Hello Friends!

Last week Homer spent the evening building a sub box for Elijah's car so he can "thump". He's been such a wonderful dad to this kid the last 9 years giving him the time he needs and deserves. Raising Elijah has never been easy and this man filled the role of his father 100% taking all the bad along with the good. 

Olivia had her last Girl Scout meeting for the year. Next year two of the mom's will take over as the leader is moving. I offered to help when I can.

We've got the furnace running in the greenhouse. Walked in and Mandy immediately jumped in the bed. Last trip to the greenhouse for her. I've been so busy with birthday parties and finishing up homeschooling with Elijah (it's done...yahoo!!) so I haven't been out there since Nick cleaned out last year's growth. I'll be moving some plants out today.

I ran out of flats for transplanting so we took a run to a greenhouse (the first 3 I called were sold out!). We decided we liked this flower and want to grow it next year. Who could afford to fill a bed at $6 a plant? It would take 25-40 for one of my beds and I have a dozen+ in front of the house. Crazy!!

Lucas lost a tooth while we were out shopping. (and he lost another one yesterday!).

Sunday was Lucas' 7th Birthday so we had a party at the house. My nephew Jorge kept everyone in line during the air hockey tournament.

They played a memory game. They got a little while to study the items....

 ...then they turned their backs while Elijah took one thing away. They were so funny in their reactions when they couldn't figure it out.

Video games!! Ug!

They also played Hot Potato with a "cool" potato!

In another game they tried to drop Star Wars characters into a cup. I love games!

Happy Birthday to you my little man.

What really awesome gifts he got.

He got a rocket that shot 1200 feet in the air and the man landed about 1/4 mile away. We'll have to buy another one.

This right here.... I miss my Little Lukey. Life flies by entirely too fast.

Look who I got to rock to sleep at the end of the party. Something I'll never grow tired of.... rocking babies.

Yesterday was my last Scout meeting. We took another trip to Fish & Game and then out to see the migrating birds.

This was about 11:30pm last night. This is why we put up with what we do.... lovin' the daylight!! I heard that today is our 215th straight day of temperatures below 50 degrees. That's the 4th longest stretch in the last 100 years. Hopefully we'll break that today or tomorrow. Fingers crossed... this has been one long winter.

Do you hear that? My plants are calling me...

(And you all are right... who would drive a bus if they don't love love love kids? The kids are so happy having me drive them to school each day and they get another half an hour of sleep! Only ten more days of school. I. cannot. wait.).

***More***Snow***

Totally forgot the "180 Days of School" photos, but did take one yesterday. 

Tuesday is Cub Scout Day. I had a pounding headache (had it Monday, too, but okay today). It was hard to drag myself there, but we survived. The boys and I looked at tables, chairs, doors, "stuff" all around the school to see where it was made. Then we found the places on a map as well as talked about Latitude and Longitude. They are working towards their Geography belt loop. We also chatted about what animals (pets) can do for people and played a game of Uno. Quite a full day. There's Lucas on top of the hill (could the snow quit already?) while we wait for parents. 

Olivia's reading group did the play "Shoemaker and the Elves" this morning. She did her line fantastically and with great animation. I almost think Sydney had the same exact line as Olivia eight years ago (they recycle this play as it is one of few that has a lot of parts... her reading group has 27 kids in it). Could be that Emily was in this one, too, but we are thinking Nick did something different and I know Elijah's was Jack and the Beanstalk. I'll have to drag out photos in my free time. HA!

It snowed again last night. I think it's supposed to snow the next 3 days. When I drove the kids to school this morning the roads were awful and I saw a nasty rollover with a crew cab truck that rested on its top. (I'm driving them because they have a new bus driver who is either subbing or finishing the year.... either way she has been rude and mean to the kids every day that they don't want to get on the bus anymore. The last driver was friendly and sweet. We watch for the bus and the kids run out getting there before it comes to a complete stop. We've been doing it this way for 9 years and now she's in their face about it and expects them to be standing there... which they are by the time she's ready for them... before she comes down the road. Not happening. No need for my kids to be on the side of the road any longer than necessary with morning traffic and potential moose. I am filing a complaint and will just drive them the last 3 weeks of school. And either way she has no right to be rude and intimidating to a 6 and 8-year old).

I should be moving everything to the greenhouse, but it's a cold walk from the house for my plants. (Our April was an average of 15* colder and May is expected to be 10* colder). Besides it is still a mess. Apparently, I never got around to cleaning it out with all those football trips to Anchorage. I have seeds that still aren't started :( and Elijah still needs to finish up History so I'm so busy. I'm sending Nick out to clean it. Against his will, I'm sure.

