Scooby Doo, Where are you?!

Can you believe that another Halloween has come and gone? Our family (or at least Josh and I) has a tradition of dressing up together every year. It is my job to get the costumes all together and everyone wears them for about 2 hours at the ward Trunk or Treat. It is a big investment of time and money to outfit a family of 7 for only 2 hours! But, I think the end result is worth it. Of course the problem is that everyone wants to know what you will be next year?

Recently Logan has taken an interest in Scooby Doo. One day he said maybe Daddy could be Shaggy and he could be Scooby for Halloween. Then he thought some more and said Kaylene could be Daphne because she has red hair and Nathan can be Freddie. Well, that left me with Velma. We couldn't get Nathan or Kyle or Dylan to be Freddie. So, we went Fredless.

Dylan was Ash Ketchum from Pokemon. Not the traditional Ash, but you know, the one from Diamond and Pearl. I had to make the costume because they are not easily found. In the end he was happy and I only had to make a second one because Logan, after being Scooby for one night, wanted to be just like his brother for the actual Halloween night.

Kyle is way in to Wolverine. He even made the fingerblades. He wasn't very happy I wouldn't let him grow his hair out but, if you look close you might be able to see the sideburns he drew on himself.

No, Nathan isn't Hannah Montana! We found the blow up rock guitar and he decided to go as a rock star. We said he could be Axle Rose from Guns 'n Roses with the long hair and bandanna. He had no clue who this was. But, for future reference don't try to look it up on the internet. There was nothing we could show him safely. :)

Well, another year down and I have exactly 11 months before I have to come up with something new because one can never use the same costume twice!

Still Summer Here

When there aren't enough days in summer...what is a mom to do?!
Last year we had such a busy summer that we didn't have two weeks back to back so that I could sign the kids up for a swim lesson session. The kids were not happy about this. Since we don't have a pool they think of swim lessons as a chance to go swimming every day. This summer came along and we were once again busy and no swim lessons. Then a few weeks ago we got our fall parks and rec guide. Guess what? Because California has such wonderful weather (we are still in the mid 90's) they teach swim lessons in the fall! Even though we are back in school, I got myself right down to the city building and signed the three younger boys up for two sessions. It will eventually get cold here and we really are busy but, we are going to enjoy summer a little bit longer.

This is a happy picture of Logan at swim lessons. I wish I had one of him jumping off the diving board at his last lesson. He was brave enough to get up on the board and walk out to the end. But, that is where the bravery stopped. He froze. His teacher tried to coax him to jump. He squatted like he was going to jump but as fast as he could he grabbed his teacher's legs and held on. She had to pry him off crying and drop him in the water. He came up sputtering and not happy. It was so sad. I don't think he'll ever want to do it again. He will be the biggest kid at lessons still on the steps!

School's Cool!

Eleven months ago I created a blog thinking that I would use it to keep up with the all the things my family does. The kids would ask me, "Mom, have you written anything in your blog?" and I would say, "No, but when we do ... I will." Well, the time has finally come and I am writing in the blog!
Yesterday was the first day of the 2009-10 school year. Or as I like to call it, a holiday!
Four of the five are in school this year. The boys all start at 8:15 and Kaylene starts at 8:30. Dylan gets out at 2, Nathan and Kyle get out at 3 and Kaylene gets out at 3:30. It makes for a very crazy day!
Kaylene (14) is a freshman at the brand new high school here in town. They aren't all the way finished with it. It has only freshmen and sophomores right now and it will add a grade for the next two years. So when she is a junior, they will have its first senior class. And she started seminary today, too. Wow! Am I seriously old enough to have a high schooler?!
Nathan (12) is in 7th grade. He has Mrs. S. Kaylene had her, too. I think he is mostly happy. Their school is a K-8 so he has to walk to school with his brothers. I think he would rather not but, I don't give him the choice.
Kyle (9) is in the 4th grade. He has Ms. E. Nathan had her, too. So far I am liking this year. All the boys have teachers that their siblings have had. Kyle is excited to ride his new skateboard to school. I make him wear protective gear which he isn't too excited about. Because you know the pros don't!
Dylan (7) is in the 2nd grade. He has Ms. D. Kyle had her, too. I am looking forward to all the progress he will make this year. He already decided to tie his own shoes. So, he is off to a great start.
Logan (4) isn't in school this year. But he wants to be. He has already asked me at least a half dozen times if he for sure gets to go next year. I hope he realizes I mean next school year and not in January. I could be in real trouble. He tells everyone, "I am doing homeschool this year." Where did he learn the word homeschool?!
Anyway, hope everyone else enjoys their 'holiday' too!
-Kenna