A Morales Minute

Time to get back to schedules and routines. School started for these three on the 29th. The boys are both at Maya Angelou Elementary and in 2nd and 3rd Grade. Aidan has the same teacher as last year. He's pretty excited about that.  Olivia is in 6th grade, her last year at McClintock Elementary. Next year she will be in middle school. I really hope this year kind of helps her prepare for it. She's not eager to grow up so she may have a hard time with it.  And the sisters by heart. Emily is taller than I am but I feel like she could be mine. I love her like I love Olivia. I love their friendship and pray it doesn't dwindle in middle school because the likely hood of them being in the same house of classes is very slim so they may not see each other at school other than on the bus to and from school.  Because Lindsey is in 8th grade, top class of the school she didn't start school the same day as the others. Same at the high school. They make it

Summer and the kids came to visit to get away from all the smoke in Brookings from the wildfires burning so close to them. She stayed at our house for a couple days then went to moms because we would be starting school.  What do we do in the summer at Grandma's? Swim of course. No one does get tired of it.  We made fun carnival treats for the kids. Popcorn, cotton candy (not much because my machine wasn't working for some reason.) and sno cones. The kids loved it! It's the thought of something different that makes it fun for them.  Henry and Rachel! I got this picture when Brian and Emily drove up together for a short weekend of being able to go to the temple when Elizabeth and John were sealed to James and Malachi.

We jumped in on the excitement of the eclipse. First thing in the morning we headed to the planetarium to watch the free video on the eclipse.  We learned about the different types of eclipses, why this one was such a big deal, and how often they happen. We got here at just the right time. Crowds started showing up. We had good seats and were able to get out of the crowded parking lot as so many were trying to get in.  After the planetarium we went home to wait for the eclipse. We had our glasses and video came up to record, ready for the eclipse to start at 10:00am.  Olivia and Emily camped out :) The shadows from the eclipsed sun were fun to watch. You can see how much of the sun was covered by the crescent shaped shadows. We made a couple different eclipse viewers.  Here's another viewer We ended up watching it on the front driveway with neighbors, Christensen's, Daw's, and Beus'. It was interesting to see how it got darker. We wer

Being in the Stake Primary presidency I get to help with the stake girls activity day camp. A lot of work and time went in to this day long event.  Lindsey was asked to be one of the models with a few other girls to show the younger girls modest clothing that is also trendy.  A summer outfit Sunday outfit School outfit.  She did a great job. Lindsey enjoyed the time she got to spend with the other young women. I appreciate Lindsey's willingness to serve these young girls. She is an example to girls wether she knows it or not. Building bird houses All the girls in the gym for their etiquette dessert.  Sister Montiereth was the speaker. She taught them how to properly and politely eat their dessert. When and how to wipe their mouths with the napkin.  Olivia and Emily. These girls are still attached at the hip.  There were many classes. This obstacle course one was amazing. It helped the girls learn to use team work. Not one activit

I took the kids to Morales's to head to the coast. Jaime and I went the next day.  I wonder how long it'll be until the 4 of them decide it's not that comfortable to all sit in the truck. But as much as they love to spend time with their grandparents that day may never come.  All hitched up and ready to go! When Jaime and I got their the next day it was almost immediately time to go to the beach.  It was early evening so no one got all the way in the water but some had to get their feet wet.  Olivia stayed with me trying to keep warm. The breeze was a little chilly.  I can't say enough good things about Olivia. She's always so happy. She pops right up out of bed in the morning, makes her bed every day, loves toys, stuffed animals and make believe. She's going to have a hard time growing up and letting go of her toys. But I'm in no hurry to have her grow up. She's such a sweet mama hen who wants to help take care of others