Daphne Reads, Quinn obeys, and Rebecca is her lovely self

Today Daphne read a little book for me for the first time.  She read with confidence, her voice bold and strong.

Quinn did his homework after I asked him just one time today.  Amazing.  Truly Amazing.

Rebecca went to young women's.  This was her third time going to mutual and her first time with a combined activity with Fall Creek Ward.  She plopped herself with the sewing service project in the middle of the other ward.  I love that I can watch her.  Over the past year I've watched most of the young women really hesitant to socialize with the girls outside our ward.  And there was Rebecca, completely at ease with...everyone.  She is amazing

The BEST Halloween Party Ever

Last night I dress up Daphne in an old too-short Snow White costume and Quinn donned last year's Ninja costume and headed to the soccer fields.  Texas Heatwave Soccer was throwing a party, a soccer party.  They divided the big fields into several segments, divided the kids into random 4 person teams, and threw a ball in the field and let them have at it.  Daphne wasn't quite old enough though she did play one round with the 6 and 7 year olds.  She even scored a goal, but it was hard.  Quinn was put on a team with a boy that, as it turns out, lives 3 door down from us.  And he has a 4 year old little sister.  Hooray!  New Friends!

Obligatory candy was distributed, but mostly the night was about playing soccer--in a costume.

Wanted: A Life Photographer

I'm failing at the picture taking.  I even left the camera on the kitchen counter this week.  Did I snap even one shot?  No.

This week has been eventful.  All of the children now have their Halloween costumes ready to go.  I decided to pretend like I was a seamstress by profession and had hired help to take over the housekeeping.  I sewed (drum roll please) a rapunzel dress for Daphne, and I promise that I will post pictures soon.

Quinn has a sinus infection.  I guess that explains the bad attitude about going to school and intolerance to music.  On Wednesday he threw his bike to the ground halfway to school and refused to go to the rest of the way to school.  I had to run back home, grab the car and pick him up.  I took him to school, and then I went home and called the doctor.  She put him on an antibiotic and he got to stay home from school for 2 days.  He actually did quite a bit of homework at home. He's doing much better now that his infection is subsiding.

So maybe I don't want a life photographer for this week, come to think of it.  The house was messy, children were cranky and sick.  So next week I will take pictures.  Next week.

Quinn started piano this week.

We've been waking up to his experiments for months now.  I finally talked him into starting lessons with our friend who's 11 years of age. Should be fun!

Rebecca

Daphne

Daphne is rapidly approaching  5 years old now.  She is so pleasant to be around.  I just love her.  She loves "homework" and sits down with Quinn each afternoon while he is doing his homework.  When I asked Quinn if he wanted to take piano lessons from a family friend, she jumped up and said she was ready, too.  She's overcome much of her shyness, and when I was jogging at the dog park she walked around socializing with all the dogs and adults like they were her best friends.  I can always count on her to make a new friend wherever we go.  I can also count on her to remove her shoes and take the hair tie out of her hair.

She's playing soccer again this year and doing much better than last year.  She still tends to be naughty while I'm trying to coach the team.  We need some loving fatherly attention on the bench I think while she learns to behave appropriately. Hint. Hint.  She also doesn't feel like she's good enough to score a goal, but I know she is with all my heart and I'm hoping she'll find that within herself.  But if not, she's learning to dance.  And she can sing.  And she loves her bike.  So she's gonna be ok.

 "Every run has challenges," the Sakyong says. "The challenge is to be brave, not trying to escape boredom or discomfort, but relaxing with how things are."

Just the Way Daphne Likes to Start the Day

Two Girls, One Tricycle, No Problem

Old Phone Pictures: Abundant Rays of Sunshine