September 2018

Lucky for us, a friend from school let us know that a theater nearby was showing the Harry Potter movies for a week, so all the kids donned their cloaks and we headed over for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

We had Labor Day brunch with Suzanne and Chrissy and their families. We were all excited to see Suzanne's new rental house - so exciting for them to get a place with more space! - and, of course, everyone was happy to feast on cinnamon rolls.

Luna likes to wear Hazel's shower cap to match me while I shower.

Luna climbed up on this mat at the big kids' gym class and then refused to try to climb down herself. She laid up there and cried for fifteen minutes before finally attempting it and seeing what a simple task it was. She's a stubborn little defeatist.

Gemma has been exceptionally cute lately. Todd and I are so sad that she's growing up.

My favorite playdates are the ones where my kids run off happily and I don't see them again for an hour; meanwhile, I can wash the floor or accomplish some other long task. But the kind where the kids need me to help them make homemade play dough or squishy colored pasta can be fun, too.

The kids had their annual fun run fundraiser at school. Everyone put forth a great effort and had a good time. Hazel ran non-stop - like a machine! like her dad! - and Gemma melted my heart walking laps holding hands with her two best friends from kindergarten, Ellie and Imogene. Jack and his best friend Adam kept each other going strong the whole time.

We went to the Dublin art festival, Splatter, for the second year in a row. It did not disappoint. It's very creative and low-key. The kids made egg drops, used pastel chalks, sprayed walls with watered-down paint, and watched cloggers dancing jigs.

Jack's teacher assigns them individual points when they're on task or otherwise making good choices in class. Each Friday they can cash them in for prizes. Jack was super excited to spend his on a day using the teacher's chair.

Todd's primary class earned a party by bringing their scriptures to class week after week, so we hosted them in our backyard. It was a blast seeing all those nine-year-olds on the zip line and playing tetherball. Our backyard is seriously the best!

Todd surprised me on my birthday with an overnight getaway and a Norah Jones concert. Chrissy and Gordon watched our kids, and we had a much-appreciated night out, talking and relaxing and enjoying ourselves. I've got the best husband! I feel so lucky and grateful to be married to him.

We stopped in a chocolate shop down the street from our hotel in Saratoga and picked out some treats. They were lovely, but we couldn't really enjoy them, knowing as we ate them that each piece cost five dollars! There hadn't been any prices listed, and we were a little shocked when the saleslady gave us our grand total. I'm sorry, but they weren't that good. It kind of ruined them for us. 

We've begun a massive garage clean-out project. This load is all the Home Depot returns that have piled up in a corner over the past year. Lucky for us, the store took them all back.

Gemma was thrilled at the opportunity to sing in a school assembly, some songs about apples with all the kindergarten. She was adorable, of course.

And, lucky for me, the assembly was a two-fer, as Jack was awarded Student of the Month as well. He said later that he was hoping he would get picked, but he didn't really expect it and was taken by surprise.

The school had a grand opening for their new maker space. Hazel was totally in her element, making this marble run while the other kids (and adults) ogled at her paper and tape mastery. The girl's got skills!

Our friends, Richard and Karen Anderson, invited us to go boating with them. We usually go with them several times each summer, but we have all been busy this year, and this was the first time we all got out together. I wasn't looking forward to it because I don't enjoy getting behind the boat, but I'm so glad we went. It was a super happy day for all of us, and I soaked up my time at the front of the boat snuggling my kiddos and cheering my family on. It was seriously a fantastic family day and I feel embarrassed that I grumbled about going. I don't have to get on the wakeboard to love boating! Jack and Hazel were so cute out on this RAD together, chatting and laughing. Jack insisted on documenting the day in his journal after we got home, which is a big sign that he's had a truly stand-out experience.

August 2018

 Vlad and Hope decided to keep Luna with them the first week of September, which could not have come at a better time. I'd had a near mental breakdown the week before, crippled under the stress of the situation, and took full advantage of the break. I'd already signed my kids up for a summer camp being run by some teenage girls from church, so suddenly, I had three hours absolutely to myself each morning, for the first time since Gemma finished preschool in May. I scheduled a pedicure, a haircut, and a massage! We also canned peaches, which would have been a daunting task with Luna in the house.

