Can you believe we have a high schooler on our hands now? So much, sooooo much has happened in the last couple of weeks to rock our world! In a nutshell, Blake and I are pretty much zombies walking around throughout the day- thanks to the 5:30am wake up call to get Ev to seminary! I don't like my new life. But I'm trying to figure out how to make it better. I'm thinking... attitude adjustment? Earlier bedtime? I'm cranky.
Evelyn is doing well, though. She's up and ready to go each morning at 5:45. She is conscientious with her homework and classwork (see Spanish email below). She is making friends and having a positive attitude. For a brief few weeks, she contemplated running cross country for Poway High... that idea didn't take after realizing the actual amount of running involved on a daily basis- ha! But she promises to join choir, drama and possibly one more club. Evelyn enjoyed freshmen orientation and has met many great kids. I'd love her to bring some of these said kids over one of these days.... you know, so I can check them out.... but a girl can't have everything. For now, I am grateful that she seems happy enough most of the time. Evelyn still sees her Classical Academy friends often. In fact, they spent the night last weekend and attended the first Poway football game of the season together! Amaya and Jen took Evelyn out to açaí bowls the first day of school- so sweet. Aunt J sent Evelyn perfume and a cute little framed You Got This! with an encouraging note for her first week of school. She felt super special with all of this support and encouragement.
Evelyn went on her first outing that involved both boys and girls this month- to the movies to see Spiderman. Vincent, a classical academy kid, asked her on a date, but the group movie outing would have to do at her young age. Unfortunately, it was not the best night of her life, as the boys were so shy, and as the girls were so shy, neither of them could come up with anything to say! Ha! It was a good learning experience. Evelyn attended an introductory seminary party at the Jorgensons and enjoyed meeting her teacher- Brother Leeson and her class of 34 freshmen! I think she's going to have a good year.
Side note: Evelyn won a CYT Director's Choice Award this month for her role in Wizard of OZ. Such an honor! She was shocked and thrilled as were we all! This is out of 20 shows and countless kids with tremendous talent. So proud of Evelyn.
Another side note: Funny story- last month Evelyn asked if she, Emma and Caylie could go to target to go shopping for our beach camping trip. I said sure. After the shopping trip-- they came out with matching PJ shirts, battery operated twinkle lights, a gold wire basket, a hanging plant and a peach blanket-- all tent decor. Hmmm..... not what I had in mind!
Dane has continued to grow close to the boys in his Deacon's Quorum. High Adventure really was a bonding experience and he's enjoyed inviting the boys over for swimming and sports on a pretty consistent basis. Of course, his best bud is still Braxton and it's been so fun to have them on the same team this year because let's face it- that's where most our weekends and down time is spent- on the soccer field! Dane still enjoys soccer, but I wonder if his passions is fizzling a little. I will be interested to see how he chooses to keep busy in the next few years. He is a hard worker and so helpful. So responsible and wonderful in every way. I've been excited and grateful for the biofeedback he's responded to for his pain issues- mostly sore throats. Poor kid! He deserves the best in life and it's hard to watch your child suffer in any way--. I can only give him the tools to help him maneuver through his pain, as we've tried every earthly medical venue. I enjoy so much watching Dane grow up. I love texting with him and sending him funny grumpy cat memes. I enjoy watching him play soccer and listening to him chat with friends in the carpool. He is an awesome kid and I'm so lucky to be his mom.
PS- I don't know why but for some strange reason, I never have enough pictures of Dane! I'll work on that. We have a mom who is an excellent photographer on Grant's team and takes fabulous pictures constantly! No such luck on Dane's team!
I'm so proud of Grant for his awesome attitude re back to school. Considering all we went through last year, I was worried. But he's been strong and confident and cool. We'll keep hoping and praying for the best. Grant continues to work hard on the soccer field, at school and now practicing piano on a daily basis. He is loving and kind to everyone he meets and such an all around great kid. School shopping a few weeks ago- Grant asked for the list of his supplies. He took it and I never saw him again until he had gathered up every last item on the list. So grateful for the independent and responsible kid that he is. One more story: after his own tournament game, Grant goes straight over to Dane's game and plants himself literally right next to Coach Conner- Dane's coach. He helps with whatever is needed and doesn't take his eyes off the field for the duration of the game. He even helps pass the ball during drills and knows each and every kid on Dane's team. Camping with so many friends-- Grant was the kid who stayed out all evening, joining groups of older teens for card playing and striking up conversation with anyone and everyone. He is so relaxed about these things and such a joy to have in any social situation!
And last but not least, Anna continues to be the cutest little Marston around. Right before school started, she scraped her little nose and that was pretty unfortunate.... but it hasn't stopped her from having the world's best time ever with her favorite teacher- Mrs. Rameriz. She loves her friends and loves to play with her figurines, dolls, books, clothes, shoes, blankets, pillows, you name it. The girls can create an imaginary game out of just about anything. She brings it all along on the various car rides she endures daily. Anna has been particularly enamored by Descendents 3 which came out this month. I'm going to guess she's watched it 10 times and listened to the music, oh, every minute of every day. She is looking forward to dance classes in a few weeks and possibly gymnastics again if her mom can muster the courage to sign up for one... more... thing. Anna loves to sing, she loves to take care of her brothers and spend time with her sister. She doesn't love to practice piano, do chores or read. In fact, she's been known to straight up run away from these tasks. But she is kind of too cute to get mad at, most of the time. Except for this morning when I asked her to brush her teeth 5 times and then lost my ever loving mind when she still hadn't done it! Ah- the joys of motherhood.
