XVIII

Today Lexee turns 18.  EIGHTEEN.

She seems too young to be 18.  Maybe because she's one of the older kids in her class, unlike Tay, who didn't turn 18 until after he graduated high school, and Britt, who turned 18 only two months prior to graduation.  Lex, on the other hand, still has a good 7 months until she officially becomes "an adult" (and I use the term very loosely, btw)... done with public education and ready to move on to a more independent phase of life.

Lex is our hump-child.
I now have more children that have reached this important milestone than have not.  {Crazy}.

Her schedule isn't as busy this year, so we hope to actually enjoy celebrating with her today.

Here is how she grew up before our eyes:

Happy Birthday, Lexee!

You are an amazing young woman, and an awesome daughter.  We are so blessed to have you in our family.

 I love you and hope you have a wonderful day!

Motherly Help and Advice

Just because I was striving to PAY ATTENTION to the day-to-day moments of mothering (I mentioned it yesterday), I was given all kinds of opportunities to {try}.  I have to admit, at times it was challenging to redirect my focus to the child in need with hardly a moment's notice.  It was also occasionally exasperating, because those kids seemed particularly needy yesterday.  Some with stop-what-you're-doing-and-listen-to-me needs, others with I'm-dying-and-I-need-you-to-fix-it-NOW needs.  But I gave it my best shot, switching from ADULT-CHILD MODE (advice on everything from bank accounts, education, life plans, and love) to TEENAGER-DRAMA MODE (curbing younger-sibling-teasing and running for Tylenol and cough drops to stop what certainly would be eminent death) to BABY-OF-THE-FAMILY MODE (need I say more) at the drop of a hat.

Let it be said, there is still plenty of room for improvement.

My {motherly focus} this morning has been here:

Mauri is running for Student Council VP.  She is excited and confident, despite the fact that there are "only 6" other students running against her.  One of her opponents is a girl in her class, who walks by her desk daily and says things like, "I'm going to win," and "My write-up is better than yours."

Of course, I gave her my best advice on handling the situation... in a way that will allow friendship once again after the election is over and done with, regardless of the outcome.  But Mar is a sensitive girl, and I can tell that it hurts.

Mar desperately needs to get her posters up.  Some kids have had them up for days (I guess the candidates were given their paper for the posters after they turned in their write-up, which wasn't due until yesterday.  Since I rely solely on what information is passed along to me by Mar, I was unaware that she could have turned in her write-up the day after she was given it.  She turned it in on the final due date, of course.)

I wracked my brain trying to help her come up with a catchy slogan of some sort.  We polled family members.  We tossed around ideas.  Mar would settle on one, then we would reconsider, over and over.  

It needed to be simple enough for the voters to understand (3rd to 5th graders).

We considered using something from Napoleon Dynamite, but decided the majority of the kids might not be familiar enough with it.

We thought of using jokes like, "You know what I HERD?  Buffalo!" - but decided that, since some of our older kids' friends (I won't mention names) have a difficult time "getting" our VERY OLD FAMILY JOKE, it may be way over the heads of those elementary school students.

Then we thought of "Vote Mauri for VP - She's Out-standing in the Field."

Still a little abstract, perhaps, but what Mar had decided upon by bedtime.

This morning, after sending the older girls on their way to seminary, I started in on cutting out buffalo silhouettes for the poster.  We were going to put a picture of Mar's head on one, so I searched through my photos for a decent shot.  Then I had an idea.  When I woke Mar up, I ran it by her.

Vote MAURI for VP

The COLORFUL choice

Go HERD 

She liked it.

I've started in on the busywork of the posters... the picture printing... the cutting (which Mar could easily do, we're just under time constraints so I'm assisting)...

some quick glitterizing...

(everything could use some glitter, in my book - and if Mar wants to add more, she certainly has my blessing).

After school today, Mar can do the gluing and writing.
Then we'll take those babies to the school and get them hung.  ASAP.

Motherhood is exhausting.

Moments

I have spent my entire morning in front of the computer.  And I am STILL here.
(In my pj's... shhhhh... don't tell!)

I have been productive, catching up on emails (including an update on my niece Calle), downloading pictures, and sending out evites for our semi-annual General Conference luncheon AND a Syddall Family Pioneer Trek Reunion.  All worthy purposes.  I hope.

I have paused briefly to help Mar get ready and out the door to school, kiss Bill as he left for work, respond to a text from Lex (who is not feeling well), and hug Tay as he left for a very important meeting.

I have reflected on the briefness of life, reminded once again by Aunt Bennith's passing yesterday.  I have contemplated the challenges we are each given, and their necessity, as my thoughts and prayers are with my sweet little niece Calle and her parents.

I have been on the Church website several times this morning, and just couldn't pass up listening to a Mormon Message or two.  I thought this one was perfect to share today:

(Don't you just love the mom who leaves her computer to play with her kids??  I think that was a little reminder specifically for me today to PAY ATTENTION and make those moments matter.)

I can't wait for more inspired messages this weekend during General Conference.  I can always use the opportunity to self-evaluate and improve.  And I'm done with the computer for the day.

Homecoming '11

Bill and I attended our first (and most likely last, barring an amazing State-playoff game opportunity, which is highly unlikely) high school football game of the season.

Homecoming '11.

I'll have to admit, I loved it.  The weather was perfect.  The halftime entertainment was enjoyable.  The game was won.

