August 2024

I was really hoping to finish up 2024 and get a good chunk of 2025 caught up on the blog before the end of this year, but since we're two months shy of 2026 and I'm still stuck in August of last year, I don't think it's looking very likely to happen.  Womp womp.  And since it's now November and we're officially entering the "holiday season," who knows how much spare time I'll have to devote to recapping the past year+.  Womp womp womp wooooomp.  Lol.  Perhaps, in the end, I'll end up photo-dumping the rest of the months' entries with nothing more than a caption or two, but for now, here's what happened way back in August of 2024...

• Ethan's Back Home

After leaving us at the start of summer to begin his job as an FSY counselor, Ethan was able to come back home for a couple of weeks at the end of the summer before heading back out to school.  We loved having him home, and the only sad thing about it was that we only had a day or so with all the kids together again before Grace had to head out for back-to-school herself.  (UVU starts a good week or two before BYU.)

Reunited!

I love it so much when I see all 6 kids huddled up like this.

(Reunited!)

•     More Mom Dates

Mom Dates: Round 2 featured a breakfast outing with Grace, a trip to Barnes & Noble with Sophie and then with Jane (although I can't find any pictures of this at all, which is odd), and going to see Hamilton with Ethan on his last night in town.  Lots of fun was had all around.  Hahaha.

Fun fact -- I'd much rather go out for breakfast than dinner.

Fun Fact -- we're practically on a first name basis with the workers at our local Barnes & Noble since we go there so often.

Fun Fact -- I love taking pictures of people taking a picture.  Hahaha.

•     Scott's Bday

Scott's birthday was the last full day we had with all the kiddies before Grace left for school.  The kids decided that since Scott loves golfing, we should all go to Top Golf to celebrate his big day.  It was...fun.  I think.  Hahaha.  Mostly I just remember it being really hot and the food was mid at best.  And Isaac was weirdly good at winning.  Lol.

There's Isaac at the top of the leaderboard. 

Scott was gifted this little plaque that says: "Document it or it Didn't Happen."  Once it found its place at home, however, I decided an amendment was needed for our family's sake since I am constantly reminding the kids that if they want to get paid their allowance, they have to not only DO their chores but keep track of them as well, so that I can sign off when they're done.  Hahaha.

•     Grace Leaves for School

We were all sad to see Grace go after having her home with us all summer.  😢

•     Tweedle Bdays

Alex and Jane also celebrated birthdays in the month of August and even though neither one of them had a friend party this year, they were satisfied enough with our family "party" that I didn't hear any complaints, so I'll take that as a win.

This was Alex's requested cake.  I aim to please.  Lol.

Life imitating art.  Hahahaha.

The piece de resistance -- AirPods.  Go ahead and ask me how many times a day he loses these.  Go on. Hahahahaha.  (The answer is at least once a day.  Oftentimes more.  Lol.)

Jane didn't have a theme in mind for this year's cake and asked for cupcakes instead.   Easy peasy lemon squeezy.  (And who doesn't love a cupcake??)

•     Back to School

Back to school time!!  The summer (as it always does) flew by in 2024 and the new school year started much sooner than we all would have liked.  Alas, such is life.  Unfortunately, I'm going to have to revert to a picture record only to document the first day of school.  It happened so long ago at this point that I really couldn't tell you how the day went for any of the kids.  *single tear emoji*

The Boys

Alex -- 8th Grade

Isaac -- 3rd Grade

(They're so cute.)

(Brothers don't shake hands; brothers gotta hug!)

Isaac is clearly thinking enough with the pictures, mom.  Hahaha.

Jane -- 10th Grade

Sophie -- 12th Grade

(Cute little snapshot sent from Isaac's teacher.)

•     Miscellany

And that's pretty much that for August 2024!  To close, I'll leave you with a random assortment of pictures representing the rest of the month...

"Isaac's Weird Sleep Poses" struck again.

Would a rose by any other name still smell as sweet?  (These Boscobels are enchanting, aren't they?)

Flowers make my heart happy.

Before school started, we had a family home evening activity where we outlined the four problematic T's of ADHD in our household and tried to come up with some life hacks to help us get back on track for school.  (In case you're wondering, the T's stand for:  Transitions (ie getting from point A to point B, moving on from one task to the next, etc.); Task Paralysis (ie being so overwhelmed with what you perceive needs to be done that you can't even start); Time Management (ie staying on task and using time wisely); and Taking Care (ie doing the mundane things we need to do to take care of our bodies and our brain.) 

All About Me:  Alex (Age 13)

Favorite Food: steak fajitas

Favorite color: red

Favorite animal: elephant

Favorite subject: cello (? I genuinely cannot read what this says ?)

When I grow up I want to be: an engineer 

Our Family Theme for the 2024-2025 school year was:  All for One, One for All

(In which we focused on ways to strengthen our family bonds)

Each month had a primary focus --> Our Family... 

Knows who we are * is Loyal to one another * Enjoys each other's company * is Aware of the needs of others * is Connected to our loved ones * is Loving and Kind * is United in good works * Supports each other * Perseveres in the face of adversity * Serves the Lord * is Stronger together * is Prepared

(This is what our wall looked like by the end.)

(I created this Family Tree several years ago, but thought it would be the perfect thing to hang up alongside our theme.)

I don't know why I found this so hilarious, but something about the fact that when asked to come up with one word to focus on for the school year Isaac chose "anger" -- it just really tickled my funny bone.  Especially when taken out of context.  Hahaha.  So in opposition to focusing on being angry for the year, here is what Isaac came up with to apply his "one little word" to his life:

SCHOOL --> Take a deep breath if someone messes something up

HOME --> Ignore people when they make me mad

(Words to live by, amiright?  Hahaha.)

And finally, I texted this screenshot to all of my kids this month, because a mother can always dream.  

"If you want to make your mom happy, clean something.  Anything."