Q$G

Q$G.....Quinn cracks me up!  He has finished his junior year.  He hasn't wrecked the car yet.  He still has his lawn business and has a pet sitting job currently.  Quinn has branched out and taken a welding class at school and will take his 4th year of ASL next year.  He took the ACT, and did well in math and science.  He gets to take a TCU speed reading class this summer that should help him with the area he didn't do so hot in on the test ;)  He has gone on some dates....it's neat to see him get the car all cleaned up before he goes out (even though I'm sure it still smells of gas and sweat....)  

He was hoping to do some lifeguarding this summer, but about 5 minutes after passing off his swimming test, he became a live example for the lifeguard trainees!  He passed out, fell over and landed on his chin.  Apparently, he locked his knees, and after doing the test (and it being few hours from breakfast), just checkout out for a few seconds.  As fate would have it, I was on my way to Austin for Camp Grandma, so Scott took off work for the afternoon and spent it instead at the hospital getting Quinn stitches.  I didn't find out about it until suppertime that evening!  

I am proud of him for finishing his 3rd year of early morning seminary.  Quinn and I are excited to have Connor join us in the wee morning hours next year.  He goes to mission prep classes.  I don't know if he will leave on his mission next summer as soon as he turns 18, or if he'll do some school first.  I don't know if he knows yet.  It's hard for me to believe he will be a senior next year.  My first little boy, Q$G!

Connor and Cousins

Connor is a good sport.  He was kind to the cousins at Grandma Camp at the beginning of the month.  He is wearing his orchestra "costume" in the picture above.  He'll go to an orchestra camp at UTA this summer with his orchestra friends.  He got together with some of his friends a day this summer to play rugby and other games at the park.  He wants to do something like a book drive, perhaps, for his Eagle Project.  Connor is joining Quinn at the high school for summer work outs.  They both puked the first day of working out---brother bonding at its finest.  He is typically Quinn's mowing buddy for lawn jobs this summer.  He has earned his way for the high adventure in San Antonio this summer, and is saving for next year's Sea Base high adventure.  And, we're conducting an experiment this week:  Connor and Tanner share a room.  Tanner is at scout camp this week.  We will see who the messy monster is in their room.  Is it Connor, or is the claim true that it's Tanner who makes all the messes???        

Piano Love

Tanner loves to play the piano, and I enjoy listening to him play.  I also I love to hear Jim Brickman play the piano.  I pay Tanner to learn Jim Brickman songs to play for me.  But then, I started to feel guilty---what 12 year old really wants to be learning Brickman songs when they could be playing Pirates of the Caribbean?  I told him recently, that he doesn't have to keep learning them for me.  But, oh, how it melts and calms me to hear him play Brickman on the keys while I'm washing dishes.....  

Tanner plays Charlie Brown

Tanner played some of the Charlie Brown song for the Talent Show this year at school.  He thought up his costume himself.  He played a shortened version of the song, leaving out the "hard part."  Since his performance, his teacher did not let him off the hook from learning the "hard part."  He has diligently been working on it, and it sounds fantastic.  

Tanner Graduates

Tanner graduated 6th grade on June 6th.  Above are pictures from his Kindergarten graduation and his 6th Grade graduation.  His friend Quentin is still one of his best buddies!  He did well this year, and we were proud.  He received more than his fair share of awards, but also learned some lessons in being responsible, too, this year ;)  Better to learn them in 6th grade, than in college, right?!  I am always sad when one of the kids "move on" from something I am perfectly content with them staying in, but I was especially nostalgic when I considered I won't have any more boys at Corey.  Tanner's just stuck being my baby boy, and I guess that's why it hurts so much to see him move onto Boles.  Go Bulldogs!

Allison...NINE!

Allison turned nine on October 10th.  She had a couple friends over to celebrate.  Allison likes tacos, but not cucumbers.  She likes Butterfinger candy and pumpkin pie.  She loves to go to gymnastics.  She likes neon colors and is considering being a teacher when she grows up.  Allison enjoys crafts...just the other day she was hot gluing things like nuts found outside and jute onto the lid of a popcorn tin.  She likes to pretend to make things out of kitchen ingredients. She still likes to play with her dolls and with her "humming family" (Loving Family) dollhouse.  She likes going to Activity Days.  We enjoy going shopping together.  The other night we were reading Christmas stories, and there was one we were reading from the Friend magazine.  It was from Dec. 1958 and she commented that "that's when you were sorta born."  Oh goodness :)  Allison's interpretation of the medleys Tanner plays:  When he messes up, he goes to the next song!  She likes to play outside and jump on the trampoline.  Happy Birthday, Allison!

Connor...14

Connor turned 14 in October....the 5th.  We went shopping for a "fancy" calculator he practices on for UIL contest.  We ate dessert at Yumilicious.  He has moved out of Scott's scout group.  He likes chicken pockets and German pancakes.  He doesn't like King Ranch Chicken.  He loves jelly beans.  He likes to read anytime and likes the color green.  Connor is thinking he might become an engineer when he grows up.  Favorite sport?  Orchestra (you compete for chairs; that's sporty).  He enjoys orchestra, looks forward to summer and dreads English.  He claims he doesn't need it (English) and he doesn't like analyzing poems.  He has introduced our family to the "guanaco."  He wore his braces all year, just getting them off this past Wednesday.  Connor wishes his middle and ring finger were webbed together....why?...he would be cool and he could swim faster!  This past year we were talking about a consequence for Quinn bothering Allison.  Connor chimed in with a real good one, like where Quinn would have to mow, and then PAY ME after mowing!  Happy Birthday, Connor!