Schafers in America 9/39/12

Once again as told from the eyes of a Grandma....

We did a real adventure in that we loaded up large stuff out of the garage and went to the DUMP!  We borrowed G. Melvin's white pickup and went to the Wellington Landfill.  Mason summed it up - "it stinks"!

After driving from the landfill to La Fiesta Restaurant with the window down we enjoyed chips, salsa and various mexican food.  We then journed to Walmart where we stocked upon the basics like mik, bread and watermelon.

We all took naps when we returned from Wellington and then went and played at the Argonia park where they made friends with another 4 year old.  They helped G'pa clean up the back yard while I made supper.  The hamburger maccaroni casserold didn't go over with Madison, but Mason like it.  Madison liked the corn, but Mason did not.  Luckily we had purchased M&M's at Walmart and we could bribe your children to eat.

After baths then we "watched" Nomeo & Juliet.  Read 2 books and put them to bed.  They had good nights, Mas got up and came into our room around 6:45 this morning and climbed in with us. 

Schafers in America 9/28/12

As told from the eyes of a Grandma....

Bob & Kelli picked the kids up at Susan's to come to Argonia.  I asked about the conversation in the car.  There was a one sided discussion on what Mason's favorite color was  - red, white & black were the winners.  Bob told me that Kelli told Madison she loved her and Madison replied "No, Mommy loves me!"  LOL

They got here right at 6:30 so we hurried and put jeans on them and went to the soup supper.  We were the last ones through the line.  They had chicken and noodles and grapes with several bites of cake.  We rushed them through so we could get out to the game.  We went into my office briefly so Kelli could see where I work.  I had taken the kids over this summer so they knew.  Kelli's response was "this is the 5th grade room!".  Whoopeedo!  :)

The game was sad as Attica jumped out to a big lead.  Soren, Mason and Madison ran around on the grass until they were tired.  We walked up  to the concession stand.  Sharon and George were there and no one would know Sharon so she'd have to go up and talk to them.  We stayed until half time and came home.  The kids had chips, pop corn and Sprite.

We came home and I just washed them up. We watched Diego and then put them to bed.  Madison slept on the pull out bed in the family room and Mason slept in the beach room.  I laid down with Madison and Kelli and Bob took turns with Mason until he fell asleep.  She slept through the night, but Mason woke up at 4:30 screaming for Daddy so I went in and slept with him.  He sleeps with his feet on you at all times, doesn't he??  At 7:30 he announced "Grandma, you snore LOUD!" so we got up! 

Schafers in America 9/27/2012

The morning went good.  The kids had a good day.  We have hotdogs, mac and Cheese, and fruit snacks.   After bath time we got ready for bed, watch the last half of CARS 2.  Packed for the weekend, and read the new book we got.  They went down ok, except tonight it really hit them that Beth was gone.  They came out after laying down for awhile and Madi asked me to go get Beth so she could kiss them goodnight.  I got her to calm down, and she was out pretty quick.  Mason on the other hand is still laying awake in there.... 1 hour later.

On the way home we talked about snowmen some more but this time he told me how we were going to make the snowman and then how he was going to eat his eyes and nose.  First he wanted to make the snowman, then he wanted to run into the snowman knocking him over.  I told him that would not be very nice and he responded with "It's ok, snowmen are made out of snow not people". Later Mas corrected me when i miss quote a song.  I don't remember what i said, but it was the Neon Trees song.  He goes "Dad it is 'It started with a WHISPER', you need to sing it right"  It was quite funny.  For most part it was a nice quiet night.

Update on lost phone... still lost.  I am sure I will unearth it in a very creative place this weekend.

Schafers in America 9/26/2012

As I told you earlier drop off went fine.  It was raining this morning so they both had to wear their jackets and take the umbrella in the car.  As usual we had to go right so the pool is outside of Madi's window.  A new development though on the way home is if Mas reminds me we turn right again and go by the poll so it is outside of his window.  Pick up was fine, no drama or stories, they both had good days. After we drove by the pool we came home and cut up the watermelon, and put the pizzas in the oven.  The watermelon was ok, not great Mas ate all of his pretty quick and Madi didn't care too much for it so she voluntarily gave him hers.  It was quite nice.... kept me from cutting up anymore.  We ate the pizza, Madi with a measuring spoon.  We went off to church, youth was grand.  about 20 kids I would say.  Came home and ate some ice cream that they picked out at Dillons last night, and took baths.  I purchased a new book on clearance at B&N today and read that to them.  I don't want to brag but I seem to pick out the best books!  Tonight was a late night for us as a family, they did not get into bed until after our normal routine.... 8:20!  I know, I know I will pay for it in the morn, but we had to cram in everything I told them we would do tonight.  I tried to take a few pics of them but the only one that worked out was them eating their ice cream in their underwear (and no I did not take the picture through a piece of bread... I don't know why it is so grainy!). And I threw in a pic from the park the other day that i did not send you.

