Last fall my life entered a new phase--all the kids started school full-time. For the first time in 17 years I had no preschoolers at home.
This year brings a bigger change--my first born is off to college in another state. Our little family (or big depending on your perspective) will never be quite the same again. It is a good change I know. but it will be different around here for sure. For one thing I lost my helpful driver. Now I will have to drive the kids around myself and can't ask Dustin to stop by the grocery store for milk on his way home from work, or take the Redbox movie back that I keep forgetting about. I also lost my best dishwasher unloader--the job I like least in the house. And I won't get to hear him bless the sacrament in church anymore. Or have his humor at the dinner table. Or get to watch him interact with his 6 year-old brother when asked to play action figures.
The other big change that effected our family this summer was The Business. The business that we bought just over 4 years ago is gone, which Scott worked and I helped with now and then is gone. He sold it this summer. No more filing documents to the SEC for other companies. No more deadline days, preceded by a week or so of long hours and little sleep for Scott. It was good to us. Or rather Scott made it good to us. He was an awesome business owner and kept clients happy with his attention to detail and hard work ethic. But he felt it was time for a change, found a buyer, and sold it.
He is now "semi-retired". For a few months anyway while he decides what comes next. He hasn't had a whole lot of down time since he stopped working--Scout camp, youth conference, family reunion, and some yard work, taking the kids swimming and biking and motorcycling, Eagle project help. He did buy a mountain bike and is enjoying this new found hobby, and enjoying more time for running. He running in the Ragnar next summer in Utah.
And I am thinking maybe it is time for me to get a job. But part-time. Because I don't think I could ever handle full-time. I am too spoiled. But maybe full-time could be an option I suppose if there were to someone else to do the laundry, and the cleaning and cooking, and the chauffeuring, the grocery shopping, and . . . hmmm, I wonder if there is such a person available...
August 20, 2012
August 7, 2012
Last Week of Summer Vacation
Oh what do you do in the summertime if your trampoline broke?
Yes, sadly the trampoline got a rip in it so it is dead. Thank goodness it happened the last week of summer because I don't know what the kids would do if they couldn't jump with the sprinkler under the tramp at least 3 or 4 times per week multiple times a day it seems. This does result in a mess of wet clothes but a small price to pay for happy busy kids. I tried to make the rule they had to change into their swimming suit before getting wet so we didn't go through so many clothes, but sometimes it happens (the swimming suit) and sometimes it doesn't. (Sometimes I am too lax on rules I know).
And what are the neighbor kids going to do? maybe find another house to visit that has a trampoline. Ironically it was the teenagers that were on it when it broke. Funny cuz they rarely come over and even less rarely jump.
Janessa is so excited for the first day of school. The boys haven't said much. I was actually on top of things this year and shopped for school supplies before the last minute when the supply is limited. Yay for me! however, I found out later that if I had waited one more day I wouldn't have had to pay sales tax because New Mexico had 3 days of no sales tax for school supplies and clothes, etc. But that's okay. I would have saved about $5 but at least I got it done without fighting crowds. Janessa has her backpack packed and ready to go. I don't think the boys have even looked at the school supplies. The difference between boys and girls.
Yesterday we went to the elemantary school to find out teachers. Andy and Janessa both have new teachers to the school and they are both men. I think that is very cool. This is the last year the 3 little ones will all be in elementary. Brennen gets to pick up his schedule today. He is half-way through the book "The Count of Monte Cristo" he is supposed to have read and assignments done by the 1st day of school for his AP English Class.
This week Brennen is doing his Scout Eagle Project. Hooray! Two Eagle projects in the family in a little over 3 months. He is replanting the flower beds in front of the local aquatic center and putting a split rail fence around it.
And after that I guess we are ready for school to start next Tuesday!
Yes, sadly the trampoline got a rip in it so it is dead. Thank goodness it happened the last week of summer because I don't know what the kids would do if they couldn't jump with the sprinkler under the tramp at least 3 or 4 times per week multiple times a day it seems. This does result in a mess of wet clothes but a small price to pay for happy busy kids. I tried to make the rule they had to change into their swimming suit before getting wet so we didn't go through so many clothes, but sometimes it happens (the swimming suit) and sometimes it doesn't. (Sometimes I am too lax on rules I know).
And what are the neighbor kids going to do? maybe find another house to visit that has a trampoline. Ironically it was the teenagers that were on it when it broke. Funny cuz they rarely come over and even less rarely jump.
Janessa is so excited for the first day of school. The boys haven't said much. I was actually on top of things this year and shopped for school supplies before the last minute when the supply is limited. Yay for me! however, I found out later that if I had waited one more day I wouldn't have had to pay sales tax because New Mexico had 3 days of no sales tax for school supplies and clothes, etc. But that's okay. I would have saved about $5 but at least I got it done without fighting crowds. Janessa has her backpack packed and ready to go. I don't think the boys have even looked at the school supplies. The difference between boys and girls.
