30 May 2021

 We survived what had to be the hardest school year ever.  I am so grateful summer vacation is here!  Arlo had a field day at school on Monday, so he went to school in his swim trunks and came home after a fun day.  The crew was back out at the ranch on Monday and put up the walls and roof on the shop.  We are going to have to wait a couple of weeks for the roll-up doors to be delivered and for them to install the mezzanine with stairs, but we almost have a functional building.

 Other than the flurry of work that was going on on the north side of the house at the shop, we had a dump truck come and deliver sand for the pool on the south side of the house where Phil leveled the ground.  It took another couple of days to level the sand on top of the ground and then set up the actual pool.  Then we needed to sub-sink the pavers that the legs sit on.  I'm not going to lie, the whole process start to finish was a major pain in the rear!  By Saturday evening we were ready to fill the huge pool.  Since we are on a well we decided that we would just run the hose for a few hours over night so that we didn't drain the cistern.  By the end of Sunday we didn't even have a foot of water.  Its going to take a long time to fill 15,000 gallons a few hours at a time with a hose!

 Felicity had a 1/2 day on Tuesday for testing.  In the evening, the girls had youth activities and Helen's class had a reading party and borrowed our soda syrups.  I volunteered to make some reading themed menus which turned out pretty cute.  Felicity decided to join Helen's class for their activity because I guess she thought it was more appealing then making a cushion for her trek bucket (more on that soon).

 Arlo had his piano recital on Wednesday and we were doing quite a bit of panic practicing the couple of days leading up to it.  They did a fun format where each member of the class taught the parent something they had learned that year and they played together and then each student performed their recital piece.  The whole thing only took about an hour and Arlo did fairly well.  I could tell he was nervous, but he pushed through.  I'm proud of the progress he's made this year.   

Felicity had her choir final on Wednesday.  She was asked to prepare a piece to perform for placement in next year choirs.  She sang something from Hadestown in hopes of being selected for the show choir.  She felt she did well, but she was placed in advanced choir instead.  She wasn't too disappointed, she said that none of the freshman in her class were added to show choir. 

 Arlo's class had a multiplication ice cream party on Thursday morning so we dropped off some ice cream.  I haven't actually had to drop him off at school all year.  I'm not sure why we got better at getting to the bus on time, but I have a suspicion that Phil is behind it!  The kids worked on their multiplication facts all year and each time they passed off a set (1's, 2's, 3's etc.) they earned a sundae component.  Pretty clever idea I thought.  Helen had her piano recital on Thursday evening.  Phil was working at the fire station so he couldn't be there.  Helen performed the piece that she chose and then the piece that she wrote.  I was so impressed with all of the student's original compositions.  

Friday was our last day of school!  The girls were remote and while they needed to log in to be counted in every class, most teachers didn't require anything of them so it was a pretty easy last day.  Phil and I were both home and we started our Memorial day weekend with some projects around the house.  We started by hooking up the fruit trees in the front to a drip system with an automatic timer.  I hope we have a good monsoon season this summer, although if we don't, the soaker hoses should keep the trees well hydrated.

 On Saturday the kids helped out in the morning with animal chores and some cleaning in the house and in the afternoon we went to the theater to see "Cruella".  Oh, my, we loved it (or at least I loved the parts I got to see).  About 20 minutes into the movie the baby started to cry so I fed him.  Then he stilled fussed so I stood up with him.  He tolerated that for another 20 minutes and then was just mad so I had to take him out of the theater.  We hung out together in the hallway for the remainder of the movie.  The kids (and even Phil) really enjoyed the movie.  I love going to the theater.

 On Sunday morning Phil and I had our usual church meetings.  When we were done I gave Jude his weekly bath and Arlo asked if he could make pancakes.  Usually I say no to that kind of request because I know that its going to generate a mess for me.  He promised he would clean up after himself, so I consented and he was so excited.  Phil helped him a little, but in general he did it all on his own.  They turned out great and he was so proud of himself.  We had church together and prayers were answered, we were all able to attend together; up until now we had only had 1/2 the congregation there at a time which meant we could only attend in person every other week.  Fully vaccinated folks didn't have to wear masks either.  Halleluiah!  

23 May 2021

Ahh!  Only one more week until summer vacation!  We are doing a lot of last couple of weeks of school type activities.  Both kids are getting ready for their end-of-year piano recitals.  Helen  on top of learning the recital piece she had chosen, was working on her composition piece.  Isn't that neat?  As part of her Let's Play Music piano class she learned music theory this semester and was challenged to write her own composition to perform at her upcoming recital.  I'm really proud of how hard Helen worked this year.