I was telling the kids that I talked to you some today, and told them that you miss them, and love them and can't wait to see them.  Mas asked me what you were doing over in Africa, which he is getting really really good at saying that word!  I told him that you went to an orphanage, and he asked me what that was... well that is a good question and tough to explain to a 4 year old without him misunderstanding.  I told him it was a place where kids and babies go when they don't have a mommy or daddy or family to take care of them.  I sat there pondering my words for a minute, then told me to hold on just a minute and turned to Madi.  He told her, "Can you say ORPHANAGE?"  She tried and it sounded like baggage.  Then he proceed to break down the word for her.  I thought i was out of the woods at this point and he would jump to another topic.... but nope he wanted to know" what happened to the kids mommy's and daddy's?  Did someone steal them?  Or did the police come???  I think the police should come to our house and find my phone!"  And with that we were off the topic and we were home.

Schafers in America 9/25/2012

The morning went well, Mason woke up on his own at 6:10, and went in and sat on Madi's bed talking to her until she got up.  I didn't hear all of the conversation but I believe part of it was pumping her up to be good for the day so we could go to McD's.  Drop off went fine... not the best, but no major issues.  When I got to Susan's to pick up she was talking to Taven's mom, so Mas and I spoke about how his day went.  He told me that he was not good today, stating that he "put hands on" Taven because he told him he could not watch tv.  When Susan was done talking she told me that they both had good days.  I want to believe Susan, but Mas had such a strong and detailed story.  We may never know what happened today!

After pick up, I was good on my word and took them to McD's, though I don't know why I do that!  Madi is still too small to climb up by herself so she spent most of the time walking around the outside.  There were about 12 kids in there already so there was not much room.  After  dinner we went to Dillons to pick up a few supplies for the next few days.  We ate all the oranges and needed more, and some yogurt bottles.  Mas talked me into buying a little watermelon, so we will have some watermelon tomorrow night.

After we got home Mason wanted to watch.... you guessed it Bubble Guppies, it was the bubble puppy episode.  Madi decided she had a long day and wanted a bath, but that only lasted about 5 minutes when she realized that it was not as much fun without Mas.  Though he did sit in there the whole time and talk to her.  We got ready for bed, read "Oh the thinks you can think" and the Toy Story with the sound buttons.  They laid down pretty well with the exception that Mas had to pee and then Madi decided she had to too!  She went, but missed the toliet by a few seconds, so I got her cleaned up while Mas laid in bed saying "underwear" over and over again.  They are asleep now, and I am watching The Ride the movie about biking across America.

Schafers in America Update 9/24/2012

We survived the first "work" day.  I remembered the check, and to drop the kids off.  They had a good day, Alison came by to see Madi today.  Below are her findings from the day.

Interesting conversations tonight with Mason on the way home.  We went by the pool so it could be out his window, and he wanted to know why it was closed.  I made the mistake of telling him because it is getting colder out.  And his response was "So it is going to snow?"  and from there he was off, I was not allowed to talk until he finished brainstorming he ideas and what we will need for his snowman.  I told him it will snow after you get back, since he understands that you will be gone for a long time.  So when you come back you need to be prepared to get M&M's, a Carrot, and chocolate chips.  After we got home I grilled chicken while the kids went to the beach in the back yard. 

We had a pretty uneventful evening, took baths, read Steak for Supper.  Also Mason still wants to be Big Bird for Halloween.... and so does Madison, you know like I was when I was little like them.  I still have sore-ish scratchy throat, but I am surviving.

If the kids are good tomorrow we will go to McD's for dinner and play.  That way I don't have to do dishes!

Schafers in America Update 9/23/2012

As you are well aware the kids stayed at Grammy's last night.  They did great, with the exception that Mas fell out of the bed at 4 in the AM.  He is alright, but woke up Madi.  They woke up for the day at 7:45! And went downstairs to play rock'em sock'em robots.  During the day they went and visited Andrew at his work for a bit and played some games.  Then went over to my Grandparents to see them and Mandy.  We went to church tonight where both kids were good so they got ice cream in a cup from Sonic.  We just got done eating it, taking a bath, and reading a book.  They both went to bed with out crying or yelling.  I think the day wore them out, or I am just an amazing parent.  We read Gustav the goldfish tonight.