May 2016

Nick and Steve got to go to Black Mountain on the 8th grade field trip.  They stayed at a YMCA camp and had tons of fun with lots of different activities.  The highlights were the ropes course and hiking. Steve really got to know Nick's classmates and had a great time as well.  

Back at home we were having adventures as well.  The team digging up our neighborhood to install the Google Fiber lines tore up a portion of our driveway without giving us any notice.  I had to drive across the grass in order to get out.  It was ridiculous. Later that day, I went to the grocery store to get a few items.  As I was driving down the street that leads into our neighborhood I saw all the flashing lights on our street.  Google Fiber had hit another gas line and our street was blocked off.  I had perishables in the truck which I didn't want to have to haul up the hill.  I also did not want to leave the truck parked on a busy street.  The kids thought it was tons of fun to drive up the walkway that connects our neighborhood to the main thoroughfare.  I love my truck!!!

May 7th the YW took a practice hike around Reedy Creek Park in an attempt to get the girls ready for the girls camp hike.  Jeremy took the SAT.  Naomi's soccer team won their first game.  It was a great day.

The clouds at Striker's Soccer Center after our first game.  Naomi thought it was a sign for a good season.  

May 12th Nick got his braces off.  He was so excited!!!

Before

After

May 14th we lost our second soccer game.  We played a group of boys that were Academy level but wanted to play in the recreational league.  My team panicked and wanted to have extra practices in order to up their game.  I told them we would have one practice a week.  If they wanted more they could get together on their own because I didn't have another night to give.  

That night Naomi lost another tooth.  I told her to put it in an envelope and leave it for the Tooth Fairy.  She didn't move, looked me right in the eyes and said, "Mommy, are you the Tooth Fairy?"  I knew this moment was coming, but wasn't quite ready for it.  I like the magic of the whole Tooth Fairy scenario, but I knew I should never lie to my kids because then they would not be able to trust me.  I took a deep breath and asked her, "What do you think?"  She then told me she had suspected me and her dad for some time, but wasn't sure until she almost caught us.  I told her we were the Tooth Fairy.  She took it pretty well.  She then asked, "Mom, are you the Easter Bunny and Santa, too?" She was excited to know that she had figured it out and we had a good talk about how much fun it was to play all these magical parts and now it was her turn to share some magic with others and she needed to help keep the magic alive for others.  She felt so grown up to be in on such a big surprise.

Naomi lost another tooth and asked the loaded question, "Mommy, are you the Tooth Fairy?"

May 18th I had lunch at LNC with Mrs. Rogowski, Mrs. Daenkhart and Mrs. Ribbans.  I love working with these ladies in the Media Center.  They make me feel a part of their group.

May 19th Jeremy tried out the Yoga Club.  Let's just say that I will only be a one-time thing.

May 20th I got to help with 5th and 6th grade iPad collection.  We had 400 kids turn in their iPads during the school day.  It was an intense, but fun experience.

May 24th, while subbing at the high school I had the opportunity to talk with one of the other substitute teachers about the church.  She was excited to find out I was a Mormon and had a ton of questions for me about what we believed.  She had heard so many weird things and she wanted to find out what was true.  By the end of the conversation she realized that Mormons are Christians whose beliefs are not that different from her own.  It was a great discussion.

May 26th, Nick and our neighbor, Meeshack, walked to one of the neighborhood parks to play basketball.  I told him to take his phone in case he needed anything.  He called and asked if I could come pick them up.  They had walked to one of the more distant parks and overestimated their energy and underestimated the heat.  As I was pulling up to get them, another car had pulled over and was talking to them.  When the woman driving the vehicle saw me she took off.  I asked the boys what she wanted.  They told me she was yelling at them for getting her car wet.  Apparently, Nick was swinging his water bottle around making designs on the sidewalk and she said he got water on her car.  WOW!!!  Some people just need to take some Valium and calm down!!!  We got a good laugh about it.

Over Memorial Day weekend we drove to Knoxville.  Rick and Ella-Rene were in town because Bradden was being ordained to the office of High Priest.  On the way we stopped at our favorite Cracker Barrel to use  the restroom and stretch our legs.  I found this jewel of knowledge.

It was a fun weekend spending time with everyone.  We always have such a good time when we are together with Bradden, Sunny and the kids.  

We found this large Spirograph set at Cracker Barrel and bought one for the kids.  Our kids loved it as well.  

We played in the pool.  Olivia loved this game.  

Madi got in on the action.  Check out the look of anticipation on her face.  

Madi got even with Naomi as well.  The giggles were worth it.  

They are so alike.  I love this picture.  

The whole crazy gang.

May 31st was Jeremy's last day of his junior year.  Summer season is starting at our house.  Nick and Naomi will be done soon and summer can officially begin!!