August 25, 2018

August 25th, 2018

It's fun having older children.  Instead of spending the last few weeks of summer easing back into a school schedule, we found ourselves packing in late night movies on Netflix and sleeping in whenever possible.  

The first week of school, with the start of 6:00 am seminary (Park & Bryn) and 7:00 am football (Tan & Park) , has led to almost everyone being in bed by 10:30 almost every night.  One night Aubrey and I headed for a school night swim at Gram and Gramp's.  A few years ago that would have been impossible with the ages of our group.  I think it has also helped that we have moved on from Reagan Elementary which was pretty intense homework wise.  Brinley and Parker hung out with friends on Thursday night and Tanner had plenty of time to talk,text and play Fortnite.  All of the kiddos had a full Saturday with friends and cousins.  Bryn and I helped Susan (Morgan's mom) throw a surprise party for Morgan's 16th birthday.  The boys did lawn work at home and for the business.  Tanner  and Gavin went to a choir party.  Aubrey spent the afternoon and night with Lauron.  We missed having Brian home and glad it wasn't too stressful with him out of town the past four and a half days.

Aub's evening swim never happened because she hit her head while she was changing into her swimsuit.  She had a huge knot and it was a sad ending to a fun plan.

Bryn and Morgan hung out on Thursday and Friday night and then all day and night on Saturday.  I appreciate that part of their Saturday consisted of an afternoon nap.

Parker had a watermelon feed for football on Thursday and then a scrimmage on Friday.  He did well.  He played some on defense and offense.  I was texting Brian the play by play but then decided it was much easier to just call him.  So he was in Utah watching Lindsey's soccer game and hearing my poor but earnest commentary of Parker's scrimmage. 

Loved seeing Parker diligently working on Algebra and asking Bryn to help clarify a few things for him.  Also, Park gave a great talk today in church on Work and Self Reliance.  He shared several quotes from the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet and also personal examples to go along with several sections.  He mentioned EFY this summer and how it sank in that he wants to focus on working hard in school now to be a better provider for his family later.  One of my favorites was when he mentioned he was showing self reliance by NOT letting his mom help him with this talk even though she kept trying to.  (True story!)  He did a great job and I told him I guess (sniff, sniff) he has outgrown needing my help with  preparing church talks.