I think we're finally settling into a routine (knock on wood). Haha I typed this post up on Friday and then this morning everyone was extra tired and we had to start waking kids up at 8:30 to eat breakfast and get ready for school. It's ok, I think we all needed some extra rest after a couple of crazy weeks. We'll just focus on school today and get back in with our extra material tomorrow. ;)

Andrew is doing well and interacting with his teacher and class and we've setup his little computer calendar that dings when he needs to log on to a meeting then he does his work with little to no help. He has his little schedule next to his desk too that tells him when to read if he has extra time or do Duo Lingo and get a snack. We still have lunch recess after lunch and now he has Chinese class following that. His Chinese teacher seems upbeat and cute so it will be a good experience for him. He's learning tech faster than the girls just because he's using it way more than they did at his age. I noticed last week he sent his teacher an email saying he couldn't figure out something and she wrote back and said log back into the meeting and I'll step you through it and he did and he got it done. He also on occasion will send Steve or I an email saying, "need help". ;) His teacher is good about keeping me in the loop which I like for his age. She also sent me an email saying, "Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate Andrew. He is a fantastic student and is always participating and answering questions. He articulates his answers so well and I love how he applies what he learns into our lessons. I am so happy he is in my class!"

Lila's teacher is mainly communicating with them which I also like (remember I told her this is a stepping stone to Jr High and I wanted her to stay on top of things). But that also means I don't really know what's happening and how she's doing. I signed up to be an observer on Canvas but it really doesn't give you a feel for stuff. Fortunately her teacher emailed me to ask about Lila (she had just noticed she didn't have her video on during meetings - which she says is fine but she also doesn't leave the meetings she just stays logged on in case she needs help) so the teacher wanted to make sure there weren't any technical difficulties and that Lila was feeling comfortable in class. First I have to say that I love the teacher for noticing such a small thing and reaching out to me!! And when I responded I asked her how Lila was doing with class work and this was her response, "Her work quality continues to improve and her work today showed very good attention to detail. She is excellent at being able to explain her thinking, which is a terrific skill to have so early in the year. Nice job Lila!" YAY! Then last Friday I heard her talking a lot during a meeting so I came in to see what was happening and a few kids in her class were starting a book club. The teacher told them it would be totally student run so they were discussing ideas and how to organize it. I was so happy she was still doing something social and the teacher was giving them chances to learn to organize and lead.

Ellie is almost finished with her biology term project (gathering leaves and identifying species etc) she's staying up on her online Fit For Life class and attended a virtual teen writing conference. Can I just say that I love doing some things virtually -- I don't know that I would have driven her down to Provo for this conference but for her to be able to attend from home while she was recovering from her surgery was AWESOME!

Both the girls speech therapists have set up weekly meetings with them remotely on times that will be great so I'm grateful for that too.

Marcus is loving preschool now and just runs in so excited. He also still continues to do Upstart.

We have a little routine in the morning, we pray, read something from Come Follow Me, I have an opportunity to work one-on-one with each of the younger 3 doing our home school curriculum (just about 20 minutes), they practice their instruments, and then log on for their school days. It's great! This week I'm hoping to set a date for our Geography curriculum we're doing together this year. And we'll keep doing hikes, bikes rides, game playing, and we're hoping some skiing this winter too!

Last week we went out to the Causey to hike and maybe see some Salmon. We took the kayak and thought it would be fun for everyone to kayak one way while the others hiked and then we'd switch. However we decided Steve would stay in the kayak and I hiked both ways with two different groups of kids. The hike was fairly easy with out too much elevation but ended up being 2.5 miles instead of the 2 we anticipated. Marcus got cold in the kayak which I felt bad about but once we got hiking he warmed right up. I think the water was really low because we had mud issues with the kayak (like Steve got stuck in it up to his knee) and we didn't see any fish, but we had a great time together and I think we may go try it again next year in the summer when it's warmer (fish won't be there but kayaking around there could be fun!).

4 orthodontist appointments, 3 dentist appointments, 2 oral surgeon appointments, and 11 teeth pulled (this doesn't even count Mimi's dental situation that is still on going -- poor Mimi just had to have another graft for one of her posts we were hoping the posts could go in this month). The day after Lila had her 6 teeth pulled Andrew was complaining that his front tooth was sensitive and he was going to need soft food for a while. Then he decided he was ready for me to pull it. While I was finishing up breakfast or something Steve convinced Andrew to pull out his own tooth and he did. He was pretty excited! As for Ellie, the orthodontist had told me earlier this year he was anticipating Ellie needing to see an oral surgeon in June to get a chain on her one canine tooth that won't come in. Then COVID happened and appointments were backed up so now here we are and yes she is getting her wisdom teeth out at the same time. I told Ellie her and Mimi should have a Netflix watch party this weekend while they both recover.

