Cavities & Pets

This week has had a couple of firsts.  Adam and Matt went to the dentist.  This wasn't the first time, but it was the first time to a dentist that isn't their grandpa.  Both did much better than I was expecting.  And neither had cavities. 

Also, we got our first pet.  Robert came home Friday evening with a kitten.  Matt and Gavin were SUPER excited.  Adam, on the other hand, was extremely upset.  He did not want a pet.  So, we returned the kitten.  We decided it might be best to start out with a smaller pet, because although Adam doesn't want any pet, Matt and Gavin do.  So, yesterday afternoon while Adam was at a birthday party, Robert took Matt to the pet store.  He picked out a hamster.  Matt named her 'Butterscotch'.  As expected, Matt and Gavin are thrilled and Adam is upset.  Hopefully he'll come around a bit.  As for me personally, having never had a pet, I'm getting used to the idea, too.  It is cute, though, to see Matt and Gavin's excitement. 

 

Mischief Matt

Matt is always up to something.  He tends to see the humor in nearly everything.  So, when he gets caught he laughs, which then makes us laugh and helps us see the humor in the situation.  Typically sometime after school Matt ends up watching TV in my room.  He often sneaks into the kitchen to get a snack.  He thinks he's being quiet but I can always hear him scurrying about.  Normally he's just getting a go-gurt or cheesestick so since they're healthy I don't make a big deal about it.  Yesterday was no different. . . .so I thought.  I heard him in the kitchen and then run back to my room.  Later I went in to my room and found him on my bed with a 5 lb. bag of chocolate chips. 

Another example of Matt's mischief:  He likes anything physical, especially physical play.  So he likes to play rough with Gavin.  He trips him, tackles him, clotheslines him, etc.  On Monday it got to be too much.  Matt was too tempted, so we put him in his room to separate him from Gavin.  Gavin then went and played in the backyard.  I soon heard Matt yell through his bedroom window at Gavin and they started talking.  This carried on for about 15 minutes.  I didn't think much of it.  I was busy preparing dinner.  All of sudden I heard Matt laughing and he burst in the kitchen from the backyard.  It stunned me for a second and then I asked, "Hey, how did you get out there?"  Matt just laughed.  I asked, "Did you pop your screen out?"  Matt kept laughing.  "Did you pop your screen out?" I asked, now sternly.  "No", said Matt, while laughing.  I knew something wasn't adding up.  So I went to his room and checked out the window.  He was right.  He hadn't popped the screen out.  He had cut it! 

A Note from an Imperfect Mom--

So this summer I've had some experiences that have made me feel like a cra*py mom.  I think for the most part the people did not intentionally want to hurt my feelings but I do question some others' intentions.  I just don't understand why some people think they've got all the answers and have everything figured out.  That's such baloney!  And when they have a superior attitude it does no good.  It just makes others feel judged.  Parenting is hard work.  Most of the time I feel completely ineffective.  And the longer I'm a parent the harder it seems to get. 

I recently bought a book by M. Russell Ballard called 'Daughters of God'.  Interesting enough he has five daughters, 24 granddaughters and 9 great-granddaughters.  So I would say his on-the-job training has made him a bit of a expert on women.  I found a quote in the book I really like.  I think it's great for those of us moms who are trying to figure out how to be the best mom we can for our children, and also for those moms who think they've already figured it out.  He says,
"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother.  Each situation is unique.  Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children.  What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."

September Stuff

September is already half done and we'll be ending summer and starting fall (officially) this week.  It's hard to believe the kids have been in school for a month already.  This month began with a long, weekend trip for Robert and I to Miami.  We went over Labor Day.  It was an early, surprise birthday present for him.  His parents came down to watch the boys for us.  It was nice to relax on the beach.  We also went to a movie, went shopping, enjoyed the bay/port.  One morning we rented bikes and rode along the intracostal waterway, through the mangroves and along the water's edge.  It was so much fun.  Next summer we'd like to rent a canoe or kayaks (if I muster up the courage) and takes the older boys out. 

I've also been busy with my calling.  I'm really enjoying it.  I like visiting the other wards/branches and seeing how their Relief Societies are going and getting sense of where the sisters are out in their lives and what we as a stake RS presidency can do for them.  We had stake conference this past weekend.  It was busy for us. Saturday afternoon, I held my first leadership training meeting for the RS presidencies.  That went really well--so-so attendance but great participation.  Saturday evening was the adult session.  I spoke at that.  Sunday morning was the session for everyone.  We had a new bishopric put into our ward.  Robert is back in, as the 1st counselor.  I'm excited for him.  I think he's going to enjoy it--great men he'll be serving with it.  Crazy side note:  the wives of the new bishopric all served together in the RS presidency.  So, it's fun to think we're all back together again. 

1st Day of School

Yesterday was the 1st day of school.  It was a half-day so they got out at 11:45am.  As you can tell from the photos, neither Adam or Matt were too thrilled to be going back to school.

 

 Matthew is in the 2nd grade.  His teacher is Miss Spore.

 

 

 Adam is in the 4th grade.  His teacher is Mrs. Currin.

 

 

Only Gavin was excited to have his picture taken.  Although the happy face turned to tears when he realized his brothers were staying at school and not coming home with him. 

 

Today is the first full day.  And Matt is already sick.  Yesterday afternoon around 4pm, I found him lying on the couch with a fever.  He had a high fever (104) all night with many bouts of throwing up.  He finally fell asleep about 4:30am.  He seems to be feeling a bit better this morning, but some much for perfect attendance.  

Visit to Logan Utah Temple

Robert and I were married in the Logan Utah temple 15 years ago.  We decided to visit on our way out of Utah.  This was our first time back in 15 years.  To be honest, the boys were not interested in the temple.  They much more enjoyed the big hill in front.

 Matt running down the hill.  He also rolled down it a bunch.

 

 

 I love this picture of Adam--the sheer joy and excitement of running down a hill

 

 

 Of course, Gavin wanted to be in the action, too.  He just needed help getting back up the hill.

This extra trip to Logan added an extra 3-4 hours onto an already long trip.  We made it to Cheyenne, WY late Saturday evening.  Sunday morning Gavin woke up with a high fever and threw up.  We debated if we should stay in Cheyenne or make a run for home, hoping he wouldn't get sick in the car.  Thankfully he didn't but he was so hot and whimpered the entire drive home to Garden City. 
 

Hike to Cecret Lake

Hiking up to Cecret Lake has now become a bit of a tradition while at Snowbird.  It is only a 2-mile there-and-back hike so it's easy enough for the kids.  Adam and Matt quickly took the lead this year (they're the oldest) while Gavin sure tried to keep up.  This resulted in a couple of spills and skinned knees. 

 The start of the hike--

 

 The middle of the hike--can you find Adam and Matt?

 Gavin hiked the whole way--

 



 Last time we did this hike was two years ago.  Gavin was only three months old.  I carried/held the entire way up, sat on this exact rock, nursed him, and then carried him back down.

 

 

 Matt at the lake--

 

 

 All the boys enjoyed throwing rocks into the lake.  What boy doesn't like to throw rocks?  Robert and Uncle Owen quickly taught Adam and Matt how to skip rocks.

 

 Matt and Uncle Owen collecting flat rocks to skip on the water--

 

 

The Leonard cousins--(l to r)--Matthew Kennington, Gavin Kennington, Evan Leonard, Greta Leonard & Adam Kennington