Long Ears

We've never had a pet. Bryan is allergic to dogs and Peter is allergic to cats, so those popular options are out of the question. Most of our leases have forbidden owning pets, though one allowed a fish. I have enough living creatures to care for, I don't think I'm up to the challenge of adding one with fur, feathers, or scales.

In spite of those sound reasons, our children occasionally request a pet. We always say no, but they are rarely deterred by that pesky word. Lucky us, our yard has supplied the much requested animal companion. Granted, it's a friend that we can't touch and don't feed, but we sure enjoy watching our wild rabbit nibble on our plentiful dandelion crop.

Brain Pain

I'm (hopefully) finishing my first migraine in five months. I'm glad that's it's been so long, but sad that the hiatus couldn't have lasted longer. Thankfully, Bryan was home to take over when it came on.

Note to self: mowing the front lawn does not provide enough exercise to ward off a migraine.

Want Screen Time?

We spent our first day of summer vacation in a lazy, TV-filled stupor. I knew the boys were looking forward to rest and relaxation after the busy school year, so I figured I would let them have yesterday. Then, today, I introduced them to this.

At first there was some general grumbling. Then, after a trip to the library for a fresh batch of books, Peter caught the vision of the job list. He made his bed, scrubbed a bathroom, started and finished two novels (reading level requirements go into effect tomorrow), read several picture books, happily practiced his piano pieces, and made scrambled eggs and apple juice for the family dinner. During bedtime I asked what he thought of the new screen time system. His answer: "It's awesome!"

Phoebe got sort of excited about it. She read several books as well, made her bed, cleared the table (which doesn't appear on the list but still earned her a few minutes), and scrubbed another bathroom.

Cooper read lots of books and made his bed, but definitely is not as into the list as Peter and Phoebe. I hope their enthusiasm rubs off on him.

One Big Mouse

Remember our trouble with unwanted, furry house guests? We hadn't seen signs of their presence for months. Then, a few weeks ago, I began seeing small brown things on the kitchen counters. I inspected each one carefully and cleaned the area thoroughly, but the items in question didn't look quite right. Still, I took extra precautions to not leave food out and to clean the kitchen each night.

I made cookies today, sort of a "Hooray, school is over!" treat. After I emptied the remnants of a Costco-sized bag of chocolate chips into the dough, I noticed something on the counter. Everywhere I had worked with the chips, there were small brown crumbs, the exact things I had been finding on the counters.

And it was then, with a great sense of relief, that I realized what had happened. We don't have mice running through our kitchen. Nope, we just have a tall ten-year-old who likes to sneak handfuls of chocolate chips when he thinks no one is looking.

I'll take him over a mouse any day.

The End, Again

Today brought the close of the longest and shortest school year we've ever had. This year has been incredibly hard in terms of getting kids to school, getting kids to stay in the school, participating in the seemingly endless battle of homework. This year was full of tears about not having friends and not understanding the social landscape of school. It had more projects than ever before, a new need to listen to an emerging trumpet player on a semi-regular basis, and several Google searches in order to complete Common Core math assignments. And lunches. Why are school lunches so monotonous? All of these made the year feel long.

But it also feels like the year just started. I clearly remember that first day, how is it possible that it was nine months ago? It's a blur of activity. We've all learned a lot, some of it academic, most of it not.

We now have a fifth grader, a third grader, and a kindergartner. And we are all ready for summer.

When the Weather is Hot

 

Utah, in Pictures

Peter turned in his first major poster/diorama school project today. Since parental participation was encouraged, he and Bryan worked on it all weekend. Each fourth grader picked a state to highlight. It was no shock when Peter chose Utah. I think it turned out well. The diorama of the Golden Spike and the completion of the transcontinental railroad is especially cool.

Hubris

"We know more than you now. They teach us more now than they did way back when you were a kid. I'm sorry to say this, but HA! I'm probably smarter than some adults."

-Cooper, sharing his high opinion of our modern-day educational system, or disparaging the antiquated form that apparently failed my generation.

Two Weeks Later

This picture was taken before Sophie's laser treatment.

These pictures were taken today.

Magical Memories

On yesterday's date three years ago we had our final day at Disneyland. We spent time yesterday reminiscing about how much fun we had and everyone agreed that we need to go back at some point so Sophie can experience all that magic too.

Also, kids sure do grow in three years.