Cluffs come to Visit

In June we were excited to have our Cluff cousins come to visit. We don't get to see them very often as they live in Texas and make it out here about once a year or every other year. The kids had a blast renewing friendships and hanging out together. We were actually fortunate enough to have them up here twice over a couple of weekends. I was grateful to have Nicole go to nursery with me to help out. I'll take the help from anywhere, out of state or in my ward.

The first weekend they came up, the kids played outside a lot until the rain would start. We had one mishap when Tyson climbed over the fence to get a ball. He got stuck on the fence and did a nose dive onto the tennis court, chipping his front tooth and splitting his upper lip. I called Nicole,who was at the eye doctor, to ask if she'd like me to take him in for stitches but we decided to butterfly it. Luckily James is a dentist and was able to fix his tooth that evening. The kids all had fun playing "ghosts in the graveyard" at James office while I assisted James at the chair.

Lindsey and Emily spent most of the time together in Lindsey's room writing stories and poetry. They were able to put together a whole book during Emily's visit. They wrote a cute poem about being cousins and friends.

I had a lot of fun with Ryan. I got to spoil him and become his favorite aunt. I took him to the grocery store one evening and he showed me all the treats he thought we needed. When they came up the second time I told him I was happy to see him and that I'd missed him, he said, "I know." The cutest part was when he fell asleep sitting up against the piano during the home teacher's visit. He is quite a character. All in all, we had an eventful couple of weekends and a lot of memories were made.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

With the coming of Spring, came the beginning of baseball season. Luke, Lindsey and Heather all decided to take a swing at the sport. With three kids playing, we spent nearly every evening at the baseball fields. Matthew thought it was great because he got to play on the playground every day. Savannah liked it because she got to buy a slushy almost every day. I enjoyed the sunshine (at least most of the season, at the end it rained regularly) and watching the kids play.

This was a first for Heather, she had skipped T-ball and coach pitch. This was her first year playing. She hesitated when I asked her if she wanted to try it but after her first practice she informed me that she loved it. She turned out to be a natural. She hit the ball her first time and nearly every time after that. She could also catch and throw better than nearly everyone on her team. Heather played in the co-ed, machine pitch league. She was sad when the season ended, she said she would miss it. It was fun watching her play a sport she really liked.

Lindsey played all-girl, machine pitch. She hasn't played since T-ball but she also turned out to be quite good. I don't think she struck out all season, or for that matter, got out on base either. She played various positions but mostly short stop. She had a great coach who took the time to work with each girl. She also had one of her best friends from our neighborhood on her team, that always makes it more fun. She informed me that she liked this sport much more than soccer, which ended right before baseball season started. (I don't have a picture of Lindsey because her last few games were too rainy.)

Luke was lucky enough to play on the same team he did last year. I think the kids are always more comfortable if they are familiar with the coaches and the teammates. Luke's league was player pitch. That took some getting used to for Luke but he did manage to get on base a few times. His catching and throwing has greatly improved over last year. The last game of the season was the most fun to watch. The team they played had forfeited so Luke's team knew they had won before the game started. The pressure was off and they just had fun. There was a moment at the end of the game that I will never forget. The batter right before Luke was at the plate and there was two outs. Unfortunately, he struck out. The kid felt really bad because that was the end of the season. He was crying a little bit as he walked back to the dugout from home plate. Instead of feeling sorry for himself that he wouldn't get one last turn at bat for the season, Luke met his teammate halfway, put his arm around him, and told him it was OK--there was always next year. I don't know if Luke realizes his parents witnessed that moment but it was more priceless than watching your kid hit a home run!

Savannah graduates Preschool

I am going to be in catch-up mode for a bit. With the frenetic lifestyle we've had lately, I have fallen behind on my chronicling. Please bear with me.

Savannah has attended preschool the last two years at Performance Preschool. She has gone three days a week this year and has thoroughly enjoyed it. Her teacher, Miss Connie, runs the school at the basement in her home and does a great job. Savannah has two friends from the neighborhood, both of which are named Hailey, who attend with her so we have had daily carpools and playgroups that went a long with preschool.

For Savannah's graduation ceremony, we were entertained with songs and dances the children had learned. Each song seemed to have a prop to go with it. The props were entertaining for the viewers as well as the performers. The favorite song among the preschoolers was one about bubble gum. As they sang, they hopped up from the ground and threw bubble gum to the audience. (Some didn't throw it very far because they wanted to be able to pick it up at the end of the song.) The dances were most entertaining. It was at this point that I realized how tall Savannah has grown over the past couple of months. She was paired up to dance with a boy who went to her shoulder. As she stood next to the others in her class, I realized she is at least three inches taller than the rest of the group. She must have inherited her height from James, I was always one of the shortest.

After voices were tired and bodies were worn out from wiggling and skipping, the children were presented with certificates and graduation caps as well as a balloon and a book of the work they had accomplished through the year. I was very proud of Savannah. She is getting to be so grown up. I always tell her she has to stay five years old forever. At first she would agree with me but now she has decided she will stay six years old forever--that way she can have one more birthday party and go to kindergarten.

Bluff Ridge 5K Race

This last week, most of our family ran in the 5K race sponsored by the elementary school. We have made it a tradition to run every year. This year Heather joined Luke, Lindsey and me. For those of you who have followed my illustrious career of 5K races, you will be pleased to know that I have moved up from last place. This year I actually finished in the top ten. (Of course, it helps that I am moving up in the age groups.) Despite my efforts, however, Lindsey still beats me. She doesn't train at all and comes in about three minutes ahead of me. She reminds me a lot of my sister, Melinda. She has that competitive edge-- if someone tries to pass her, she speeds up. Somehow, I missed out on that attribute-- I jog along hoping I don't dry heave.