2024 :: week 47

November 17

Anthony left in the morning for Miami for the ICE conference and will get back late Wednesday. Miles was up in the night crying about his ear, so I took him to the CVS clinic so we could get him started on antibiotics if he needed them (he did). Ward council, afternoon church, less daylight and no TJ for parental backup made Sunday feel really long. My parents had us over for dinner, which was so helpful. Our younger kids struggle to stay in the bathroom while they brush their teeth. Elliott is brushing his teeth while Will is practicing piano, Miles is playing basketball, and Lauren is working at the table. 

November 18

Monday was another long day. With Anthony gone it was my responsibility to get Will to seminary. Will started basketball tryouts at SMS. One of the women that I minister to cut her finger and asked me to come over and help her patch it up, which I did on my way to pick up Will. It was a rainy day and we watched Home Alone 2 after dinner. The dark evenings really make it feel like fall. 

November 19

Tuesday night I went to Matt Ross to give feedback about aquatics in Overland Park. Over the past decade I have felt extremely dissatisfied with the direction the city is taking its parks and rec department. I am not optimistic they will agree with my opinions, but here's to hoping. After the open house I picked Will up from tryouts where he found out that the did not make the freshman team. It is pretty disappointing. Will's assessment is that a few kids that aren't as good as him made the team but they are taller than him and they attended the coach's bootcamp this summer. I am proud of him for putting himself out there and trying. 

November 20

Wednesday morning I helped out in Mrs. Dearing's class. I go once a month and do whatever odds and ends she needs done. I took this picture of Elliott as they lined up to go out to recess. Later I met Stephanie for lunch at Costco. That evening we were all excited for Anthony to arrive back home.

November 21

We have been watching Freaks and Geeks with Will and Lauren. Anthony and I enjoyed watching the show in the early years of our marriage and it has been surprisingly great watching with Will & Lauren. The show touches on serious topics in a humorous and relatable way. The show has led to some great conversations, and fun inside jokes. I think we will always say, "Lindsey sweetie, tell your brother he has a beautiful body." 

November 22

Friday we got to celebrate Thanksgiving with Miles and his kindergarten class. They sang a few cute songs, are predictably Miles was quiet and hung towards to the back. We are grateful for Miles and his wonderful kindergarten teacher Mrs. Phipps. That night we went to the Stake Council Christmas party at the Messner's house. We carpooled with the Olsons, which is always fun. Meanwhile Will camped with the YM at Shawnee Mission Park.  
 

November 23

Another busy Saturday with something fun for everyone. Kendall came over to play with Elliott and Miles. Lauren spent the day with Cat & Sally. Anthony and Will watched both the BYU football and basketball games. The football game was against Arizona State, and it ended in a craziest way! The game was almost over--but not quite--and the fans rushed the field. The refs put a second back on the clock which gave BYU one last chance. They didn't win, but it was surprisingly close. Saturday evening I went to a holiday pop-up restaurant with a group of mom friends. The menu had fun Christmas-themed items like Tiny Tim's Turkey Burger and Uncle Frank You're a Cheap Steak. 

2024 :: week 46

November 10

Sunday was the Primary Program! I have been part of many programs as a teacher and counselor, but this was my first time as president. The kids did amazing and I felt the spirit so strongly, especially when the kids sang. 

November 11

Monday afternoon we went to OPC to hear Elliott and the 3rd graders sing as part of the Veterans Program. The music teacher--Miss Featherstone--is experimenting with various musical program formats. The previous music teacher--Mr. Klemm--did the same format for the kids K through 4th. The kids always sang about 5 songs and it was always in the evening. 

November 12

The trees in the neighborhood are so pretty right now. It looks and feels like fall! Even though it is fall, the holidays are just around the corner. I drew names for the Crane cousin gift exchange, then updated the spreadsheet.

November 13

Wednesday morning I got lucky! I have knowns for awhile that World Market does promos around Christmas and Easter where store associates hide "elves" or "eggs" around the store each morning with a clue. Each one contains a coupon of some sort. I hadn't been for awhile and decided to go and try my luck. The clue was that the elves would be hidden near something blue. I found this one and it was a coupon for $20 off! I ended up buying a planter for my room.

November 14

I can't get enough of the colors on our street! Townes came over after school to play with Elliott for a bit. That evening was the RS Friendsgiving. We were supposed to bring pie, and I bought one at Hy-Vee. I had plans to make one, but then the day got away from me.