Yesterday we went to the elemantary school to find out teachers. Andy and Janessa both have new teachers to the school and they are both men. I think that is very cool. This is the last year the 3 little ones will all be in elementary. Brennen gets to pick up his schedule today. He is half-way through the book "The Count of Monte Cristo" he is supposed to have read and assignments done by the 1st day of school for his AP English Class.
This week Brennen is doing his Scout Eagle Project. Hooray! Two Eagle projects in the family in a little over 3 months. He is replanting the flower beds in front of the local aquatic center and putting a split rail fence around it.
And after that I guess we are ready for school to start next Tuesday!
August 5, 2012
Essentials
Dustin received among other things a list in the mail from his college with the title "WHAT TO BRING".
"Here is a recommended checklist for incoming students. Of course every student may have different needs, but this gives you a good start. Items we consider essential are starred (*)."
on the list are things like laundry supplies, Hygiene supplies, specific bedding, etc.
I found it interesting that these items were starred (*), therefore considered ESSENTIAL:
Music player (CD, MP3, iPOD)*
DVD player* (w/remote and user manual)
While these items were not starred thus not essential to a college education:
Pens
Pencils
Spiral Notebooks
Backpack
Alarm clock (of course if you have your iPOD it can be used as your alarm clock I suppose)
"Here is a recommended checklist for incoming students. Of course every student may have different needs, but this gives you a good start. Items we consider essential are starred (*)."
on the list are things like laundry supplies, Hygiene supplies, specific bedding, etc.
I found it interesting that these items were starred (*), therefore considered ESSENTIAL:
Music player (CD, MP3, iPOD)*
DVD player* (w/remote and user manual)
While these items were not starred thus not essential to a college education:
Pens
Pencils
Spiral Notebooks
Backpack
Alarm clock (of course if you have your iPOD it can be used as your alarm clock I suppose)
August 3, 2012
Bet you didn't know...
That you can buy freeze dried crickets at Walmart. (see previous post)
so now you know. Even though Andy is boy #3 this is my first experience with lizards
Today we had a parade in town. I had a doc appt at the same time as the parade and it was only a street and a half away from the parade. So I drove by the doctor's office and showed A & J where it was, then took them to a parking lot to watch the parade and we agreed that if I got done before it was over, I would walk to them. Otherwise they were to walk to the doctor's office. It was a cute sight when I was done with the doctor (which of course took way too long) and I saw two kids sitting on the steps surrounded by candy. And guess what Andy caught while walking away from the parade--yep, another lizard.
Happy kids. Amazing to think we only have two more weekends til summer is over and school starts.
so now you know. Even though Andy is boy #3 this is my first experience with lizards
Today we had a parade in town. I had a doc appt at the same time as the parade and it was only a street and a half away from the parade. So I drove by the doctor's office and showed A & J where it was, then took them to a parking lot to watch the parade and we agreed that if I got done before it was over, I would walk to them. Otherwise they were to walk to the doctor's office. It was a cute sight when I was done with the doctor (which of course took way too long) and I saw two kids sitting on the steps surrounded by candy. And guess what Andy caught while walking away from the parade--yep, another lizard.
Happy kids. Amazing to think we only have two more weekends til summer is over and school starts.
July 31, 2012
Simple Pleasures
"Mom, want to help me look for crickets?"
A question every mom wants to hear. He asked me this after I was the best mom ever today. Because I took my boy to the park which has a creek and small irrigation canal. On the way home he said "This is the best day ever!" Cuz with his friend he caught 3 toads (I called them frogs but was corrected), a giant spider, and 5 lizards. But they let one lizard go so it would be even. They each brought home a small lizard and a bigger lizard. And his friend kept the giant spider, thank goodness. He also told me I the best mom since I am letting him keep lizards. I will have to remind him of that when he thinks I am the meanest mom.
The park was actually a pretty good time for me too. I didn't have any other kids with me so I sat in the shade and read a book while Andy and his friend got wet and muddy and had a ball catching critters. Haven't read much this summer at all. It was nice quiet time.
Well, I don't even know where to find crickets for his lizards to eat. And the best thing I could find as a habitat was a 5 gallon bucket which we put rocks and dirt in. Hopefully the lizards won't get hungry too soon because I didn't help him look for crickets.
