Saturday, May 30, 2015

Outdoor Ed

Ah, our hero returned, safe and sound from Outdoor Ed.  

                                                           

In California, most 5th graders spend a week of school at some kind of outdoor learning facility.  So Tuesday morning I dropped Wyatt off at school with a duffle bag of clothes, a pillow and a sleeping bag and did not see him again until Friday afternoon.
I am always surprised at how the dynamics of our family changes when just one child is missing.  That one child (no matter which one) is a big part of our family and life is different without them.  This was true for Wyatt's absence this week.  All the little kids kept asking "Where is Wyatt?" at dinner time, after school, when we'd pile into the car to run an errand.  They couldn't figure out why he wasn't with us.

Lorien spent Wednesday afternoon wandering around the house--looking for something to do.  She didn't vocalize it but I could tell she was missing her partner in crime.  She wasn't looking for a playmate, just her brother who she could tease or talk about tv shows with.  

When I picked Wyatt up on Friday he seemed pretty happy to be home.  He said he got a little homesick but not bad.  Then he told me about all the stuff he did at Outdoor Ed.  He talked for nearly an hour while we went for ice cream.  The games: Sprout (a mixture of Hunger Games, Dodge Ball and Infinity Tag), a tennis ball game he played with his bunk mates at night while they were waiting for lights out, the climbing wall, pool and free time.  He told me about the hikes (5 miles in total) one where they got to hike alone.  It sounded like he had a great time.  I was happy he was home safe.  

When we walked in the door all the kids who were home (Clare was still at school) came rushing over to hug Wyatt.  Colter yelled "Wyatt, you're back!" it was all very heartwarming.  

When I texted Will that Wyatt was home he responded "Good, I missed him"

After all the hugs and "how was Outdoor Ed" questions Lorien and Wyatt got to work making a video of Wyatt's jubilant return.  Lorien posted the picture below on her instagram account.  I think the caption said "Back from Outdoor Ed and can't wait to watch TV!"

                                                              

Thursday, May 28, 2015

May-hem


Tonight was the last Open House at school.  We had Wyatt and Clare's last week and Adell's tonight.  Open houses are exhausting.  Sure it is awesome to see all of your kid's cool projects but trying to compliment them on their hard work over the din of 30 other parents trying to compliment their own children is not so awesome.  

BUT we did it.  We saw three different classrooms and about a hundred little projects.  They were all off the charts amazing.  Great school work Wyatt, Clare and Adell.  



                                   

                                   


Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Turning Three...

Three years old.  This little stinker has been part of our family for three whole years.  I can hardly believe it.  Seriously, where has my baby gone?  

Who is this big boy who jumps over the hard floor patches (between area rugs scattered around the house) and plays trucks all day long?  

Who is this big boy who yells out all of the names of the different kinds of trucks as we pass them in the car?  

Who is this big boy who gets so excited when we drive by an "auction site--my favorite!" (construction site)?

Who is this big boy who insists upon saying "I have to go to the bathroom" instead of using the word "potty"?

Who is this big boy who knows all the words to the Mighty Machines, Paw Patrol and Blaze and the Monster Machines theme songs?

Who is this big boy who can ride a strider bike around the neighborhood and do "tricks"?

Who is this big boy who says "thank you sir" to me when I hand him his lunch across the bar?

Who is this big boy who loves to eat out at a restaurant and wants to order by himself (even Burger King)?





This big boy is Colter William and we sure love him.  Happy Birthday Colter!



Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Keeping it real...


On Mother's day I got to talk with my Mom.  She complimented me on how clean my house looks in Facebook photos.  I laughed and said I only posted pictures where the trashed house wasn't visible.  To show her how things really look I posted this the next day...

Every room is a mess.  Every surface is cluttered.  There is a gallon of water spilled on the floor...way to win at water rationing.  The kids are doing their homework (real win!).  The couches are stripped of cushions.  It is awesome.  And it is every day.  

Just keeping it real...horrifyingly real.


Sunday, May 10, 2015

Mother's day...

Just to keep the "over acting" theme going here.  This was one of my Mother's day gifts this year.  Will and the kids put on a play with villains and damsels in distress.  However, they were missing their hero.  I got to be the hero and save the trapped damsels.  The whole thing was super cute.  Colter (while the villains were plotting) kept shouting "Yhea, kill, kill!"  

Hilarious!


The villains plot...

The damsels are tricked into helping an old lady (Will)...

The damsels are trapped and put in a pot for cooking!

I don't have any pictures of me saving the day but, rest assured, I did.  Lorien narrated the play--no pictures of her either.

I also go a cute necklace and shoes from the kids, got to take a lovely, long nap, and had two delicious meals prepared for me.  My family sure knows how to treat a gal on Mother's day.


Saturday, May 2, 2015

May 1st...

What a day!  Clare and Adell have been counting down the days till May day for a while.  They had a lot to look forward to.  

Adell had her talent show (see post below) and Clare had two exciting events.  First, it was her classroom's turn to go to the one room school house.  The kids get to dress in period costume and attend school in the 1800's.  It is very cool.  



That same night was also the Daddy-daughter dance at school.  Since Clare is the only daughter in Elementary school this year she got Daddy all to herself.  They dance the night away and had a lovely time.  


Exciting day complete.

Friday, May 1, 2015

More love for the stage..


Like I said before, my daughters love to put on a show.  Lorien has been practicing her part for the school musical since January.  Because the school musical is an after school program Lorien can participate as a homeschooler.  (Also because we go to church with the play director and she is a good family friend...it helps to know people in high places.)

Lorien was cast as Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.  She was bursting with excitement from the moment she heard what the show was going to be.  Originally, she hoped to be cast as Violet Beauregard but when Lorien realized Violet turned blue and was out of the show rather quickly, Lorien set her sights on the part of Veruca.  

Our Middle School has a pretty awesome musical program.  The director is a very talented singer and performer herself and she teaches the kids how to put on an amazing show.  Lorien really loves the process (even if it is a little time consuming sometimes).  The results are so, so, so fun.  I know I am biased but I really think they do a fabulous job.  



I spent two hours curling Lorien's hair for her opening show...


Only to have it fall limp right as the curtain went up...  Good thing her acting didn't ride on her ringlets. 


She was funny, loud and obnoxious (appropriately so).  I kept telling people she was born for the part and didn't have to "act" at all.  I kid--sort of.  It was a great show. 


And then there is Adell.  

Adell has been watching her brother and sisters on stage for several years now.  Every time there is a talent show or play Adell asks when it will be her turn!

Thankfully, this year her TK teacher signed the class up to be in the school talent show.  Adell practiced with her class (and at home) diligently.  She was one of the few kids who got the choreography down without needing an adult to do the moves in front of her (brag, brag, brag).  Adell had two shows (one during the day and a second at night).  Daddy and Colter got to go to the day time show and I took the girls to the evening show.  It was awesome.  Adell was the cutest little dynamite dancer on the stage.  And boy was she ever excited and proud.  It was adorable.