2024 :: week 39

September 22

Kasey always comes up with the most clever ways to incorporate the seasons into singing time. She is a gifted teacher and very organized, which helps most Sundays go very smoothly.

September 23

Will's permit came in the mail! He doesn't love his picture, but few do. I am frustrated with myself that it took us so long to get his permit, but this fall we plan to do a lot of practicing. 

September 24

We met Memaw and Pepaw at Target after school to do Elliott's birthday shopping. He chose a Burger Truck Lego set, Big Nate books, and a lot of candy. Elliott was a little disappointed in card selection at Target, so a few days later Anthony took Elliott and Miles to the Baseball Card Shop where they had more success. It is always fun to have a individual trip with Memaw and Pepaw. 

September 25

Wednesday morning I got to be a parent helper in Mrs. Phipps' class. Once a month I get to go in and work on whatever Mrs. Phipps needs help with at the time. Miles was happy to see me, so we took a quick picture. I didn't realize I looked so tired. 

September 26

In third grade the kids have to master their times tables (1-12). Each day at the start of math the kids take a quiz where they can show they have mastered the times table for that number. To pass a number you have to answer 24 multiplication questions involving the specific number being tested correctly in under one minute. Elliott was proud to be the first third grader to master the 12 times tables. Now on to division!

September 27

Friday night was super busy! There was a home football game with a marching band family potluck before the game. Lauren was invited to a birthday party for her friend Clare. Joi was hosting a GNO craft night. Everything overlapped and I had to leave the GNO twice to pick up kids (Tony did some of the driving too, as well as watching the younger boys). Despite some last minute change of plans that added extra stress, we were all able to have a good night. 

September 28

Saturday morning we went to Mikey's baptism. Lauren had another soccer game that night. This team (Storm) has been a rough adjustment. Her coaches are not as experienced, so to make up what they lack in soccer know-how, they have the girls do a lot of running pre-game, which makes them...tired before the game even starts. 

2024 :: week 38

September 15

Miles is finally feeling comfortable enough in Primary to "help" when Sister Benedict asks him to. She does a really great job of finding ways to include as many kids as possible. 

September 16

Elliott had a baseball game Monday night. He recently got a new bat and it made me smile seeing him stretch with it. His game started later, which was nice because it wasn't so hot. He played well.

September 17

Tuesday was picture day at OPC! Joi helped with the pictures and sent some me a few behind the scenes pictures of the boys class pictures. Not surprising, both John kids are sitting down in the front. Both boys are really enjoying their teachers and classes this year.

September 18

Lauren's YW group worked on making scripture journals to prepare for General Conference. 

September 19

I drove Will to mow at Sarah's on Thursday evening. The mowing season is starting to slow down, which will be nice. Will has worked really hard this summer and between mowing and the pool earned a few thousand dollars.

September 20

I made homemade pizza for dinner and it must be documented. It is one of Elliott's most requested meals. The rest of us like it, but not as much. Will had a busy afternoon--first mowing Kasey's lawn and then heading to the SMS football game. It is one of the few games he gets to attend this year not part of the marching band. Even though the game is at South, East shares our stadium, so South is considered the "away" team.

September 21

BroCo took the interested teachers to the Royals game Saturday night. Will had a fabulous time! The Royals got shut out by the Giants 0-9, but the boys waited after the game and got to meet closer Lucas Erceg. 

2014 :: week 37

September 8

Claire and Grammy look cute Sunday night. We were well fed. Pepaw made a turkey dinner, complete with stuffing, gravy and mashed potatoes. 

September 9

Miles still gets a little bit nervous at the start of the school day. Elliott is a sweet older brother and holds his hand as they walk in together. 

September 10

I ran  bunch of errands Tuesday, and then met Stephanie for lunch at Costco. I didn't take a picture of the two of us, but I did take a picture of the pants I bought for Anthony. You know you are getting old when the "luxury" brands of your youth are now being sold at your favorite "clubs." Costco has Banana Republic and Sams has Gap.

September 11

Chelsey took our pictures at the Grinter Farms sunflower fields on Wednesday evening. For years I have wanted to take "professional" pictures there and was finally able to make it work this year. The flowers bloom on their own schedule based on temperature and rainfall, so it is hard to schedule a photo shoot too far in advance. Our kids have so many activities these days it is hard to be flexible. For this shoot to work we took the kids a few minutes late to mutual. I can't believe I have such beautiful kids.

September 12

Thursday morning was the annual Donuts with Grown-Ups at OPC. When we first started at OPC they had two separate events--Dudes with Donuts (for students and a male in their life) and Dames and Donuts (for students and a female in their life). Combining it to one event has made things much easier! Elliott is in it more for the extra social time than for the donuts. Pictured with Elliott are Colby, Carter, Cole, Tristan, Eli and Townes.

