Visiting Daniel & Wendy

We always love getting to hang out with Daniel & Wendy's family, but it had been a LONG time since we'd gone up to their house (they usually come to us since we're more central for a lot of the family). The kids were super excited to get to spend a few days with their cousins, and I was excited to get to escape from most of my mom duties for a bit! Wendy was (as always), a wonderful host and happily fed all of our combined masses of people. It was extra nice since it was my birthday while we were there. She spoiled me with a delicious lemon bundt cake.

I didn't take many pictures while we were there, but I did take some of our mini golf adventure! We ended up split into three groups: big kids, little kids, and adults. I wasn't really planning on participating, but it ended up being tons of fun. 

  

The little ones golf

The big kids

Elijah loved all the new toys to explore.

Especially toys bigger than he is. 

Jon is not a dog person.

But apparently Jasper (their new puppy) is a Jon person!

Jon actually did enjoy taking Jasper on runs while were visiting.

But not enough to allow our kids to acquire a dog.

And, because she's awesome, Wendy made sure we got pictures together before we left:

All the cousins

Even the adults got pictures this time!

It was a lovely way to spend the weekend/my birthday.

Coal Mining Adventure

We decided to visit Daniel & Wendy over Memorial Day weekend. And since Aaron has been studying geology in science, I was curious if there were any coal mines we could tour. Turns out there was one that was actually on the way! And so we loaded everyone up and headed to Lackawanna Coal Mine!

This was a huge and very productive mine up until 1966. While we were waiting for the tour to start, the kids explored the area around the mine entrance and were thrilled to find little bits of coal all over the place:

Showing their coal treasures

Sometimes coal can turn you into an infamous dictator

Elise's large collection.

She was very disappointed that we wouldn't let her bring it all home.

Super stylish in our hardhats

We got to ride in a mine cart down into the shaft. I was grateful I had listened to the advice to have everyone bring jackets. It was CHILLY down there. And wet. 

Our tour guide was phenomenal. I was worried we'd get some dry old guy who'd recite a bunch of dates and figures to us, but this was clearly a very well organized tour that was meant to be interesting for all sorts of groups. 

Aaron ringing the old telephone

Investigating some huge coal chunks

They also had these really lifelike, creepy mannequins in the mine.

They were great visual reminders of how dangerous, dark & dirty working in a coal mine was.

Riding in the car, back out of the mine.

It was very squished:

Aaron with his coal mining certificate and a chunk of coal:

This was a fantastic experience. Highly recommended. It was especially poignant once I remembered that some of my ancestors were miners. I'm very grateful that our family doesn't have to depend on mining to survive. 

Giant Man Child

Like Catherine and middle school, high school has been a great experience for Seth. He's doing well in his classes, has made great friends, and has been asked to be a leader a few times. I'm glad he's willing to try new experiences and enjoy interacting with lots of different groups of peers. 

He was also called to be the president of the teachers' quorum this year. He does not love the meetings or my constant reminders that he should be taking the lead, but hopefully it's good preparation for future leadership in the church. 

Dressed up as a waiter at the YM fundraiser dinner.

And, glory of glories: he finished up year #1 of seminary!

Class started at 6 am at the Knoxes, so Seth was up every school day at 5:15 am. I think I had to wake him up once when he forgot to set his alarm. Other than that it was all him. His teachers this year were Bro. Knox and Sis. Isert, although she accepted a job in DC in April and had to stop teaching. Jon and I took turns teaching once a week to help relieve some of the burden on Craig. I actually really enjoyed teaching, but I'm grateful not to have to do it every day. Only three more years to go...

Track also finished up at the end of May:

Throwing the shotput

His team had an awards dinner one night for the entire family. We got to enjoy some delicious food and get to meet some of Seth's coaches and track friends. His coaches all mentioned how much they enjoyed having Seth on the team and hope that he will return next year. 

Seth's award for "Best Dance Moves in the Discus Ring"

Earned his varsity letter!

Seth and Gabe with their awards 

(Gabe already got his varsity letter from cross country, so he got a pin instead)

Seth also took two AP tests in May: AP American Gov and AP Computer Science Principles, which I think is pretty amazing for a freshman. I only took two AP classes, both when I was a senior. He ended up getting a 3 on the AP Gov and a 5 on AP CSP. Super proud of this kid and how hard he's working! Keeping straight As in a bunch of AP and honors classes while also doing early morning seminary and after school sports is a huge achievement. 

The Catherine

 Catherine changed her lock screen to a picture of her true love:

Al, the Isert cat.

She also had her final sixth grade band concert.

