Sharing

Google Photos reminded me of this gem from when Peter and Cooper were small. I laughed when I watched it because I can imagine twelve-year-old Peter doing something similar.

It's a Celebration

I knew the first week of school would be tough, but by Wednesday of last week I was really crashing. Then on Saturday morning I woke up feeling rotten. The awful continued through the weekend and I stayed home from church on Sunday. On Monday morning I dragged myself to the local urgent care.

It turns out I celebrated the first week of school by getting strep throat. Woohoo.

I've been on antibiotics since Monday afternoon and I feel much more human now. I was scheduled to teach the first week of our preschool co-op starting yesterday, but the other moms graciously agreed to delay the beginning for a few days. Also, no one wanted to catch what I had. I seem to be the only one to come down with it so far at our house, fingers crossed that continues to be true.

This means I've met my illness quota for the school year, right?

Smile for the Camera

"Let's take a selfie with Topher!"

Raise Our Colors High in the Blue

Last Friday marked the twentieth anniversary of my first day of college. That means the students who started college for the first time last week weren't even born when I attended my first class at BYU.

I'm certain I don't feel that old.

The First Week

We made it to the end of the first week of school.

On the first day the kids had a special, healthy breakfast and had plenty of time in the morning.

On Thursday they ate cookies while we hurried to catch the bus.

We are very tired.

That is all.

Play With Your Food

Summer of Scouting

During the summer we only meet once a month for cub scouts, plus day camp, so we made the most of our time together. First, in June we had a bike rodeo. Batgirl attended.

Then Cooper attended a week of day camp.

The boys watched skits on the final day.

In July, the big adventure was going to a ropes course.

That's Cooper way up there.

Finally, in August we played a water fight version of capture the flag which basically turned into a huge water fight. Sophie and Phoebe were fierce competitors and everyone was drenched when we finished.

And So It Begins

Here's the rundown on the first day:

• Peter had an acceptable day, though he didn't want to admit it. 
• Phoebe discovered her friend from last year moved away and she felt picked on by a boy in her class and no one was allowed to check out books even though they went to the library, not her best first day.
• Cooper had an awesome day, he loved his teachers and got to see old friends and make new ones.
• Sophie was a great helper while we ran errands to each of the three schools and two stores and the doctor's office, I think she missed the big kids but also enjoyed having more time with me.
• Topher was a good sport during our errands, but was a very tired boy by the time bedtime came.

Sophie won't start her preschool co-op until next week, but she wanted to hold a sign with her siblings.

Hopes and Dreams

Today is the first day of school. Phoebe is ecstatic, Cooper is anxiously optimistic, and Peter (who did not get the classes he wanted) is dreading it. I'll give a report tomorrow.

In anticipation of beginning, I asked each kid what their hopes are for the new school year. And because Sophie is doing preschool at home, she got to participate as well. Here are their answers.

Sophie: I hope I have macaroni and cheese, and I hope I have a good time, and I hope I have the same mom and the same brother, and that I'm not alone but always with them, and that I'll always come when she calls on me.

Phoebe: To win the coloring contest that is at school, that I'll stay friends with my old friends, that I'll do good and do well in my class. And I hope that I'll get into PYLON (student government).

Cooper: To make new friends, have fun, have fun, have fun, and get smarter.

Peter: I don't want to talk about school because it hasn't happened yet and I want to relish summer as long as possible.

My hopes for the new year? That I figure out the art of juggling kids at three different schools, teaching one in a preschool co-op, caring for the one that is nursing and napping, delivering kids to piano and scouts and dance and whatever other extracurricular activities they sign up for, serving in three different callings at church, feeding my family relatively healthy meals, keeping the house reasonably clean, spending time with Bryan, reading scriptures and other books on a regular basis, and not completely losing my mind.

Bring it on.

He Stands

Topher loves to stand, it's one of his favorite activities. Usually we hold him up, this once Bryan leaned him against the back of the couch. Sometimes when he fusses we'll stand him up and he calms down. I wonder if this means he'll walk earlier than his siblings.