First Week of School

School started on Tues, Aug 26.  It started without much ado.  The boys both have their own alarm clocks and they got up on their own.  Chance requested I make him eggs everyday, because he wanted his brain food!

 

Chance is in the 3rd grade, his teacher is Mrs. Martin, same teacher Jordan had in 4th grade.   

I drove Jordan to school early so he could make some schedule changes.  Chance thought I should drive him to school also... those 3 blocks he has to go!

This is him pretty ticked off that he is not getting a ride.

He walks to school, thoroughly ticked off at his parents.

By the time we got to the last block he was just fine and as you can see from the picture he is excited for his new year.   Once again you can see how Chance compares size wise to the kids in his class.

A picture of him as he finds his desk.

Seminary started on Wednesday for Jordan, back to the early mornings.  By the end of the week he was so tired that he started sleeping through his alarm.  But he was still on time!

Me, I went to breakfast with some friends on Tuesday, a celebratory event.  I cleaned.  And cleaned a bit more.  Work started up again, noon-supervisor, also known as Yard Duty.  This week I need to fit the gym back in... it has been a year and the pants are way too tight!  

Strength of Youth

This is Monday... before washing the car, before his behind the wheel with the instructor.  This is his last day before school starts  and what does he do?   He asks his Mama what jobs he can do around the house!  What a sweetheart!   

And even better his friend comes over and helps him out.  

Thank God every morning when you get up, that you have something to do that day which must be done, whether you like it or not.  Being forced to work and forced to do your best will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues which the idle never know.  ~Charles Kingsley

A Tale

Once upon a time I had this cute toddler.  He was all kisses and hugs and smelled like Mennen baby magic lotion.   

The first time he drove he was a little apprehensive.  It was scary to be given all that responsibility of driving a big rig through Knott's Berry Farm.

Soon he was driving convertibles and found them to be exhilarating as he cruised around the house.   Outdoor driving he was not allowed to do yet.

And then he was driving outdoors-- it started with a big wheel, then a bike.  Rollerblades, scooters and all manner of transportation that required a helmet.  

And one day the little boy grew up.  He became taller then me and he smelled of "Axe".  

 He washed and scrubbed the Tahoe clean.  Then it happened... my no-longer-little-boy drove me around town.  It was exhilarating for him, but a bit scary for me.

Preparing before driving.

First attempt.  Nice and straight... a bit far to the right.

Tears.... my baby is growing up!

Tale to be continued...

A Peek..

Last year I would sometimes go to the last 1/2 hour of band practice.  This year Scott started doing the same thing.   It is neat to get a peek at what the band is doing and see the stages it takes to the final performance.

This is only part of the band... I could not fit them all in.  

The instruments all lined up so neatly....

and why the instruments are there and not here is because they are working on the marching formation.  They learn the music and steps separately.  Look for Jordan- he is wearing the black SF Giants shirt.  Those who are not pretending to hold instruments are Color Guard.  Others out of formation are instructors.

So Cool!  We love seeing Jordan being so happy... he loves being in the marching band and in our little city this is a "cool" thing to do.   Our two high schools both have great marching bands-- they both compete in different categories-- we compete at field shows and the other competes in parades.   Jordan's band performs at the home football games for practice, hometown spirit and entertainment.  They then have about 5 competitions they compete in, including finals.   Football halftime performances are about a 1/3 of what they do for competition.    

 I explain all that because I was clueless... I thought the band was just for hometown parades and halftime shows.   Oh no... it is so much more then that.  This is a sport that these kids dedicate a season to.  They work really hard physically-- they need to be in shape to be able to endure what they do in hot uniforms.   Quote from WBA competition that I saw on another bands t-shirt.  "If marching band was easy... it would be called football"    We have a few guys who do both marching band and football--- I will have to ask them which is harder?

Family Cub Scout Activity at Shadow Cliffs

This is our third year doing this activity.   Attendance was pretty hit and miss all summer with our scout activities and this one was no different.   

Scott and Chance had just got back from their camping trip and I rushed them out the door for this event.    This is Scott and Chance at the Water slides.  Needless to say Chance was exhausted and it has been really easy getting him back on the school schedule.

