We spent Labor Day weekend with Mitch and Jill Dabo and their kids at the cabin. The weather was magnificent. It was beautiful and the water was inviting. Todd broke out the zip line and we set it up, not knowing if we'd get complaints and have to take it down. It was worth the risk; everyone on the lake was stoked and wanted to try it out as well. We had that baby running for four or five hours almost nonstop. Todd rode down upside down and then dived into the lake - ultra cool! Everyone played on the kayaks and paddle boards as well, and it was super chill and fun.
Jack is literally as old as possible to still be in primary. He started resisting going to activity days, and it was a battle, but we didn't want him to just stop participating in church activities, so I went to the bishop and asked if Jack could start attending Young Men's weekday activities a few months early. The transition was approved, and it's been a good move. He's been boating with the youth a couple times, which is Bishop Anderson's favorite way to interact with the kids.
The kids decided to participate in Livermore's fall tree sweater project. People can sign up for a downtown tree and create an original design to decorate it for a couple of months. Hazel's tree was in front of the Sauced (a BBQ restaurant) and Todd encouraged her to honor Peppa Pig since she's been a running gag for Hazel and her friends for the past year. Jack went for a more classic look.
After years of hollow smack-talk, Todd and Hazel finally tried P-90 Ab Ripper X together. Funny, they talked big, but they haven't done it again since. I've got horror memories from that program Todd tortured me with pre-kid ....
Hazel got braces. She is sad that her teeth took longer than expected to fall out and grow in and couldn't get this experience over with last year while she had to wear a mask to school. She is not as disciplined as Gemma with the naughty foods list. Hopefully she won't have long-term consequences such as cavities or stained teeth. Fingers crossed.
Hazel and Jack both joined the Cross Country team at school. I loved that they were there together. Hazel enjoyed it and Jack tolerated it, but they both stuck it out the whole season. Stay tuned for October's post to hear about meet results!
We had the Dix family over for dinner. Hazel has been getting arm wrestling tips from Todd and inspiration from me, because I beat the high school state wrestling champ in an arm wrestle (when we were in 6th grade) and was able to use that as serious bragging rights for years. Anyway, Hazel had an undefeated record from the boys at school, but Spencer destroyed her streak in about half a second.
We got some glorious rain for the first time in months. The gutters were gushing and I goaded the kids out the door to splash and enjoy. Hazel came back to the porch to watch with me after a couple of minutes. I told her she wasn't too old to get back out there and enjoy herself and that I didn't want her to miss out on the memories. Well, she flipped the script and told me I wasn't too old, either. I grabbed my rain jacket and went out to play, and baby, it felt amazing! I was so grateful to Hazel for giving me that gift.
We had the youth from our ward up to the cabin that weekend, and it was a total blast! Katie came because she's YW president, and Chris Cowan came for the YM/bishopric. We got up there Friday night, had dinner, and then headed out to the kickball field for some night games. The stars were workin' it! We had a stunning sky. The kids loved running around in the dark with glowsticks. It was a fun energy.
The girls slept up in the loft and the boys on the living room floor. Only adults got real beds. Saturday was full of games and plenty of time at the lake. The kids all seemed relaxed and happy and inclusive, and I think it was really good for them to all be together and have a break from their phones.
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