Update

I didn't get around to update yesterday due to Hadley's baptism.  The event was wonderful and I know it has had a lot of meaning to her.  Hadley is such an incredible and inspiring spirit.  I hope that she will continue to grow in knowledge and make even more covenants with her Heavenly Father in this life.

Update

We are officially gearing up for school starting this week.  Feels like a ton of plans for the last two days of summer are coming together.  We've been playing/getting together with our cousins so often that I don't know what we'd do with ourselves if we didn't see them again tomorrow on Labor Day.

Just got home late from an evening in Upland.  I've always enjoyed those Sunday evenings for dinner out there.  Played Tripoli with the three oldest kids, papa made chocolate shakes, hung out and got things organized for Hadley's baptism next Sunday.  Chris was able to come with which was an extra bonus for us all.  Ended the evening by him and papa giving Hadley a blessing for an earache and general congestion she is having.  She is so sensitive to getting sick.  I don't blame her - she gets upset when she doesn't feel well.  Just like me.

Hadley is anxiously preparing for her baptism next Sunday.  We are sad more of my side of the family can't make it but excited for all of those who can.  It will be a short and sweet program - focusing on the the importance ordinances taking place more than anything.

Vincent.  And Vincent today surprised us by bearing his testimony in sacrament meeting.  At the age of 6!  I am trying not to be too proud, as I believe bearing one's testimony is a personal matter - some don't mind doing it publicly while others do.  But what Chris and I loved is how he seemed to be prompted by several primary-age children (two of which read their testimonies) who bore theirs and two boys on the stand who he knows.  He marched up there and waited his turn - then did it.  He talked about temples and how when we are young we can be preparing to go to the temple. 

Lauren got another cute little short bob haircut that matches her personality so well I cannot express it.  She enjoys so much out of life but is constantly looking for more.  I have a feeling preschool is going to agree very well with her!

Gentry, I feel, is going to have a rude awakening this week when the kids go to school.  Never has she been left alone with just me for so long.  I am hoping that she will get a little bit more imaginative play time by herself but I know she will miss the older kids.

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.

What's In a Name?

I think it is funny the names kids make up to use when they are pretending.  For some reason about a year ago Lauren started calling Gentry 'Cindy' when they would play.  Now that is all Gentry calls herself when they play.  It is very cute.  Today though Lauren started calling Gentry 'Margaret'.  I can't wait to hear Gentry start trying to pronounce that.  Lauren however has run the gamut on names - and is the most resolute that she be called what she says.  It started with Lisa, sometimes Lucy but right now is mostly Sally.

As a note: I have a video somewhere of what Gentry calls Lauren - it is "Lor-len".  Very cute!

Sweetness

Last night I was reading "No Flying In The House" to the kids for bedtime. Gentry was keeping herself occupied while the three older children were tucked in bed. I knew Lauren was tired and going to fall asleep. The kids also know I don't like interruptions while reading and they are supposed to be falling asleep. But Lauren got my attention and interjected sweetly enough to say, "Mommy I'm going to fall asleep but I still want a kiss goodnight." Meaning she didn't want me to forget to kiss her but she couldn't stay awake any longer. She is so stinking cute!