November 15

Friday night we met up with our fall dinner group at Burg & Barrel. We met with Billie P., Amy & Travis C., and John and Mary Ellen N. The food was pretty good. Our kids were busy with friends that evening. Townes came over to play with Elliott, Will went to the Bensons, and Lauren slept over at the Hagmans. As our kids get older and more independent managing their social calendars--and demands--is getting more time consuming.

November 16

Will and Miles walked over to Target Saturday. Miles loves getting to do "big kid" things with his older bro. Tyler came over to play with Elliott for a bit in the afternoon. Everyone but Lauren went to our neighbor Mark's wedding reception for him and his new wife, Amy. They got married a few months ago, but decided to have their reception after they were more settled. Lauren went with Cat, Sally, Brena and Charlotte to see Moana 2.

 

2024 :: week 45

November 3

Sunday after church was our last linger longer of the year--chili themed. That evening Pepaw made a roast. After Miles went to bed we watched Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban because Anthony and Elliott recently finished reading it. I worked on a cross-stitch while we watched.

November 4

Miles was the Star Student for his kindergarten class this week--he has wanted this for weeks and his name was finally chosen on Halloween! Star Student responsibilities include helping the teacher, filling the estimation jar, and bringing snacks for the class for the week. Privileges include bringing a show and tell and being the line leader for the week. Later in the week the class writes the start student a note and tells the star student something they like about them. Miles filled the estimation jar with duplos. He brought the Bobby Bobble Head Anthony gave him and Elliott to share, which unfortunately broke in his backpack. When he filled out his star student "favorites" he listed blue as his favorite color, breakfast casserole as his favorite food, The Book with No Pictures as his favorite book, and "Amazing" by Kanye West as his favorite song.

November 5

Election season seemed especially long and depressing this year. I went and voted after water aerobics. I have said it before and I'll say it again, in the future I am going to vote for whoever sends me the least amount of political mailers. I really dislike how many resources are wasted going towards physical mailers.

November 6

Lauren and Will kept a good volley streak going this evening. The front room continues to be the family sports court.

November 7

I am on the yearbook committee at OPC. Thursday we took the all school photo. I got the assignment to climb up on the roof with the photographer and the walkie-talkie to give directions to make sure the kids line up in the right place. I didn't mind being on top of the school, but climbing down the ladder was a little disconcerting.

November 8

The boys dragged this large branch across the park Friday afternoon. It was fun to see the older and younger boys work together. Friday evening Anthony and I drove to the Plaza Branch of the KC Public Library to go to hear Richard Ostler speak. Richard Ostler is a former YSA bishop who has a podcast, "Listen, Learn & Love." His goal is to create a better Zion, specifically by providing support to LBGTQ+ members of the church and their families.

November 9

Saturday was busy. In the morning I went to the Stake Relief Society conference. It was pretty good, and while there their announced that the Overland Park Ward would be leaving our stake and joining the Overland Park Stake. The Bensons spent the day with Will, eating lunch at CFA and shopping at Academy and Target before playing video games. Joi organized a hay ride as Shawnee Mission Park for a bunch of OPC parents. It was fun to spend time with them outside of school.

2024 :: week 44

October 27

As per tradition (that our ward inherited from the Lenexa Ward) the youth sang "Called to Serve" this Sunday as Sister Gabi Bailey is off to serve her mission in Orlando soon. Miles rated it "Good."

October 28

Miles has been busy collecting acorns around the yard. The trees in our yard produce a seemingly endless supply of acorns. I told him I would pay him a penny for each acorn he collected and put in the yard waste bags. I ended up paying him almost $4.

October 29

On Tuesday I joined our RS group to volunteer at Pumpkin Hallow. LDS groups all over the county have volunteered at this event for as long as we've lived here, but this was my first time being able to help now that Miles is in school all day. It was fun. That evening Lauren had a choir concert at Indian Woods.

October 30

We tried a new thing this year and held Trunk or Treat on our youth activity night. Sister Dutcher (YW president) and I were in charge. We ordered donuts and bought apple cider for dessert, a backdrop for photo opps, and glow-in-the-dark bracelets. 

October 31

Halloween 2024 is in the books. 

November 1

Because the weeks leading up to Halloween have gotten so busy, the Allreds held their annual Halloween party the day after Halloween. As usual they had a spooky menu

November 2

Saturday morning Anthony took the older kids (and a few friends--Ariana Olsen and Elliott Wright) to the BYU women's soccer game at the CPKC Stadium. The Allreds went as well. They got go sit nice and close, but it was chilly.