2018 :: week 33

August 5

Will and Lauren drew several pictures of our family during Sacrament meeting. This picture made me smile because I think I look like Peppermint Patty from Peanuts. Will has been learning to write in cursive and now Lauren is trying to as well.

August 6

It's hard to believe we made it to the last week of summer! And it's not even a full week--the kids start school Friday! On Monday Will's friend Knox spent the day with us. In the afternoon we went to the pool and the boys had fun playing catch, swimming and jumping of the diving board in tandem. They are great friends, even though they are mismatched in their sizes. Knox is the tallest kid in their grade and Will is one of the shortest. Knox wears a size 5 shoe and Will wears 13 kids. But they both love basketball, Pokemon and Legos so it works out just fine.

August 7

Tuesday morning we found out who the kids' teachers were going to be and that night was the PTA Icebreaker. We dropped off their supplies, met their teachers, said hi to old friends and paid various dues and fees. Each of the kids got a shave ice. The building was HOT! After we finished we hurried home to change and fit in a quick trip to the pool. Because most of the kids in the neighborhood were at the school we had the pool almost to ourselves. It was a peaceful way to end the night. I have reached the point of summer where I am starting to get sad that it is ending.

August 8

Wednesday we went to the zoo with the Throssells. The kids were bummed when we recently went to the zoo and didn't get to ride the Ski Safari. We wanted to do a trip where we rode all the rides, but it was hot and our time was still a bit limited. This trip was notable because Lauren finally got up the courage to pet the rays and sharks in the new Sting Ray Bay that was opened a few months ago. That evening Lauren had her first soccer practice of the season and Will had his first Cub Scout activity since June. Fall activities have begun!

August 9

Elliott makes me smile every single day! I had a bit of a headache Thursday and tried to stay in bed a little longer than usual. Elliott ran into my room, slammed the door and told me he would keep the big kids out so I could sleep. It was a noble idea, but he was so loud and chatty any thought of additional sleep was quickly forgotten.

August 10

First day of school! I will never understand why our school district insists on starting the school year with a half day on a Friday, but this is the third year in a row where that has been the case. I'm holding out hope for a slightly later in the month but earlier in the week start date next year. Both of the kids' teachers are new to the school this year. Will started third grade with Ms. Shelton. Lauren started first grade with Ms. Barnett. Elliott was willing to go to whatever class would take him, though he told a few people that asked that he was in "fourth grade" as he held up two fingers.

August 11

On Saturday we celebrated Elliott's third birthday with friends at the pool. We invited a few of Elliott's buddies and their families to join us for swimming, pizza and cupcakes. We had a great time! Nicholas and the Ule family, Kendall and the Throssell family, Blaise and the Mansingh family and Tyler and the Wilson family all came to help us celebrate. Elliott is a bright light in our family. Everyone adores him. He has a special charisma about him and draws people to him with his big eyes and easy smile.