parties*

Leaving Bitcherie Weekend is always so sad, knowing it will be another year before we’re all together again. Coming home to my Cline 4 softens the blow, for sure. Sammy saw me pull up and ran right over for the biggest hug. It was a beauitful afternoon. Amaya rode her bike. There were turns in the car. Jason, and his helpers, cleaned out our garage. I really nice, mellow Memorial Day.

I found Steven, inside, doing math on Prodigy.

Power washing!

Riding around in his automobile…

Amaya spent the late afternoon making a cake for the family. The only thing I did to help was put it in and take it out of the oven. It was a triumph!

Back to school on Tuesday! On nice mornings, I can sit on the stoop and watch the kids at the bus stop.

LIke Amaya, the boys wanted to apply for the Student Lighthouse Team. I made them answer the questions themselves, with limited help, which may have put them at a disadvantage if other kids had more specific parent direction but I was really proud at how thoughtful they were. Sammy, in particular, spent a lot of time thinking about his answers. For “why he should be selected” he said, “I make friends easily. I introduce myself to people and make friends through other friends. When people get to know me they know I’m a good person.” <3

None of the kids were ultimately selected but they do get a chance to be on a different student leader team, instead, and can apply for Lighthouse again next year.

Tuesday night was one of two season games not at Thornton Creek. Both boys played really well. Sammy made an amazing stop in the field and threw the ball to first to get the runner out. At one point in the game, Sammy was on third and Steven was at bat. He told Sammy, “I’m going to bring you home” and he did!

I just love this boys’ bun. He told me he is trying to grow his hair long enough to have a low ponytail in the back. (“Not a ponytail right on top of my head.”)

FINALLY, this week, work continued on the wood in our house.

Thursday night was the Gator Gala at Thornton Creek. The kids attended on in Kindergarten (fortunately pre-COVID) but this one was bigger and better and – being in 2nd grade – they had more freedome to wander off with their friends. There were outdoor activities, indoor games, food and lots of prizes. From my pictures, you can’t quite get the scale of how many people were there.

Sno-cones were a favorite for all the kids. I was volunteering at the food table when Sammy and Amaya got theirs.

The floor is complete! Now all we have left are the stairs and the kids’ room which will be completed when the wood for the stairs eventually arrives. My best guess is the work will be done the week of 6/20 or 6/27.

Amaya, with the CALL to Action team invite that the kids got. They said that everyone who applied for Lighthouse and wasn’t selected got this invite which may be true but they seem pleased enough, regardless. And we discussed that you get 0% of the things you don’t try for. I’m proud of them for going for it.

It was a big birthday party weekend so the kids went shopping for gifts with Sophia and spent some of their own money along the way.

Amaya’s new babies – Sammy and Sophie.

On Saturday, while the boys were at baseball practice, Amaya and I went mattress shopping for a new mattress for the upstairs guest room. A purple mattress with an adjustable frame is on order! Amaya also finagled herself a purple pillow out of the trip. One for me, too, because they’re so comfortable.

Last afternoon, through dinner, Amaya had her friend Clarie’s birthday party. There were at least 20 girls from the grade there. Clarie had a huge inflatable water slide and a ton of other games to play. I’m friends with Clarie’s mom so I hung around to help, much to Amaya’s chagrin. She was clear with me that it was fine (better, even) if I left. She got over it. 🙂

While we were at the party, the Cline men went out for mediterranean food. Steven looooves shwarma.

Today was a day of birthday parties. First, the kids had Ruxin’s birthday party. There was a bounce house obstacle course, a race car craft and lots of junk food.

Right after that, we went to Claire’s family party – which is for entire families they’re friend with instead of just girls from Claire’s class. I hung around for this one with SSA so I could visit with some of my friends. Again, the bounce house slide was a huge hit.