365/180 It only took 10 years

One of the million things I planned to do yesterday was clear out my bedroom of the "clutter". I decluttered so much I could actually hang my full length mirror on the wall opposite the bathroom.  I have had this mirror since we moved in 10 years ago and it has always leaned against something instead of hanging.  Tomorrow you will see where all the "clutter" is at temporarily. 

 It only took 10 years

Pardon my appearance, I was jetting out the door to go to the gym (as if I did not do enough heavy lifting for one day)

Hey mom I found those photos of dad that you swore you gave me but I could not recall ever having; they were tucked safely under my bed in a Tupperware container. 

365/179 Time well spent

A while back I had asked my mom to order me this bracelet making kit she had picked up through LTD.
I never thought I would use it for making bracelets but wanted the skeins of floss for scrapbooking.  Mom called me this morning to tell me it came in so I stopped to pick it up after picking MJ up from the park.  MJ took one look at the package and squealed with delight, I should have known.  She convinced me to spent the afternoon  making bracelets.  I had a million things to do but her excitement got the best of me and we sat side by side weaving  colorful bracelets for hours. I think it was time well spent. 

Time well spent

365/178 Summer time play

Most afternoons you will find the four of them outside playing in the front yard. JD and MJ have been wonderful when it comes to making up games to play with the girls.  JD suggested that we need to get a pool. I told him I was consider it but my idea of a pool (hard plastic, you can pick up at most grocery stores for less than 10 bucks) just is not what he had in mind

Summer time play

365/177 Best wishes Anna & John

Saturday we traveled to Ann Arbor to celebrate  Anna & John's wedding (Hubby's niece,). They had a private ceremony and invited everyone to their house for a reception.  It was a very nice reception, I loved the colorful Gerber daises hanging in canning jars around the garden. 

I snapped quite a few photos but the one of Anna, Carol and Grandma Greer was the best.  I wish a long happy union to you both. 

Best wishes Anna & John

365/176 A new Address!

Hey everyone the blog has a new address!  www.the6greers.com  and a new header to boot.  I'm very please with the header; in case you have not guessed the silhouettes are really us.  Everybody but the dogs enjoyed posing for them so much I think I might change them with the season or such, we'll see.

A new Address!

Don't forget to change your bookmarks and readers to the new address,  thank you.

365/175 Posing for new Blog Header

The girls loved posing for the blog header; you'd think they were models! We took many shots of them in a variety of poses before they just got too silly.  JD and MJ were great at distracting them while I snapped away.  Syd thought dancing was the goal and we had a hard time getting her to "freeze" for the camera. 

Posing for new Blog Header

365/174 The popsicle trade

Wednesday CJ woke up from her nap first and I offered her a Popsicle, she chose grape.  Syd woke a few minutes later and I gave her a lime Popsicle.  It is iffy whether she will finish the popscicle most days; I   think the coldness bothers her.  Today she touched it her lips a few times and then she sat it down on CJ's highchair tray. CJ asked me if she could eat it and I said I guess if Syd does not want it.  CJ then handed Syd her stick with the soft purple lump in the center.  Syd squealed with joy and proceeded to slurp it down.  I think they both were thrilled with the trade.  Tomorrow I will not put their highchairs so close to each other:) 

The popsicle trade

365/173 The process

Loading the van to go anywhere is a process. Someone, usually one of the older kids, is sent out head of time to roll down the windows and load the diaper bag, cooler and such. Then someone has to be outside to herd the girls into the van. The girls now can climb into the van by themselves, though sometimes we have to chase Syd to get her back on track.  CJ can climb into her seat and put her arms through her straps but only after she has picked up something to play with.  MJ is very helpful in buckling and DVD starting.  JD is usually the last one out of the house and comes out carry his shoes and his entertainment.  Like I said it is a process! 

The process

365/172 New Dishwasher

We are 3rd person I know of that has had to replace their dishwasher in the last month!  What is up?  Ours stopped spraying the water around.  I would have to say that we were lucky enough to have a brand new dishwasher just waiting to be hooked up in our pole barn house (the 4+ year building project).  We just drove back and hauled it up front to the house and hooked it up. Thank goodness, a family of 6 dirties a lot of dishes and nobody here wants to slave over the sink to keep up with us. We are planning on ordering the part for the broken dishwasher and hooking it up in the pole barn.  

New Dishwasher

365/171 Happy Father's day

We had a cook out at Grammies to celebrate Father's day and my step-brother, Brian's visit from Washington.  I got the Grand-daughters to pose for a photo the neighbor's dog, Pug.  CJ was just smitten with this dog, she called him Plug.  We all got a chuckle out of that.  