 Several weeks ago Phil and I purchased an above ground pool for the kids on Amazon.  We figured it would be cheaper to buy it before it got hot!  Phil has spent many hours out on the tractor this week trying to get the ground level south of the house so we can set up the pool.  Its a 16' x 32' pool, so we want to make doubly sure that we do the ground prep right.  

On Wednesday before piano lessons we took the girls to CVS  to get their COVID vaccine.  You would have thought I was taking Helen to her execution the way she acted.  Of course when we were done she said, "that didn't even hurt".   I am so grateful that I can now go out without a mask, I have HATED having to wear one so much.  I figure if I get the girls vaccinated they can go about life normally again and I'm looking ahead to our Disney cruise in October, I won't wear a mask on my vacation.

The construction crew was back out at the ranch on Thursday to start putting up the steel for the shop.  It was impressive to see how quickly they worked to get the building erected.

 Phil took the girls to do baptisms at the temple on Friday morning.  I had to work so I stayed home with the baby.  The turkey chicks are getting ready to hatch and this week so we set up a brooder in the bathroom.  Since putting 20+ turkey eggs in the incubator I did some further research and found that I went about the whole thing the wrong way.  I have been collecting one egg a day and putting it in the incubator.  Basically I've set myself up to hatch one turkey a day for a month!  I should have collected the eggs, keeping them cool, until I had as many as I wanted to hatch and then put them into the incubator at the same time.  If I had done it properly the turkeys would all hatch on the same day.  Oh, well.  I'm hoping we get some cute chicks here really soon!

 It was our turn to clean the church building on Saturday morning, so we met with a couple other families to do that.  I put Jude in the baby carrier and he helped me clean.  We worked around the ranch, cleaning the horse stalls and getting other chores done.  In the afternoon I had an appointment to take Jude to have some photographs taken.  We went to the Picture People inside of Buy Buy Baby on the north side, I've had good luck with them over the years.  Jude was good as gold for his little photo shoot, although he didn't smile the whole time.  The photographer was really good with him, although I think if he could have seen her face (she had a mask on) he would have been more smiley.  We went to dinner when we were done.  

Phil worked at the fire station on Sunday and since Helen and Arlo were at their dad's visiting, it was just Felicity and the baby and I at church.  We're excited to head into the last week of school.  It's going to be a busy week, but we are ready for summer!

16 May 2021

 Spring is winding down into summer and we're starting to wind down the school year too.  Our Monday was very busy.  Jude had a well-baby check up and is growing well and developing appropriately.  He got his next round of vaccinations and was understandably cranky.  Arlo helped me after school by reading Green Eggs and Ham to Jude while I did some chores around the house. 

 Phil was teaching paramedic class during the day and then taught fire academy in the evening so he missed Felicity's choir performance.  I'm grateful that we were able to attend in person.  I took Jude with me and he was a less than ideal audience member.  He started by spitting up all over me.  Then he startled when the audience clapped and began to cry.  Between me and a sweet friend who volunteered to hold him we were able to keep him (mostly) quiet for Felicity's performance.  The concert was ok.  The poor kids were still trying to sing in masks and it was almost impossible to hear them (and I'm pretty sure they couldn't hear each other) but it was a step in the "normal" direction.  We're certainly praying that next school year will be better.  Jude wasn't going to tolerate the percussion performance that was next on the playbill, so he and I waited in the car for the remainder of the concert.

 Phil was back at the fire station the next day and then was late getting home Wednesday morning as he had a captain's meeting.  He helped me out with some chores around the ranch when he got home which I appreciate as I'm still trying to work productively from home, at my "real full time job".  I actually went in to the plant site on Thursday morning to get my second dose of the COVID vaccine.  

 Friday was just another really  busy day.  Phil was preparing for an Elder's Quorum organized father and sons camp out most of the day.  He stopped mid morning when we had some friends come over to take a tour of the ranch.  I am never more aware that our place is a work in progress than when folks want to come out and visit.  It was great to see them and visit.  Phil and Arlo left for their campout in the afternoon and in the evening I dropped Jude off with my parents and Helen and Felicity and I attended Felicity's choir banquet.  It didn't take me long to realize that it would have been better if I had just dropped her off and taken Helen out to dinner.  It took FOREVER.  It was almost exclusively focused on the senior choir students and was littered with inside jokes and there were no individual awards for the underclassman or any food.  Anyway, I won't be making that mistake again...we'll show up to the one that happens Felicity's senior year.  As a side note, I heard at the choir thing that the band had their banquet last week and I was pretty irked by that, I've found that I'm not on whatever Facebook page or email list or whatever for band updates because there has been no communication all year.  Now why Felicity doesn't seem to know what's going on in band is kind of a mystery to me.

