School has arrived!

School has started again, and yes, I am a little late posting a "first day of school" edition...better late than never!

My children have been blessed with good teachers. A few of them have even been great teachers. I love being a part of their lives through school by volunteering, or helping with homework, or just being a listening ear. I love education and learning!


Here are my chili peppers, as I lovingly call them, on their way out the door. Except Thomas, who slipped out before I could get a quick pic!



The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book. ~Author Unknown



The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder. ~Ralph W. Sockman



Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school. ~Albert Einstein



Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. ~Chinese Proverb

4 more favorite summer activities...

1. Spontaneous outing to Seattle, via the light rail, with two of my teens:

Dinner at Red Robin's on the waterfront, a stroll along the piers, good company and a much needed break from the routine:


2. A trip to the Zoo with my youngest 3 boys and our friend Ryan:

Camel rides, baby tigers, animal shows and jellyfish...just what we needed:


3. Fishing expedition with our friend Jill (previosly posted):


4. Outing with just the boys with a stop in at a greasy burget joint, they make me smile:

Spencer's surprise party

For his 16th birthday my daughter Katie threw her brother a SURPRISE birthday party. It was a few weeks in the planning with secret text and phone calls from far away locations like Lagoon, Spanish Fork, Prineville and Darby, to many, many of Spencer's friends - whose phone numbers are now stored safely in my cell phone (wa-hahahahah!)

She decorated, she developed the plan for everyone to get there, she made delicious cupcakes, and baked the pizzas. We set up rock band and they played games. It was a great day and I am blessed to have children who care about each other (even though they bicker and squabble like....chickens? hmmm, come to think of it what do they look like when they squabble?? any ideas)

The stunned birthday boy

Rocking out...

Really rocking out!! ha ha

Week of love...my son

Spencer is my oldest son (at home). I am really grateful for the young man that he is!

Loyal
Trustworthy
Kind
Supportive
Righteous
Thoughtful
Funny
Sensitive
Strong
Caring

This past year, as I've watched him mature, I am amazed at the strength he has. I am so glad he shares his thoughts and feelings with us as parents, and I am looking forward to watching him grow and learn even more in the remaining few years before his mission.

Next time I'll take a picture with him so you can see how tall he is!