Words With Friends

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!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

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.

The End, 2021-2022 Edition

The Bakery

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.

Cooper made these chocolate chunk cookies. I can't eat them, but based on how quickly they've disappeared, they must be delicious.

On the Move

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.

Behind the Wheel

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.

Presidential Award

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.

Fifteen eighth-graders out of the entire grade were given this award.

Well done, Phoebe and Cooper!

Timeout

Topher was zooming up and down a long stretch through the kitchen and dining room when he crashed into Cooper's ankles. Cooper was not pleased. I told Topher that the scooter would need to go to timeout, which usually means it gets parked in my closet for a bit. A few minutes later, after having borrowed my phone, Cooper showed me these pictures.

Instead, Topher decided to put his scooter in his own timeout spot and set the timer.

That works too.

Zoom In

The Eyes Have It

Phoebe grabbed my phone a few days ago and took pictures of nearly everyone's eyes. Then, as she looked at the enlarged images, she complimented each of them on their beautiful eyes. 

I have a variation of heterochromia called central heterochromia. That means that my eyes are mostly one color (a greenish gray), but a different color (gold) right around the pupil. Several of my siblings have this as well. I only recently learned that it has a name. And now, looking at these pictures, I think it's pretty cool that some of my kids inherited it.