Taking a final bow:

With her friend Gianna:

(we gave her wildflower seeds instead of a bouquet).

I have been so impressed with Catherine's dedication to music (and to her schoolwork in general). 
She just gets it done, with no reminders. Middle school has been a fantastic experience for her and I'm so grateful. 

This is also when she decided she was going to try out for jazz band in the fall (they gave a very impressive performance that night). We shall see if she's still interested come September!

May Stuff

 

May started off with a horrifying home invasion.

What is this world coming to when you can't even be safe in your own house?

And my own children made up 75% of this vicious gang.

I have failed as a parent.

Some home projects I really look forward to.

Some are forced upon you.

This was fully in the second catergory:

Repainting the master bath with stupid expensive anti-mold paint.

Which you would think would make it nice to work with, but you'd be wrong.

Also, it's way shinier than it's supposed to be. Sigh.

Elise is always happy to be my painting helper!

Project I actually enjoyed: starting the seedlings!

But I spaced the start time this year and my seeds were way behind.

So, I bought a grow lamp!

These are almost all various types of tomatoes.

Our goal this year is to try all the favorite types and decide which ones we like best.

We have FOMO with tomato varieties. 

Also, our very first raspberry!

Look at those glorious bushes!

I did kill them (accidentally) while trying to take out our stupid Bermuda grass.

Twice. 

But hopefully they will return with vigor next year, when I will NOT kill them.

YW Activities

 Every three months the YW get the chance to serve dinner at a local homeless shelter. Since they don't allow anyone under age 14 to help, my class (the older girls) get to do it. Only 4 people are allowed, so it's usually me and three girls. This time it was only me and two girls since one forgot and didn't show up. It was a lot of work, so I took them out for shaved ice after in gratitude!

Me, Brie & Jenny

I don't remember why Elise got to tag along this week, but she had a great time building Lego creations blindfolded (one team member was blind, one was deaf, and one wasn't allowed to touch the Legos, only give instructions). 

Catherine's class (the younger girls) has a few girls with special needs. In order to help them be more prepared for YW camp, they opted to have a sleepover in a tent in a leader's backyard. 

Enjoying tin foil dinners

Balcony dwellers

The actual sleeping part was kind of a disaster, with a couple of loud girls who wouldn't stop talking. Catherine was not impressed. Hopefully actual YW camp is a better experience...

Painting party!

Finished products!

Grateful Catherine gets to have all these great experiences. 

Co-op Ends

I love that co-op ends in early May so I have one less thing on my plate.

We are so grateful our friends let us re-join last minute! 

All the co-op kids

Marielle fell asleep on me.

It was basically like winning the lottery.

Elijah's artwork at our end-of-term party/presentation

Performing 'In the Leafy Treetops' with his preschool class.

Super fun dinner with all the co-op moms.

These are some of the most amazing women I've ever known.

One of our co-op/church friends invited us to his promotion ceremony. We love this family so much and are so, so sad that they will be moving away this summer. Grateful we were able to celebrate with them:

Also the end of semester KYA class, where Aaron got to show off his skills:

Mastering the obstacle course:

Aaron LOVES KYA and is really pushing himself to achieve new things.

We are so grateful to be back to homeschooling and for all the great experiences we get to enjoy.

The Lady Elise

All dressed up for class photo day! 

Vivi, Freya, Elise

Then the official dress rehearsal:

Beautiful ballerina:

Her class performed Swan Lake, which is one of my favorites.

And we both LOVED the beautiful costumes they got to wear!

Elise is second from left.

Much better form than I ever had as a dancer!

Joining arms to create the 'swan.'

Elise is 4th from the left.

I was so impressed with Elise's performance. Since I am not a great dancer, I was worried she would struggle with the moves. But she was amazing! She loved everything about it: the friends, the costumes, the performing. Although she asked to do gymnastics instead of ballet in the fall (actually, she wanted to do both, AND soccer, but I can't handle that insanity. So gymnastics was her top choice). 

A sad story about the performance: When it was all over, Elise saw her friends surrounded by parents and siblings and grandparents, and aunts & uncles. But not for her. It was just me and Jon. "Why didn't anyone else come to watch me?" That broke my heart. Next time I will bring Melissa, who happily volunteered after I told her this story. (Elise knows her grandparents would be there if they could!)

And more heartbreak:

I found this note after I went to the store.

Apparently she wanted to come with me and was so, so sad when I left without her.

Also sad that we won't let her have sleepovers. 

Elise and Freya (taken with Elise's camera that prints photos).

I love my sweet Elise so much!