The doctor said the canine tooth was really close to the surface so it wasn't too bad to get and everything else went off without any complications and that's what we were praying for.
 

It was the first time for her to go under and she was tired and confused. She kept rubbing her eyes and said things were blurry, which had me a little worried, but the doctor assured me it was because of the meds. I'm trying to figure out pain management. They didn't give her any prescriptions because of her weight and just said to use over the counter ibuprofen so I called my brother-in-law dentist, Doug and got his opinion and he gave me some good advice that seems to be working. Now she's watching movies in my room. She had a slushy earlier which felt good on her mouth. We'll just take it easy this weekend and keep eating soft foods.

That wind storm caused some crazy damage and we're grateful we didn't experience too much. Ellie has a friend in Roy that is still without power (we're praying for them and offered them some assistance). I told Steve it is a little ironic that school just can't seem to get going after it's been shut down since March -- two weeks in and we've almost had a week off of school again. I'm wondering if things will ever return to the way they were and yet I told a friend the other day that I don't necessarily want to go back to "normal" because I feel like some changes have been good, but I am ready to live without fear of COVID or impending doom.

So this morning the kids and I did a little of our home school material (we did it yesterday too) and practice instruments and one little chore and now we're sitting down to play a new game Villainous and eat popcorn and just have fun together without worry for a bit at least.

Steve's parents have been trying to sell their house for years. After an upsetting sell fell through last year Carole said, "If the Lord wants us to move someone will walk up and knock on my door and offer to buy this house." Well a couple of months ago a realtor was calling cancelled listings to see if anyone was still interested in selling. Carole said YES. They came over liked the place, made an offer, and began the process of selling. Then they came across issues with their tenants (they've sectioned off the house and have 2 tenants living there). One tenant is a real piece of work and assaulted the inspector. They went through the process of trying to evict her but because of COVID they couldn't. So everyone thought the sale would fall through. Then Tues Aug 25th Steve receives a text, "They are still going to buy the house. We have to be out by Labor Day weekend." So Steve and his siblings video chatted for the second time to come up with a plan on how they could best help their Mom & Dad. Jess drove out and was their for a full week helping. We touched base with her and Doug on Sunday and decided to buy Steve a plane ticket to fly out and help Wed Sept 2 - Sat Sept 5. 

Wednesday was a crazy busy day. Steve and got up to go running and took Ellie with us so she could do her mile test for her Fit For Life class. I put in a quiche to bake while we ran. It was a lovely morning and a nice run. We got back had breakfast with the kids and then I hopped in the shower. I hurried so I could take Marcus to preschool, but then Steve said he would take him so I could finish getting ready for my dental cleaning. At 9:05 I get a call from Steve that Marcus is having a meltdown and won't go in to preschool. So I hop in the other vehicle and head over there. I text his teacher and tell her what is going on and she is so sweet. As soon as I got him to go in she met him and told him it was a friends birthday and I'm pretty sure she rearranged the morning to do birthday stuff first so Marcus would be excited and stay. Then I hurried off to my dental cleaning. Came home to quickly change laundry and grab Ellie for her orthodontist appointment (Steve and I crossed paths he is now on his way to the dentist for his teeth cleaning). I walk in to hear that Andrew cannot get into his class meetings. I asked if Dad tried to help and they said he did before he left. I took a quick look then emailed his teacher. I told Andrew to just see if he could do his homework without the lesson so he did. I let Ellie go into the Ortho by herself because we had the next two appointments already lined up and I stayed in the car to get a few phone calls and stuff done. She came out with a referral to an oral surgeon. They want me to get her into one before her next appointment (in 4 weeks) to chain the one canine that won't come in and we might as well have him look at her wisdom teeth while we're there (sure just add it to the list). Andrew's teacher emails me some ideas to see if he can connect with them for the next live session. We try they don't work. Who knows why, we haven't had any issues since then. Whatever we move on. I make lunch and a sandwich for Steve to take on the airplane (did I mention I made 8 dozen cookies the day before and stuffed Steve's bag half full with them for him to take to his family). I drop him off (which is always a little emotional), come home get Lila off to duet lessons and Andrew ready for a tennis class. Andrew is super excited to be taking tennis. That kid needed an out. All the other kids have something they leave the house for: Ellie - school, sewing, tennis; Lila - dance 3 times a week; Marcus - preschool; so we're excited for this. 

