Update

I cannot believe the summer is so close to ending.  I feel like we started out with so many plans and staying busy and structured, lagged a bit in the middle, and now I feel a rush to do a bunch more things with the kids before they go back to school.  It will be tough however because we start things like soccer practice (Vincent) and preschool orientation (Lauren) this week.  Well, at least we all have very nice dark tans to show for all of our hours in the pool this summer.

Hadley gave an excellent talk in primary today on the 13th article of faith.  She even used our saying (from the primary) that we practice around the house of "Reading, watching and listening to wholesome things keeps my mind clean."  I was so proud of her that she thought of sharing that all on her own.

Vincent is absolutely loving the new set of brothers he's suddenly come into by having the cousins move here to Tustin.  He enjoys every one of them for different reasons and I enjoy watching him follow their examples that they set for him.  I hope the example of serving full-time missions will also sink-in, although I know right now, Vincent is anxious to go on a mission AND play major league baseball when he gets home.

Lauren in all of her fiery independence and confidence insisted on walking by herself into the baseball stadium last night for the Quakes game we went to with Gma & Gpa and A.Molly.  If you offer your hand to hold, she won't but if you don't, she will hold it.  She is my first specimen of raising a child with reverse psychology.  I was so proud of her today when she asked to turn off a show they were watching because they were using the word 'stupid' too much and it was making her uncomfortable.

Gentry - well, she may make it through going to nursery the fewest number of times than all of my kids combined.  Thankfully she will be entering primary next year so Chris and I don't really push it but I do hope that going to primary will be easier for her.  She even takes her blankie with her to nursery when she goes - something I would have always frowned upon for other children.

Serving as 1st counselor in YW is becoming more and more enjoyable each week although it still brings its challenges.  I hope that my daughters have caring, loving and giving leaders when they are in YW someday.  In this world - I am sad to say I think they are going to need all the help they can get.

Update

The week was filled with cousins, moving them into a new house, swimming with them, and birthday celebrations.  Bryce & Sharon arrived late Sat night and stayed while waiting to get the keys for their house thru Tuesday.  We helped move them in and swam here everyday afterwards.  They left for Utah and we spent time with Gma & Gpa Tigger on Thursday night celebrating Hadley and Gentrys' birthdays.

Hadley is all about whales so for her 8th birthday she chose to go whale-watching.  Chris and dad went together and had a great time while we prepared for a little birthday party here at the house.

Saturday I took the kids to Upland's Grove Theatre to see Cinderella with mom, Molly & Pat Skousen.  Then it was on to Pat's house for sno-cones.

The heat has been really bad and we've been blasting the air conditioning all day and sometimes at night as well.  All four kids are currently sliding down the stairs in sleeping bags and laughing and giggling the way I imagine me and my siblings did when we were younger.  If they weren't getting so sweaty though I'd think they are going to sleep well tonight.  I love and always have loved how well all four of the kids often play with one another.  I am always hesitant or reluctant to stop their playtime for anything else when they are having a such a fun time and being so cooperative.  Fortunately Hadley has such great game ideas and imagination for the others to follow.  When she is in a good mood - all is well for the other kids.  They can't get enough of playing with her.

Chris left for the office to get more stuff done even though it is Sunday evening.  The work has never ended for him on the weekends - and this one is no exception. 

Week Update

It has been several years since I wrote one of these updates but I came across several I had written in the past and read them to the kids - they loved them and I'd forgotten how meaningful they can be for the future.

We are winding down our summer adventures with a last-minute heat wave.  The pool has been the lifesaver all summer and the kids all have tans to show for it.  Particularly Vincent.  Lauren's swim lessons this year makes for almost three of them fully complete swimmers.  Gentry next year.

Hadley is entirely all about whales with more than a dozen whale books here from the library and I think she has read them all.  She will be excited this Friday on her birthday to go whale-watching with Chris and Papa.  I am just praying that they see some whales.  Can it be that we will have an eight year old?!

Vincent is happy to have cousins staying here a lot while awaiting their move to Tustin.  It is like having brothers which is nice for him for a change.  The girls go in an out of feeling left out, and enjoying have other brothers.

Lauren is as talkative/inquisitive/curious as ever and still loves any and all shoes.  Came across some blue sparkle shoes on sale at the mall this week and had to get them for her - mostly so she would throw out the worn out ones she was wearing and to replace a pair of her favorite pink sparkle shoes she finally gave up after months of prodding.  (I still had to convince her to throw out the pair she was wearing that day).

Gentry is as mamas-girl as ever as well.  It will be interesting to spend so much more time together this fall when the kids are in school and Lauren has preschool three days a week.  Chris and I are working very hard on her NOT sleeping in our bed.  Have been successful getting her to go to sleep in the upholstered chair next to our bed but she still finds her way into our bed regardless.  'sigh'

Chris is extremely busy - as usual - and still counting down the days, weeks, months, years? or working for that firm.  I am resolved that change usually offers mixed blessings.  Living in the moment but hoping for good/new change.