But the best shot I got today was of CJ cleaning up the whip cream and sprinkles after lunch.  I got a kick out her licking the spatula, I see a  scrapbook page coming from this photo:)

 Happy Fathers day

365/170 Wagon Rides

Saturday we spent time cleaning out the garage (still more to do but it was a start) and pulling picker bushes (Hubby pulled while I watched) and even cut down a big bush in the back yard that needed it. While we did those things the older two kept the girls occupied.  They favorite activity seemed to be these wild wagon rides that made me cringe and think of all the ways someone will get hurt; but CJ was laughing so much I just told them to be careful.

365/169 Maybe a trend

Okay maybe this new love of Piglet is also a new found love stuffed animals!  Today she has adopted this laughing Teddy as her own, we have had this Teddy since she was born but touched it. At first she did not like the fact that it laughed and  had a fit every time it went off, I think it scared her. Now she just giggles with it.  Teddy is her stuff toy to carry around and Piglet is reserved for the crib, making it less like that a Ruby will snack on Piglet. 

Maybe a trend

365/168 New found love

Syd has never given stuffed animals much of a thought, she rather disliked them most of the time.  Monday afternoon Aunt Heather and Uncle Brent brought her home a soft furry Piglet from Disney (thank you for all the presents you brought us) and at first she reacted the same as always with any stuffed toy, tossed it down.  By Wednesday I noticed her carrying little Piglet around and wanting to take it to bed with her.  I don't know what did it but she is attached to this little guy.

New found love

365/167 Rally For Rylie Goodies

Create-it in Beaverton, MI have been cranking out the Rally for Rylie t-shirts and window decals as fast as they can.  We now own 6 shirts and 2 window Decals! CJ was dismayed when I failed to get her and Syd a shirt, so even though theirs look more like dresses they had to have one.  

For anyone interested they are $15.00 per shirt and $5.00 for the window decals, both help support Rylie Miller and her fight with ovarian cancer, you can read about her story here.  Just call Create-it @ 989-435-4202 and order yours today.

Rally For Rylie Goodies

365/166 Chillin'

While brother was eating his breakfast CJ and Syd cuddled up with his pillow and blanket and watch some Dora.  He was not very happy to find them with his sleeping gear as he was hoping to crawl back into them to sleep again.

Chillin'

365/165 Missing the cousins?

Brent and Heather came this afternoon and picked up Bailey, Lilly and the hermit crab.  Pepper and Ruby were tired out for the excitement of their stay but I think Ruby is missing Lilly.  Even though she was stressed out about her sleeping arrangements, her and Lilly played very well together.  Don't worry Ruby you will be going to their house for a visit real soon:) 

 Missing the cousins?

365/164 Happy Birthday Syd

Today our baby is 2.  We had a pretty low key day.  A few errands and just lazed around the house.  We spent time outside before the skeeters came out.  I snapped this shot of her while we were outside playing. She reminds me of a runway model the way she is walking, what a doll.  I have no idea where she gets her curls from but they are sure cute.

Happy Birthday Syd

365/163 Aunt Carol has you Covered

Hubby's sister, Carol, has a tradition of making an afghan for every baby in the family.  CJ was so attached to hers and Syd's afghans that when she out grew them she needed to use both hers and Syd's to cover her whole body.  She flat out refused to use any other blanket; it had to be Aunt Carol's afghan.  So last month when Aunt Carol came for a visit CJ and I asked if she would make a larger afghan so Syd could get hers back.  She agreed and delivered it this week and CJ could not be happier, she lay down on the living room floor and covered up with it right away.  Thank you so much Aunt Carol for making our little CJ a happy little duck! 

Aunt Carol has you Covered

365/162 Performance 2

Tonight is my turn to watch MJ perform,  Mom, Rob and JD joined me.  This was her first dance of the night, a Christmas themed number with 4 other classes, the first time her class has teamed up with other classes to perform a big number.  Way to go MJ you did wonderfully tonight. 

 Preformance 2

365/161 Waiting

As with past years our kids want to be first in line or at least as close to first as possible.  Now that they are older we feel that they can sit there together without one of us staying with them.  They have the cell phone and I call them at regular intervals to make sure all is okay, that they are behaving and they have not injured each other. They wanted to be dropped off at 1:30 (doors open at 6:15) and I told them that was way too early, I did drop them off at 4:00 and there were two groups already there which made MJ upset with me. I promised her she could go up earlier tomorrow. Tonight Grandma Greer, Hubby and JD are watching and I'm staying home with the girls.  I don't miss being there every night, since having the girls it is nearly impossible to be there every night of the recital.  MJ seems to be content with just knowing that someone is in the audience to watch her.

 

Waiting

365/160 The Costumes

OH I'M SO GEEKED ABOUT THIS PHOTO!  I finally figured out how to make it happen, I just Love Photoshop Elements!  These are MJ's 3 costumes for this year's Dance Recital. She is not fond of any of them so far but that does not matter she must wear them anyway.  I'm very proud of her, this year she has had a bit of ankle pain and she has worked through it like a champ.  She has decided to continue dance in the fall, I really was surprised, with all the ankle troubles I thought for sure she would not.  Next year I may have CJ to add to the photo collage of  dance outfits, that ought to be fun!