As we were finishing getting ready, I get a text from Steve that he was on the plane and then the power went out and everyone had to get off and now it's delayed by 30 minutes oh and the person next to him said this happened yesterday too -- yikes! So now I'm looking up options for him to get to San Luis Obispo which include rent a car from San Francisco when he gets there and drive down or wait until the next day. I even call his sister who I think is traveling down from the Sacramento area to see if they could maybe swing by. His flight is delayed another 30 minutes so an hour which is his whole layover time and as they are boarding he asks if they're going to hold the connection and they say, "We'll try but we don't know until you get in the air." Which I understand but how are you supposed to make a decision as a passenger. Anyway, they did hold the connection and he made it safely and spent the weekend moving, cleaning, hauling stuff off, laughing with his siblings, eating pie for Russ's birthday, and not getting enough sleep. ;) (I'm hoping to get pictures to post - Steve's niece Maddie had a friend there taking pictures.)

We spent Thursday doing our routine stuff and then I had a little swim party with my YW class and then headed out for my tennis class (Steve and I signed up for the adult class twice a week -- it's a great workout and fun change in routine and a nice out). Friday I went for a walk with a friend, came home got Lila, Andrew, and Marcus on school work then started smoking some chickens while Ellie and I mowed the lawn so we could head to Idaho for a last minute summer fun and eat the yummy food there. We took the Tesla since we were down a passenger and traveling light. Jake and Marcee came out Friday evening and the boys played on their water slide for hours. Then they came in and played legos. They were being so cute together. I had a nice visit with them. Jake mentioned taking the boys target shooting but since they were playing nice he decided to leave them and I suggested he take the girls. They were excited and Jake said they were both good aims, he said the first three shots Lila took she hit. They hit exploding foam cans, shaken up soda cans, old phones (which they brought home to show Steve). The next morning I had them get out their RC cars they brought to drive around outside.

When Jake and Marcee got there we put in the boat and went out and played in the water. It was the perfect summer send off.

We got out of the boat, had a quick dinner and hit the road for home. I needed to pick Steve up from the airport that night and wanted to get the boys to bed plus I didn't know how the drive home would be -- we hit traffic going up and it took us an extra hour to get there. It was sad to leave but it is also best to leave on a high note. We got home, unloaded, gave the car a quick clean, the kids showered, had a bowl of cereal then the boys went to bed. I had to drive the van to pickup Steve because we didn't spend enough time at the super charger on the way home (8 minutes and it gave us more than plenty to get home and almost enough to get to the airport but it was too close to risk it). It was good to see Steve. He was tired. The girls sent me a text and asked if they could stay up until he got home so Steve video chatted with them while I drove and then sent them to bed. He came home showered and we both crashed.

Sunday we all recovered a bit. Steve showed the kids all his coins he brought back from his Dad.

We also made plans for Labor Day. My parents are also selling a home (the one here in UT) and offered to give us some of their furniture. So we decided to rent a U-Haul van on Monday and take our old couches and a bed to the dump so we could move some of their couches in and Ellie got a queen bed (she needed a new mattress the queen doesn't fit in the headboard but we had a different headboard and she said she's been sleeping diagonally in the full bed because she doesn't fit so it was a good upgrade for her). These changes also inspired a cleaning out of all the linens and everyone got clean sheets on their bed. So Monday we got up moved Ellie's bed up, the couch down from upstairs, went and got the van, loaded, went to the dump, went to Mt Green loaded (well that took some time because things didn't quite fit like we thought and those couches are heavy!), picked up lunch on the way home, took a little break (because my muscles were screaming at me), unloaded stuff here and continued to organize and put things back. Steve even joked he couldn't believe he came home to do all of this here too -- haha sorry.

Moving around stuff and cleaning out also encouraged the girls to do a deep clean of their rooms again which they are finishing today since school was cancelled due to high winds (seriously 2020 you are leaving little hope for redemption at this point). To make the best of windy cold day we had Crumbl cookies, yummy pot pie, the kids are doing Kiwico Crates, and we're going to finish our book "The Chocolate Touch" and talk about the Greek mythology story regarding Midas.