The day has flown by again without accomplishment....

Weekend Getaway

For a couple of days we had mud season. A season I dislike very much. We are now back to winter. It's cold with snow flurries. Maybe in another week we'll get to the 50's and maybe in two weeks we'll see 60's. We had record breaking low temperatures this morning. Joy. 

Homer went and scraped the neighbors yard. The one that I tore up getting stuck in. Our 4-wheeler quit there the other day so Homer hauled it home.

 Friday there was a student talent show at UPark. Olivia's class did sang and signed a song. She was awesome.

After the show Nick, Emily and I went to Anchorage to visit Dorene, John and the girls. The drive was stunning. 

Saturday was their 23rd Anniversary. We went to a little dive with good food and played pool. John taught Emily who picked it up quickly.

The night we went to a pub theater. It was awesome... dinner, drinks and a a movie.

 Sunday we did a little shopping and then drove back late not leaving town until 7 and getting her at 1 am this morning.  The mountains were so pretty although I really am ready for summer.

This morning Homer asks me if I saw the surprise. I hadn't so he told me to go out by Daisy. Look who moved to our house after the weekend. We'll be raising him to butcher which I am sure will not go over with the Little Ones. In fact, he didn't even tell them that's the plan. He left that for me to do. 

My plant room sorely needs my attention as do the animals and the kids will be back home soon. Back to the grind.

Here I Am....

I took this photo awhile back. Looked out the window and saw goofy Millie sunning herself on top of the "hut". It's just a frame covered in a parachute that has been a make shift "garage" for working on vehicles in the winter using a space heater to warmth. 

Saturday was the Cub Scout Fishing Derby. My husband had to work so two leaders were helping me with a rod issue Nick and I couldn't figure out.

See Lucas in the middle of a Tiger Hole?

I so appreciate Nick coming along. He fills in as "Dad" quite often and really keeps me company. Love that kid so much.

 So patiently waiting.

She really hates fishing and just posed to make me happy. She actually sunned herself, read, listened to music and napped.

He wanted to catch a fish so badly. So did Nick who had a couple take his bait six times. I was the only one in our family to catch one. It was 8 inches long. So small.

Prize time... first, last, biggest and smallest.

After five hours on the lake we raced back to town to catch the second half of Asa's birthday party. (Asa is Nevaeh's brother from Trudy's previous relationship).

So glad we made it for cake and presents. Olivia and Lucas spent the night and they were so excited to stay at their brother's apartment.

Ug! We've had siding stored for at last 5 years. Wish it was on the house. That looks awful. I need to re-do the deck as well. Anyhow... the point of the photo was that the boys shoveled off the deck... it's a big 60' by 8' and is a lot of work.

Homer worked on the yard although there is still a lot to do. It's just too cold. Spring needs to come already!

 Work outside = warm dinner inside.... fried pork chops and potatoes.

I bought this beauty off a Facebook garage sale. It is a $400 bird in easily a $300 cage for $80. The military tend to give things away.... people in the Lower 48 don't understand our prices. "She" is a canary winged parakeet. We are the third family in a year (so sad.... disposable pet). They called "him" Dew (for Mountain Dew???). I think I'll changed the name. So spoiled and likes to be held. We drove to Eielson Air Force Base to get it.

Tonight was Pack 92 Cub Scout Olympics. I so love how he stands with his hands in his pockets.

The obstacle course...

...pancake toss....

....spitting frozen peas....

..."shot put"....

...it was a glove....

Emily helped me run one of the stations....

...we had wall sitting. One boy went for 11 minutes... just long enough to beat a girl in the sibling class and then he stood up like it was no big deal!!

They did push-ups. I think Homer told me he did 20!

They ran a 50-yard dash.

Love that smile.

With some prodding I got Olivia to do some of the contests and she had fun.

 High-fives for her friend.

They did pull-ups although I think this kid "helped" the little ones.

Lucas earned his Map & Compass Belt Loop.

All the Scouts that sold more than $600 worth of popcorn got to throw a "pie" in the face of a couple of leaders.

I am stressed beyond belief with the end of Elijah's schooling. Woke up so horribly upset I went back to bed and at noon was still mad. Ug! Plants are seeded and seeded plants are dying. I'm really in a bad place right now, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel so if I don't suffer a break down I'll be okay!  :)

Watered for 2 hours tonight... goodness gardening is time consuming.

Okay.... it's 1:30am. Tomorrow is another day.