The thickness of water

Last night we went for a moonlight swim. As I have spent more time swimming I have notices that the water has become thicker. (I think that I used to fight against the water, I imagine that I thrashed around more and that the water was splashier. One day I was swimming and realized that if you cut through it and push against it, swimming is more like gliding.) The stars were out and I was laying on the water floating there in the dark watching the stars above me and it was a very mystical experience. I heard the universe whispering to me, and message was “be still”. I am trying to do that more.

I have been teaching basic canning classes at our house on Saturdays. They are going well; fun, educational, well attended. I really love canning. I love the hard work. I love the spinney rings and the pop of the lids as they seal. I love the steamy hot jars straight from the dishwasher, and the canner that was my Grandma’s. I really love to see the jars with bright contents, the labor of my own hands. I love the camaraderie and the conversation. I love it for all the times past and for the promise of the future.

Madam President

Sydney decided to run for student council president. She had a group of her friends and Abby's friends come over one day last week after school. They spent 2 hours making 200 of those little "warm fuzzies". (a pompom with feet and googly eyes) They put a little message tag on each one that said "Vote for Sydney W. for President".



















The day before the speeches her "campaign crew" handed out the warm fuzzies. Sydney fussed and fretted about her speech. She was worried about being honest because previous presidents won by promising impossible things like saying that they would make the cafeteria food better. I think that she did a really good job. Here is her speech:




She won. The thing that impressed me the most was that she cam home and said "mom I won, but I don't feel really happy because Amy lost and feels bad." We had a nice chat about winning and losing and she decided that she would feel better if she baked Amy some cookies and wrote her a nice note about the things Sydney thought she did well. The cookies worked, Amy is happy and is the class representative, and Sydney has a new friend. I love it when the easy answers work.

Halloween Fun

I think that the best part of Halloween is all the preparations. Hours and Hours of entertainment trying on costumes and mixing and matching...

Happy Birthday Christian!

Christian requested that his cake be fudge this year, no complaints from me! YUMM!

Hazel gave him a pair of Hanna Montana pink boots, because we often tease that gifts for the boys are a pair of pink boots. Hazel didn't tell the kids what was in the box so the teasing continued about the pink boots. His surprise was worth it. Unfortunately being $3 clearance items the boots didn't fit him.

He got other gifts too but the boots were the best!

Dare Devil Mama

Today I jumped off the high-dive! Sydney dared me and I did it. There is no picture as I was in my swimming suit!

Finally!!

Nate finally lost a tooth! He was so excited to get to be in the lost tooth club at school. He was so excited that he carried it around and lost it in the hall. The tooth Fairy must have found it in the night because in the morning his dollar was on the floor in the hall.

Monkey's Birthday

Happy Birthday to Hazel!!
Truman and Syd Baked the cake and Truman decorated it. I think it turned out really cute.

The Birthday girl was full of smiles today.

Every present she opened she would exclaim "Oh its just what I wanted!"

One more candle to blow out.

Ohh, the humiliation

Ladies and Gentelmen

Emma's wedding this week was beautiful, the girls were beautiful in their white dresses with blue satin sashes, and the boys were gentlemen, the weather was great, the cake turned out lovely (but I forgot my camera at the reception so I don't have a photo), the temple ceremony was nice. And we got to spend a day playing in Moab which was also very fun. I am oh-so very glad to be home!

Hazel's Real First Day

Today was Hazel's real first day of Preschool. Here she is bright and shining with her piggy-tails all curled! ARRGH I can't believe my baby is so grown-up.

Sydney's Party (Finally)

I only allow the kids to invite friends to their birthday party every other year... Well this is the other year. Sydney really wanted to have a pool party but the pool is being remodeled and won't be done until the end of September sometime. So she decided to have a party with water balloons. They had a great time in the back yard, made their own pizzas, and had cake an ice-cream. Sydney was very patient waiting for the party to happen and she agrees with me that it was fun enough to make up for the wait!

First Day of School

Christian "Big Man on Campus" this year, is in 9th grade (at the Junior High). Big events to lok forward to: Marching Band and Seminary.

Hazel "Little Big Man on Campus", is in the Monkey Class at Preschool this year. Looking forward to her birthday in 2 weeks.

Sydney also "Big Man on Campus" at the elementary school (6th grade). Looking forward to a bid for a student council position, saxophone lessons again after the summer off, and wearing this yellow bug shirt to "bug" her teacher. The shirt previously belonged to Truman who also found joy in wearing it to bug the same teacher. Also looking forward to taking Dejay to school with her on Fridays.

Nate "Mr. Macho" that's me! First grade is off to a great start. Looking forward to playing with Lilly and going to music at school.

Rebekah "Pleased as Punch", is pleased as always with her 2nd grade teacher, Miss Vickers. Abby also had Miss Vickers in 1st and 3rd grades so we are all acquainted with how much fun her class can be.

Abby "Animal Antics" is hoping to continue her pursuit of a veterinarian degree by reading all the "pet mystery" books that 4th grade has to offer. She is most looking forward to making new friends and attempting to change the spelling of her name from Abby to Abi.

Truman "The Independent" is in 7th grade (also at the Junior High). He is enjoying his freedom, hence he insisted on being photographed on the bike. He is looking forward to Band, Jazz Band, and lots of homework.

Hot Dog or It's a Dog's Life

Got Milk?

We didn't this morning. Nor eggs... Hmmm. How to disguise the rehydrated milk that is being served at breakfast, that is the question of the day. So I did the only logical thing. I put powdered milk, powdered eggs, sugar, a little vanilla, a pinch of nutmeg, and some ice in the blender and fill it with water. TA-DA instant eggnog and some great milk mustaches!
(and after breakfast... a trip to the store.)

Car Wash

After all our travels our van was really really dirty. Thank heavens for kids, they worked all morning cleaning inside and out. It is clean again!