A question every mom wants to hear. He asked me this after I was the best mom ever today. Because I took my boy to the park which has a creek and small irrigation canal. On the way home he said "This is the best day ever!" Cuz with his friend he caught 3 toads (I called them frogs but was corrected), a giant spider, and 5 lizards. But they let one lizard go so it would be even. They each brought home a small lizard and a bigger lizard. And his friend kept the giant spider, thank goodness. He also told me I the best mom since I am letting him keep lizards. I will have to remind him of that when he thinks I am the meanest mom.
The park was actually a pretty good time for me too. I didn't have any other kids with me so I sat in the shade and read a book while Andy and his friend got wet and muddy and had a ball catching critters. Haven't read much this summer at all. It was nice quiet time.
Well, I don't even know where to find crickets for his lizards to eat. And the best thing I could find as a habitat was a 5 gallon bucket which we put rocks and dirt in. Hopefully the lizards won't get hungry too soon because I didn't help him look for crickets.
June 7, 2012
What? My Son is an Adult?
Meaning I must be getting old. The mom of an adult? Well, he may be able to vote and sign his own documents but he is still a teenager. And still my responsibility. and still living in my house. For a few more months anyway. Then D is on his way to Utah State University. The place of his birth. We moved off campus and out of student housing when he was just a few weeks old to Salt Lake City where Scott got his first full-time job. (The first of many because he liked to job hop a bit. Not in a bad way, just saw different opportunites. And now he owns his own business which is pretty cool and ambitious. anyway...back to Dustin).
We had a small pre-graduation party for Dustin the night before the big day. Only I forgot to take pictures. I was busy you know doing all the stuff moms do when hosting parties. And it was supposed to be outside at the park across the street with a volleyball net and other games but it was like so so windy and we had to do it inside which of course I didn't plan on until an hour before. Next time I will delegate the photo taking.
But here is one photo of the star of the party and the awesome cake I made. The award there if you can see it is the "Sousa Award" he earned for outstanding senior in band.
In case you can't see the cake very well (and the cool scorpion I made out of an airhead), then here is another pic of the cake. I found the drummer on the cake at Hobby Lobby and it was 50% off!
The grandparents came down from Utah so that was very cool. However, I neglected to get any pics of the graduate with either set of grandparents, or Dad. ARG! But I got one of him with me.
And to our surprise he was on the front page of the paper the day after graduation pictured in a group with other graduates celebrating the moment.
and 5 days later he had a birthday...
(I think he is more excited than he looks)
We took the older boys river rafting in Durango for his big day and had a great time. The younger kids went to Utah with Grandma and Grandpa after graduation so they were not around.
He was hired at Home Depot this summer and he is also keeping his job at the library. I am impressed. This is the boy at some time in his life who, after I told him we were going to do some work and it would take about an hour, complained: "A whole hour of work!?!?" like it was going to be torture. However, I guess part of the reason he has two jobs is because he is very good at spending but hasn't quite learned the saving part so he needs to catch up on his college account which is a bit lacking. good think he got some scholarships!
He is a good boy. A typical absent-minded teenager but a great kid. Even though he was our first and the "one we make mistakes and learn on" I think he is turning out just fine. Come fall I will miss this boy, or I guess adult.
We had a small pre-graduation party for Dustin the night before the big day. Only I forgot to take pictures. I was busy you know doing all the stuff moms do when hosting parties. And it was supposed to be outside at the park across the street with a volleyball net and other games but it was like so so windy and we had to do it inside which of course I didn't plan on until an hour before. Next time I will delegate the photo taking.
But here is one photo of the star of the party and the awesome cake I made. The award there if you can see it is the "Sousa Award" he earned for outstanding senior in band.
In case you can't see the cake very well (and the cool scorpion I made out of an airhead), then here is another pic of the cake. I found the drummer on the cake at Hobby Lobby and it was 50% off!
The grandparents came down from Utah so that was very cool. However, I neglected to get any pics of the graduate with either set of grandparents, or Dad. ARG! But I got one of him with me.
And to our surprise he was on the front page of the paper the day after graduation pictured in a group with other graduates celebrating the moment.
and 5 days later he had a birthday...
(I think he is more excited than he looks)
We took the older boys river rafting in Durango for his big day and had a great time. The younger kids went to Utah with Grandma and Grandpa after graduation so they were not around.
He was hired at Home Depot this summer and he is also keeping his job at the library. I am impressed. This is the boy at some time in his life who, after I told him we were going to do some work and it would take about an hour, complained: "A whole hour of work!?!?" like it was going to be torture. However, I guess part of the reason he has two jobs is because he is very good at spending but hasn't quite learned the saving part so he needs to catch up on his college account which is a bit lacking. good think he got some scholarships!
He is a good boy. A typical absent-minded teenager but a great kid. Even though he was our first and the "one we make mistakes and learn on" I think he is turning out just fine. Come fall I will miss this boy, or I guess adult.
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