So Far So Good

Abe and the little boys built an animal tower-- fashioned in the same style as Clark and Abe used to build when he was a little guy.  Maybe Abe was feeling nostalgic because Clark was about to start classes at Utah Valley University.
Yes, Clark is a college man now.  Because of the timing of submitting mission papers-- deferment and scholarship and such, he has decided to do this semester of school.

Here he is just about to hop on the Front Runner train to head down to Orem.  Please forgive my enthusiasm, but you must understand, we haven't had a lot of "sending the kids off on their first day of school pictures."  So it was pretty exciting.
One week down and so far so good.

No, not a lot of those kind of pictures, but here is another one of the few--- Elinor's first day of seminary over at the high school.  She's so awesome!  This gorgeous gal stands 5' 11" and doesn't exactly look like a freshman.

Elinor and Bethany are both in the same class and they are doing early morning!  6 am to 7:15 twice a week.  How awful.
See, the thing is, I did four years of early morning seminary and while I loved the gospel, I loathed early morning seminary.  And now here we are and my girls are choosing it!
Well, sort of choosing it.  Bethany has a job teaching swim lessons and the shift option that works best for her is 8:45  am to 12 noon for five days straight.  1st period seminary wouldn't have worked.  Early morning really is the best option for her schedule.  So poor Elinor gets early morning as well, since Bethany is her ride to and from.  She's being a very good sport about it.  One week down and so far so good.

Last Saturday Cannon auditioned for Ballet West's production of the Nutcracker that runs throughout December.  Not knowing how the rehearsal schedule worked or exactly what it entailed, we figured, at the very least, auditions are great experience.  We sort of assumed he'd get in since he is a Ballet West student and did very well at his summer workshop.  I mean, if they don't want him, I can't imagine what kind of boys they would be looking for!

I didn't get the see the auditions, but it seems it went well-- or well enough-- because he did get cast as a party boy.

And then I got a load of the rehearsal schedule and went to the initial parent meeting and I thought, "This is not going to work."  Logistically, I don't see how we could get everyone where they need to be every night of the week."  After talking with Abe and sincere prayer, we both felt I needed to email the head honcho lady and pull Cannon out.  

Shortly thereafter, I got a call from said head honcho lady, pleading that Cannon stay in the production and to tell her about our conflict.  I explained we have 8 kids and Cannon is right in the middle and we didn't think we could commit to getting to to all his rehearsals.  

And would you believe, she said she would find a carpool for him and three days later I get a call from a mom offering to pick up Cannon at a place just off the freeway and have him ride with her and her son.

Can I get a hallelujah?

When I look back over my mothering years, nothing will seem more miraculous to me than when carpooling angels have stepped in and really helped me out in my time of need. 

  So Cannon is in and he had his first rehearsal last week.  So far so good.  Someone else really helped us out in regard to getting Cannon to his first rehearsal.  Abe and I had plans that we could not change.  My big kids were all obligated elsewhere-- so how were we to get Cannon to and from his downtown rehearsal?  This was before my carpooling angel had called me.

I called Clark's good friend, Zach (whose parents we had plans with) and asked if Zach would escort Cannon downtown on TRAX-- wait for him and then take him back to his house.  Cannon knows Zach really well because he frequently plays strategy games with him and Clark.  Thankfully, Zach agreed and Cannon and Zach successfully made it to and from rehearsal.  

I fear my request was somewhat tacky, but I am giving myself points for resourceful planning!  I would say, that is Mom for the win, but it is totally ZACH FOR THE WIN!

Peter really wanted to pet the kitty.  I don't know if you can tell from The Cat's face, but it was not very happy.

The Cat was a little more vocal about its displeasure in this picture.  Peter had a pretty good grip on the cat.  He seems completely unmoved by The Cat's resistance.

I like that The Cat has begun sleeping in various strange but comfortable positions. 

I don't even know why we even like this cat.  The Cat is not a very nice cat. 

I don't know, it just seems to fit in our family.  That's not saying much for our family.  

Also, I'm not disrespecting the cat in calling it The Cat.  That's pretty much what we've decided to call it-- "The Cat".  It started with a name-- McLupe or McFluff, but it's bad behavior had us considering naming it "Hell Cat".  We thought "The Cat" was kinder and more appropriate, seeing as how we have small children in the house.  We can't very well have Peter yelling, "Come here, Hell Cat!" around the neighborhood.  That being said, Peter does yell mean things at us all day long, so why not have him yelling curse words at the cat as well?

A couple of weeks back the girls got to go boating and tubing with Grandma and Grandpa.  Luckies!  They had a super fun time, but I got to wondering, how did I used to parent before I had any teenage daughters around to help?!  Sheesh!  Little kids are a lot of work and perhaps I have underestimated just how helpful these three are!  I should shower them with gifts and special favors more often!

And speaking of helpful girls--- we had cousin Talitha stay with us for a couple days at the start of the week.  She lives in Spokane and they don't start school until after Labor Day.  I am satisfied that my kiddos are very helpful when I ask them to do something and once in a blue moon they will come to me and ask what they can help with.  

But this girl put our whole family to shame!  She was always asking how she could help and stepping in to help with little kids or dishes or reading to kids.  She is a serious gem and Talitha is beloved by everyone in this house.  She's a rockstar!

Now I should explain this picture.  Cannon was giving her ballet lessons and teaching her the ballet splits, push-up, burpie move he invented.  

It looks painful.  He says he hates doing them.  I told him he made them up so he can stop anytime he wants to.  But he continues.  I assume he feels some ownership- like if he doesn't do them, no one will.  And maybe they won't, because like I said, it looks very painful.