Todd was asked to help fight fires from his helicopter for a week. We debated about whether or not he could take the time off to help, but decided it would be worth the sacrifice so he could get a ton of flight hours in now and not have to take so many trips up to Sacramento over the next few months.

Meanwhile, we watched our friends' kids overnight so Chrissy and Gordon could have a getaway to celebrate a birthday. My kids loved having their "California cousins" sleep over. Everyone had a great time playing together. Lots of cars with the little kids, and some wild water ballooning with the bigger ones out front. It was all over too soon, but we finished the fun off with an hour or two at the pool before they went back home.

Luna came back Sunday evening, and Todd was still gone fighting fires. It was a rough week for me, but we tried to fill it up with fun. We went to a couple summer library programs (all about animals from the area, and a dinosaur dig) and spent a day at the Oakland Zoo.

We went to a splash pad with friends, and got root beer floats from A&W one day when they were giving them out for free. We had lots of playdates with friends, started back up with gym class, and even hosted Grammie and Poppa one night when they came out to check on Vlad. I had another stress-induced breakdown, so Todd came home early from fighting fires.

Vlad and Hope picked Luna up at the end of the week and wanted to keep her for a solid week again. They actually had a well-baby check up scheduled for Luna the week after, so they decided to keep her for two weeks instead. I was grateful for the break, and the chance to have the last week of summer and the first week of school alone with my kids.

We filled that last week of summer up with playdates and trips to the pool. I hosted game night and Todd and I had an extravagant date night. One of my favorite musicians, Phillip Phillips, was in concert here in Livermore, so we splurged for tickets, which came with a hoity-toity dinner at the winery beforehand. The menu was totally intimidating, but the food was delicious.

The live music was energizing and the whole night was lots and lots of fun.

We found out who the kids' teachers would be for school this week. Hazel was especially excited to get the teacher she was hoping for, and made her some cool name art. She was inspired by the artists she'd seen making letter art at Six Flags, where she and Todd had spent a day at this same week. (Todd reported that the roller coasters made him totally sick, but that Hazel loved it.)

August 20th our darling, spunky, speedy, sweet Gemmster started kindergarten at last. She has Mrs. Coon and has reported consistently that her days spent in room 27 are "awesome!"

Jack has Miss Bakalar for second grade and so far has really enjoyed it. He's coming out of his shell and having lots of fun with friends, while still being a model student. He especially loves the days we can rollerblade to school.

Hazel is in fourth grade with Mrs. Lockhart. Between the three kids, I can't walk them all to their classroom doors each morning, so Hazel got the boot. We all thought she would be upset about it, because she sure was clingy about our every other day schedule last year, but day one she reported that she feels so grown up kissing me goodbye and walking to her classroom alone. In fact, that first day of school she was on a high, declaring that for the first time in her life, she is able to be free from the oppressive eye of her mother and actually do some things without me breathing down her neck, micromanaging her entire life. Hello, preteen! Ha. Apparently, her teacher told them they are all "grownups in training" and that she was going to treat them like adults in class. They ate it up!

I took advantage of being baby-free and accepted my friends' offer to come to the park to work out after school drop off. It helped me keep my mmd off the time so I wasn't constantly thinking about what Gemma might be doing next.

We had our traditional giant cookies after school, but I forgot to take any pictures this year! With three kids to report, it was a busy afternoon!

I got released from the Primary presidency and put in the Relief Society presidency at church. I was super sad about it. I'm coming to terms now, but it took a few weeks!

Todd built a tetherball post for our kids. I'm telling you, it's party central over here! Tell the man he can't build a tree house for his kids, and he'll really swing the pendulum the other direction, you know!

We drove down to Scotts Valley on August 25th and picked Luna up. It was overwhelming seeing their housing in person. It gave me a renewed drive to care for this little girl the best I can when we have her. All my kids are absolutely in love with her and so, so sweet with her, which I'm grateful for. I can see that this experience has been good for my kids.

July 2018

 July went by fast! We got home late from our funeral/reunion trip to Utah, had a day to recover (i.e. rest and do laundry) and then got back in to the swing of things.

