Fall 2015: September

I have a recurring task on my task app (gtasks on android) to blog...during the summer it was weekly, so that's what it still is. But I don't have enough interesting things to talk about weekly - I do, but not what the entire world (family/friends) would want to read, so I just keep checking it done and moving on. I decided I would post something this week of what we've been doing the last month...even if it is only a few pictures. I started looking through my pictures and realize, we've done quite a bit in the last month!

The girls got new glasses (Kaitlyn for the first time).

Alee wants glasses now (Kaitlyn went through that phase). 

I'll get her some "fashion glasses" for her birthday.

I've done some projects and gotten organization back in place for the school year:

We're trying to eat more fruits and vegetables, but that is harder than you think! (The corn leaks, the frozen smoothie defrosted completely to liquid, the salad is a mess, the fruit cups spill when you open them at lunch...) I'm going to keep trying - 2 fruits/veggies per meal...hopefully. Alee only likes about 2 vegetables...got any suggestions for lunch box vegetables that my kids will eat.

One corner (craft area) is arranged and organized and labeled (although at least 2 children still don't put things back)...so now we're tackling the rest of the room - it's going to be awesome, but it's more of a Rob project in the garage.

We've gone to birthday parties:

The extra 45 minutes with the 4 girls waiting in Seth's car rider line gives me time to do hw with Alee (she can't escape and there's little to distract her) and I look at their papers. However, Alee is a distraction to everyone else when she's done and not being the center of my attention! Working on that...

by Kaitlyn

One day, I was so far forward in the line, I let them out to play on the sidewalk beside the line/school. That was probably the most pleasant car rider line experience...

Not only are the kids reading still, I have time again to read while I'm in the first line. 

And I go to school twice a week (30 minutes each time) to read with kids in each of the twins' classes...whoever the teacher assigns. I enjoy it. A little boy yesterday asked me if I worked at school - he didn't understand why I would be there reading with them without pay and what on earth I did without a real job. (If kids only knew how much I got done while they're at school...) 

Alee suggested a week or so ago that I get a job. 

I told her I HAD a job - taking care of her and the others and the house and serving at church and doing projects (which are almost always for someone other than myself). She insisted she thought I should go get a job like a doctor or a baker while she's at school. 

(I'll admit, I wanted to smack her. I didn't; it's not in my job description.)

And school projects begin - the first is "identity day" - a project about yourself. 
I'm not sure exactly what their purpose was because I didn't ask, but I assume it's to practice doing a project that didn't affect their grade and to allow the kids the opportunity to create and present - and practice being the other end that asks the questions. I was at school for nearly 2 days straight attending them all...plus Kindergarten family day at the end. (Hmm...wonder how I would attend all these things for you if I had a "real job", Alee?)

Kindergarten celebration - family day

 I also went to the temple (3 times this month actually, one with youth, one with family, one with relief society - this one was during the day while the kids were at school). Once is usually all I can fit. I think Heavenly Father knew I'd need an extra boost this month, so I was blessed with extra opportunities for service and peace.

Our dryer broke and we had to get a new one...yes, it's really nice, but it's probably one of the lower end models for the capacity I need to match the washing machine we have. For 2 loads a day, it's worth it.

The Spanish branch (both ours and the one from the other stake in Columbia) did a cultural social at church which we attended to support friends that were dancing in the presentation and running the event. The kids had fun, despite the fact that they couldn't understand anything said. And I enjoyed it.

We've had an algae eating fish for a while - Seth named him Tesseract (I have no idea what this plecostomus has to do with the Avengers, but it sounded cool.) He was so efficient, we now buy him algae food when the turtle doesn't make enough mess for him to clean!

My slideshow for YWiE (young women in excellence) I've been working on should be finished processing by now plus it's time to leave for school (reading time with kids).

My job is my family. And I love it.