2024 :: week 8

February 18

Soni was in town for the long weekend and we got together for dinner Sunday evening. Soni's dad has ALS and my mom is healing from a stoke and dealing with the after effects of that, so we have a lot to commiserate about. 

February 19

Monday the kids had no school, but Anthony had to work. In the afternoon we drove out to Kaw Point so Will could film a video for his YouTube channel, Xplore KC. It was good to get outside. The kids had fun throwing rocks and sticks into the river. Will got some good footage for his video. One thing I did not expect as how bad the river would smell. When we went down last year I didn't notice any distinct smell, but this time as soon as we got out of the car we all immediately wondered what was causing the bad smell. On the way home we stopped at McDonald's for a late lunch. 

February 20

Basketball is the sport du jour of the John boys. After school until it gets dark (and sometimes even after it is dark) you can find one, two or all three John boys working on their game. 

February 21

Miles and Elliott helped me pick up a few "essentials" at Costco. The kids have been enjoying these mini muffins lately, though they are pricy enough they are only allowed one bag each per day. 

February 22

Post-mutual knockout has become the expectation for the John kids. Recently Lauren has started getting in on the action too. She doesn't have as much basketball experience as her brothers, but she's got a great touch when it comes to soccer throw-ins, so she did surprisingly well.

February 23

Friday evening our older kids had plans. Will went to Target and Chick fil A with school friends. Lauren went to Ethnie's birthday party. Elliott went to the SMS basketball games with Townes and his family. The Wilsons invited us to go to their school carnival with them. Emily knows that Miles is a HUGE mascot fan, and their PTA arranged to have KC Wolf and Sluggger take photos with kids for an hour. Miles was so excited! He brought his Sluggger stuffie and was beaming with excitement while we drove to Brookridge. As soon as the mascots entered the gym it was a different story. He started crying and was clinging to me and buried his head in my shoulder. He finally agreed to take a picture if Anthony held him and we were both with him. Eventually he calmed down enough to let Sluggger hug him and get his autograph. It was a super fun night! Emily wins aunt of the year award for making the mascot magic happen for Miles. 

February 24

Elliott had another basketball game Saturday. He played well, despite being given some tough defensive assignments. The kid Elliott was guarding had several inches and pounds on him, but Elliott didn't back down. He made him work, then swatted the ball away and ran it back down the court to score a layup. 

2024 :: week 7

February 11

We planned on having a big Super Bowl party, but Lauren threw up in the middle of the night Sunday. We ended up watching the game at home by ourselves, except for Will, who watched with fellow Chiefs superfan, Uncle Matt. We still had fun, but it is a lot easier to have fun when your team wins the Super Bowl for the second year in a row. Besides the Chiefs, it was a busy Sunday. I spoke in church about callings, sustaining and bearing each one another's burdens. In the afternoon TJ and I taught our youth class about the Christlike attribute of hope.

February 12

Tara (Landon's mom) took Nathan, Landon, Will and Hank to watch Tripp & Knox play in the Indian Woods basketball team Monday evening. The boys made plans to spend the night at Tripp's house Tuesday because school is cancelled for Wednesday (Chief's parade).

February 13

We visited Memaw Tuesday night after going to CFA for dinner. Elliott has always loved snuggling with Memaw, and neither her stroke nor Elliott getting older has stopped that.

February 14

We opted to not go to the parade this year. Instead Will spent the day with his friends, and we had Tyler and Elliott over to play with Elliott and Miles. We watched the parade on the TV and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

February 15

Will is taking some fun electives this semester--Intro to Foods and Design & Modeling. Now that they are cooking a few times a week he sends us pictures of the food he makes. Here are pineapple turnover biscuits and no bake cookies. They've also made microwaved chocolate cake this week, but he didn't send a picture of that. In his Design & Modeling class he is working on designing a cube--first by mapping it out on graph paper (isometric design), then practicing with blocks, and then using wood blocks and glue for the final product. I enjoy seeing the kids learn new things and expand their horizons.

February 16

Elliott's has had a fabulous 2nd grade year in Mrs. Jones' class! He's made some great new friends--specifically Townes, Eli, Tristan and Miles. I snapped a picture of these pictures Mrs. Jones has hanging up in her classroom while I was volunteering to help at the Valentine's Day party. The parties were rescheduled from Wednesday.

