Art

Camille made this at art class for Cloverleaf:

"I can't imagine my life without wolves, books, fruit, chocolate, orange chicken, flowers, summers, sports, teachers, family"

Camping

 This weekend we went to our annual camping trip with Common Ground Homeschoolers up at Golden Gate Canyon State Park. This year, three other families joined us, which was awesome. Sometimes we don't get any other families joining us.

These three families were great! The kids all got along great!

Audra missed the first night because she had a football game and had to be there for marching band, so Ben came up on Saturday morning to drop her off.

We stayed in a cabin for two nights. We came home exhausted!

This post I put on FB isn't entirely true, but I had fun writing it and it is mostly accurate, so here you go:

Once or twice a year I try to take the girls camping. I'd like for Ben to come, but he says, "I don't work hard during the week to pretend to be homeless on the weekend." I told him he's missing out on making memories and he says he has great memories sleeping in his own bed.

This time it was a two night trip. Because of marching band, Audra had to miss the first night. But I know she was sad because she said, "are you seriously going to make me come up the second night? Ugh!" to which I replied, "you are no longer my favorite."**

So off I went with the other two. We went on a beautiful hike in which I heard birds chirping, crickets singing, and lots of "this is the worst day ever" and "why do I have to go hiking just because you like hiking" from the children. So obviously they can't be my favorites, so I guess I'm now favorite-less.

Ben and Audra came up Saturday, Ben just for the day, Audra to spend the night. I went to give Ben a hug and he said, "um, no, you stink!" But he was wearing his birth control hat, so after 17 years of marriage I think it's safe to say we have both stopped trying and I give us another 6 months.

After two nights of sleeping like a chipmunk was gnawing on my face all night, I came home having learned that no matter what others think, mosquitoes find me attractive; smoke follows cranky mothers; and while yes, we are creating family traditions, sleeping in tents was everyone's family tradition until the "house" was invented, so maybe we should update our traditions.

Ben says I bring the madness upon myself.

Touche.

**Obviously, for those of you who know Audra, you know she would never say anything so negative as she always has a positive, "let's do it!" attitude, so obviously I made that conversation up and she is totally my favorite.

Light

 Tonight for FHE we went around the room asking how each person gives light. Camille's comment about Audra won the night:

"Audra, you are like never evil! You have never even been grounded!"

Marching Band

 Audra is loving marching band! Which is good, because she was unsure about it and I kind-of pushed her into it, but it turns out mom was right- it's her favorite thing in the world.

School has been a little rough for Audra. Not academically, but friends wise. There are a bunch of mean girls in her seminary who refuse to acknowledge her in any way, and then the high school is so big that she doesn't have any friends in any of her classes.

I know she will make friends and that it will all be OK. But, until then, marching band has been a tremendous blessing to her.

Friday was the first football game where she went and played. It was 90 degrees but they decided to wear their uniforms- she was HOT. But, she had a great time- except I need to teach her how football is played!

First Day of 4th and 7th!

 And, now we have Claire and Camille officially starting their new school year:

There is a massive debate raging as our health department last night voted for masks for students aged 2-11. On Monday those kids and their providers are supposed to start wearing masks- and the pitch forks have come out. It's actually really obnoxious and terrible. And dangerous as many threats have been made. It's terrible.

So, I'm trying to just focus on how wonderful these kids of ours are and how we plan to have a wonderful school year this year!!!!

Sunflowers and Sweetheart

 Camille came with Ben and me on our daily walk, and we noticed all of the sunflowers. Camille was so sweet in the sunflower meadow!

Sister Love

 We have missed having Audra with us all day everyday! Yesterday we went tubing at Clear Creek in Golden, and we had a blast, but it would have been even better if Audra was there.

On Monday and Wednesdays, she is gone from 6 AM to 7 PM. Sometimes it feels like we never get to see her.

But, it still has some perks. When Audra FINALLY comes home each night, Camille and Claire are SO EXCITED to see her, and they tell her literally every little thing that happened during the day. I don't know if most siblings are like this- I certainly wasn't. We were all off living in our own different worlds and we didn't talk to each other nearly enough.

So it is sweet to still watch them being so close and still being best friends. This is Claire and Audra tonight at Culture on the Green. I had to go pick Audra up from marching band and then bring her back to the park- and then Claire couldn't stop talking- I don't think I have ever heard Claire talk so much! It was pretty funny!