A Gorgeous Week!

We enjoyed three beautiful days of upper 60’s this week, thus we visited three different parks after school! It was really nice to be out in the sunshine and the fresh air. Over the weekend it cooled CONSIDERABLY to the teens with snow today. A reminder that still is January, after all.

We had a good week, concluding with a date night last night. We went out to dinner and did a bit of shopping, uninterrupted in our browsing. It is nice to not have to keep track of three little people who like to hide in the racks, scream and chase each other around, and invariably knock over some display. Perhaps it’s their way of reminding us that they don’t like to shop.

Jason had a couple of late nights at work, and will have another busy week this week, with one trip out to California. Still much nicer than our previous year. He was called to be the first counselor in the young men’s presidency, teacher’s quorum advisor, and scout something-or-other today. He is very excited to be working with the young men and especially to be doing lots of camping and backpacking this year. They should have a snow-caving activity in March. I am sure that my brothers remember such times!

I don’t recall doing anything extraordinary, besides holding down the fort. I’ll get my chance this weekend when I come out for Kelly’s shower. I thought about bringing Jantzen with me…..for about TWO SECONDS! Jason is his favorite person anyway, so he’d probably be miserable without his “da-da”.

Ashtyn had a new friend move in to her class at school who is very much like her. They are both kind of quiet and both like art and horses. It turns out that they live just down the street from us, and have for about 8 years! She was at a different school and just transferred to ours. It’s been great for Ashtyn and I to get to know her and her mom this week. At recess on Thursday (my volunteer day), I was waiting outside the music room and Ashtyn ran out, holding hands with Mirabelle, and they both ran to the field and pretended to be horses for most of the recess. Part of me was sad that she didn’t even look back (although she did come for me later), and part of me was very happy to see her having such fun with a friend. It’s been mostly lonely for her at recess, I think. Then she even raised her hand many times in class to answer questions! (She is usually pretty quiet). Perhaps she is feeling more comfortable with herself and things.

Alyssa has been doing gymnastics, but I think she is tiring of it, although I love her instructor and she does too. We are trying a dance class this week. She wants to “practice reading” because Ashtyn is. She is going to be learning so much faster because of Ashtyn’s example. We hosted a playgroup for a few of her friends this week and that was good. Too bad not many of them live close to us.

Jantzy learned to wave “bye-bye” this week. He comes up to me, all smiley, and blabs something or other, then waves his chubby hands and runs off. This is a fun new game for him!

We hope you enjoyed a happy week wherever this may find you. We love you all!