Way to Go Brett!

Just have to share how proud I am of Brett!  Yesterday he took the Accuplacer test at Dixie State College.  It was required in order for him to have his Physics class count for college credit.  He scored 116 out of 120.  Just about as good as he could have done.  Seriously it is amazing what he has accomplished in the last 2 years.

BTW- This should have been posted weeks ago when he went to EFY.  Here is he with 3 of his roommates at EFY at SUU at the beginning of August.

Ward Picnic at Pine Valley

Our annual Ward Picnic at the Lion's Lodge in Pine Valley. Great food and fun. The kids look forward to this every year.

Football

Studying Math - there weren't many people Brett's age there so he pulled out a math book.

Unfortunately Kylie ended up with a tummy ache and we left early to get her home.  She was fine after a while but her face shows her disappointment.

Family History - I Am Doing It!

It's been a while since I have worked on the 48.000+ name in my genealogy program.  I have absolutely no clue how my mom managed to research, find and enter that many names.  I know she worked on it for close to 20 years but still that is a lot of names.

I opened up my RootsMagic program this morning and didn't quit until well after lunch time.  Then I had to take kids to a dentist appointment, take Kim to dance and go to back to school night.  So once again another productive day without getting much done on the house. (At least I got dozens of name submitted to Family Search so their temple work can be done)

There's always tomorrow...

Bradley is one of the sweetest boys around.  After dinner he gave me a huge hug and told me thanks for making such a good dinner.  At Back to School night tonight there was a little booklet he had made sitting on his desk called ABC's of Me!  It made me smile.  Here are a few of the highlights.

K - If I were KING of the world I would - do nothing because I like my life like it is.
H- My HOPE for this year is - I get no cavities.
M - If I had a MILLION dollars I would - donate it to people.
N - I will NEVER - kick my mom and dad - because - I'll get in trouble and I love them.

We love you too Bradley! Thanks for being such a great kid!

2 Days Down - 177 to Go

Overall today was much less stressful but I still didn't get anything done on the house.  My house is seriously in desperate need of a good deep cleaning.  Hopefully tomorrow I will find time to get started on it.

This morning started at 5:45.  Brian joined my on my Peak 8 workout in the dark!  Then it was time for the 2 hours of getting kids off to school. Followed by a session at the temple then lunch with Brian.  A good use of my time but by the time we were done I had less than an hour until kids started to come home.  I made pancakes for a snack and went through backpacks then I needed to leave to go rent a clarinet for Kim and then run up to Toquerville to pick up my Azure Standard Bulk order.  It was almost 7 by the time I got home.  Instead of doing dishes I played a game with Bradley.  Where did the time go.

But take note - I've changed my attitude - I didn't say I got nothing done rather I didn't get anything done on the house.  I accomplished plenty today and the house will still be waiting for my attention tomorrow.

Peak 8 is Dr. Mercola's version of a HITT workout (High Intensity Interval Training).  You do 30 seconds of high intensity followed by 90 seconds of recovery. So for me that is 30 seconds of sprinting (which is actually just a jog because my body doesn't sprint anymore) followed by 90 seconds of walking.   The best thing about it is you get a great workout and are done in 20 minutes.

A New School Year

The kids are back in school!  But boy is the day going by quickly.  Way too quickly.

I got the required first day of school pictures taken this morning but don't have time to upload them.  I'm off to run errands and then take Kylie to her kindergarten assessment.  She starts school next Monday.

Getting all the kids off to school is going to be a long process each morning.  Brett will leave at 6:50, Kim at 7:25, Bryce at 7:55 and Brad and Kylie at 8:40.  Nearly 2 hours of each morning will be spent driving kids to school, making breakfast, packing lunches, doing hair, checking backpacks, etc.  I'm trying to remind myself to enjoy my job because they really are going to be grown and out of the house way too soon!

I'm trying to get organized.  I have a new planner and it is helping.

This weeks meals
We don't eat breakfast together because of all the different times the kids leave but they have their choice of a green smoothie, oatmeal, eggs, fruit or leftover pancakes or waffles.
Lunch is a sack lunch from home and they aren't thrilled about it.  I made a list of "choices" and each child is filling out their requested lunch items for each day. Kind of like what they do for meals in the hospital.  The only one that is hard to come up with food for is Brett since he is sugar, gluten and dairy free.  It doesn't leave a lot of choice -- any new ideas would be appreciated!

After School Snacks:
Corn on the Cob
Pancakes
Popcorn
Fruit & Veggies
Hummus & Chips

Dinners:
Mexicali Corn, Black Bean & Rice Salad
Taco Soup
Spaghetti
Stir Fry
Ward Picnic @ Pine Valley - (taking a salad)
Best of the Border Bean Dip
Broiled Fish

Anti Gravity Arena

We had one last day of summer fun today.  We took the kids to Anti Gravity Arena.  They had a blast.  The place was huge!  Most of the time was spent playing Ultimate Dodgeball.  We had invited a bunch of friends which always makes things more fun - The Abelhouzens, Walkers, Frames, Udys, Hartshorns & Asays all came too so there were plenty of friends & fun for everyone.  Thankfully no one got too hurt - a few twisted ankles, dodgeballs in the face and a few skin burns but at least no broken bones!

2 more days of Summer

School starts Monday.  Where did the time go?  I'm so ready for structure and routine but dreading homework, bedtimes and alarm clocks.  Too bad having one requires the other!

Going for a Brett Ride

Not sure exactly what brought this on but the 4 kids got a ride on Brett's back after scriptures.  It was hard for all 4 of them to fit but thankfully no one got hurt and they had fun.