June 12, 2007

June 12, 2007

What a FANTASTIC week we have had!! I decided to make a spreadsheet of a very strict schedule and decided to run this house similar to a military compound- haha! Anyway, I had no idea it would work so well. We had such a great week that the kids are already calling it our best summer ever. We signed up for the fun library program (plus Marisa took her language arts teachers challenge- if Marisa can read more books than her this summer, she will take Marisa out to lunch!) We have a set workout schedule where we do strength training, family tennis, bike rides, family walks, etc. We also got a pool pass and have been trying to do that often as well. This week starts orchestra lessons (Marisa), band lessons (Kayla), tennis camp (Marisa), and private violin lessons (Marisa). The kids are getting in some great playtime. They decorated the playhouse outside and today I found the younger 3 on a “secret mission”. I will attach the picture I took. This summer has just been so great. Even Marisa has done the meals for 2 weeks for a personal progress project. Man, that has been awesome. Too bad I can’t get her to do it all the time. I am also teaching the kids how to deep clean (the poor souls). They get a special HUGE job each Friday. We also have a cool money program we are doing and I have a new “jail’ for items left around the house. It is working so great!!!
Bob doesn’t have to work overtime anymore, which is nice. He is still playing on a softball team, but we haven’t been able to see him play yet. I have also spent a lot of time studying. I am taking a GEO class from BYU which is brutal. So much so, that I dropped the second class before I even started it. It is ridiculously hard, even Bob agrees. Plus, I spend about 8-9 hours on each lesson. It should be way more than a 3 credit class. I tried to take the midterm today, but once again, there was a paperwork mess up and so now I cant take it until Thursday. Irritating since I was studying until midnight last night. My middle school class FINALLY became available. I have been literally waiting for it for 10 months. Anyway, I absolutely LOVE the class!! I am learning a ton and enjoy every assignment. And guess what, every assignment will help me in teaching middle school, no busy work. How about that?? The first paper I wrote had to do with my memories of middle school. Does anyone else have a hard time remembering that far back??
Just as a side note: we have been watching the “Planet earth” series as a family (we taped from the discovery channel) It is PHENOMENAL!!!! I highly recommend seeing it. It has the coolest stuff. There is also a real cool series called “The States” that we have been watching as well. I will tell you what we think when we finish it.
Well, we hope everyone else is having an enjoyable and fun summer.

Kayla before

Kayla after

Marisa before

Marisa after

Tyler and Alayna