After an hour here, we went over to the lake for our picnic lunch and sail boating.   I visited and had such a nice time that I did not get any more pictures, other then one of a local church doing baptisms.     We finished up around 3:00 and had some time to get a few things ready for Sunday and then Scott and I were off to the Ward Adult Dinner at the church.   Scott's one request for going was that we did NOT have to play a game.  Instead we were entertained by two teens.  It was wonderful and we were able to see just how talented they are.   Afterwards we did participate as they taught us a few dances.  Fun, Fun, Fun day-- worth ignoring the lawn and yard work and going back to school stuff-- 

and my husband came with me for all of it--- thanks Scott!

A Chance to Escape

CHANCE definition #4:  A favorable set of circumstances; an opportunity.

  A chance to escape.

Scott has been itching to go backpack camping before the kids start school.  With Jordan's time taken up with Marching Band.  Scott took CHANCE and escaped to Sunol for a Friday night backpacking camp.  It is 6 miles round trip.  They made it back in time so we could attend our cub scout activity in the afternoon.  

The beginning-- Chance has his own backpack, loaded with all his own gear, right down to his own tent. (his request)

It is slow going and hard work... but Chance keeps pushing along!

Can you see the exertion in his face?

He brought his own camping stove-- because he wanted to heat his own water!  Scott upgrades his equipment and the kids get his old stuff.   Chance was really excited to be a full fledge backpacker and use all his own camping equipment.   As long as he carried it, Scott agreed to it!

Saturday morning-- the layer of fog covering the valley.  And Chance really did sleep in his own tent all by himself!

And a part of the Football field comes home each night...

Number one clue that Marching Season has begun-- black rubber granules in my home!

Also an indicator that he did not follow his Mothers instructions and take his shoes off on the lawn.

  What are they.....Hitch hikers from the artificial turf on the Football Field.  They are the rubberized part below the grass blades.  They pop up and get inside the shoe.

Superhero News Flash

It seems that our local SuperHero, Captain Falcon, has been recruiting.

Joining him are BeeWomen and Lightening

Happy Birthday Burdett!

Burdett is a surname given as a first name

It is either of English and French origins-- but agreed upon is it is a last name.

Burdett is my brother-in-law,  married to my youngest sister Erica.  They have settled down in my hometown (which is their hometown also).    Out of all my family, I see them least because of their location.  

A few things I know about Burdett from my parents...

Burdett is an outdoors guy.  He works on the side taking pictures of deer and elk for outdoor/hunting magazines.  

He absolutely adores his son Peyton.   And lucky them,  around the 1st of next year they will have another boy to join their family.    

Burdett will have so much fun doing the outdoor thing with those boys in 5-10 years!

Have a fantastic birthday Burdett!

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No...

It is Captain Falcon!

Who is this masked superhero?  

That is the question everyone is asking in  this home.    News reports indicate that earlier in the day the child in the home left with his friend for Barnes and Noble.  While there he spent is allowance on this... 

The Superhero starter kit!

When the boy returned home he went to his room.  He has not been seen since.   The only thing missing is his white t-shirt and there is yarn hanging out of his mother's sewing cabinet.   The parents have a few leads that they are looking into.  In the meantime Captain Falcon has taken up residency in the boys room.   Sleeping there at this time.   This is the only ID he has on him...

Very mysterious indeed.  

The Crocs have worn out their welcome!

Last year Chance just had to have these fad shoes.  Thought they were great, I could just throw them in the wash to clean them up.   All was good with them until half through this summer I noticed that his toes were curling.  (think, like my Dads!)  

 Oh, it was these shoes!  He had been running around in them everyday.  His feet sliding to the front and bunching the toes up.  

Now I know why you must buy them big.  Bad Shoes!

He is now wearing flip-flops- lots of wiggle toe room.  :)

Oh, and for the record.  My 8 year old, 3rd grader is mighty close to wearing the same shoe size as me!  Do you think he will be sporting the 13, 14, or maybe a 15 in high school?  Jordan seems to be holding out at a size 11 same shoe size as his Dad. (Yes, Jordan borrows from his Dad's large shoe collection)

   

Ready to Travel?

Jordan is!

Passport came today.  

 #1 item he needs to go to London to march with his band in the New Years Day Parade.   Check that one off.

#2 item is fees paid-- have just one more payment left.

#3 Just time to learn the music and practice, practice, practice Marching.  