 The Costumes

365/159 Love Train Rehearsal Night

It is Recital Week!!!!!  Tonight it was rehearsal.  MJ is the only one in Dance this year so only 3 costumes to keep track of. This year we had no salon appointment for her hair, just slicked back per her teacher's request.

This photo was of MJ last dance, Love Train.

I did get to see the class that CJ was in that I pulled her from because she was not ready.  They were so cute but I could not see CJ up there doing that so I think I made the right decision.  She wants to go in the fall and I'm willing to try again so we will see how it goes.

 Love Train Rehearsal night

365/158 Hiding out

JD is almost 14 and likes to hide out in his room to get away from us all. Sometimes we have to go in and roust him out in order to see him. I was pleased to see that he was reading when I busted in on him this time.  Sometimes he sleeping and not all that happy to be disturbed:)

Hiding out

365/157 Sloppy kisser

Brent's dogs have been with us for a little more than a week now.  Bailey is just as old as our Pepper and compared to the young dogs they tend to do a lot more sleeping and less playing than they used to.  But she still gives the biggest sloppiest kisses ever.  So also snores so loud that it wakes me up, a small price to pay for  snuggling with the Big White Bear.  We all enjoy it when Bailer B visits us.

365/156 Greer Bros. Racing

Saturday was the 25th annual DowRun.  My brother Michael and I ran the 5K together.  Last year, this 5K race was the 1st race I had ever run in my life.  Although I've put in enough miles this spring to run the 10K, it's a sentimental thing to run the 5K again.

The only downside was that I was about 6 seconds slower this year than last.  Ideally, I'd be faster each time I run but it doesn't always work that way.  This year was a challenge to keep a training routine with all the hours worked since January.  Overall though, a good race as I enjoy the time spent with my big brother.

The title of the post is a little story of its own.  As Moe was getting ready to take the picture, I said that this was the official picture of "Greer Bros. Racing".  My Dad and his brother, Amos, had a business together starting back in the late 1950's which they called "Greer Bros. Implements".   They sold farm equipment together. 

With my parents having 7 kids, you might think there would be a 2nd generation of Greers in business together but we've all got an independent streak and have each gone our own way.  Running together (thanks Michael) and heavy construction (thanks Luther) are about as close as we get.  I guess that will be enough for this generation.

Greer Bros Racing

365/155 Summer reading

It is day 1 of Summer vacation and MJ has already started her summer reading.  The library has a reading program and MJ has signed herself and the girls up to read or be read to a minimum number of minutes each week.  It does not start until the 21st but MJ will have her required 3 hours of reading completed before Monday morning.  She has already read the required 60 minutes to the girls.  I'm glad I have a group of readers here.

Summer reading

365/154 Last day of school

Today was the last day of school for the kids.  The last 2 days have been half days and the kids tell me they have done no work just clean up and read-ins.  I remember the last week or so of school being fun days as well.

I picked them up after school and whisked JD off to the hair salon to get his "summer hair",  he was looking pretty shaggy.  I had to take this photo on the sly as he does not want anyone to see his new hair cut.  I think it is a 100% improvement!

Last day of school

365/153 Queen pooch

We are on day 5 of dog sitting the "cousins" and Lilly has established herself as queen pooch.  Ruby is afraid of her. Most ever evening  Lilly sits guard at our bedroom door and Ruby refuses to pass by her.  We have to make Lilly get on the bed in order to force Ruby into the room.  Lilly is kind enough to wait for us to close the door before she growls at Ruby and sends her into the closet or bathroom.  Ruby will not get close to the bed if Lilly is on it as she will take off after her if she does.   Lilly will sit at the end of the bed all regal looking watching for Ruby the intruder to show her snout.  It is all very funny to us but Ruby does not think so.  Now during the day they play together like puppies most of the time so it is not all bad for Ruby.

Queen pooch

365/152 The look of summer

Here it is, the tell tale sign that summer is upon us in our house.... scraped knees!  CJ was free of scrapes until tonight, she went booking up to the house and tripped on the walk.  She requires band-aids and lots of love, Syd just wants the dirt/gravel off and lots of love. You can also see bruises and skeeter bites on their legs, you can even get a glimpse of Syd piggy toes, those rubber clogs make her feet filthy dirty every time she wears them. 

Piggy toes, skeeter bites and scraped knees...Ahh summer is here!

The look of summer

365/151 Bouncing off the walls

This is the girls bouncing on the couch (which we only promoted a little by taking this photo). In all reality it was them bouncing off the walls, being cooped up all day can do that to 2 & 3 yr olds!  We all felt a little cooped up so we went to West Branch to get diapers and such, JD had garage sale earning burning a hole in his pocket.  Here is to saying goodbye to the first summer holiday weekend, it won't be long and we will see Labor day weekend come and go as well.

 

Bouncing off the walls