We just wrapped up the last week of summer vacation. Classes start on Monday and I am ready. Last night after a particularly hairy post-dinner clean up I called it, "ok! it's time for everyone to go back to school!"
While they won't admit it, I think the kids are ready to go back to school as well.
Here are some of the bits and pieces of what we have been up to . . . .
I made some Utah-style scones with honey butter for dinner on Sunday night and they were ah-mazing. Recipe from Our Best Bites.
Anna was SO excited to start practices for fall soccer. So excited.
The boys started back in piano lessons this week. When we arrived their teacher reached out and embraced them in a big group hug. We just love her. Later she sent me a text: "I so enjoyed lessons today with Conner and Payton! They both work hard yet they kow how to have fun - they kept me laughing today!"
I joined a couple ladies I know - Katie & Jamie - and a couple ladies I don't know for an art outing. We visited the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art and had a docent show us around the Painting Women exhibit. Something I have never done before, but it was really interesting and enjoyable. I definitely do not know much about art -- especially when compared to these ladies who all have majors/minors in art or art history. But I conceded that I do like to create (scrapbooking, crafting, in my home, etc.) so it is okay to join a group of women like this and spend an evening appreciating beautiful art. Even when I mistake the cello in the lyrical art piece for a pirate ship. Arrrghh!
We had a few monsoon days this week and I love opening the front door and back door so we can listen to the rain and thunder.
For the past month, the boys have been getting together with their friends, Seth & Jonah, a couple days a week to play Dungeons & Dragons. They love it and always get really into the game. I know that Dungeons & Dragons has the stereotype of being a nerdy game, but after watching them play I will take on any nay-sayer. The amount of creativity and imagination and story-telling that it fosters is just amazing. I love seeing the fantasies in their minds come alive in game play.
On one of the rainy days this week we stayed indoors and I baked cookies. I also got the heart-breaking news that a young family from our ward in Oregon lost their husband and father. Their oldest son was in Payton's class and I worked with the mom in Primary. So incredibly sad. All day I just wanted to hug my family tight. (A fund has been set up to help the family with funeral costs HERE.)
We took the kids to Spring Mountain Ranch to see Shrek! It was a beautiful evening, but we were a little unprepared for how cool it got - 65 degrees! I could have used an extra blanket for sure. We arrived early and killed the time by eating pizza and playing Uno on our blanket.
Friday was Pick Up Your Schedule Day at the middle school and Meet Your Teacher day at the elementary school. 6th grade was a rough year the first time around - more expectations, the homework load (the homework load!!), and just a big transition in general. So I'm gearing myself up for round 2 and hoping we can make it through this year with fewer tears & frustration and a little more of my sanity left in tact.
This morning Anna and I attended a quilting activity at the church. She and I tied two baby blankets and although she didn't say much, I could tell that she was totally into it. Focused, working fast, and paying attention to detail. I love quilting activities and I was glad that I could introduce her to this. To me, activities like this are the heart of Relief Society. As a group we completed 14 blankets and they will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House.
Tomorrow I get to teach a lesson in Primary (for the 4-11 year olds) about the Sabbath. "The Sabbath is a day of rest and worship." Here is what we have planned for the day:
- watch Music & The Spoken Word
- go to church
- eat chicken quesadillas for dinner and rootbeer floats for dessert
- prepare the kids' backpacks for school
- and Scott will give a father's blessing to each child. A tradition.
