Sunday, July 20, 2014

Summer's Half Way Over!

I am proud to announce that Beth gave her first talk in church today. For Beth this is huge. She is very shy, and wouldn't even go to the front of the chapel in December to graduate from Primary. And here she is getting up and giving a talk. I'm super, super proud, and she did a great job.

She's getting ready to head off to girls' camp this week. I can't believe how fast she has grown up. It is a little bit crazy to think about all that she 's accomplished in the last year. I know I'll miss her, but she's excited to get a break from her brothers. (I think they might feel the same way.)

Jacob has turned into a chatter. He'll come sit next to me while I'm working and chat, and chat and chat. I love it even though it drives me crazy. His vocabulary is great, and I love the way he talks like a little adult with actually, quite, nearly, and other words that are not common for second graders to use in their every day conversations. He always has the most interesting observations to share. He likes to compare and contrast and explain logical conclusions that he has come to.

Caleb is currently obsessed with the Destiny beta. He is playing nonstop and I think driving his cousins a bit crazy with requests to play with him online. He is so active that the last week has been driving me a bit bonkers since we didn't get to a pool or a park. he just needs a chance to let all of his energy go.

Rob is busy with work, and getting stuff done. He worked from home on Thursday and kept turning to me and asking why the kids were in the room wanting stuff. It's hard to work from home with the kids home.

Summer is slipping by so fast this year. I hope you can enjoy the rest of yours!

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Summer Fun

I haven't posted much this summer. One of the reasons is that it is difficult to keep trying to work full-time when the kids are over the summer. Most people I know don't realize that I really do put in forty hours a week on work--mostly because I rarely bring it up. I'm blessed and incredibly lucky that I can work from home, even if it means juggling things are a little bit more difficult during the week. Especially with the kids home.

This summer started out hot. And so it looks like a pool summer. Plus for some reason my kids seem to feel that they've outgrown playgrounds and parks--for the most part. We have been to the pool several time this summer. Beth is insistent that she doesn't need sunscreen because she is so pale. The boys are swimming well enough to venture into the deep part of the pool without me, and swimming vests and floaties are a thing of the past. The older the kids get the easier it is to pack up and do something fun and exciting, with so much less hassle. But I still miss the absolute cuteness of a little baby or two year old (especially a two year old-- toddlers are the best!)

For the 4th, we went to the ward pancake breakfast, amid much complaining about the early hour of 9:00 am. Then we went to Monkey Joes, with Beth almost insisting that she is too old to go. And they kids had a blast. We were planning on going to see the fireworks at a shopping center (I know it sounds lame, but it was a compromise so we didn't have to deal with crowds.) When Greg and Heather invited us over to their house to see them. Our kids were ecstatic, and the show was great. Rob has it on his Google+ page if you want to see the fun. Complete with some videos.

July will consist of more trips to the pool. Hanging with some friends. Sending Beth off to girls camp--where they are enforcing a very strict dress code. (Beth wears longer shorts than the majority of her friends. Nearly to the knee, and yet we must go find some longer ones. Where? She doesn't want basketball shorts, jean shorts, and she is super skinny, at that awkward shopping size. Her current longest pair of shorts is an old pair of size seven capris that still fit her as shorts. If you have any ideas please leave a comment--maybe we'll go capri shopping in the kids section.) A short trip to Hickory for a friend's wedding. And then August will be even busier.

Hope you are enjoying your summer.