Once the excitement from the Hall reunion and Joey's birthday settled down, it was time to get back to our routine. Lily and Annie had clogging camps again. This time Puna and Papa were here to see some of it.
The boys watch dance class all the time, so they asked Papa to read them stories to pass the time. It was too perfect that they chose the Tooth Book - since Papa is a tooth doctor.
That evening, Mommy was in charge of a Pioneer style FHE ward activity. Most everything was delegated out and Mommy had a lot of help, but the stress of hoping it would all come together and be a successful activity was draining. Luckily everyone did their jobs and it was a great ward activity.
Complete with square dancing. Daddy gave Lily the night of her life. She was laughing and dancing and smiling like crazy.
We had a fantastic turnout and lots of fun. There were pioneer games to play, lots of dutch oven desserts to try, and dress up stations for the little kids. After watching Daddy and Lily dance the night away, Papa and Annie decided to join in the fun.
They were moving so fast, I couldn't get one focused picture.
As the sun started to set, we gathered everyone together to watch a movie of our ward youth pioneer trek. All the pictures and videos from trek were compiled into one movie with music. It was fun to see what the youth experienced and hear some of their stories.
It was a long and stressful night for Mommy, but the ward had a great time. Next time Mommy will tell the bishop to put someone else in charge of the ward activity.
The next day Puna and Papa left for home and we were left all on our own. After over a week of constant traveling, time with family, and fun things to do, the kids didn't know what to do with themselves. We spent a few quiet days just catching up on laundry, grocery shopping and sleep. Mommy got away for a girls night with some friends and assembled a few freezer meals. I sure love my friends!
By the time we recovered from our July and August travels, we only had two weeks before school started. It was time to get our supply shopping done. Daddy took Annie out for a date to get her individual supplies - and treated her to some ice cream. Mommy took Lily out for a date to get her supplies and a pair of new tennis shoes, which Lily was really excited about. She took a picture of them and texted it to her best friend Nicole.
Tommy wanted to go shopping with everyone - Heaven help us! Mommy tried to make it a special day. Once we got everything we needed, we had a lunch date at Pizza Pie Cafe. The kids earned free coupons from their summer reading program so it was a free lunch for everyone but Mommy. The kids were so excited about our shopping and lunch date. Now it the time to soak up their cuteness and company, all too soon they will probably choose time with friends over time with Mom.
The weather gave us a little tease. We had some cooler days and then the temps jumped back up. We organized a neighborhood water balloon fight. Joey loved it until a balloon popped right on top of his head.
As you can see, he is not amused.
We passed the rest of the summer at the pools and parks. Lots of play dates, late nights, sunscreen, and popsicles were involved in the last two weeks of August.
One highlight for Mommy and the girls was a stake women's celebration. The stake auxiliaries put on a carnival for all the girls and women in our stake. They had games, face painting, balloon animals, two concerts, nachos, cotton candy, little train rides, and more. It was a spectacular event.
We brought along the girls' best friends because their mom couldn't come that night. The five of us had a blast together. There was a pie contest and Mommy won first prize! It was a lemon and strawberry pie. Daddy was sad there wasn't any left over for him. He had to settle for this giant bag of chocolate - which was the prize.
Once the activity died down, Mommy stayed to help clean up. There was a mess inside and outside the building. The girls opted for balloon swords over animals and had an epic battle in the gym once all our work was done.
The boys were excited to wake up and find balloon swords waiting for them the next morning. It helped make up for the fact that they didn't get to come to the carnival.
Annie found a big piece of plastic and drew our family. Someone suggested I frame it, but I can't figure out how to get the wrinkles out of the plastic - or how to frame plastic sheeting. For now it is displayed proudly in the entrance of the girls' room.
We were surprised with a huge wind storm. The boys and Annie wanted to go outside. It was so intense that Joey got scared and everyone hurried back indoors. While the wind was fun for us, it was terrible for the wild fires in our area. We have been breathing smoke for weeks now with no end in sight.
We decided to try a family bike ride and trip to the park. The weather was perfect and the kids did great.
Tommy loved the slides at this park. They were tall and steep.
Joey was content to stay a little closer to the ground.
Annie did some great climbing on the climbing wall.
Lily retreated to a shady tree for some reading.
We stopped to play in the river on the way back to the car. It was a little scary. After lots of trips to the lake and the pool, the kids didn't understand the danger of a swift and deep river. Joey was fearless and charged right in. He just couldn't figure out why we wouldn't want him to swim in this water. I guess we need more river experience.
Lily wasn't in the mood for getting sandy and wet. She and Mommy had some quiet time farther along the beach.