September 13

We finally got Will's learner's permit Friday afternoon. Last week he took and passed the online test. After you complete the test you receive a certificate you take into the DMV to get your official card (along with the other necessary paperwork like birth certificate and proof of address). He walked out with a print out, but should get the actual card in the mail in a few weeks. Anthony has taken him driving up in the OPC parking lot a few times, and briefly through the neighborhood. Now that he has a permit he is street legal and will do more practice drives.

September 14

Saturday was the Dunn Deal day at the Cider Mill. We had a fun time, as per usual. We coordinated our entry with the Allreds so the kids could have fun with their cousins. The kids enjoyed the the various activities and yummy donuts and cider. I opted to pass on the corn maze this year. Lauren got separated from the group, so she walked out the side to the bench where Jill and I were sitting with Claire. 

2024 :: week 36

September 1

We had a great Sunday! After church our ward hosted a "Linger Longer." The ward provided sandwiches and everyone brought sides. We took mint oreos and caprese skewers--cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil with a pretzel. The Githins and missionaries shared a table with us and we visited with them a bit about life. We went to dinner at my parents and then to the Wolf's for dessert. It was a very social Sunday, which the extroverted Johns want more often. 

September 2

We had a low-key Labor Day. Will worked at the pool in the early afternoon. Mikey & Tyler came over to play with Elliott & Miles. We finished off the pool season with an evening swim at Tomahawk. We picked up some Papa Johns pizza and stayed until close. Another "summer" is officially in the books.

September 3

Miles is in his drawing era. He loves to draw. We keep a caddy of art supplies in the kitchen cupboard and his is frequently asking me to get it down for him. He drew this extremely flattering picture of me and was so proud when he gave it to me that I had to hold in my laughter.

September 4

Wednesday evening was busy. The Lauren had mutual and Elliott had Activity Days at Shawnee Mission Park. Miles and I hung out at SMP during Elliott's activity rather than go home for 15 minutes, then turn around and drive back to pick him up. We had fun at the inclusive park. We found this orange structure and Miles had to climb it because it was "orange day" in kindergarten. Oh, and because he is Miles and even though he is only a few weeks removed from wearing a cast he likes to live on the edge and climb everything.

September 5

The YM gathered at BroCo's house Thursday evening to watch the Chiefs take on the Ravens. 

September 6

Lauren had her first game with the Storm on Friday evening. This new team has been a bit of a struggle. The Pink Thunder team leaves very big soccer shoes to fill, and this team doesn't come close to filling those shoes. But--they have taken her in, don't get mad when she doesn't play on Sunday, and allow Lauren to scratch her soccer itch this fall. Lauren played well, even though the team lost by a fair amount.

September 7

Elliott had a baseball game Saturday afternoon. He played well. Tony is helping as much as he can with the team this year and now wears a "coach' jersey. 

2024 :: week 35

August 25

Miles was excited to show me the John Family minifigs he built. He has spent the better part of the past two weeks on an elaborate build of our house. He wasn't very good about keeping the mess contained and so I told him it was time tear it down. The way our kids perceive our hair color will never not surprise me.

August 26

I made this kids take this family picture in honor of our 18th anniversary. I never could have imagined what life would be like or how happy I would be when we got married on the extremely hot August day. Anthony and I celebrated by going to brunch at First Watch because that night was back to school night at SMS. I got to walk Will's schedule and it was a little trippy because they are the same halls I walked as a high schooler myself. He has classes in some of the same rooms I had classes in.

August 27

Miles is always jonesing for a playdate. It is hard to fit them in after school when multiple kids have practices in different directions, but we were able to make it work. It is his frustration in life that Elliott gets to have a playdate with Nicholas too when he get together with Gabriel.

August 28

Wednesday the Toms arrived in KC! Laura came to town to attend her childhood BFF Whitney's wedding. While Dad, Will and Lauren were are mutual, Miles, Elliott and I stopped by my parents' to say hello. Hannah loves to dress-up, so they packed a few of her favorite costumes to share. 

August 29

I captured the look on Elliott's face when he realized that the Tom Riddle Harry had been conversing with was Lord Voldemort while Tony read the final chapters of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. It has been fun reading the Harry Potter series with Elliott this summer.

August 30

Anthony's co-worker Neil shared some chocolate cake with us on Friday. The boys were excited to see it on the counter when we got home from the park after school. Friday evening Lauren and I went thrifting to Savers, then I spent a few hours at my parents house visiting with them and Jill, Emily and Laura.

August 31

Saturday was a busy day. In the middle of the day Will and Lauren watched Hannah and Riley while Laura and Trevor went to Whitney D's wedding. Madeline was here too, but she slept most of the time. Will followed Riley around, showing him our various fans, as well as helping him play basketball in our front room. Lauren hung out with Hannah in her room, first playing with her LOL dolls and then dressing up with Hannah. Hannah was Peter Parker, Elliott was Miles Morales and Lauren was Sandman. The kids had a lot of fun together. In the evening I went out with my friends to celebrate Joi's birthday. We've gotten to be better friends over the past year, visiting at the park while our kids play after school, cheering on the sideline while our kids play sports together, and working on various committees for the PTA.