A brand new park just opened less than a mile from our house. We've gone two days in a row. The slides are big enough that Peter and Cooper can use them, which is awesome. The most magical thing about it? The kids spent the morning fighting with each other, then everyone played amazingly well together while at the park. The fighting started again when we got in the car to go home. A park that makes them get along? I think we might just go everyday.
Bryan was in charge of Primary in our house last Sunday. At the conclusion he used the coloring page that came in the manual for that week. This is what it looks like:
Bryan gave Sophie and Topher instructions to color the hearts one color, the commandments another color, and the footsteps a third color, then he started working on lunch. After they'd been coloring for a little bit Topher let out a sigh of frustration and said, "Ugh! There are too many commandments! I'm tired of commandments!"
Oh boy.
That may have been a mistake. I spent most of last night throwing up. I'm not sure what the culprit was since everyone else seems to be healthy. I'm so glad that we did our birthday celebrating yesterday since I certainly have not been up to doing anything other than lie on the couch today.
I've loved getting birthday messages throughout the day from friends and family members. And the kids have all been helpful and kind while I've not felt well. Peter got up with Topher this morning so I could sleep and Cooper cooked the frozen waffles I'd gotten for the kids to enjoy on my birthday. (I had some gluten-free waffles in the freezer for myself that I'll have another day.) All the kids have taken turns watching Topher and Sophie, Cooper, and Phoebe are making dinner as I type this. Maybe that's been my biggest birthday gift, getting to see them be responsible and serve each other while I've been out of commission.
After Phoebe, Cooper, and Topher each got a scooter as a birthday gift in the last year, Sophie was feeling left out. She had asked for one last year, but I had a hard time justifying buying a scooter in December when it couldn't be used for several months. So I decided we would get her a scooter sometime later, when it was warm outside and she could enjoy it.
That day finally arrived. We don't usually give half-birthday gifts, but this seemed like a good exception to that rule.
Remember that Father's Day nap I mentioned in yesterday's post? Well, when I woke up I was happily surprised that Topher was still asleep rather than calling us from his room as is his custom. He still needs a nap, but won't take one most days. On Sunday though, after a 5:40 AM wake up time, he was in desperate need. Bryan helped him fall asleep, which is why the grownups got a nap too.
I was still in my room after waking up from that nap when I got a text from Peter. It included this picture:
After a moment of confusion I realized that Topher was in fact not still asleep. Nope. Instead, he had very quietly let himself out of his room, gone downstairs, and was chilling on the couch. Well, so much for my keen and alert sense of hearing.
I took almost no pictures as we celebrated Father's Day yesterday. There were chocolate donuts for breakfast, the three younger kids made cards, Bryan (and I, woohoo!) got an afternoon nap, and the kids played nicely (for the most part) while our fancy hamburger dinner was prepared. I have pictures of none of it.
I do have a picture of our Primary kids jumping up to sing for Father's Day.
And I have a picture of Cooper's dinner. In his defense, Bryan was also taking pictures of his food. Everybody built their own hamburger from several toppings available. I think Peter added nearly everything to his: cheese, onion rings, sweet potato fries, tomato, avocado, bacon, and a fried egg. The burgers were so big we could barely get them into our mouths. And they were amazing.
Oh, I have a picture of Topher's burger as well. He grabbed my phone to follow Cooper's example. I guess he's a minimalist.
We love Bryan and we're so thankful for him. He's not really one for recognition or celebrating himself, so we're glad he went along with our humble festivities.
We're three days into summer break and so far we've racked up lots of outside time. We discovered that the local playgrounds are pretty empty at the hottest part of the day. Thankfully, it hasn't been super hot yet (mid 80s), but we have had to make sure everyone has enough water and sunscreen.
All of the kids have loved playing, even the biggest kid, which proves that you're never too old for the park.
A little more than a year and a half ago our dear friends in our ward moved down to Louisiana. We've kept in touch through Marco Polos, texts, video calls, Discord conversations, and video games. They came back up for a family reunion this week and took some time out to come have a distanced visit in our backyard. We were so happy for those few hours with our friends!
Tonight during Family Home Evening I introduced our theme for the summer. As I explained that this summer would be a learning experience for all of us, Topher responded with this sweet reassurance.
"And God taught you how to do it. (pause and a smile) See, I'm a good scientist."
I think God is a good scientist too, and an excellent teacher.
We're celebrating the last week of school with lots of baking. Topher helped me make banana muffins. He's getting better at cracking eggs and really likes scooping the batter all on his own.
Topher loves his scooter so much that he spends most of his time wearing his helmet, just so he can hop on and ride whenever he wants to.
Sophie happened to take a panoramic picture of our kitchen as Topher was zooming past. I think it captures what it feels like whenever he's on his scooter.
Topher and I go on walks around the neighborhood every day that the weather allows. He's extremely friendly and says hello to every neighbor he sees. Last Friday we saw that one of our neighbors had a cool yellow dune buggy in his driveway. Topher and I were discussing the car when the neighbor came out of his garage. That's when this conversation happened:
Topher: I like your yellow four-wheeler!
Neighbor: Thanks! Do you what to sit in it?
Topher: Sure!
Me: May I take a picture? His older siblings will wish they had come on our walk when they see this picture.
I was right.
Phoebe and Cooper had virtual moving up ceremonies on Friday, Phoebe for leaving the elementary school and Cooper for leaving the middle school. We found out during the meeting that they both won awards for academic achievement. They had to be nominated by their teachers and score as advanced in their main subjects to win these awards. Twenty-three fifth graders out of all 10 fifth grade classes were given this award.
Well done, Phoebe and Cooper!
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