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.

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

This picture accurately depicts their relationship.

Riding the Rails

Last week the kids and I drove up to Jim Thorpe, PA and rode the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway with some friends from church. We learned during our visit that at one time this town was the second most popular tourist destination in the country. The little bit of the town that I saw reminded me of Disneyland, not because it had rides (I believe the train was the only ride available), but rather because of the quaint shops.

It was a warm, sunny day. Also, someone in our group didn't want his picture taken.

We sat in the open car, which was fun and terrifying. It was fun because the cool air came into the car and we felt closer to the woods outside. It was terrifying because my kids don't have a great track record for following instructions like "keep your arms and head inside." But good news, after a few reminders, they stayed inside the car.

Topher and I were there too. And check out that fun painted ceiling.

We were encouraged to stand and walk around while the train was in motion. My kids found the padlocked door in the side of the car. That part was exciting, at least for me.

We passed several pretty waterfalls.

And we drove through beautiful green woods.

Sophie got tired of watching the woods and river that we were passing, so she retreated to the backpack of books that I had each child bring. She sat and drew for a little while.

Halfway through the ride, we stopped long enough for the engine to unhitch and drive to the opposite end of the train. There were also a few people that left the train with their bicycles to ride those back. Peter thought that was amazing and has decided that the scouts in our ward should do the same bike ride.

A freight train passed us while we waited.

When we returned to the beginning of the line a friendly bear was available for pictures.

We crossed the street and had lunch. That made the long drive back home much more pleasant.

On our walk to the car we stopped for a picture by the river. The kids all wanted to get closer to the water. I opted to keep our clothes and shoes dry.

We haven't had many adventures this summer, so I was glad that this one was so successful.

Weight Lifting

She just discovered that she has the ability to pick him up without help. She looks pleased, eh?

Happy Birthday to Us

On Saturday we celebrated our family's 17th birthday. In other words, Bryan and I had our 17th wedding anniversary. I love that we make a family day out of it and call it our birthday. When we were discussing how to mark the day, Bryan had a novel suggestion. He said we should each pick a food that we loved and we would eat them all at the same meal. So we did. I chose watermelon (of course), Bryan picked roast (it was delicious), Peter selected sushi, Cooper opted for cookie dough ice cream, Phoebe wanted crepes, and Sophie asked for macaroni and cheese.

I loved it. Just like each member of our family is unique, each food was distinct. But, unexpectedly, the foods complemented each other. The flavors went together well. And so do the individual members of our family. We're all different from each other, but we go together to make a whole.

I think this will be a new tradition.