Phil and Arlo were at their camp out for most of Saturday and the girls and I enjoyed the morning together.  We got donuts and watched movies.  The boys got home in the afternoon and put their gear away.  Phil had to work on Sunday so it was just me and the kids at church on Sunday.  Summer break is just around the corner and we are definitely ready to not have to get up for early morning seminary and running folks around to school and youth activities and piano for a few weeks. 

09 May 2021

 It was a great week.  I am so happy to see weekly progress in the yard as the shop is coming together.  This week they poured the concert for the floor.  The kids have loved having a huge slab of concrete, they've been out there roller skating every afternoon since it finished setting up.

 On Monday we had the full time missionaries over for dinner.  They stayed for quite a while.  They came out and helped feed the horses and before they left they had a short lesson for the kiddos and even talked anime with the girls and Pokemon with Arlo (about this time Phil and my eyes glazed over with  boredom).

 Jude hit the four month mark on Wednesday.  It's hard to believe and yet at the same time I feel like he's always been part of our lives.  He is officially 24.3" long and weighs 13 pounds 4 ounces.  Jude's best talent is sleeping through the night!  So exciting.  He's starting to grab for and bat at toys within his reach and trying to play with his feet.  He's still pretty colic-y but we are holding out hope that it subsides soon.

We have been looking for a companion for our dog Maggie.  She is an Australian shepherd/Blue Heeler mix and as I've said many time before an awesome ranch dog.  When you have a specialized need for a dog like we do, adopting just any pup really isn't feasible.  We were looking primarily for a male Blue Heeler, but a family in our ward was looking to sell an Australian Shepherd puppy and after seeing him decided he would be a great pup for Maggie.  

 We set up a new dog kennel with a dog house  to keep the pup safe until he is big enough to defend himself from coyotes and I can trust that he's not going to leave the property.  We went on Saturday and picked up our puppy who we are calling "Chief".  Maggie took to him immediately wanting his attention and to play all afternoon.  I'm hopeful that pack behavior will kick in and Maggie will show him the ropes around the ranch and teach him how to behave around the animals and stay close to home. 

 

02 May 2021

 We are surviving!  As the school year winds down there's more apathy toward schoolwork and the schedule, and that's pretty universal between kids and parents.  This week we had the inspection of the ground work and the footing/foundation for the shop was poured on Monday.  I love being able to see progress out my dining room window while I'm working at my desk.  

 Spring time is the best, while we wait for our turkey babies to hatch we noticed that we had a mama and daddy quail in the rose bushes in front of the family room window.  I went out to peek in on them on Monday and the babies had hatched.  They are so darling!  

The girls had Girls' Camp kickoff on Tuesday evening for their weekly activity.  I'm so grateful they'll be able to attend camp this year.  I pray we keep heading towards things loosening up as far as COVID restrictions.

The rest of our week was pretty normal.  We had piano lessons, we are winding down towards our end of year recitals.  I have found that Helen has enjoyed practicing on her own more which has meant that she has made some great progress.  We got over a challenging hump with Arlo, we sat and practiced painfully long enough that he was able to master one of his challenge songs and now that he has it down...he plays it ALL THE TIME.  Seriously, every time he walks past the piano he has to pick out the tune.  I love seeing him love playing.

Saturday Arlo had a stake primary activity at the church and had so much fun.  He talked about it the rest of the weekend.  We enjoyed our meetings on Sunday, and in the evening Phil went in to the fire station work a trade for the second half of the shift (8PM-8AM).  I'm hoping that he'll get to go into work, head to bed, and sleep through the night.  That's easy time!

25 April 2021

 

They continued work on the shop this week, laying the framework for the concrete footers.  

 I'm so grateful to be getting closer to having that project completed, not only have we really needed the storage space, but its put a lot of our other projects on hold while we wait.

 On Monday Felicity stayed home from school since she had a well-check appointment with the pediatrician.  We stopped for lunch on the way home and also used a gift card the kids got for Christmas at Amy's Donuts.  Felicity and I were pretty impressed with the fancy donuts.

 We installed some new bees this week.  I had ordered two replacement packages for the two that were mostly DOA from the bee farm.  We now have five hives.  Three of the five are strong and two are just partial packages (the bees that survived shipping) and I added new queens to those two weaker hives.  It'll be great if all five take off, but I'm doubtful that will be the case.

 We had the wonderful opportunity to attend the temple to do baptisms with our Comaduran cousins.  We met Brook and the kids at the Tucson temple on Wednesday evening.  I stayed outside to watch Arlo, Kate, and Jude and we walked the grounds, played Uno, and did some reading.  Unfortunately Phil and Kirby were working so they didn't get to join us this time.

