking the big girls to school, I came home and finished getting the little ones ready, we loaded up and headed out.  We hadn't been on the interstate more than 30 seconds when my check engine light came back on, but that's another tale.

We arrived and unloaded about 10 minutes before the appointment time.

I really like the endocrinologist.  She reviewed the past 6 months, and then we discussed my list.  I wanted to get William's genetic testing done, had questions about limiting vitamin D,  and other such things.  

She did raise William's dose just a bit, and ordered same day wrist x-rays, and blood work when we come back next month. = (

Also, she got to meet the endocrinologist that the kids had in Houston! I'm sure that she will never forget William...  Apparently our Houston doctor is one of the most knowledgeable about hypophosphatasia now (which comes as no surprise, she was amazing) and travels a bit to teach other doctors.

Endocrinology was the only appointment we had for the day, so afterwards we went to eat lunch in the cafeteria, then headed down to x-ray.

Radiology has my favorite waiting area in the hospital. The children's area is completely separated and has books, riding toys, and lost of farm/house/castle playthings.

When we walked back, they took William and Grace first, while Juliet and I waited in the hall.  It took no time at all before she was called back and we were on our way home.

We were happy to have a 'light' day at the hospital, and even made it back in time to pick up the big girls!

later days

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