Joss Turns 9!

I like to peek in on the kids at night, and I'm often rewarded with scenes like this.



Joss' birthday mug, a gift from my sisters and I: Sari took the photos, Emmy's company made it (Shutterfly), Becca paid for it, and I designed it. Jocelynne loves having her own, personalized mug.



Logan and I surprised Joss on her birthday by eating with her in the school cafeteria. I coached Logan ahead of time to say "Happy Birthday, Joss", but when he saw all of those big kids he smiled, did a little shuffling dance and began making monkey sounds. They thought he was adorable, one even petting his fluffy hair. So much for making the day all about Joss.



The box wasn't big enough, but that didn't stop Tristan from sleeping in it. (It looks like the dinosaur on Tristan's top is going to eat his Teddy.)



The boys at the University Pool.



Our last trip to the pool of the year. Open again next April.



I read to Tristan's and Chloe's classes on national Speak Like a Pirate Day. Logan put on a little show for them too, of course.



Princess and her Prince Charming.



The kids are at an age where they enjoy playing together, both imaginative play and more active play, like throwing foam blocks at each other throughout the house. (One hit me in the eye once, and I had to put ice on it. Who knew Logan could make foam hurt so much with his tiny arm?) Tonight they used a hanger and a jump rope to make a teddy bear zip line from the top bunk into the closet.

Jocelynne has started math tutoring. The common core math curriculum is fairly difficult (our school uses the New York State math book) and she gets overwhelmed. Caleb, a guy in our ward, drops off his kid on Saturday mornings and I teach him piano while Caleb tutors Joss.

Chloe has taken over our pull-up bar. It hangs in the doorway between the dining room and kitchen. So when I’m walking with plates of hot food in my hands I have to dodge her acrobatics. She’s taught herself to do lots of flipping, twisty things that scare me to death.

Chloe also just started taking art lessons from Michelle, a lady in our ward. Once again, I teach piano lessons for Michelle's daughter Rebecca while Chloe gets art lessons. It's a nice set up.

Tristan enjoys kindergarten, and keeps bringing home comics he gets to pick out for good behavior. So I end up having to read him these stories about philanthropic cows with superpowers.

Logan is enjoying his preschool, which is named "The Little Minions Preschool," after Logan's favorite movie, Despicable Me 2. I only have to teach one day a month, fortunately, as this year's group is pretty squirrelly.