A House of Learning

I'm spending so much energy creating a house of learning.  

We learn when we worship, even though stake conference is quite simply the worst meeting for children.  However, our patriarch was called to be the temple president, so they spoke.  

The aftermath.

Thank you, Ryan.  He learned how to suck loogies in and out of his teeth. 

School time. He's learning how to jump through hoops -- I wish I had interrupted his education years ago, so that he did love to learn.

We still swim everyday.

Eddie and Ryan learned backflips on the tramp.  They set timers for every 30 minutes throughout the day to headout and practice.

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I learned how to recalibrate the Peloton and soared to new heights.  I barely got into the 190s before.  

Molly and her friend learned to swim without floaties now.  They are so fun to watch.

Maddie had her first cross country race.  It was 104*.  She learned that she is still as fast as she was two years ago.

We were sweaty spectators and learned that popcorn and water are a must at meets.

She took second in the 7th/8th grade girls.  She ran so quickly at a rate of 12:16/1.5miles.

Austin and I went to a body healer -- a masseuse that knew how heal our tight muscles.  I waited for my turn outside with wet hair.  I learned that I have way more thinning and graying locks now.  But I also learned how to heal my body and take time to nurture it. Yay for 40.

Meet the Bennet Sisters: (tallest to shortest) Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia.  (Spoiler alert: I'll introduce you to Bonnie and Betty next week.). I learned to propagate yet another species.

Austin turned the music way up to dance and play with these fine folk.  They learned how to take him out on a tube.  

I was nice a allowed snow cones.  They learned that I do love them.

Nice Nick has been coughing this week.  He's missed practice and school.

Saturday we went to the temple.  (Sick Nick is home with the littles.). It had been 1.5 years since the youth have gone, and we felt the spirit.   The pictures of Christ that lead to the baptismal font made feel like I was in His presence.  I learned that attending monthly just might not be enough.

So happy together.

August Wanes

Sunday Elijah turned 25!  He's such a natural member of the family -- it's almost as if he was never not here.  We're so glad Meg and Elijah are stuck with us forever.  (He spent the day rescuing his broken car with Andy and Austin.)

Cake at Grandma's.

We went to the outlets for a bit of shopping.  It was hot!

First day of school pictures for the other six.

Senior at MUHS online

Seventh grader online at Liahona Preparatory

Fourth grader at mother's school

Pre-schooler at mother's school

Junior at BYU

Second grader at mother's school

These two ladies have birthdays -- we go to lunch every year together.

Ryan gave a talk about a house of God.  He did a really nice job.

Maddie wrote and directed a play.

They spent six hours preparing.  It was awfully theatrical.  Molly as the purple ogar was sensational.

We picked peaches for FHE.  We made jam.

Meg was so helpful -- we needed her.

Piano lessons are still a bust.  Yet, we keep going at it.

Austin, Nick, and Andy left for Grangeville Wednesday-Sunday.  We watched four Potter movies and had sleepovers every night.  I vowed that I wouldn't bake.  I did.

Triplets.  

Someone munched the butter.

Eddie builds a fort everyday, so much mess.  They love to carry in a lamp to read and complete math.  Molly is heading in.  

Saturday we were very responsible and cleaned the office.

Then we played Switch.

Just Dad B. and I at stake meetings; I was so glad to have a friend.

 I'm hardly efficient when Austin leaves.  I barely got the chores done, and I didn't even read one book.  I sat and watched lots of Potter.  Oh, well.  I did enjoy relaxing with my littles.

Mid-August

Sunday scandles include Molly diving off headboard and onto my bed.

Then to our grandparents for popcorn, games and walks.

Eddie made up a new game where he tries to trap his victim with weights.  It's surprisingly hard to get up.

School has begun.  Our science project was a yeast balloon.

Molly's work.

Progress.

Gamers.  It's always so funny that the kids surround the one phone and watch each other.  

Wednesday we crafted.

Twnners.

Meg and Elijah came to visit!  Swimmers.  Meg and Molly made a zoo; Molly is feeding the animals.

Maddie, Eddie and Ryan all in a trio tried to get Elijah off the diving board.  They only suceeded a handful of times.

Lots and lots of puzzles this month.

Elijah is always very patient to play games with the littles.

We went bowling and to the arcade.  Austin won this time.

I really need to ask Ryan about his double peace criss-crossed.

We four danced on what should have been a one person game.  We won.

 The best part of our adventures together:

• Austin and Elijah just yeet the ball down the lane -- speed = strike.
• Meg bowls so easily and effortlessly and some how ends up in first or second.
• I gave Andy the tip to look at the arrows, and all of a sudden his game has improved by several strikes.
• Maisie just hops and laughs around.  She barely hits the bumpers.
• Nick bowls without an ounce of aggression, so he is easily strikes and gutters.
• Maddie, Eddie and Ryan play with the game consul; they don't seem see the live entertainment over the screen entertainment.  
• Molly is really content for the first game, but she never lasts past that.