This Week's To Do List

Blogging in real-time seems to be a luxury lately since I tend to update it every couple months. BUT, today is really today.

This Monday morning I woke up and read my Bible through a few chapters in Matthew, then read a chapter from Isaiah. While the kids slept, I had my normal breakfast -- three eggs, strawberries, and coffee -- while I read a bit of a book -- Last Child in the Woods.

I checked email and text-chatted with a friend, updated some scout records, and pushed aside a basket of clean towels to sit and read some more. Then Maddie woke up and made waffles for herself... then Ben was up... then Jon was up.

I sat in the sunshine of the living room thinking about all I wanted and needed to do this week, and I'm excited that the list is mostly "wants."

Today I need to finish letters to Jamilla and Arnold then take the letters to PCM so they can deliver them to our Ugandan kiddos, I need to get gas in the van, and pack for a short trip. Maybe we will go to the pool this afternoon when the kids finish up chores and Will gets his schoolwork done.

Tomorrow, we drop off  the kids with my parents, and I'm going with Allen to Houston for a business trip. While he is in meetings, I hope to catch up on the blog, read a book for book club, and walk to an art store. Nothing. Else... well, maybe some more books. I am anxious for some free time that is quiet and has no expectations placed on me :)

Interviewing Jon

1. What is something Mom always says to you? I love you!

2. What makes Mom happy? Kids obeying

3. What makes Mom sad? Kids DISobeying

4. How does your mom make you laugh? Jokes

5. What was your mom like as a child? Sweet, kind, and pretty

6. How old is your mom? 36?

7. How tall is your mom? 5.2 feet

8. What is her favorite thing to do? Artwork

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Read books

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Kindness and gentleness

11. What is your mom really good at? Painting and other artwork

12. What is your mom not very good at? Having a bad day

13. What does your mom do for a job? Pamper like a mom

14.What is your mom's favorite food? Eggs

15.What makes you proud of your mom? Being nice and having a good day

16. If your mom were a character, who would she be? That blue alien, Stitch - hahahaha- you'd be funny

17. What do you and your mom do together? Love each other

18. How are you and your mom the same? Humans

19. How are you and your mom different? Girl and boy

20. How do you know your mom loves you? You give me kisses and hugs

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?  He's very kind and gentle, like you

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Chicago pizzeria

23. How old was your mom when you were born? 28 -- using subtraction

Interviewed 6/8/2015 at 8:32 am

Interviewing Ben

1. What is something Mom always says to you? 
I love you

2. What makes Mom happy?
Hugs

3. What makes Mom sad? 
Me and Jon fighting

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Uh...Tickle me!

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Sweet and sour
6. How old is your mom?
I don't know
7. How tall is your mom?
I don't know. I DON'T KNOW!
8. What is her favorite thing to do? Paint pictures
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Read

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Yelling at people

11. What is your mom really good at? Yelling at people

12. What is your mom not very good at? Not yelling at people

13. What does your mom do for a job? You don't have a job.

14.What is your mom's favorite food? Spaghetti

15.What makes you proud of your mom? When you get onto Will

16. If your mom were a character, who would she be? Rapunzel

17. What do you and your mom do together? Play Legos-TM

18. How are you and your mom the same? We yell the same

19. How are you and your mom different? You're a girl and I'm a boy

20. How do you know your mom loves you? When you say it.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad? He is funny

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Disney World

23. How old was your mom when you were born? I don't know

Answered on 6/28/2015 at 8:25am

Last Day at Cain

Today was Ben's and Maddie's last day of school at Cain Elementary. Next year, Maddie will be at school with Jon, and Ben will be home schooled.

This was the first time this year I was able to meet them for lunch and they were excited that Will and I joined them. Usually I was having to be at the other school picking up Jon and Will at the time Maddie and Ben had lunch. This time, Will was at home with me, and Jon went home with a friend for a birthday party.

These two were all smiles as they were going into summer, but Maddie was a tad bit sad at times because she didn't want to leave her teacher, Mrs. Wilson. Both Maddie and Ben (with Mrs. Craft) had just the right teacher for them this year. It has been a great year!

Ben's and Maddie's Field Day

Ben and Maddie were excited that I signed up to help with their field day. What we didn't realize is that I wouldn't get to see them much while I was "working". I was assigned (with Will helping me) to the snow cone stand. Neither of my kiddos ended up AT the snow cone station while I was there, though. I was sad that I didn't get to interact with them while I volunteered, but we will just put it under the "lessons learned" column. Both of them had a blast and I did see them just before lunch. They loved having an all-school play day with water slides, water balloons, games, and treats. Both kids' classes arranged for a pizza party, too. Will was a great helper and we did have a nice time staying cool with the ice... and I enjoyed watching a pair of bluebirds all morning in the school's garden.

Jon's Field Day

Who enjoys going to school on Memorial Day?! Last year and this year, Memorial Day was a bad-weather make-up day for Innovation Academy. Both times, the school make the most of it by making it a really fun field-day -- with family invited and a cookout for lunch.

Jon and I were the only ones who went this year while Allen and the other three stayed home. Jon definitely had a blast playing games with his friends and wrapping the school porch with yarn.

Day at the Capitol

Immediately after the AHG Ceremony Monday night, our family hopped in the car and headed to Waco. We spent the night at my parents, then got up Tuesday morning to head to Austin for a Day at the Capitol with American Heritage Girls. Though the event was set up by AHG, our Trail Life boys were invited to attend, so we made it a family affair. Two other families from our troop attended, too. The day was packed, but we didn't get to do all that we would've liked to do, so our family is planning to head back someday for the rest of the tour.

The six Kaisers got to the capitol around 9:30 and we headed to the the 10:00 legislative session to hear some discussion on the floor.

As the AHGirls headed downstairs for the next activity, we stopped for an [unscheduled] photo with Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (our troop was in the very back on the right... I can see a few of us, but the shorter girls were all hidden.)

Eventually, we ended up in a lecture hall where we listened to some speakers and the kids learned how bills are turned into laws. Troops visited assigned congress and house representatives' offices to share info about AHG and Trail Life. Our team visited seven offices and, eventually, some of the kids got more comfortable with speaking to strangers about our scouting programs.

After lunch, we posed for a scheduled full-group photo, and Allen took all the boys (our 3 plus 2 other brothers with our group) to go be more active while the gals and leaders went back to the lecture hall to listen to several dynamic speakers.

Toward the end of the day, all the AHGirls recorded a "Happy birthday, AHG" video to send to the convention.

(Maddie and Rebekah are toward the front of this photo, to the right of the left-most poster, behind the girls in the light blue t-shirts.) Our troop walked around the capitol building a little bit before heading outside, picking up some trash on the grassy areas around the building, then going back to our cars to head home. It was a LONG day, but we really had a good time and I know the kids learned more about our government. It was definitely worth the "unexcused absence" that Ben, Maddie, and Jon will get since we missed school today.