We went bowling with Jack's buddy Adam and his sisters.

Our tomato plants have been going crazy; we can't keep up with them! We pick them all the time, and I'm always gifting them or bringing them to parties, but still we have too many. 18 plants may have been beyond our reach, I'm afraid. Luna sure loves them! She can see the plants from her bedroom window and whenever we look out, she and I wiggle our fingers at them and whisper, "Grow, grow, grow." She's super content to help us pick them, too.

I took the kids out on the Fourth of July to see the fireworks, while Todd stayed home with Luna so she could sleep. She'd had a rough time coming home near midnight from Utah, and we didn't want to give her two late nights in one week. It was totally sad to not have the whole gang there, though. Just not the same. 

Our back-door neighbors invited us to a pool party that day, as well. We haven't had much contact with them, other than the time Todd was told he couldn't build his dream tree house, so we made an effort to accept the olive branch and go. The kids had tons of fun, but it was socially awkward for me. There were lots and lots of people there, and we didn't know any of them.

Speaking of backyard projects, Todd finished the zipline, and the kids are in love with it. It's getting tons of use, and has been a big hit when friends come over to play. 

I took the kids to the zoo. The giraffes drank from the stream, and the elephants pooped in front of us, so we got a good show. This docent also gave a great presentation on elephants that was interesting to listen to while we stopped for lunch. We learned that you can make paper out of elephant poop, and that they can remember each other even when they've been separated for decades. Pretty cool stuff.

Some days with Luna have been really hard.

The kids finished their swim team season strong. Everyone got a first place ribbon at some point, and they all enjoyed the Sharks team. We will be back next year!

Thursday, June 19th, Hope, Vlad, and Luna joined us on our drive out to Utah for the Bonner family reunion. It was a long day in the car. We stopped at Circus Circus in Vegas for the night, and let our kids go swimming and check out some circus acts at the resort and stretch and rest. Then we finished the drive on Friday and arrived at Laura and Tyler's cabin (mansion) in Bicknell late afternoon.

We saw this delightful sight on the way - Napoleon's Pizza, complete with an Uncle Rico truck parked outside! I was excited Todd stopped the van for a picture.

Hazel was excited to see a tetherball set outside. Apparently, she's quite the tetherball master at recess. She sure schooled Vlad!

Tyler and Laura were great hosts, showing us around to some of their favorite places near their cabin. We had a huge game of tag on the sandy hills out here.

Todd and I won the cool Uncle and Aunt award and got all the 10-and-unders to want to ride in the truck we were driving up the mountain on Saturday.

We rode 4-wheelers and razors up the mountain. The kids painted rocks, we roasted hot dogs and brats, everyone who wanted to did some gun shooting, and we explored and had a good time outdoors.

It was a beautiful day.

Back at the cabin, the cousins shared their mini motorbikes. Hazel and Jack were both really excited to learn to ride them.

We went out for shakes at a place with some table games. Gemma, as usual, was a fierce contender at air hockey.

Jack held his own against Vlad in foosball.

On the walk home, we stopped at the local park and played for a while. Todd did some tricks. He also tried to make himself barf because he felt queasy after eating some rotten pineapples in his shake. No success, but he put on a great show in the meantime!

See, I told you it was more of a mansion than a cabin.

Back at home, the kids - inspired by some people they met in Vegas - have been working hard to learn some magic tricks. They put on a show for Todd and me, and it was adorable.

Sadly, I have no pictures for this one, but the 31st was Harry Potter's birthday. We went to Baskin Robbins for ice cream - and the kids wore their Hogwarts cloaks! -  took quizzes to see which Hogwarts house each of us would have been sorted into, and painted our nails to match. Hazel and I are firmly in Hufflepuff, while Todd and Jack are both Griffindor with a strong Ravenclaw second, or Griffinclaw. Gemma, meanwhile, was one percent more Slytherin than Griffindor, making her a Slythindor. 

That night, the kids watched the first Harry Potter movie with Todd (while I was at book club) and made cookies in the shape of sorting hats and wands. Adorable!