We are so excited to only have a few months left of 1 o'clock church. It is a beast with little kids. We spend the mornings trying to entertain them while preparing the things we need for church in addition to our leadership meetings, dinner prep, and an occasional choir practice.
Then we wrestle them through sacrament meeting-sometimes they fall asleep, sometimes they don't. On this particular Sunday, Joey didn't get a nap and he was a crying mess after church when the girls wouldn't allow him in their room while they changed out of church clothes. He was inconsolable. But at least he knows he is a child of God and has a crown to prove it.
We went in for our dental cleanings before school started. Everyone was cavity free, Hooray!
At the last minute Mommy decided to venture up to Washington for the Gomes Family Reunion. The kids were great in the car and very helpful. That was a blessing since Daddy wasn't with us. Out first full day in Washington we went to Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. The kids enjoyed it.
To be honest, I think their favorite part of the zoo experience was the treats. Puna gave everyone a treat and then we sat down for a fun show about animals and conservation.
Lily really enjoyed the show and still talks about it weeks later. Maybe we have a future biologist/zoologist/conservationist in the family.
After the show we got up close to a polar bear and some walruses, but still the candy was king.
We did a picnic lunch on the beach and let the kids play for a little while.
Tommy was very curious about all the dead crabs on the beach and had fun finding claws and even whole crabs to play with.
Joey wanted to throw rocks into the water all day.
The next day the kids wanted to do a ferry ride. Unfortunately the weather was drizzly and chilly. The kids were cold and a little grumpy on the boat. But they pulled out smiles for the pictures.
Tommy was so cold, he retreated into his coat like a turtle.
More smiles came out when we moved inside the covered area of the ferry.
We made it to Bainbridge Island and looked for a place to eat lunch. The first place we found was too busy so we went to the Mexican restaurant we've tried before. The service was slow. The food was good, but the kids were tired. Joey was having a hard time. By the time we were done eating, we were anxious to get out of there. In our hurry to leave and catch the next ferry, Mommy left her purse hanging on her chair. We didn't realize it until we were lined up for the ferry and there was no way to turn the car around. It was a stressful ride back to Seattle. Mommy was upset about her purse. It was still cold. Joey was tired. Thank goodness we can come try this again sometime. This was not our best ferry riding experience.
The kids huddled behind this wall to keep warm.
We made it back and had to hurry over to the Gomes reunion. Puna called the restaurant and they locked up Mommy's purse for safe keeping. Papa volunteered to return to Seattle, ride the ferry, and retrieve the purse that night.
Jon hosted the reunion at his house. We were hoping to see more family, but it was wonderful to see the people who were able to come.
We visited, played HORSE and PIG, and ate lots of food.
Mommy loved seeing her cousins and seeing our kids play with their distant cousins.
We missed having Daddy with us, but it was good to see so much family and spend time together. The next day we go to hear Papa give a talk about service and watch Puna conduct her ward choir.
Coming home went fine, we had some warning lights turn on about an hour from home,but we think it was a sensor problem, not a serious mechanical problem. We made it home safely, just in time to start school.
Daddy gave all the kids a father's blessing for school. Even Joey insisted on receiving one.
After our blessings, we got to video chat with Grammy and Grampy about school.
Our Welcome Back to School night was a success. Daddy was working late, so Mommy had all four kids to corral. Tommy was busting with excitement to see his classroom and meet his teacher.
After Tommy's class, it was time for Annie to see her new classes and teachers. She loves the Star Wars theme her teachers chose for this year.
Lily goes to a different school, so we had to pack everyone up and go to her school to see her new classes and teachers. She get a locker again this year. And her best friend Nicole is in her class....and sits within reaching distance. That made Lily very happy.
With school supplies delivered, teachers met, father's blessings received, and outfits chosen, we hit the sack and crossed our fingers for a fabulous first day of school the next day.
The kids chose their own clothes and got themselves ready for school. Excitement and nerves were high in our house. Joey didn't understand that he wasn't coming along so he was running around with everyone else trying to get ready.
Tommy and his two best friends all started kindergarten this year. These three amigos are going to have a wonderful year.
Joey was so sad to not get on the bus with everyone. He tried to be brave, but the tears were coming as he said good bye. When Tommy came home at 11:30 from kindergarten, Joey started crying again and asked us where his girls were. We had to explain that Tommy comes home early and the girls have to stay at school all day. Joey was so sad to learn that. He loves his girls.
And just like that, summer vacation ended and our school year began. We are all excited to get back to a routine and spend more time at home again. Here's to a fantastic 2018-2019 school year!
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