Not enough hours in the day!

                      

I feel like there's just not enough hours in the day!!

There's just way too many fun and educational things to do. I've been reading some

great books, growing herbs and anything else I can keep alive in this 110 degree weather.

The kids have been learning to cook dinners and yummy desserts, they love it!

My plan is for them to love it so much they'll want to cook dinner every night. :) 

We've all been focusing on our goals...

Soph's improved greatly in her speach and social skills and ditched diapers for good,

Kade's improved in his reading, math, cooking and brotherly skills,

and Jaxon has been reading several (7) books from the library, things like

How to Write Your First Best Seller.

He's determined to publish his first book and is currently working on his second. He's on a strict schedule...boot camp style, so he can be found writing or illustrating 24/7.

We all take turns on the treadmill, Soph loves to do yoga and pilates...she's a natural!

The circus came to town and we had a blast with my bff Chantell and her kids, my only

complaint is that she's already back to work...again with the more time thing.

I just LOVE spending time with her, maybe when we're retired we can live next door to each other!

On a sidenote: this is what I want for my birthday (it's not until Halloween).

A copy of Johanne Vermeer's 17th century painting Girl With The Pearl Earring.

Now for a week in Utah and then a week to prepare before our school year starts, I'm so sad for summer break to end, but anxious for another year of home schooling!

Kade's Birthday Fun

We had a great day celebrating Kade's 8th birthday.

We went swimming, had dinner at Red Lobster (Kade's favorite),

and then came back to the house for presents and cake.

The boys all ate crab legs and had fun figuring out how to eat them the proper way.

We kept it low key, no big friend party...just the boys and their bff Wyatt.

                    Kade got a new bike...exactly the same as Jaxon's (oops), but he thought it was perfect.

Kade enjoyed his gifts especially the crystal kit that he got from his Washburn Grandparents.

He even had a special video sent to him on Facebook from

 his cousin Carly and little boy Gavin...so cute!

Soph whined all morning that "nobody sings happy birthday to me",

so I wrapped her a little dollar gift and she was over the moon about it.

I absolutely love being a mom.

I recently had a harsh reminder of how precious life is,

 and how lucky I am for each and every day I get to spend with my husband and kids.

Last week my old high school buddy's young wife passed away.

She was hit while cycling in Draper, Utah (my hometown).

She left behind two sweet girls,
3 yrs and 3 months old.

It's so tragic.

I never met her, but her husband Luke is absolutley the best

and I know she must have been an amazing person.

Here's a link to the news clip.

Oops!

Let's just say...it's a long story involving

camping,

breakdowns,

 tow trucks,

hotels,

hitch hiking,

axe-murderes drunk drivers,

rental cars,

the wrong gas, 

high stress,

auto shops,

lots of money,

and a few tears.

All I can say is Kimball's the best!

In a perfect world...

this is how our days would look... (click for larger view)

I downloaded the blank, typable planner from donnayoung.org. Over the last few years I've looked at a million different types, but this is the one I always go with. I'm still working on the actual lesson planning and record keeping part, I'd love to hear what works for you!!

I realize from experience this is just wishful thinking, but it's what we'll aim for. I become super crazy when kids constatly ask "What do I do now?" or, "I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing!" I'm posting them in every room and I'll just point. :)

I've spent a lot of time organizing and preparing so we can enjoy the journey as much as possible. I'm loving the UPS man lately, there's nothing more exciting than books in the mail! This week 3 different packages came for Kimball...how dare he get me all excited for nothing!

I've still got a lot to do, and a family reunion/vacation coming up soon so...gotta run!

BTW, it's been blazing hot here and the pool feels so AMAZING! We're having a fabulous summer...Kade's a goof ball!

It's happening again...

It's happening again,

Kade's turning a year older

and there's nothing I can do about it.

He is so excited to be eight

he can hardly stand it!

In a few weeks we'll be

traveling to Utah

where he'll be baptized,

surrounded by his grandparents,

aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He's made his wishlist,

he's planned his birthday meal,

now it's just a matter of waiting...

Here before we know it!

Besides having endless car trouble last week...

I've been busy planning for the coming school year.

I'm excitied and anxious at the same time.

With a little experience under my belt,

I know we'll survive...

and thrive.

I anticipate the new discoveries,

and bonding time.

Our hard work is certain to pay off,

because together we'll

grow leaps and bounds!

July 4th Weekend

Summer is flying by and

we are livin' it up to the fullest.

The temps are scorching,

popsicles are the drug of choice.

The kids are healthy and happy,

they're growing like weeds.

I feel so blessed to have great family

 and friends in my life.

This weekend

I feel especially blessed

to live in this wonderful country...

land of the free,

 home of the brave.