It is amazing how my perspective on age has changed as I am slowly getting older. I used to think my dad was so old but now I recognize he is still young especially for a grandpa of 19. Hopefully I will get to chat with him a bit for his birthday but as he is probably celebrating with my niece Kes who shares his birthday, I am not holding my breath.

Happy Birthday Kes and Dad!

It has been quite some time since I posted last and my next post will probably be awhile after this. Getting ready for school and starting school are probably my busiest time of the year. School shopping takes multiple trips to multiple stores in order to find the exact items needed. I started school shopping right around the last post, and we really tried to fill our last days of summer break with fun too.

My nephew Noah turned 12 and got the Priesthood so we spent July 15-19 celebrating that with my parents in town. Carey had the weekend packed full and Jared and Elijah got to go paintballing for the first time. The welts and bruises look decidedly unfun but maybe I just don't have enough testosterone to enjoy such pain. Elijah loved it and Xander has decided that is what he wants to do for his 10th birthday. You have to be 10 and your parents have to sign a release in order for you to go.

On the 19th I was surprised and blessed with Noah, Jenny, Seth and Brigham. Noah and Jenny and Elijah swam for nearly 8 hours that day. When Noah and Jenny showed up after Jared and my dad's disc golf game they were shocked to find me playing Wii. Noah exclaimed, "I didn't know moms play Wii." It was pretty funny. We discussed how super busy his mom stays and he wondered if I just didn't have a lot to do. I explained readily that I have a ton to do, but I really like to play Wii sometimes.

Jared was happy to have a disc golf partner. My dad and Jared got a lot of rounds in that weekend.

The kids were on their last week of no school. We lucked out and got a free pass to the Science Center at the library. I stood up for myself and the rest of the line in informing a lady who tried to butt in ahead of everyone that she had gotten there after us and the people behind us. We had accidentally gotten to the library early but after sweating outside for 20 minutes I wasn't going to let some rude lady show up and try to pretend she belonged with her friend at the front of the line. You can "check out" free passes to various area attractions at the library but there is limited availability every day.

The kids were so excited to have gotten such a great pass. We had a lot of fun at the Science Center on Wednesday.

Thursday we went to "Meet the Teacher" which the boys blogged a bit about. I really enjoyed meeting all of their teachers. Elijah has the cool Science and Social Studies teachers.

Jared and I were also thinking of taking the boys to Flagstaff for the last weekend of summer break. There's a disc golf course up there and we were looking for a break from the heat. Due to flooding and raining up there we changed our plans to San Diego. Jared had an interview Friday morning so we left after that. After an adventurous drive through the mountains we arrived at our friends' house. We had a great, relaxing weekend that included a Pioneer Day breakfast and hike, homemade delicious carne asada tacos, and tres cocos cake. We enjoyed hanging with Olivia, Renee, Aubrey, Evan, Summer and Phillipe at the beach and then the pool. Jared enjoyed learning about the lathe, a wood-working tool, and then driving with Phillipe to pick up a free one from one of Phillipe's woodworking contacts. The only thing sad about the weekend was that since the kids started school on Monday we couldn't extend it. We had to return home by Sunday evening.

Monday morning, bright and early we were able to get to school way early because of the boys' excitement over the new year. I had to turn in my forms and was asked to give a bit of a pep talk to the new Kindergarten parents. I had awhile before I had to do that so I asked Max if he wanted me to walk him to his classroom. His response was to ask me if I needed to go to his classroom for some reason other than walking him. I had no business in his class so he did not want me to go with him. What a grown-up little booger.

My pep talk to the new Kindergarten parents included strategies for dealing with their anxiety and their child's anxiety. I talked about the role playing I did with Maxwell and the excited, positive, happy language I used with him about school. I didn't tell them about his anxiety bald spots. He loves school even if he has anxiety.

After that I went to my dentist. I, of course, had some tartar, but overall he said things were good. I was expecting a lecture from him and I asked how I could prevent tartar in the future since I am already using a tartar control toothpaste, mouthwash, and flossing regularly. He politely informed me that was why we needed dentists since no one could prevent tartar 100%. He definitely made me feel better.

Elijah was a little disappointed not to get to play drums in band, but he is really digging the trombone. It is a fun instrument.

End.