Chillin' at Sam's

The kids like to go to Sam's Club and chill on the patio furniture.

This one chair must have been more desirable than all the rest.

We actually bought a rug, perhaps influenced by the beautiful model displaying them.

Jocelynne and her BFF Lia caught during a grooming ritual.  Joss will miss her bestie when she moves next month to Provo.

The boys enjoying the park on a Saturday evening, a treat for pulling weeds and planting grass that morning.

Evolution 

Jocelynne's first formal dance was in April, where she wore Dani's dress.

Joss and Lia

And the gang.  They both attended a pre-dance party and an after party!  Those girls have an active social life.

Chloe, with lots of encouragement from her dad, spends her weekends experimenting in the kitchen.  This cake didn't come out as she'd hoped, but it tasted delicious!  Last week she made a pretty 2-layer chocolate cake for her friend who is moving.  Right now I hear her beater going in the kitchen as she whips up a batch of cookies.  It's really hard to be sugar-free with this girl around!

 The kids are looking forward to the start of the summer and I can't wait to put the winter clothes away.  We were all wearing jackets yesterday, though, so maybe I need to wait.  When the farmers plant the corn fields I guess I'll know it's time.

Finn still isn't talking, but the kids have taught him how to jump and he likes to climb into the van when he knows we're going somewhere and settle himself in his carseat.

I've started teaching Dane his letters, but we're not getting anywhere.  On the other hand, he can point out all the "C" keys on the piano, including middle C.  About a month ago he saw all his siblings getting fruit snacks after Saturday lessons and decided he wanted in on the action, too.  I didn't take his 30 second lessons very seriously, but yesterday he blew me away.  So we're going to forget reading for now and start making music.

Logan burned his thumb on the neighbor's bonfire this afternoon and is experiencing the persistent pain of a 2nd degree burn.  It's hard to watch a child go through discomfort that you can't take away, though I tried with ice and medicine.  Makes me ache a little in anticipation of future pains my kids may go through in life.  He's doing well in school.  Despite his initial despair at learning that he'd have to read through 40 chapter books this year, he has now surpassed that goal and is closing in on 50 books.  He admits that he still doesn't enjoy reading, though -- something his bookworm-ish siblings don't understand.

Tristan spends his free time outside on the trampoline or playing BeyBlades with Logan.  Those two spend most of their time together, despite their different personalities.  Tristan started playing soccer last month and enjoys it.  He mostly plays defensive positions, but also enjoys making goals in practice.  His first game he was trying to steal the ball from an opposing team member, causing her to trip over the ball and fall down.  Instead of running with the ball he'd won, he waited and made sure she got up all right.  That's when I realized that my sweet Tristan just can't play sports with girls.

Chloe is playing "The Entertainer" on the flute and progressing quickly.  Her plan is to play flute in band, piccolo in marching band after school, and get a scholarship to college.  That girl is a schemer like her dad.  She's doing great in school, earning As in everything but PE, where she struggles because she keeps forgetting her gym clothes or her shoes.

I just asked Jocelynne what I should write about her and she barked, "Nothing!"  Although there's no doubt that she's a teenager, her kindness manages to shine through and she has a strong moral compass.