Summer is over?

Three months since I last wrote?  Really?  Because it felt like a couple of weeks to me.  Where did the summer go?  As I look through the dozens of photos from our summer adventures, I realize I could write a giant catch-up post about vacations, camps, trek, reunions, recitals, birthdays, anniversary, projects, and the secret to a successful summer with 2 teenagers and one almost teen (it took me most of the summer to discover this secret—the last three weeks of vacation were amazing!)  But a post like that is much too overwhelming and would use up the rest of Hayley’s nap time and I’ve got much to get done before she wakes up!  So I’m starting with today and moving on.  You’re welcome.
Yesterday was the first day since the middle of May that all of my school children are in school at the same time.  Jillian and Corinne started school at the end of July, but Grant, Evan, and Alyssa just went back this week.  This year I have 6 children, 5 of them in school, and attending 4 different schools.  It took me over an hour to enter all of their schedules into Google calendar last night.  Different start times, ending times, early out days, late start days, mid-day kindergarten runs, before and after school practices, Hayley’s nap, and carpools.  Could life get any crazier?  Please, please say “no”.  But the upside?  For the first time in I don’t know how long, I have time to myself every afternoon while Corinne is in school and Hayley is napping.
Guess what I did with that time yesterday afternoon?  Primed and painted a dresser and a little rocking chair (I’ll post pictures later), baked cookies, and cleaned a bathroom!  With absolutely no interruptions.  It was heavenly.  I have big plans for myself.  I am going to savor every minute.  For the next week.  And then Jillian and Corinne will be off-track for most of September.  Just to keep me on my toes and make sure I don’t get too used to this free time phenomenon.
Corinne’s first day of Kindergarten—she’s waited months for this!  (but on the second day of school she said, “This was the worst day of school ever.”)
Jillian is in fourth grade and so far the reports are all good.  This year she is also the only child in the family taking piano lessons!
Grant just started 7th grade—which is the first year of middle school in these parts.  The night before he could barely sleep because he was a little stressed about finding all of his classes, but after 2 days he’s feeling rather confident.(This wasn’t taken on the first day of school.  I’ve given up on those photos for the older kids—they roll their eyes at me, and besides, they leave too early for all that fuss.)
Evan went to his first day of high school yesterday—He’s a sophomore this year.  He’s running cross country and they’ve been practicing since May.  (Sorry, Evan, this is the only recent picture of you I could find!)

And then there’s Alyssa.  On her first day of school, she told her sisters, “I’m in college now.”  Which is true.  She is now attending an Early College High School at the community college.  She’s taking high school and college classes at the same time, but all with other high school students.  I’m excited for her—it seems like it will be a great program.  (As for this picture—I’ll do a post soon that will reveal what she painted.)

Can’t forget Hayley.  This is how she feels about all of the kids leaving her during the day.  Just kidding.  This is what happens when I don’t give her exactly what she wants.  She is sitting on my lap right now (naptime is over, sigh.) and upon seeing this picture on the screen said, “Be happy, Hayley!”

And this is me, enjoying my life of leisure.  I get up every morning and hike in the mountains.  I wish.  Actually, this was taken last week in Logan Canyon.  Brian and I escaped for three days to celebrate our anniversary.  Our kids barely noticed we were gone—Corinne even said, “why didn’t you stay longer?”  (thanks, Mitchell and Erin!)
There.  My brief post is over.  Good thing I kept it short!

Really? Why?

Corinne and I just had one of those great conversations that warmed my heart and reassured me that I’m doing a good job instilling values and gospel teachings.  It happened on an ordinary day, in the car on the way to dance class.  It went something like this:

Corinne:  I just love dancing and I can’t wait to be in the recital!

Me:  I’m glad you like it.  What’s your favorite part about dancing?

Corinne:  (said with great enthusiasm)  I get to wear immodest clothes!  I love being immodest!

Me:  Really?  Why?

Corinne:  Because immodest clothes are so much more stylish and beautiful.

Me:  temporarily speechless and thinking that we need a family home evening lesson soon to combat the glamour of Disney Princesses and Barbie and glitzy ballet costumes

Speaker of the House

Time for me to be the proud mom.  Grant humored me by posing for this picture so I could tell you about the trophy and medal.  He and his partner took first place at the district debate tournament, winning all of their rounds with perfect scores.  Grant also received the "top speaker" award.   Their achievements earned them a trip to the state debate meet last week.  I went to observe and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it!  It brought back good memories from my debate years, back when I thought I'd go to law school and someday run for public office.  Oh, well, now I can live vicariously through my kids.  Anyway, Grant and his partner won all of their debates at the state tournament, even against teams from schools who have debate coaches and a history of winning every year (so I'm told.)  Grant even received perfect scores for every round, and he and his partner placed 4th overall.  It was a long day, but Grant didn't seem nervous or stressed.  Public speaking seems to come pretty naturally for him and I loved sitting back and watching him in action, wondering how he'll choose to use his talents in the coming years.

What’s So Funny?

I’m in the kitchen cooking when I become aware of something wonderful.  Most of my children are huddled together on the couch, laughing like crazy.  Wow, I think.  They’re getting along so well and having such a good time.  Then I hear comments like, “Look at his hair!”  Laugh.  “No, look at him—he’s even worse!”  Laugh, laugh.  “Wait—is that a boy or a girl?”  More laughing.  “What about her?”  Ha, ha, ha.
I’m a little concerned now.  Who are they making fun of?  I march into the room, already launching into a lecture about accepting people who are different , when I spy the object of hilarity in front of them.  My high school yearbook.  “Oh, nevermind.  Now I get it.  Go ahead and laugh—we deserve it.”
Of course they found my pictures, and Alyssa was so impressed with my lovely hair that she decided to imitate my look.  Nice try, honey, but you’ll never have better 80’s hair than I did.  This picture was taken when I was Alyssa’s age.  If you think this hair is big, you should see my senior picture.  In any case, that yearbook I purchased 20+ years ago was a great investment—future hours of entertainment for my children.

Is Honesty Always the Best Policy?

Watching me exercise to a DVD this morning, Corinne observed:  “Mom, their legs are much skinnier than yours.”  Really?

And last week it was, “Mom, are you sure you’re not going to have another baby soon?  Because your tummy is still kind of fat.”  Sigh.
But where is the honesty when I’d really like to hear it?  “Corinne, did you cut Jillian’s homework in half?”  “No, it must have been Hayley.”  The same Hayley who is sound asleep and couldn’t cut a straight line with scissors if she wanted to.  I’ve always been able to tell when my kids aren’t telling me the truth—you can just see it in their faces.  Until Corinne.  She is so convincing!

Oh, You Better Watch Out!

Don’t let her out of your sight.

Before you realize she’s even gone, you’ll have this.

It’s turning into a white Christmas around here!

Did you know?