Kids Update

Evelyn has had a pretty full month.  She spends her time doing school work, at rehearsal, and then always with her two buddies- Emma and Caylie.  They are quite the trio and always have a fun idea up their sleeve- going to the beach, SeaWorld, seeing plays-- the latest "Tuck Everlasting" was a huge hit.  And super fun, the girls were able to see Aladdin at the Civic Center before they performed their play! It was so much fun.  When she isn't with friends, Evelyn gives her attention to Anna.  They love to play together and take pictures together.  Evelyn dresses Anna up and takes such good care of her.  I cannot believe this chick is going to high school next year!  She and I attended the 8th grade night at Poway High and both of us were so excited for all the adventures she has ahead of her.  It's going to be quite hard with changing schools and leaving said friends at her old school to meet new ones at Poway.  I sure hope its a good experience and that she takes advantage of all the amazing groups- chorus, peer tutoring, drama, etc. The high school has so much to offer!  Really proud of Evelyn for having a good attitude about it all.  This past month she tried out for Wizard of Oz through Christian Youth Theatre- an awesome group in our area-- and she met all sorts of new friends (some going to Poway High!) and bonus-- she was cast as Glinda for the show!  So proud of Ev and excited for all that lies ahead.

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Dane has been busy all month saving money and working towards earning a Nintendo Switch.  Blake and I have been vehemently opposed to video games and haven't let the boys own a devise as of yet... but Dane was persistent and begged and pleaded and negotiated his way to paying for his own Switch.  He organized a chart of behaviors he would execute daily for three weeks in order to prove he was responsible enough to own a switch.  Daily soccer drills, homework, extra chores, etc.  He is now the proud owner of the Switch- and now we are trying to navigate our way through the rules and limits of video games- ack!  It's annoying!! But I knew this day would eventually come.  I'm grateful we made it this far!  Aside from video games, Dane has been very busy with soccer, flag football, never procrastinating homework or reading time, and being a lovely individual in every way. Dane went to the temple for the first time this month with Braxton and the Jones.  He had a great time and we were so excited he had the chance to do this with them!  We had a big end of year soccer party at our home last month to celebrate an awesome soccer season.  Fun to have all the kids over - despite the rainy weather.  It was 6th grade camp this month and Dane opted out of the experience. Thankfully, Grandma and Grandpa made the week super fun with Chuck E Cheese, car museums, rock climbing, and tons of eating out!  Dane was spoiled in every way and had an awesome week off of school.  

Grant has had a great month.  He's really been doing well with school attendance and school work.  Our problems are not completely over... however, I'm so proud of him and his desire to push through even though he feels worry and fear at times.  Life isn't always easy- that's for sure.  We've spent countless hours talking about how the trials he face will help him to become the best person  he can be!  Exercise is a must for Grant with all the struggles he faces.  It's a good thing he has soccer practice and lacrosse every day of the week!  He loves lacrosse and is very good at it. I personally think it's a tad on the violent side, but he is really enjoying himself.  Grant's soccer league just ended last week and they did very well.  Now on to a new season!  Although engrossed in sports and very aggressive in every way- Grant is also a sensitive little guy.  Last weekend, he asked if he could go with Grandma to take Anna to gymnastics and support her.  It was so sweet.  He loves to go on one- on-one dates with Blake and I and he was thrilled to go out to ice cream with Grandma last week-- all alone.  He says the kindest sweetest things and wants to choose the right every day.  I'm so grateful for this  sweet little boy.

Anna has had a month full of supporting siblings as usual but ALSO... she is busily engaged in her own pursuits for once- ha! Of course she is continuing on with gymnastics and though she throws a bit of a fit in the mornings right beforehand, she always comes out beaming ear to ear and loving every minute.  She is getting quite good as well!  In addition to gymnastics, Anna started a music/theatre class this past month called "Our Gang" in which the kids are learning to sing and dance the songs of Mary Poppins 2.  She is loving it so much and having a blast!  Of course we are always doing Arts Attack each month and that is a highlight of Anna's month.  Anna loves to invite her friends over and this is a weekly happening-- more if she has her way!  Love that Anna will pick flowers every day and put them in little vases for family members.  Love that Anna likes to sit up on the stand with me-- right by the organ pedals when I have to play organ.  She brings a few little toys and has the time of her life up there.  Anna has about a million stuffys at all points in time- on hand.  She is a huge pack rat but she has the biggest and cutest imagination on earth.  My favorite pastime is listening to her play.  It makes me sad to think that she will out grow this as all of my kids have!  Grant never was a big imaginative player.  But Evelyn and Dane were. And I loved watching them play and now it's over!  I can't even think of how sad it will be when Anna outgrows her little toys.  Love this girl so much.  She is the biggest blessing on earth.