February 17

While Miles and I were driving he wondered why there were signs with "p's" crossed out along the road. He asked if it meant that you couldn't go pee on that side of the road. I find his emerging literacy so delightful. Now I think of him every time I see "no parking" signs.

2024 :: week 6

February 4

Sunday our ward hosted a Break the Fast after the block of meetings. We missed a lot of it because I was being set apart as Primary President. My counselors are Jeannette O & Emily Z, and Shannon C (my former fellow nursery worker) will be our secretary. I am excited to work with these women, but a bit overwhelmed about the responsibility. I have previously served in two different primary presidencies, but not since the church has changed to the 2 hour block and Come Follow Me curriculum. I have a lot to learn.

February 5

I am convinced that no one was more relieved than Will when the news broke that Bobby Witt Junior is going to not only stay in Kansas City, but that he is going to be a Royal for a very long time.

February 6

There was free admission at the SMS basketball game Tuesday night, so we all Elliott sat with his buddy Townes and loudly cheered for the SMS Raiders, though the lost in the final seconds to Lawrence Free State. Despite the loss, we had a great time and the boys are already making plans to go to future games. I found the lack of shot clock to be so obnoxious, it made the last two minutes of the game very anticlimactic.  

February 7

Jill had her baby Wednesday! Claire Elizabeth Allred was born at Advent Health (formerly SMMC), the same hospital the younger three John kids were born. I stopped and met Claire while Lauren was at volleyball practice. Joanie (Jake's mom) brought Arthur & Henry up right as I was getting ready to leave. It was fun to see the brothers meet their baby sister.

February 8

The only thing Elliott likes more than snuggling up in his soft blankets with a Big Nate book, is snuggling up in his soft blanket reading a Big Nate book while Mom scratches his back.

February 9

Elementary kids had the day off Friday, so I took the kids to meet Claire. I always forget how tiny newborn babies are until I get the chance to hold one. Claire is so cute! She looks a lot like baby Jill and also Arthur to me. In the afternoon the boys and I met up with the Renee and he kids at Strang Line Park, and Lauren got together with Ariana O.

February 10

Saturday was another busy day of basketball--Will had a game at 9am and Elliott had a game at 11am.  Will got his belated birthday shopping trip with Memaw and Pepaw in the afternoon.

2024 :: week 5

January 28

Miles and Dad played catch with the football while we watched the Chiefs take on the Ravens. I was a bit anxious as we watched the game, but they played well and are heading back to the Super Bowl in a few weeks!

January 29

The day I was dreading finally came. The city chopped down the ash trees along Bond. It feels so naked when you walk or drive down the street. I am sad. Luckily within the week they were back, ground up the stumps and planted new trees all along the street. 

January 30

Tuesday evening Anthony and I took Will to the "Come Look at South Night," at SMS. I am excited for all the opportunities coming Will's way as he heads to high school. He is planning on band, and is hoping to get involved in the digital media program (these classes have limited enrollment and freshman get lowest priority). I was flattered Will was willing to pose for this picture with me. I can't believe my baby is going to be going to the same high school I did later this year.

January 31

Miles is getting pretty good at writing, letters and numbers. He wrote this paper that says "4 Miles 40 Mom" all by himself. He likes that he is 4 and I am 40 years old.

 

February 1

He's at it again! Grabbing Elliott's backpack and making sure it doesn't get left behind. Miles is definitely the Felix to Elliott's Oscar if they were the Odd Couple. 

February 2

Lauren bought Elliott this mini Bop It! game for Christmas and the kids have had fun trying to beat each other's records.

February 3

Another busy Saturday with basketball for both Will and Elliott, football for Elliott and volleyball for Lauren. Four sports for three kids has made for a busier winter than I expected, but it has been so cold I'm glad the kids have gotten plenty of chances to be active. This Saturday Anthony was asked to be line judge at the volleyball match and he took the responsibility very seriously. In the evening I went over to Allison Bishop's house. She has been serving as our ward's Primary President, but as of tomorrow I will be taking over. Allison and her presidency and me and the new presidency met to share ideas and ask questions. It was a good meeting and I feel a little less overwhelmed.