Ups and Downs

Just a quicky to say that last Friday was a downer day, and today not so much...but you never know. That could change in an instant. But right now everybody's happy, Sarah, Pete and Meri are excited for school to start, and I'm excited to have it start, too! Maybe now I'll get some work done. :) Or maybe not, with the two monkeys left at home.

We are going to do a "homeschool preschool" for Andrew this year, not only learning the basics and getting him over that reading hump, but working on fine motor skills and listening/obeying directions, so kindergarten isn't such a shock to him.

And Benj? What can I say about Benj? He's just a monkey, and I'm stunned he's made it to 3 1/2 without breaking something.

Have a great weekend!

Superstitions

I used to be superstitious when I was little. I don't know why, but it played big into my growing up. And then I grew up, and realized it had more to do with my perception of reality than reality itself.

And then I saw/read The DaVinci Code, and the whole discussion about why Friday the 13th was a day of bad luck. So I really didn't believe in that anymore.

But today is Friday the 13th. And it's Kendall's last day of work, and there's still nothing on the horizon--not even an interview yet.

So even though I'd outgrown it...it niggles in the back of my mind still, a little voice wondering if this is a bad omen.

Summertime, and the Livin' Ain't Easy...

I look forward to school. Can't tell you how much. I need these kids to not be in the house together for a while. Just the two little boys fighting would be great, instead of everybody fighting with everybody else. Sigh.

The Summer Blahs

It has just occurred to most of my kids (and myself) that we are on the downhill side of summer. We had so looked forward to the California trip, that any activities after that were nonexistent. So now we start talking about school, and registering Sarah for 9th grade (!), Pete for 6th (!) and Meri for 1st (!). Andrew, because of his December birthday, still has a year of being home/ preschool (maybe...if I can find someplace that doesn't cost an appendage...). But after that, he goes, and the Benji goes the year after, bang bang. I can't believe that in just 2 years all my kids will be in school. Strange thought...I believed the toddler/kids at home fulltime thing would last FOREVER.

Anyway, the time has come to prepare for the next year. The big kids have choir assessments this next week, and then it's August, and in a blink it'll be time for school to start. Sigh. I hope I can figure out a better plan for homework than I have in years past.

We're Home!

Yay, we're back from CA! We had a wonderful time, and loved spending it with our Collins family, spread far and wide across the country. Kendall survived with out a sunburn, though Peter got a scorcher of one (including a few blisters on his cheeks!) The weather was deceptive, cool, overcast and breezy the whole week, with only a couple of afternoons clear of clouds. It probably made the rest of the family miserable, but Kendall and I loved it. Sorry, guys!

Disneyland was a blast. Benji just skirted the 40" line, so he could ride most of the rollercosters. We even bought a picture of the whole family on Splash Mountain.

We miss you guys...let's do it again soon!

Summer Illness

Sorry it's been so long...I caught a summer cold (maybe the flu), and was fuzzy and out of it for 3 days. Then Meri got sick the day after I did, and even though I've recovered, she is still desperately ill. We took her to the doctor yesterday after 3 days of 102+ fever off and on. The doc thought she might have developed an ear and sinus infection after getting caught unawares by this viral illness. So we have her doped up on everything possible. I'm really not sure how this is supposed to work, with getting ready for vacation, etc. But hopefully the meds will kick in sometime today, and by Friday when we leave for CA she'll be well enough to go. Otherwise....I don't know.

And So It Begins...

Last Friday Kendall was laid off, as of Aug. 1. This means, well, you know what it means. I know we're going to be okay, and in the long run this is for the best, but for today, I think I'm going to mope. Or work out my emotions by cleaning the house. At least that would be productive, huh?

The Joy of Music

Today was a music day. Kendall sang (with 3 other guys) and I played in Sacrament Meeting today, I had choir (the last rehearsal of the summer), and for some reason, my kids seemed to be singing all day.
My favorite is Benji right now. He is rarely in tune, though sometimes he hears it and follows the pitch pretty well. But it's his enthusiasm, the joy he gets from just making the music and singing along that brings a smile to my heart.
I'm trying to be careful not to crush that joy by trying to "teach" him how to sing in tune. For right now, I'm just enjoying the memories of his wide smile stretched in the third time through of "Twinkle, Twinkle" before he goes to bed.

So This is Utah???

It's June 11, and I think we've had maybe 2 days hit 80 this year. I'm used to complaining about the heat somewhere about the middle of May. Kendall JUST turned on the sprinklers about a week ago. And our lawn is still green.

Don't get me wrong...I love this weather. Seattle, WA, or Portland, OR have the type of weather we (Kendall and I) like. But we don't live in Seattle or Portland, and though for the most part I LOATHE Utah weather and all that sunshine, it's a trifle disconcerting to have gray skies day after day.

So, So FUNNY!

I had to post this...I found it on another blog and laughed so hard. The truly funny part was Meri coming to me in the middle of watching to say, "Mom, the bowl I was pouring my applesauce into tipped over while I was pouring and landed upside down and there's applesauce ALL OVER!" After the video you'll see how funny this really is.