Kids Update

We received the beautiful Wizard of Oz professional pictures this month!  What a fun experience Evelyn had being a part of a CYT production.  She's getting excited to try out for a play in a month or two- maybe Matilda or Seussical!  Right as September landed, Evelyn was eager to decorate our home and her room with fall decor.  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree! Ha! She did such a nice job and her room looks so cute.  Ev has been amazing at getting up for seminary!  Last month, she invited Caylie and they attended a fun little seminary party up at the Kleins home.  So fun to sing songs and roast hot dogs, play games and swim!  I'm very proud of Evelyn trying her best to make new friends and be a part of this new group of kids.  Of course, whenever I scroll through my phone, I see at least one or two selfies of Evelyn.  She is so photogenic, I guess if I were that photogenic- I'd take pics of myself too- ha!  One day I'll miss finding these on my phone.  I'll also miss the memes she sends me which are hilarious!  This past month Evelyn planned a fall get together with Emma and Caylie-- they made halloween cookies, and created a fall painting.  The girls love to get together on the weekends to go to the high school games and spend the night.  They always seem to have fun no matter what they are doing! Love their little friendship!  Evelyn started swim PE and has been doing an awesome job! It's not easy changing at school, getting ready again, swimming for an hour!  She forgot what a strong swimmer she was-- maybe she'll try out for the swim team come spring.

Dane had a great month.  He's had plenty of awesome experiences with his soccer team-- they won a championship!  The entire team with families all came over for a fun soccer/swim BBQ and the kids really bonded and enjoyed each other's company.  I was so happy to have scheduled it!  Loved seeing everyone become better friends!  Dane gave his first talk in church and it was so sweet and authentic- a talk about friendship from For the Strength of Youth- that the freshmen seminary teacher, in the congregation, asked Dane to give the talk in seminary the next day!  He was petrified, but did it anyway and for that- I could not have been prouder.  Bro Leeson brought donuts for the whole class and it was an amazing experience.  Can you imagine as a 7th grader- going in to a class of 36 freshmen???  What a stud! Dane's soccer games have been in Orange County lately, so he's been fortunate to have Grandma and Grandpa come watch when they can!  Though it's a long drive up- it's worth it to watch our cute little soccer stud doing what he loves to do.  Dane is so happy with his kitten... he is such a good kid that it makes it all worth it, even though I despise the hair and kitty litter. Ha!

Grant is not as happy as he was during summer.  Poor guy just really dislikes school.  But he's trying his best to grin and bear it and I'm so proud of him for doing this.  I know what it looks like when he decides he can't do it- -and I could not be more grateful for his current attitude and mental state!  He has been very into rubix cubes lately.  He has learned to solve 3 various types and they have brought him endless hours of entertainment!  It's kind of a little bit of an obsession, but hey- I'll take that over video games any time! Grant is so good at doing his homework and he's been reading with me every night.  He is still playing the piano and practices every day after school.  He is actually really good at the piano and I love to have a piano student again now that Evelyn has quit.  I'm excited for him!
Grant wakes up early to make lunches in order to earn time on his phone later in the day-- love the notes he makes for himself.  He loves to bake with me and it's my very favorite when the two of us make treats together. Absolutely loved the cute little "who am I" assignment  he brought home.  SO MUCH SOCCER.... and apparently he's Hispanic.  Hahaha!

Anna LOVES her new teacher, Mrs. Ramirez.  It's been an awesome year so far.  Instead of pushing Anna to do extracurricular-- she's been eager to join the school chorus, and she's been excited to take hip hop and tap dance classes every week!  She asked me yesterday if she could take a cheer leading class because apparently all the kids at school are doing cheer together and she wants to join!  So cute!  Anna had the TIME OF HER LIFE last month when she joined a dance clinic all day and then was able to perform with the Poway High Dance team at the football game.  She and her little friend Kate, both signed up and had the actual best time ever.  Love that she is enjoying these activities!

Anna continues to be a little fashionista and loves to dress herself and wear all sorts of jewelry, especially necklaces.  She comes up with the craziest outfits but I never monitor this because I have enough to say "no" to.  Evelyn asked me about it the other day- -why I don't make sure she is matching.  It's because she cares SO much about her clothes and what she wants to wear!  I don't want to take that away from her because it's not that important!  Evelyn was pretty disturbed- ha!  Anna is so sweet and kind.  I love finding her notes everywhere.  To me and Blake, to Loui the cat.  To Noah on his mission!  Such a loving little girl and the sunshine of my life!