That night we played Speak Out with those mouth spreaders. Have you ever played it? Hahahaha! I haven't laughed that hard in so long.
The kids were literally ROFL:
At one point, I'm pretty sure it reached ROFLSHMSFOAIDMT. And for posterity's sake, it went: rolling on the floor laughing so hard my sombrero fell off and I dropped my taco. There were tacos everywhere.
This cute thing popped up:
And then Carlie reached 100 followers on her art account!
There are a few developments on the cats in here. Xena has started just walking out to have fun outside. This is kind of huge for her, but I don't think she's going to last very long. =( She's not afraid of anything... I think Sterling's paranoia has kept him alive out there.
Here's the other one: Sterling is not necessarily the alpha cat anymore. When he's already on the top bunk, Xena doesn't challenge him. But when she's up there, and he challenges her, she just stays right where she is and fights him lying down. And she wins. Hahahaha! He outweighs her by about 10# it seems, but she is definitely a Warrior Princess.
Wednesday for activity days, the girls planted these flowers, learned how to take care of them, and painted the pots. We talked about Friendship, and how you "reap what you sow." You treat your friends nicely, you get good friendship. When you're mean, it ruins the plant. Also talked about faith and nourishing it & read Alma 33:23:
And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will.
I didn't accidentally leave the rest of the verse in. I typed it all out on purpose, and I didn't even notice the last 2 sentences until I typed it for you... that's the best part! It has great promises and reassurances, even to the very end of the verse.
That night, we split up 3 ways for: #1, Derek's band concert. See that cute head sticking up? He's playing the bongos and had to sit down to the instrument. Haha! It's the only pic I got!
#2, Carlie's Stake lip sync contest. It KILLED me that they changed the night at the last minute so I couldn't go. I love the lip sync!!
And #3, Dad & Morgan's trip to BYU to have Dr. Jake Merrill, Daddy's business partner, take the boys on a tour of the Engineering Dept. They saw the BYU Racing lab - They're building a dune buggy from the ground up that will race in the BAJA 500 desert race. They got to see the students testing the hypermiling racer - going to get about 1700 MILES TO THE GALLON - and got to gather around and touch it while it was testing. They also got to go see the civil engineering earthquake lab with the 30 ft. high metal beams that they use to test bridge structures. Then Jake took them to his lab and wowed them with his smart foam invention. The boys were so excited and all convinced that he is going to be a billionaire.
Then this awesomeness happened:
And H:
And then Morgan got this during sacrament meeting of my lap buddy. I'm so happy that he still sits on my lap. Just holding on as long as I can.
Hey, we're just trying as a family to become better people. Tonight we had a family council, and everyone tried to help think of ways we could improve our family. We're going to try to have less phone time, have less TV time, play with each other (younger kids want to play with older kids more often), and pet & play with Chloe. Seriously. =) So we're going to institute your family council suggestion from years ago: family game time at about 8 every night.
Dad made a BFF at the gym... like what.
Saturday came. A tennis lesson for Derek, and then one for Connor.
And soccer season is IN. The Purple Eagles:
The generic black & red team because they're too old to pick a name:
And the Flames. K:
And H:
Then that night, Dad & I finally saw Black Panther. There's this ditch that weeds out only the Cool Kids. Remember when I tried to park there in the van?!? It's not a cool kid. The Raptor is.
When I went back here to take the picture of this long line of trucks & SUV's, T Swift's song Cool Kids kept running through my mind. Not kidding. ... Wish that I could be - Just like the cool kids - Cause all the cool kids - They seem to fit in...
Ok, little girl. Memes.
Because Disneyland:
And the rest are all just current events:
There's a movement to retain our 2nd A rights to own & use guns called From my Cold Head Hands.
Hey, we're just trying as a family to become better people. Tonight we had a family council, and everyone tried to help think of ways we could improve our family. We're going to try to have less phone time, have less TV time, play with each other (younger kids want to play with older kids more often), and pet & play with Chloe. Seriously. =) So we're going to institute your family council suggestion from years ago: family game time at about 8 every night.
We love you so much! Eat up that country with its amazing people. You are so lucky to be over there with them. Talk to you tomorrow!!!
Love, US!!!
