Kayaking with the Brashers

 

One of our favorite things to do is to share fun activities with family and friends.  The Brashers had never been kayaking, so we went down to Salem Pond and had a blast.  There were more people at the pond than I've ever seen, so we found a quieter spot away from most of the people and made a base camp.  There were many adventures, between Joseph and Ada trying to use the youth kayaks and swamping them, Evelyn stealing the paddles from Matthew and Ada, Sam rescuing them, Jer accidentally throwing his fish line in the water, Seth paddling out and rescuing it with the proudest look on his face... I saw smiles and heard laughs from everyone.  My sister Janelle came and that was fun to catch up with her.

Sam fishing

I liked this one because each person kind of matched their boat.

Evelyn fishing

The guys fishing next to us kept sharing their bait with us, we only caught one fish between everyone, and realized that we hadn't brought anything to keep it in, so we gave it to them.  Everyone had fun fishing anyways.

Seth kept coming back and trying out all the different boats.  

Jeff did a great job with both the kayak and the standing paddle board.

This face is why we like kayaking.

Robert, Joseph and Matthew kept trying to capsize each other.... so Evelyn joined in with bumper boats.

Sam's 6th grade Graduation

We didn't get to experience a graduation with Ada's group last year because of Covid, so we were pretty excited to be able to see Sam's.  There were a few surprises though.  My PO Board was in charge of the graduation decoration and refreshments.  I helped plan it, serve refreshments and clean it up, but my President Elect, Megan, did all the set up because I had the daycare that day and it looked great. Surprise number 1... Sam was one of 5 kids that received the Orem Kiwanis club award.  They said that they based it on seeing little acts of service, leadership and kindness throughout the year.

(They had him take his mask off for the picture.  What the school board received from State guidelines was that they had found that you need to be in the same space with someone for about 15 minutes before catching it.) 

Surprise number 2... Sam was supposed to give one of the two talks given by students during the program.  He didn't tell us that he had to give a speech.  He prepared it, his teacher read and approved it, and he promptly threw it in the trash while cleaning out his desk earlier in the day.  He stood up and said, "So I accidentally threw away my speech, so here goes...."

The 6th grade had practiced a song from High School Musical about summer.  They all sang it, but had only practiced it a few times.  You could hear Sam knew all the words and most everyone else just knew the chorus.  I thought that was fun too.  This year taught Sam that he has a great memory for recitation.  Thanks Mr. Carlson.

This is Sam with Logan.  Logan lives in our ward.  He's autistic so really struggles in social settings.  Sam understands him because they see each other so much.  He's helped Logan get through the last year and a half of elementary school.  I was worried that Sam would get burned out (I have when helping people that just don't understand situations), but his teacher said that he was immensely helpful.  If Logan just wasn't settling into an idea, he would talk to Sam and get right to work after.  Sam could talk him into anything. It wasn't always easy for him because kids can be mean, but Sam made it through the school year and they're still friends.  Again, we just took masks off for the pictures.

This is one of Sam's two best friends. Joshy is a good kid and I'm really glad that they've had each other, even if they aren't in the same class.  

 

My birthday

 

It was my 40th birthday this week. I told everyone to ignore it because it was going to be a busy day.  Since I'm the PO President, I was in charge of helping with field day at the school.  That was fun to see Sam.  I'm very proud of the effort he's put in at school at with wearing a mask all the way to the end.  The school mask mandate was lifted for their school a week before the end of school. Our kids kept wearing them, even though we have had zero cases of covid at the school since the end of March.  They wanted to be able to see their cousins that were coming down this week.  I love that they made a goal and kept it even though it was tempting not to. Ada went with me because she was done with school already.  She loved seeing all the teachers and some of the students that she knew from last year.  She helped me pass out water bottles and otter-pops.  Then she helped me organize and pass out the employee year end gifts to all of the staff.  She worked hard and it was my birthday so I took her to Waffle Love for lunch.  She's never been and it's just up her alley.  She loved it and wants to go again sometime.  When I got home, my friend Michelle Flowers, had left these beach themed donuts for me on the porch.  It was a fun surprise.  Then Jer took me to Thai Drift for dinner.  I had to save half my dinner because I was so full from lunch.  It was fun to celebrate being done with the school year and turning 40.  Evelyn said that before 40 you're not old.... so it's official.  I'm old!  I really don't mind being 40.  I feel like I'm happy with my life.  I'm happy with my family.  I'm happy in my faith.  My chronic pain is improving and COVID is ending.  Temples are opening.  There's a lot to look forward to.

Ada went and clicked a picture of Sam. (She made him take his mask down for a second).  

Misc

 

Here's a better picture of Sam during his solo in the 6th grade play.

We got to see the Brashers this week.  We're in heaven.  We love cousins and feel very strongly that if you want your family to know each other as adults, they need to be friends as kids.  Ada and Sam had fun playing soccer with Samuel and Matthew. We've been watching movies, playing games, celebrating birthdays, celebrating a missionary and spoiling great-grands.  Yes, my kids wore masks because they aren't vaccinated yet.  

Seth wanted me to buy him some overalls and loves them.  He puts them on over his shorts and jumps around the house.  He's so funny.  I told him that the picture on the front was a John Deere tractor just like Grandma and Grandpa Robertson's lawn mower and he was pretty happy.

Mom's doings

 

Last week I attended a celebration of life for Cristina's dad.  Both her parents were going through chemo treatments. Her Dad passed away and her Mom has done 4 of 6 treatments.  It was so hard watching this family grieve from continents away.  I really felt like mourning with those who mourn took on another dimension.

I just had to see track the progress of the snowball bush through the years.

Daycare yesterday.  They were having a story time and each of them would take turns perching on the rocks and making up stories for everyone else.

Ada's final choir concert

 

Ada's school just opened up for parents just in time for her last choir concert.  It was fun to go in person and meet the people that she's been talking about.  They sang 3 songs and Ada is so excited for next year's choir.  I love her energy and that she has no fear to sing in front of crowds.  Love this girl!

Art

 

The kids took part in the virtual art show at the school too.  Sam has decided that he's not such a horrible artist like he thought and has really put some effort into it for the last few months.  

Evelyn is definitely my texture and color artist.  I think she gives off a fun illustrators vibe.

Seth looks like he was in line to get a picture of his artwork taken but never got posted.... but he was cute in the background of this one.  I had to show it.