Summer so far--Part 2.

Layton City 5K
Todd, Kenna and I ran the Layton City 5K on July 3rd this year. Todd did great and set a PR (I think). I had reports from other acquaintances on the course that he stopped to walk and visit when he saw people he knew. Cute. Kenna and I stayed together. She was the picture of self-discipline and endurance as she chose when to walk and when to run. We cut up the hem of her adult size S shirt so that it wouldn't trip her. Our friends from the neighborhood ran with us too making it especially great.

Movie Premier
My sister Stephanie has friend who has capitalized on the Twilight frenzy by throwing somewhat elaborate parties for each of the movie debuts allowing girls and women of all ages an arena for their wishing-to-be-Bella hearts. Oh to be faced with deciding loyalty to Edward or Jacob. Awwwww. Because Stephanie's friend has a discerning eye for all things crafty and clever, she has enlisted Steph's help for each of these big to-dos. As payment, she allowed Stephanie to invite her less twitterpaited, somewhat sarcastic, mostly mocking but secretly interested sister to come along for the fun. The movie was great. Seeing Stephanie in action was better.

The Condo
You may recall that my parents are soon embarking on an LDS mission. After they received their call, I was charged with the task of finding them a place to rent for the 18 months they would be 20 minutes down the road from me. I looked at a lot of places. I called on even more and nothing seemed to fit or work out. Depleted and discouraged on my way home from another failed attempt to secure housing for my mom and dad, I called Brent and suggested that we should just buy a condo. He agreed. Next Wednesday, the rest will be history after we close on our first investment property. We're nervous about our landlord abilities but especially excited to have our first tenants be my terrific parents!

Who is this handsome guy?

This cool dude is my nephew Davion. I love him. I hope he doesn't mind if I introduce him to you.

Davion was born exactly a week after Todd. He was my first and favorite nephew right from the start! Davion and his mom, Sue, lived very close to us until Davion was three years old. Suzanne attended beauty school while I was in graduate school and we depended on each other for child care and sanity. This sanity thing didn't always work out but the child care did. The boys absolutely adored each other and were even mistaken as twins frequently!

Sue got re-married shortly after Davion turned three. They moved to Mexico to be with her husband who would attend medical school there. I cried and cried and cried. I was sad to see Sue leave but I was devastated to let go of Davion. It still makes me misty to remember my intense longing that he not go.

Davion was able to visit over the years and I often wondered and worried that the magic bond between he and Todd would be gone or at least noticeably weaker. It has never happened. For years their interests were nearly identical despite the miles between them but even now that some of their hobbies have diverged, they behave as two halves of each other. I am grateful that Todd has such a deep connection to such a wonderful kid.

Davion is very smart. He reads a lot and understands much of learning and life. He seems like a reserved, quiet guy but lets show his wit and dry humor often. I love to hear his infrequent but genuine and contagious laugh. He is pleasant and polite and just plain wonderful.

This summer Davion came to visit with his mom and brothers. Sue and the younger boys stayed for three weeks and Davion was here for nearly seven weeks. He was at our home for about 95% of that time and we loved every minute of it. He even made his third trek to Canada with us. He is a part of us and I love him. Davion returned home to Louisiana on Thursday and I've been a little weepy ever since. This post was supposed to help me cathart but mostly I just feel lonely for him. Love you, kiddo.

Give this kid a present and see what happens.

I know I already posted about Alec's 5th birthday but I couldn't resist sharing these pictures of him opening a couple of his gifts. They so perfectly illustrate his enthusiasm for life. I love this kid!

Summer so far--Part 1.

It hasn't been quite a month since my last post but I feel like we've lived an entire lifetime since then. Every summer I look forward to my job-free days but I seem to be much busier than during the school year in my attempts to savor my "vacation". Here are some of the big and little things that have been filling our days for the last three weeks.

Todd Plays Baseball
Todd played baseball for the Giants of Layton City this year. The season was nettled with rain-outs and subsequent make-up games so we were all happy to see the end of it. It's been difficult for Todd to continue in sports as the competition increases with age. Most of the "in it for fun" kids have chosen other activities by now so lots of the players left are very skilled. Even the parent volunteer coaches are set on winning and substitute their players accordingly. Todd likes to win too, of course, but he doesn't commit the time and practice (and didn't get much in the athletic biological propensity department) that other kids do so he sits on the bench more than he would like. It's a hard lesson for him.

Alec Swims
Alec took swimming lessons again at the Clearfield Aquatic Center. Although they weren't in the same class, it was fun that cousins Skylar and Trevor were there at the same time. Like Todd and Kenna, Alec is timid in the water but I've seen evidence that he learned a lot in his short stint because he loves to practice and show off the skills he was worked on in class. My kudos and respect went to his teacher. She handled the seven very active students with patience and calm. Not to brag but rather to illustrate what she was managing, Alec was by far the most obedient and attentive...YIKES! There is a special place in swimming lesson heaven for those who school the 4-year-olds.

Kenna Stays in School
I know a lot of people like the year 'round school schedule but I am not one. Kenna has been a good sport about going to bed early and getting to school on time but it's it's hard to send her when the rest of us are on party time. I also wonder at the benefit of sending her at all during the last several weeks. I'm all for a little fun near the end of the year but it seems to me the the year 'round schedule promotes a longer "coasting" period. The end of Kenna's fourth grade was filled with programs, school Olympics, Field Day (not pictured) and a field trip to the This is the Place Monument/Pioneer Park. On a positive note, I was glad to participate in each of these fun events since I was off.

Stay tuned...lots more updates to come!