Monday Clean-up

The big accomplishment today was cleaning out the pantry.  Proof to my husband that it WAS cleaned in August 2008.  So I do not have to hear- you have NEVER clean the pantry!   Never are big words.  Rarely, occasionally, sometimes, or once in a while would be a more accurate description of my house cleaning.  But NEVER... that is so off base.

The pantry under the staircase... I think I have more room then Harry Potter did!

The wait....

Since Jordan has passed his written test, he is now ready for the next step...behind the wheel training with an instructor.  He has been trying to schedule the minute he got back from the DMV!  They did not return his phone call until the afternoon and that was while we where doing Uniform Fittings and we did not get home until 9pm.   Being unavailable due to marching band on Sat he asked me to call.  I was too wrapped up trying to recruit more help and forgot. 

He has reminded me at least 20 times in the past 24 hours that I forgot and I need to call the Driving School between 10-10:20 am on Monday!   I did it!  (also noted the office hours, they are closed on Sat.-- gave me a little guilt relief)

Oh Jordan is going to be so disappointed when he finds out that the earliest appointment was next week.   He won't be able to drive me around for a week!  (he has to have that 1st drive with the instructor before he can operate any vehicle)

 I will have to plan a lot errands for later that afternoon!

A review of our Week--Aug 11-16th

JORDAN attended driving school for 4 days.  Took his test on Friday and PASSED!  Saturday marching band season began, starting at 9am and ending at 9pm.   He commented on how much better they are then last year at the same time-- we should have a rocking season! 

MYSELF, Karalene, was also hit by the Marching Band Season on Tuesday evening when I received all the uniform information from last year and more then a weeks worth of prep work to do in just TWO days as Uniform fitting began on Friday.  By Wednesday evening Scott was asking what exactly was I doing with uniforms?  Hummm....  I skirted around the issue not wanting to tell him I was the UNIFORM COORDINATOR for our 230 member band.  

SCOTT had a yucky week at work as he has had to tell people their jobs are going away.   Then on top of that his wife has neglected his home and he had to fend of himself for food a few times and take care of Chance (which he thoroughly enjoys doing--they both like video games) while his wife did Uniform Fittings.  We can only hope that this is a better week!

CHANCE has been playing with his neighborhood friend all week and loving it.   By Thursday, I packed him and his friends in the car and headed to the Pool.  It had been hot the last few days and making them stay outside all day was becoming inhumane.   

Chance and his friends waiting at the diving board.  Note to me... Chance needs his ears cleaned out- as he did not hear me say "Wait, let me get a picture"  Instead he is saying, "Go!"  Such little patience he has... Note to me- Remind Chance that is not a good way to keep friends!

      On the diving board...

ONE

TWO

THREE

This is where I sat while at the pool... working on Band Uniform Spreadsheets, Band Contracts, and Band Hemming instructions.   I looked like such a workaholic.  But...I did not feel guilty as the kids had lots and lots of fun!  I will have to do some more of that this week as I have shoe orders to do and Cub Scout Finances.  I think I can handle doing it pool side!

Yes, finding a balance in my life has proved challenging.  But I am a firm believer that I need to do my part in the community and in the church.   I know that so many other people volunteer their time on behalf of my sons, I am only do my small part to contribute.  God gave me an able body and mind and service is a good place to use it!  

And.... I am more effective with the help of my family.  Thanks to them for doing their part.  Jordan fitted the freshman with Shakos (hats), he is a great kid to count on.   Scott picked up Chance after work when I could not take another minute of him trying to navigate a red wagon between the band students being fitted instead of staying still.  And the boys kept up with their household chores and Jordan searched for extras he could do... (however, I think driving was the real motivation)

This is Jordan fixing the keyless remote for my Tahoe.  This had not been working for over a month and I have had to do it manually locking and unlocking.  Which is really a pain and resulted in the me locking the keys in the car in July.   I had a large grocery cart full for our 4th of July trip- that was fun! 

 

So the key is now working after soldering connective points on the battery to remote.  Yes, he figured that out all on his own!  After replacing the battery, the key still did not work-- and so he did some dissecting.   He also changed a bulb on the Tahoe front light that burned out. 

 

I give Jordan jobs like this around the house... because he likes it and he is learning how to be a handyman for his future wife!  She will thank Scott and I!