 Nana picked up the older kids for dinner this week.  They enjoy going out with her.  Helen and Arlo went to visit their dad for the weekend which left Felicity to hang out with Jude and I.  Felicity recently found a crochet pattern for a stuffed octopus and she whipped up a couple of those over the weekend.  I love seeing her emerging crochet and cross stitch talents as well as her evolving sketches.  When your children are born and little you are so highly involved in their lives and development that its both exciting and sometimes a little frightening to see them start to pull away and become their own person.  It's a unique stage in the life of a parent.  Luckily having a newborn also allows me to lie to myself and believe that I'm still a "young mother".  

 We had stake conference this weekend.  Phil and I took Jude to the Sunday morning session at the Tucson Stake Center in Tucson and enjoyed the meeting.  We had a really nice, laid back Sunday and got ready to start another week of school and work.

 

18 April 2021

 It was a great week, Arlo started the week off with state testing.  He really enjoyed all the little extras the teachers provide to make testing weeks less stressful.  I am so over having the kiddos wear masks at school.  I know everyone has opinions, some strong opinions, about mask wearing, but when I see Arlo's mask at the end of the day...I'm pretty sure its a miracle he's not getting sick from the mask!  This week he brought one home that not only was filthy dirty inside and out, boogers included, but had red smudges on the inside.  When I asked him, he said they'd  been given ring pops as a testing treat, they had to enjoy them in their masks...so he had red sticky on the inside along with all the other grossness.  After seeing that I am ditching the homemade washable masks in exchange for some disposable ones I got on Amazon.  We're praying things will be different next year.

 Wednesday was Felicity's big day, her 15th birthday.  I can't believe that she's fifteen, that seems so old.  She'll be able to start driving in six months (officially driving as opposed to all the ranch driving she already does).  We went to dinner at Red Robin to celebrate and enjoyed cake when we got home.  This year Felicity wrote what she wanted for her birthday on a sticky note for me and honestly I really enjoyed that, I knew that I was getting things she would want.  She had a good combination of things including the Hadestown soundtrack, a 12-pack of Bubly water, and some chocolate covered almonds from Costco.  We did surprise her with a gift she didn't know was coming.  Phil got her season tickets to Broadway in Tucson.  Helen had mentioned that someone in Jeff’s family had gotten tickets for her (Helen) and Phil knew how much Felicity would enjoy going and didn't want her to feel left out, so he got tickets for our Broadway loving baby and she was ecstatic.  This year's schedule includes Hamilton, My Fair Lady, Wicked, and Hadestown.  She opened the tickets and must have asked "are you serious!?" ten times.  

This week was very exciting for another reason, the builders have finally started prep work for the shop!  It has been a long time in the works, but the ground crew showed up on Thursday to level and pack the ground in preparation for the concrete work.  

 Thursday morning I actually physically went to work to receive my first COVID-19 vaccine.  They had such a great set up and it only took me 15 minutes.   Other than my arm being a little tender it was no big deal.  We're really praying that if we all get vaccinated we won't have to wear masks on our Disney cruise in October.

Felicity went out with Nana for her birthday and they went to dinner and then shopping.  Felicity LOVES thrift store shopping and the two of them always have such a great time.  She came home with quite a few fun finds along with some new items.  Its not really your birthday until Nana has taken you out!

 The one last thing that Felicity had asked for for her birthday was to get a haircut.  Her hair is waist length again, and has been wanting to cut it for awhile.  I took her to my favorite salon, The Cutting Edge, on the far east side of Tucson (because when you find someone you like you don't care its an hour away).  He hair turned out so cute and she is really happy with it.

 Phil was working on Saturday and I was able to get out and get some chores done around the ranch.  Just keeping up with the poop could be a part time job in and of itself!  I wanted Arlo to help me, so I bribed him with using the tractor.  He helped me clean out the arena and horse stalls and after he was a good help for awhile I let him drive the tractor over to the compost pile, he was pretty much the happiest person on the planet in that moment.  

 On Sunday we were fairly busy.  Helen had a presidency meeting and in the evening the kids helped me put together dinner for the girls' band director.  The middle school band director lost his thirteen year old son to epilepsy a couple of weeks ago and a sweet sister at church organized some meals from some of his students for his family.  I know there's not much anyone can do to help alleviate pain, but I'm grateful the kids had the opportunity to reach out in love and serve, even if it feels insignificant.  We genuinely live in such a wonderful community, I know this community and the Vail School District reached out in many way to show their love and support and to mourn with those who mourn.