Chloe's Creations

We made it to the ULL pool once this season.  The kids always enjoy it, and floating weightless sure feels good during pregnancy!  

Dane went through a phase where he loved to wear this toy net like a hat.

I wish the iPad were just a phase, but I doubt it.  He looks upset Joss (the photographer) dared to disturb him while he was busy killing zombies.

Cooling down after school.

While going through old notebooks last week, I came across a lot of Chloe's creations.  I liked this poem about Nonna's visit to our house.

I found a lot of lists.  She likes to stay organized.

And she has high aspirations when it comes to obtaining wealth.

Her succinct explanation of her parents, and then her autobiography.

 And more planning.

We haven't been successful in finding a postdoc yet, but Landon's new favorite possibility is located in Ames, Iowa.  Meanwhile he's working hard on the 3rd chapter of his dissertation and doing bird surveys every other Wednesday for some income.

I'm still the secretary and pianist in the primary and loving it.  My favorite part is watching Logan strut to the front of the room with a cocky smile when it's his turn to participate in anything.  I stay busy watching Dane during the day, who is currently potty training.  I also watch Whitni's son, Tadhg, a couple of times a week.  And I spend as much time as I can putting my feet up to help with the varicose veins that are plaguing me this pregnancy.  Whitni comes to make us dinner once or twice a week, which has helped. 

Jocelynne will be starting young women's in 2 weeks, but is allowing us to write her into the primary program next month anyway.  She feels too old for primary but to little for young women's and is nervous about the transition.  

Chloe is on top of things (probably due to all her lists) and I never have to worry about her getting her homework done.  She does it quickly and independently, which is nice because I spend so much time between 3PM and 9PM doing homework with the other kids.  

Tristan went to Cub Scout Fun Day with Landon yesterday, where he caught his first fish (a bass about the size of a minnow)!  He also learned to paddle a canoe and shoot a bow and arrow.  Whereas Landon lamented he was excluded from all the fun events, Tristan came home beaming.  He's doing well in school and enjoys playing with Logan in his free time.  He also spends a fair amount of time with his neighborhood friends, Kaia and Jacob.

I'm not sure how Logan's doing in school, but his teacher has already figured out that he's a smart cookie.  It's like pulling teeth to get him to do his homework and reading here at home, so I'm not sure how much success she's having with him there.  He loves cuddles and Treasure Hunts (back tickles).  He also loves the iPad, of course, and is only motivated to get his chores and homework done by the promise of some screen time.  

Dane has shown some interest in potty training lately, but he has accidents if I don't take him to the toilet every 30 minutes.  And since bending over my beach-ball-belly to clean urine off the floor is one of my least favorite activities, I might just give up and put him back in diapers for another few months.