Jared's Choir Concert and other events

Extra Activities for Today (Tuesday): 

Piano lessons for four (Jase, Jared, Janelle, Jaiden)
Interpreting appointment for one (Wendy)
School Field-trip for one  (Janelle to see "Fiddler on the Roof")
ASL class for one (Wendy)
Dance class for one (Jaiden)
Caroler rehearsals for four (Rick, Janika, Jase, Janelle)
Piano recital for three (Jase, Jared, Janelle)
Choir concert for one (Jared)
School meeting for two (Janika, Wendy)

Red Lava

Jenna has had one fear the past few weeks.  Red Lava.  Where she even heard the term, I do not know, but every day at least three or four times a day she will say (completely out of the blue), "I don't like red lava." Or if I am putting her to bed, "I'm scared of the lava!"   She must be related to her cousin who is afraid of bad weather.  One time I brought the kids to the park and I overheard some other children playing.  They were shouting, "Jump up here or the lava will get you!  Watch out for the lava!"  Thankfully Jenna wasn't close enough to hear them.  It makes me wonder where these irrational fears come from.  True we live right next to "Lava Flow" Drive and in an area with black lava rocks landscaping the library and other local buildings. But she wouldn't know that.  Most likely the kids have spread blankets across the floor jumping from one to the other so as not to fall in the lava.  But whatever the reason I have to chuckle every time Jenna comes up to me and says, "I don't like red lava."  I just say, " I know, sweetie" and give her a hug.  She likes "tight" hugs.  We hug and she laughs and says, "tighter, tighter!" until we have the tightest hug there is.  Hopefully those tight hugs will keep her safe from the lava -- and from everything else that is scary!   

Catching Up

Thurs.:  Today Jaiden went with the second grade to go see "The Wizard of Oz" like her sister had on Tuesday.  But they all got to ride the bus (unlike our class who walked).   I tended my friend's two kids this morning so that she could accompany her daughter's class on the fieldtrip.

Fri.:  I went visiting teaching to members of my deaf branch.  Jani and her friends went to the play tonight. Rick and I went to part of it and also stopped in at the Football game.

Sat:  Rick had an all day caroling practice today -- from 9:00 to 5:00.  I took the three youngest to the kids care at the gym while I went to a Zumba class.   Jani, Jase, and Janelle were involved with the carolers and Jared, Jaiden, Josh and Jenna had friends over and played all day.  Rick and I went out to dinner with another couple and had a fun visit.

Sun.:  Today our branch combined with the hearing ward for the primary program.  It went really well and the kids did a great job on their parts and on their songs -- both singing and signing.   I had been a little worried about Jaiden signing a song all by herself but she did perfectly!  It was nice to get home earlier than usual from church and have the whole day to relax (as much as one can relax with seven hyper kids running around).

Mon.:  Zumba, visiting teaching (in my home ward), orthodontist for Jase, dance for Jaiden, costume shopping for Janika, FHE. 

The Wrong Attire

I can remember a few times growing up, suffering the embarrassment of being either under dressed or over dressed for a certain situation.  One time I attended a particular dance with a boy from another school.  Thinking that the dance was "formal,"  I wore a fancy black taffeta prom dress.  We arrived at the dance and everyone was wearing regular "Sunday" dress.  I felt so self-conscious the entire time.  Another time I went to a particular activity in jeans and everyone was dressed up in Sunday best.  I just hate that feeling.  Well, that is what happened with Jase tonight at his National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony.  (I guess the word "ceremony" should have tipped us off, but it didn't).

I asked Jase at least three times what the "dress" for the event was.  He said he didn't know.  I checked the invitation more than once and it said nothing about the expected dress.  I asked him to check with one of the teachers today but he still didn't find out anything.  So I assumed it was casual.  We showed up just minutes before it was to start and all of the students in the National Junior Honor Society were seated in front of the parents in their Sunday best.  Everyone except for...you guessed it.  Jase.  There he was in a blue t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes.  (At least I had him change from his basketball shorts to jeans).   I wondered how every single kid knew this except for him.  Apparently he was supposed to go to a meeting Tuesday morning before school and forgot (I didn't know about this either).

I started regretting my decision to turn down the option of having announcements and information automatically sent to my cell phone.  Poor Jase.  He walked to his spot, sat down, and then finger-spelled to me, "e-m-b-a-r-r-a-s-s-i-n-g!"   He was thankfully sitting on the back row but later on the students were called to stand up  and walk to the front to receive their certificates and shake the hand of their teachers and principal.  Well, I guess we both learned our lesson.  Jase hopefully won't miss any more of his meetings and I will make a couple of phone calls when I am not sure what the appropriate dress is!  

Janelle's Fieldtrip

Janelle was really excited about having me accompany their class on their school field-trip to go see, "The Wizard of Oz."  She has wanted me to go on one of her field-trips for a long time, but it has always been difficult trying to make babysitting arrangements for my little ones at home.  But I was able to go today since it was during Jenna's playgroup.  Jaiden's class is going Thursday (along with the entire second grade).  I signed up for hers too but apparently they had 15 moms sign up and so I wasn't needed.  Janelle's was the only class to go today from her school, probably because one of her classmates is in the play.  There wasn't a bus and we all walked the half mile to the high school to watch the show and then walked back.  It was fun to hold Janelle's hand and listen to the incessant chatter of her and her little friend the entire way.

The play was fun except for sitting on the very back row next to a loud, energetic little boy from another school with very stinky feet.  The play went longer than we were expecting and I was worried about being late for an appointment.  So I was glad that their teacher hurried their class out the door and started speed walking with them back to school.  She was worried because they were late for lunch.  Since we were later than expected I was relieved that I had made arrangements for someone to pick up Josh from kindergarten "just in case" I didn't make it back in time.  His friend's mom was doing "playground duty" right after and said she would bring him along to the playground to play with her son while she was on duty.  I was stressing because I had an interpreting appointment scheduled and a babysitter was coming to my house at 12:30.  This sitter had never babysat for me before and I didn't have her contact information with me to let her know I might be late.  I literally ran to find Josh on the playground, grabbed his hand and booked it for the van.  We hurried home and made it right at 12:30.  The babysitter was waiting on the porch.  Whew!  I hurried to pick up Jenna from my friend's house, grabbed some food and hurried to my appointment.  After the appointment I went straight to class.

When I got home Jared offered to walk Jaiden to her dance class.  I usually drive her but it is so close that lately I have been walking her back and forth.  When my kids are involved in pre-school, lessons, and sports I always look for those that are closest to home.  I am grateful to have been able to find wonderful pre-schools, dance studios, and piano teachers all within walking distance.  That sure makes my life a lot easier! 

Johnson Family Farm

After I got back from the temple Jared asked if he could go with his friend to the Johnson Family Farm.  I gave him the "go ahead" and then decided to walk the rest of the kids over as well.  The kids had fun playing around and petting the animals.  It was really dark by the time we finished walking home.  I had brought a couple of flashlights but was still a little nervous with the little girls riding their scooters home beside me.  It was a beautiful evening and we were perfect in shorts and t-shirts!

Jenna

Rick and I went to Helena Howard's wedding luncheon and wedding at the St. George Temple.  What an awesome family.  We are grateful that we were able to share in this special day with them! 

When I got home Janika showed me some cute pictures from her camera.  She was babysitting the younger kids while we were gone and decided to give Jenna a bath and do her hair and nails.  She then did a little photo shoot.  So fun!  She looked absolutely darling.