The Same, But Different

I was searching through old pictures tonight, looking for something specific. During my search I found a selfie of me with three-year-old Phoebe from when we lived in Washington. It reminded of a picture that Phoebe and I took after YW tonight. I think we both look a bit older.

Boxed In

Begin Again

We took our first day of school pictures at 11:30 instead of 7:30. Otherwise, it's going well.

Summer's End

How did we celebrate the last weekday of summer break?

Peter and Cooper got haircuts.

They assisted Bryan with a woodworking project.

Peter played a little Legend of Zelda while Topher watched.

Bryan gave Peter a driving lesson.

Phoebe and Sophie worked on writing and coding projects.

We had our weekly call with some of the grandparents.

Then we had a backyard picnic and Bryan taught us all how to throw a football.

I'm always sad to see summer break end, but at least this year it ended on a high note.

Pet Plans

One morning earlier this week, while Topher was getting ready for the day, the following conversation took place.

Topher: Can I have a pet? Not a dog or a cat pet?

Me: (thinking he means a bird, a fish, or a reptile) I don't know buddy, what kind of pet do you have in mind?

Topher: A polar bear.

Me: Oh. I don't think we have room for a polar bear. Where would it live?

Topher: We could make a cozy spot in my room and a water place in the backyard!

Take a Hike

Peter had to do a nature scavenger hunt for his AP Biology summer homework. He found more than half the items in our yard, but he needed pictures of a few other things we didn't have nearby. The kids and I went hiking at our local state park yesterday morning so he could check off the rest. He had to take a selfie with each item to prove he was there and didn't just pull pictures from the internet, so his camera was busy. Mine was too. Cooper, Phoebe, and Sophie traded off taking pictures with my phone as we walked, after I snapped a group shot right at the beginning.

It was cool and not at all crowded, a lovely day for a hike.

Buddies

These two are either best friends or she treats him like he's a doll to be lugged around. On Sunday morning Topher brought Sophie a book he had made during our at-home Primary class. He asked her to read it to him. She happily complied.

Signature Move

Yesterday morning, while we waited for our church broadcast to start, I asked Topher if he could write his name. He appears to be right-handed and holds the pencil beautifully. I don't think I specifically taught him that, perhaps he picked it up through observation?

This signature makes me happy.

What She Wanted More Than Anything In the World*

I forgot to mention in yesterday's post, the kids gave me a wonderful gift for our anniversary. They played together happily for most of the morning, without my intervention. It gave me the chance to have a good vocal workout, something I haven't been able to do for a looooong time. For each birthday and Christmas the kids ask me what I want and I say, in part, "Kind kids." I'm so happy that they gave me that gift.

For those that are curious, the other thing I ask for is a clean house. We're still working on that one.

*Can anyone place the musical theatre quote?

Our Family Is Growing Up

Our family turned 21 today! We celebrated in our usual fashion with each person choosing a food for our dinner, this year we did finger foods and had a bonus movie night while we ate. Actually, two people chose the same thing and one person asked for two items, but it all evened out.

We ate taquitos (Phoebe), strawberries (Sophie), pizza rolls (Bryan), sushi (Peter and Cooper), grapes (me), pizza (Topher), and cupcakes (also Topher). Don't mind the bag of clothes to give away in the background, I clearly didn't mind it while I was taking the picture.

Bryan surprised me by bringing home this gorgeous bouquet of roses. It's hard to tell from the picture, but in the background are three of our wedding gifts that still hang in our home: a beautiful sketch of the Savior drawn by a fellow that was in my ward when I was a youth, a needlepoint of the San Diego Temple from one of my roommates/bridesmaids, and the Family Proclamation with the San Diego Temple behind it from Bryan's best man. I smiled when I saw them as I took the picture. After so many years we still have these lovely reminders of that day, and of the importance of the covenants we made when we got married, visible in the center of our home.

I think all anniversaries are significant, but this one feels especially so for me. I was 21 when I got married and have now been married for 21 years. I've been married for nearly half my life. That boggles my brain. I'm thrilled that we've been married this long, I just can't quite figure out how that many years have passed.

It was a great family birthday.