The kiddos started school last Wednesday.  I gave haircuts before school and teased them that I needed to give them bad haircuts because it would keep them humble and build character.  The haircuts actually turned out pretty good if I say so myself so I’m not really out to ruin their lives but it can’t hurt to keep them on their toes.  Our summer can mostly be described with the word, HOT.  We lathered the kids up like ghosts (and still do for that matter), went to the park, La Jolla Cove, went swimming thanks to the kindness of Cathy Jacobson letting us use her pool and otherwise stayed indoors to escape the heat.  Saturday night, we enjoyed watching Moana in a park that recently opened.  The night sky was beautiful and it was a nice chance to cuddle.

Mike found 6 kickboxing classes for $15 and signed me up.  I have three sessions left and am now much more confident in my kicking and hitting skills.  You never know when they’ll be useful. 

I’m confident that the librarians at all three local libraries are sick of seeing me after this summer.  I take comfort in knowing that when my children are older they undoubtedly will be able to fault me for many things but not exposing them to books won’t be one of them.  We went to a few fun library activities like a water day, rocket making day and gizmo day for the older boys.  The most impressive activity was a Naathan Phan magic show that both the kids and I enjoyed immensely. 

No summer vacation this year, however, we gave the walls in the house a new coat of paint and Michael undertook the daunting task of installing a hard floor in the boy’s room.  He did a great job and I’m secretly hoping this will become a hobby for him. 

The three boys sometimes sang silly songs before bed this summer when they weren’t quite ready to fall asleep.  They each had little parts starting with, “Take it from the top” when performing. 

Jonathan rides his bike to and from 6^th grade at the middle school.  He seems to be thriving on the independence.  The highlight of the summer was a day of paintballing for an end-of-season All Star Baseball team party.  He got a perfect score on his 5^th grade CAASPP test!  No wonder the principal always seemed to like me.  When asked by a fellow mom by text what his teacher was like since her son has the same teacher this year, I asked him.  He replied that she’s not too strict, is a fan of the Ducks hockey team and really likes kids that have nice handwriting.  I raised my eyebrows at that last one and he replied, “I’m the exception”.  He’s enjoyed playing Test Drive from How to Train Your Dragon this summer.  Overheard at our house.  “James, do you want me to teach you how to do something that really annoys Mom?”  Of course, James enthusiastically replied in the affirmative and I’ve been hearing all sorts of songs transposed to minor ever since.  The kids were assigning family members to different Harry Potter houses and Jonathan said I’d be a Hufflepuff.  I was kind of hoping for Gryffindor but Hufflepuff it is.  He was really excited about the Solar Eclipse and wanted to skip school so we could drive to north to see the total eclipse.   He has very consistent scout activities thanks to committed leaders and got his first two merit badges, Cooking and Swimming.   

James has enjoyed swimming and we were excited that he took first place in backstroke at a swim meet last month.  He took a break from swim for soccer and is really excited to have Michael coaching his team this season.   He was put in a 4^th/5^th grade combo class at school without many other 4th graders.   He has a few friends from church that he eats lunch with so far.  I’m glad the other three little boys in his church class that go to his school (I teach his class at church) are all in another class, even though I really like them, because I think they’d have way too much fun sitting by each other chatting away.  I took the kids to the park this summer and noticed James was wearing church socks from the day before with a swimsuit.  He pulled it off with ease.  

Grace had surgery on her eye again this summer.  It’s been really stressful for me but she’s been a trooper.  She continues to love reading and is excited to play soccer this season.  She was put in a 2nd/3^rd grade combo class at school, so between her and James, they have both combo classes at the school covered.  The Sister missionaries challenged her to give a pass along card to someone and she said she tried to but the lady wouldn’t take it.  We asked whom she tried to give it to and she responded it was her substitute primary teacher. 

Ryan is happy to be a big kindergartener.  He is in a half-day program in the class of the only male teacher at the school.  James is now in charge of keeping Gracie and Ryan safe and beating up any bullies.  So far this school year, he gives Ryan a piggy back ride most of the way to school, including up a little hill, Gracie holds his backpack for him and Ryan scratches James’ back while getting a ride.  I couldn’t be prouder of their teamwork.  I occasionally follow far enough behind that they don’t know I’m there.  Ryan likes an old sheet full of holes.  He calls it his sheet blanket and says, “I don’t like my sheet blanket.  I love my sheet blanket.”  He can be quite the comical relief.  He especially loves to entertain the Sister missionaries when they come over for dinner.  Once they asked him who was his favorite character from The Book of Mormon and he replied, “Laman”.  Our next-door neighbor came over to watch him for a few minutes while I had to run Jonathan to a baseball practice and Michael was out-of-town.  He had her help him build a Book of Mormon temple surrounded by a wall with all his Book of Mormon scripture hero characters fighting each other.  Since she’s not LDS, I’m sure it was quite an enlightening experience for her.  He makes up catchy songs like, “I’m awesomer than Jonathan.”  He loves to rock out in the shower to music and has some pretty impressive ninja warrior moves that sometimes result in broken cups and creative yelling in the backyard.  Yesterday, he, Jonathan and James made a makeshift obstacle course that involved rolling a tire and holding up a “shield” while having balls and other objects thrown at you.  Here’s fair warning, watch out if you’re invited to participate in an obstacle course around here.