Evelyn basically lived her best life this past month. Visiting Universal Studios, seeing Anastasia with Anna and I, and then Freaky Friday with her good friend Amaya. TWO concerts: Beach Boys and Jonas Brothers!!!!!!! LOTS of photo shoots with friends. Caylie's older sister is taking a photography class so Ev and her friends have definitely been seizing the opportunity to schedule photoshoots! I love when they put together before and after shoots-- taking pictures from when they were younger or looking bad on purpose and putting them next to current shots. They are so funny together. Love their friendship. Evelyn had the chance to see Reha this past month-- an old friend. They took a photo at Red Robin to mimic the one they had taken 2.5 years ago. Crazy to think about how quickly time flies. But do you see what I mean??? She had the time of her life and don't forget.... New York CITY!!!!! I fear her actual birthday will be very anticlimactic. With no presents and all of the celebratory events already come and gone. Hopefully she will have the memories to keep her upbeat--ha! Evelyn loves Halloween so she and her friends enjoyed haunted houses, boogie bash, trunk or treat, Halloween seminary dinner and dance and all things dress up. They went back and forth for months about a group costume but decided to just go their own way after struggling to find the right sizes and fit together as a group. I was disappointed that Evelyn chose not to try out for the school musical-- the music man. Many encouraged her and one person begged (me) but to no avail. One guy even went so far as to photocopy the audition side and drop it on our doorstep! But fear, or stress or teen moodiness ?? got in the way and it didn't happen. Pray she comes up with something to bring zeal and passion to her life this next semester. I can't afford any more concerts or amusement park tickets.
Dane's throat acted up quite a bit this past month and it was a bummer for he and for I. I always feel so disappointed to see him in pain and not know how to fix the problem. I would give anything to understand better why his little throat hurts-- it's been almost 4 years and 5 doctors and 2 surgeries and still no answers. I suppose I should be grateful that it does come and go and that it isn't constant-- but it's pretty near constant and it is sad when it lasts over a couple of weeks. Poor guy has such a good attitude despite it all. He's really been interested in the whole idea of "cool kid" and "popular kid" for the first time ever this year. He recognizes that he is not a cool kid and kind of wants to be. Probably not as much as I wanted to be a cool kid in middle school, but definitely more than Evelyn did. She didn't care one wit! I love to have deep meaningful discussions with Dane about what it means to be popular and the stresses that come along with being cool. The advantages to being just a good human being who will eventually win everyone over-- but how hard it is to be patient and wait for that day. It could come in high school, it could come in college.... or maybe just as a young husband and father. But it will come! He is so wise and mature and I'm so proud of his academics, his work ethic, his drive to do well in athletics, to choose the right and be a good brother and example in our home. Dane's dreams came true this past month as he was able to go to a USC game with Grandma!!!! He had done that last year with Grandma and Braxton and it was a night he would not ever forget. He adores accompanying Grandma to these games. I'm so glad they get to do this sort of thing!
As previously mentioned, Grant enjoyed a month FULL of celebrations for his 10th birthday. His event schedule rivaled that of Evelyn's! With Disneyland, Universal, USC game, Halloween parties, birthday parties and so forth! He is always so grateful and such a cool kid. Love seeing him with his kitty and seeing how responsible he is. I swear I didn't plan that lead in-- however, it does segway nicely into the fact that once again, he was voted for most responsible kid in his class-- the character count award that he has won without fail every year since entering the world of academia. He really has the adults at school wrapped around his little finger. At the school Boogie Bash, I was stopped at least 10 times by parents and teachers and yard duties asking if I was Grant's mom and telling me what an amazing kid he was! I felt very proud. Last week at church, we headed in through the front door and Grant saw an older gentleman walking very slowly up the ramp with a cane. He said to me-- "you go on ahead in, I'm going to hold the door for this man." I mean......
For Halloween, Grant picked a big black fat suit. He insisted on this suit in fact. But when push came to shove, it was uncomfortable and a little embarrassing. So he got down my dress up box and found Blake's old basketball uniform from 4th/5th grade. He decided he'd be "an old fashioned basket ball player." First of all, the phrasing was super cute, but second of all-- he was adorable and looked just like Blake did as a young man.
Anna continues to be happy and healthy and full of energy and sunshine. She really is the happiest kid ever. She is loving her jazz and hip hop class. She is starting a tumbling class- which she is thrilled about. She loves to sing, listen to music in the car, play with friends, bake with mom, paint, draw, and play pretend in her room. She is doing better with cleaning up her toys in her room and in other places. It used to be impossible to get her to take care of her stuff, but I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Anna loves school this year. She comes straight home and wants to cuddle with the kittens. The kittens have a love hate relationship with her. They do not like to be carted around like dolls, yet how can they resist her warmth and affection towards them? Anna continues to enjoy time with her buddy Kate, and also Nora and Millie. She had her first sleepover this month at the Douds' home and all of her wildest dreams came true in the form of bubble baths, walks around the neighborhood, 3 girls sleeping in one bed, movies, pizza, pancakes and bubble gum mouthwash. She loved every second. I truly adore this little girl of mine.