Happy Birthday Mike!

Michael means ....One who is like God

Wow, what a name to live up to! 

To my boys this is Uncle Mike.  He is married to Scott's sister Trudi.

A few things about this guy...

He cooks breakfast when we visit (been a long time since we stayed at their home!)

He is always game for fun and excitement

Always nice and accommodating (yes, Trudi picked a winner and I am not talking about the slot machine)

Can talk scouting none stop to him! ...and he understands!  (He is a professional scouter)

What Jordan says about him...

"I don't know, I just like him"

Can you be more specific?

"He is fun to be around with.

He has a fun personality, is humorous?"

Can you give me an example of a fun time you have had with your Uncle Mike?

"Yes, the National Scout Jamboree"

Three years ago Jordan went with Mike's BSA council to the National Scout Jamboree back east.  Jordan was gone for a couple of weeks and it was hard for him.  He got homesick, the weather was hot and humid and he did not know any of the boys.  For Jordan, having his Uncle Mike there made it all worth it. (besides giving Mom and Dad peace of mind).  Jordan would agree that Mike honors his name well.

Not THE Michael Jordan,  but none the less this team made quite a memory.

National Scout Jamboree--2003

7 Years ago at least...Thanksgiving at Mike and Trudi's.

Jordan and Mike's daughter, Mckenna, taking him down!  

Mike did survive, no hernias and back problems I am aware of.

Happy Birthday Mike!  Have a super duper day!

Saturday 

  My plane arrives.  The family starts gathering at Chuck-A-Rama-  remember, I am surprising my Mom and Dad.   My brother,  Kirk....

gets out of his car and asks where I am and didn't anyone pick me up from the airport.   (oh, that would have been classic, they are all eating at Chuck-A-Rama, while I am waiting for someone to pick me up at the airport!)   Shhh Kirk-- it is a surprise!  Brenda is trying to get him to be quiet, but Mom has already heard.  Dad, he is already making the walk to the front door and did not hear.

I arrive about 15 minutes later.  I quietly sneak up to my Dad and say "Hi Dad".  Oh, he was surprised all right!  He gave me a big grin, a hug and then the big guy started with the water works.   Well, that was the end of that because only one of us was going to be crying in the middle of the buffet.  

So who picked me up from the airport... my brother Nielson.   I walked right out and I could not miss him, there he was in his big truck.  I got in the truck and looked back at this sight ... 

3 little guys all smiles and big round eyes!  It was great, I loved it!  This is Dallin, Palmer...

and Jens!   He grinned at me all the way from the Airport to his home. 

After we stuffed ourselves, we really wanted to take a nap, however, we did what you really should do after a big meal- burn it off.   Nielson and Kristen got the boat ready and we spent the rest of the day at Deer Creek Reservoir with John, Brenda and kids.

Wake boarding-- Brother-in-law John

Did lots of tubing.  Fun!  I really thought Neilson was going to dump me when I was riding but I held on! 

My talented sister-in-law Kristen skiing on one ski!

 Nielson wake boarding

 Brenda getting ready to wake board

Sunday

WALK to church with Mom and Dad.

Had dinner with family.  This is Coeby and my parents dog, Dolce.  Coeby and Lori's dog Roxy is Dolce's mom.  Are you following me-- so that makes Coeby a grandpa and he loved spending time with his granddog!

The Sunday afternoon dinner crowd,  three of my siblings and their families, Mom and Dad.  4 of my parents 8 kids are on the back row.  Coeby, Brenda, Nielson, and ME.

Playing a card game of Rook on Sunday evening.  Brenda & I won!

and board games-- this was a fun game, called "Ticket to Ride"  I won! Proving it is an easy learn and everyone was nice to me and did not block my train connections!  

Monday

I visited with my parents.  Made a stop by Kirk and Monica's, but missed them.   Stopped by Coeby and Lori's to see their new kitchen remodel- very nice!

Earlier in the day my Dad had a Dr. appt.  Here we all are in the car-- this is like an everyday experience for my kids.   Riding in the back seat with your parents in the front!

Glad I got to make a weekend visit with my family.  It was great to see them and I got lots of pictures to use when I blog on their special days!  Thanks to my husband for making the trip possible!