Weekly Wrap-Up

Monday-It was so hard to go to bed Sunday night and get up early on Monday since Chirstmas vacation was over. Don left for Atlanta. We did FHE on Sunday night so that he could be here. We have implemented a new rule. Along with the no playing with friends we have decided that Monday will be No TV Monday in attempt to eliminate 1 non-essential thing from our lives. Connor and I did homeschool and started a new BYu independent study history class. We are also reading the John Byetheway book on Honoring the Priesthood and a book about Daniel Boone.
Tuesday the kids had Karate and I helped in Cayden's class.
Wednesday-Cody stayed home sick and Don came home from Atlanta late. Connor went to his last time of 11-year old scouts. I made a huge pan of Baked Ziti and homemade rolls and monkey bread with all the necessary ingredients courtesy of my mom for Christmas-thanks mom.
Thursday-Cody was sick again and stayed home. Caleb and I went to scouts. I have not slept worth a dang all week partly from the 2 weeks of staying up late and getting up late and then with Don being gone. Caleb went on a field trip to see the Las Vegas Philharmonic. He was supposed to wear nice clothes-ie slacks and a nice shirt and so we got those out Wednesday night. Thursday morning he had gotten up a little earlier and put on his suit with a tie. When Don got back from taking hiim and Cayden to school he said that he watched the other kids walk into Caleb's classroom and most of them were still in jeans and t-shirts. A few were in slacks but Caleb was slightly over dressed. Don and I decided that the jacket and tie would not last all day and would be in the backpack when he got home. We were correct. Thursday night I got a phone call from one of Cody's girl friends wanting to reserve him for January 24 for the Reverse dance. She knew that Cody would be 16 by then so she wanted to make sure she got him first. I said that it would be ok and then she wondered if she could come over "ask" him. She and her friend came over after dark and and made chalk outlines of "bodies" and wrapped caution tape all around the yard. Then she taped a sign to the front door that said "Cody, I will just "die" if you won't go to Reverse with me" Cody was asleep in his room the whole time and Connor and Caleb were in the backyard when the girls came over. Cody had no idea anything was going on and Connor and Caleb were freaking out because "someone was in the garage". We had to tell them to hush and just wait because it was a surprise for Cody. They were about as excited as Christmas morning. When the girls got done they ding dong ditched us to let us know and then we sent Cody to the door to see. He was shocked! The girls were waiting across the street in the dark and ran over after a minute of watching Cody. Cody is currently trying to figure out a way to answer her. I am not sure that I am ready for this yet.




Friday-Cody really wanted to stay home again but 3 days in a row is not a good idea with 5 honors classes. Connor and I did homeschool again. I finally had a breakthrough. When we read Daniel Boone I read and he gets to be Dainel Boone and act out what the story is saying. He can't hardly sit still so at least this way he has to listen to understand what to act out. Maybe it will work. I love Fridays. We didn't do much. I felt like I had the flu on and off this week-mostly on especially Friday. I did nothing the rest of the day and the kids just messed around.
Saturday was major yard clean up day. We cleaned up the back yard and cleaned out the garage and storage room and washed the car that had been cleaned since we went to Utah. The kids worked hard even though they complained and fussed and fought the whole time. It is so much fun being a parent. I made broccoli cheese soup and more rolls and more monkey bread.
Sunday-Today was Connor's birthday. He woke up bouncing off the walls. He got to choose breakfast and dinner. He wanted to have biscuits and gravy for breakfast and grandpa's chicken spaghetti for dinner (I made it though). We made him wait until after dinner when we grandma, grandpa, Aunt Dena and Laura came over for cake and ice cream. He wanted a Skor cake which ended up being Butterfinger cake because we had no Skor candy bars. We sang to him and let him blow out the candles. Then he got to open his gifts. He got a pair of binoculars and some new white shirts for church from us as well as an IOU for a new bed set and some posters that were ordered 10 days ago but did not get here yet. He also got some moola from grandma and grandpa and an Itunes card and a new zip tie and a tie tack from Aunt Dena. The gift of the evening was the new cell phone. We put it in a box and then in a bag. As he was reaching into the bag Don said "Now Connor I have to tell you something really important." It got really quiet as everyone turned to listen to Don. As Don was saying that he was dialing Connor's new cell phone number and the phone began to ring. Noone knew what is was and Connor as soon as Connor figured it out he went nuts! He was whooping and hollering and he jumped out of the chair and ran around the couch to the family room ecstatic. It was pretty funny and Don got it all on tape. It was a quick celebration as Connor and Don had to go to the Priesthood Preveiw meeting.

We have had to improvise with the candles the last few birthdays because I have forgotten to buy candles. We used a 6 and a 5 and 1 regular candle to make 12.
Connor had to sing with his class Called to Serve and of course he sang it with gusto. The other boys sang with their heads down and like most 11 year old boys. That is one of Connor's favorite songs and he sings it like he means it.
Cody had his interview today for his birthday next Friday and he was sustained in church to the office a priest. Connor will have his interview next week and and will be sustained then. Both boys will be ordained that Sunday after Sacrament meeting. In case any of you are wondering Cody will not be getting his liscense or a car for hs birthday. You have to have a permit for 6 months here in Nevada and he has only had it for 3-not for the lack of me trying to get him to do it but he just is not overly concerned about it just yet. He can get his liscense at the end of March assuming he gets all his drive time in which is 40 hours worth. It might take longer as he has driven for all of 20 minutes in the last 3 months and that is not for the lack of trying there either. We ask him all the time if he wants to drive and even Grandma Dottie has called to tell him that she wants to take him but he declines every time. Oh well just keep on saving me on car insurance!
December and January just kill us! My birthday, Christmas, Connor's birthday, Cody's birthday and then Cayden's birthday on February 6 does not make for a very thrifty month. Come February 7 there will be a moratorium on spending-oh wait we are going to Disneyland, then Provo for Owen's blessing and then Don and I are going somewhere nice for our anniversary. Hmm I wonder what April is looking like. Curse you Easter Bunny!