Kindergarten

We didn't do anything too interesting over the weekend, just went to yard sales. I cut up a bunch of material for latch hook rugs, the stuff I already cut up for patterns. The rest is too small for anything except for rugs.

Sunday was normal. We had a good FHE on Monday at James's school. The kids love going to play fight simulator in Daddy's classroom. We got Frosties afterward.

Tuesday and Wednesday, James worked mosquito abatement, so we didn't see him much. I worked on crafts so I wouldn't be too lonely. I made a couple of shimmery capes and a doll coat. They all turned out good. I'm start to enjoy sewing! It still gives my brain a good workout. I don't understand all the directions right away and really have to to think things through a lot before proceeding.

I can't believe Kenny is old enough for school! He started this Wednesday. He absolutely loves is so far.

Myles, Mara, and Nash arrived last night. Nash already left for Provo, but Mara and Myles are here till Sunday. So far, we went grocery shopping, hung out, and worked on the slideshow for Mara's wedding. Myles went hunting with James. When they get back, James and I are going to the bishopric BBQ while my siblings watch the kids. It should be a lot of fun!

School

We didn't do anything of note last Saturday, just got some chores done around the house and yard. We are never going to finish weeding the garden.

Sunday, James went to the mission homecoming of his cousin in Spanish Fork, so I just had Katie and Lewis all day. It was weird, but that's how my afternoons are going to be once Kenny goes to school.

We watched the eclipse. It was okay. I didn't realize that 92% is not nearly as spectacular as 100%, but oh well. Maybe we will still be in Vernal in 2045 when we get a total eclipse here. I'll be a grandma by then. That's a strange thought.

We went to the dentist on Tues. for cleanings and have to go back on Friday for Kenny to get some fillings. There are 2 more appointments after that between now and September, but then hopefully we'll be off the hook for a while. Going to the dentist with the kids makes me feel like a real adult. Haha. We also picked green beans from a lady in the ward. I chopped, washed, and froze all of them, about 6 lbs.

James started his 6th year of teaching and 3rd at the high school. Joseph is now in 2nd grade, and Kenny starts Kindergarten next Wednesday. We took him for testing yesterday.

I've been crafting a lot. I made two maxi skirts, one for me and one for Katie. I'm going to give it to her for her birthday. The cool thing is that they are made from recycled T-shirts/camis. Hers is pink and mine is blue. Mine is from all camis that I dyed. It is super comfy. I made it large enough that it will be able to function as maternity clothes in the future.

Staying busy with all these crafts has really helped me pass the time while James is at work and work. Tonight I won't see him till 9 p.m. or so, but I have plenty to keep me occupied. I won't even have time to feel lonely.

More Projects

All I felt like I did this week was the normal stuff and sewing. It's really great to have so much material to work with. I made another doll outfit, a princess dress. It was a difficult pattern for me, but I figured it out and got it all put together. It looks pretty cute. I also cut out the rest of the doll patterns and started getting things ready to sew some Barbie clothes as well. Pinterest really is great for finding ideas!

Lewis has been waking up twice a night. :( He hasn't done that since he was about 2 weeks old. I hope he's growing because at his appointment, he'd dropped to the 2nd percentile for weight. The doctor said this is defined as "failure to thrive" and said to push more solids. The same thing happened with Kenny, but he really fattened up between 9 and 12 months. I still feel like I'm doing something wrong even though I'm not. Lewis is a happy, content child. I think all the scooting is really burning lots of calories.

I'm definitely feeling worn out from the extra waking at night. It's enough to make a bit grumpy in the morning. I hope Lewis starts sleeping all night, 11 hours a night, by 8 months because that's what his siblings all did. We'll see.

Projects, Piriformis

James's mom gave me pretty all of her extra fabric, so I've been brainstorming project ideas for all of them. My basic plan is to start with the biggest projects first, such as non-patchwork blankets, then move to smaller and smaller pieces. So far I have everything ready for two baby blankets. I made Katie a cute cloak and a curtain to divide the kitchen and old dining room (which James wants to turn into a small "man cave"). I was thinking about how to challenge myself with these projects, and I remembered the Melodie also gave me doll clothes and Halloween costumes patterns. My goal is to sew one item from a pattern each week until I've done them all. So far, so good. It's definitely been a learning experience. I'm not as bad as sewing as I thought. My mom taught me a lot even though I was never interested in advancing my skills very much. I hope to get to the point where sewing is relaxing. Right now, it's mentally exhausting, but I do like the results. A pattern that says one hour generally takes me four.

After a week on a non-memory foam mattress and a lot of sitting in the car, I'd been having some lower back/leg pain on one side. I had never had problems until my pregnancies. It never lingered after #1 and #2 but it definitely has after #3 and #4. (the joys of pregnancy!) I finally figured out what it's called! Piriformis syndrome. Basically, the muscle behind the glute gets strained and inflamed and causes pain down the sciatic nerve. That muscle likely gets strained in the first place because of all my joints loosening up during pregnancy. And, things just get out of whack during pregnancy anyway. Ouch. The fact that it's been bothering me more over the past few days after only a few days of respite got me into gear, so I've started exercising after a year break. I have never loved exercising (hence, the year break) but I know it's good for me. I hope I get extra credit for doing it every time I don't feel like it (which is pretty much always!)

Reunion

I'll be brief because I have a ton of catching up to do. There is no food in the house!

Friday: traveled to Rexburg, picked up Nash at the airport in SLC so he could drive to NC with Myles, stuck in annoying traffic for a while but arrived safely.

Saturday: slept in, shooting with brothers, lunch with brothers plus Kyle and Ricky, James & kids to Renaissance Fair, Lees' for dinner, Sam & Jesse arrived.

Sunday: lunch with brothers plus Kyle and Ricky, church, Head grandparents' for dinner, played Cranium.

Monday: classes HP style (potions, DADA, care of magical creatures), lunch, Cars 3 and donuts, dinner for which I made bread, FHE with root beer testing, played Apples to Apples and Catch Phrase.

Tuesday: Rigby Lake, neighborhood party, played Bananagrams.

Wednesday: quidditch soccer, horcrux scavenger hunt, lunch, relax time, dinner outside, s'mores over the fire, quick visit with Lees.

Thursday: travel home, stops at SLC aquarium and for food.

Today (Friday): cleaned the car, unpacked, did laundry, just about to go shopping when Lewis wakes up (along with a few errands.) Babysitting neighbor kids for a few hours later.