As is tradition around these parts, LHS has a girl and guy from each class that is voted as Homecoming Royalty.  I believe four students in each category are nominated to the Homecoming Court, then they announce the winners at the game.  Freshmen = Lord and Lady, Sophomore = Duke and Dutchess, Junior = Prince and Princess, Senior = King and Queen. 

Cheyenne was up for Duchess on the Homecoming Court.  Her mom and brother Dakota (Tay's high school bud) escorted her onto the field.  One of her good friends beat her out of the title.  Bummer.
 However, three of the eight winners were Mormon kids... that's awesome.

I had to snap a pic of the marching band.  They are really, really good.

It brought back memories of the old days:

Bill even reminisced about being on Chap's Movers and Shakers Pit Crew.

circa 2004

Saturday night was the dance.  Since Shi and Lex were going in different groups, and their pictures were scheduled at the same time (natch), Bill and I divided up the parental picture-taking duties.

(Note:  Here in CO, it's tradition to have your group meet together before the dance for pictures.  As far as I know, pictures are not offered AT the dance.  Some host parents go ALL OUT, and put out a major spread for the kids and parents.  Some don't.  I also love how kids attend the dance with or without dates.  That way they can all participate, even if they aren't allowed choose not to date until they are 16.)

I covered Shilo's pictures.  The mom hosting Shi's group did the biggest spread I have ever seen.  She had a beautiful home, and was a friendly and generous host, even if I only had water from the dispenser on the refrigerator (it was a "no" to the numerous varieties of wine and beer she listed off, but thank you anyway).  I should have gone for the shrimp cocktail... it looked amazing... but none of the other parents were really eating.  Just drinking.  I didn't want to look like a pig, you know?

(In all fairness, not ALL of the parents were drinking alcoholic beverages.  At least two other parents had refrigerator-dispensed water, like myself.  One or two politely declined any beverage.  But still, the food remained virtually untouched by any of the adults, despite the host's insistence.  Kind of like when people stand around a buffet, not wanting to be the first in line, but hovering around, waiting to at least be the second or third.)

Shi and Chey.

Bill did the honors for Lexee's pictures.

 (This picture is a little humorous because Hailey's date originally asked Lex, and Kelsey's date originally asked Hailey.  I guess it all worked out.  I hope.)

 Friend pictures are my favorite:  Lex and Hailey.

Lex and her date Caleb.

 (I love, love, love this picture of Lex.  She looks so gosh darn happy.)

Lex and Kelsey.

Everyone had a good time, and I am relieved to have all the build-up, pressure, and anxiety behind me.  Being the mom is stressful.

Prayers and blessings go out to my niece Calle and Aunt Bennith, and their families.
We love you guys.

Basement Initiation and a SURPRISE

Wednesday afternoon I had a brilliant idea.  I have wanted to give Lex a birthday party for years.  She has always graciously declined, or said something like, "Me and Hailey (I know, poor grammar - but I don't think I've ever heard Lex say Hailey and I) are going to have a party together."  Which has never happened.  Ever.  Lex is not a girl for the planned event, she prefers the random spur-of-the-moment type of get-together.  Her birthday is coming up next week, and she had already been filling me in on her next-weekend plans, none of which left any time for a party.  Yesterday was a Thursday, but a Thursday-with-no-school-on-Friday, so it was the perfect time to squeeze in a surprise.  That was my brilliant idea.

I don't have the contact information for most of Lex's friends, so I recruited Hailey to help invite party guests.  We had initially planned for 7 pm.  Halfway through the day on Thursday (yesterday - the day of the party), Hailey texted me that there was a volleyball game that night, and most of the invited friends were going.  Some had to cheer, some just wanted to go support.  But she thought there would be a few that could make it at 7 for the surprise part of the festivities.

What really ended up happening:

*Shi and Chey were here around 6:55

*one party guest arrived at 7

*6 pizzas arrived around 7:15 (delivered by Taylor, per our request)

*the rest of the guests arrived around 9:25, a few parking right in front of our house (hello... it's a surprise)

*Lex and Hailey finally made their way over around 9:30 (with a "whose cars are parked out front?")

*Bill was supposed to take video of the surprise, but rather had the camera running prior to her entrance and turned it off (thinking he was turning it "on") just as she descended the basement stairs

*the pizzas came out of the oven (warming in their cardboard boxes) around 9:35

In the end, we pulled off the surprise.

("I don't know whose cars those are... the missionaries were here earlier... probably someone visiting the neighbors?...")

The friends came,

the food was enjoyed,

the conversation was...well...conversation (in a teenager kind of way),

the party poppers were popped,

a rousing (or not) rendition of Happy Birthday was sung,

and candles were blown out.

When it was all over (around midnight), the basement was a disaster and smelled of teenage boys.  Ick.

But a good time was had, and I even think Lex enjoyed it.

Then Lex, Hailey and Shi had a sleepover on that comfy cloud sofa.  Basement initiation complete.

Happy early birthday, Lex!

Post post:  Ten years ago today we took these pictures ~

Time is flying.  Sigh.

Quick

This has got to be super quick because I have loads to get done today.

Lex and Shi dressed for TOY STORY DAY:

Ham's money slot:

My perfect parade vantage point:

 good visibility is key, so the corner was ideal.  Plus my car was parked close by, on the other side of the crosswalk.

The marching band:

 all good parades have those (Mr. Otis was Tay's band director at Chap years ago).  

AND a girl on a horse.

Chey tossed Mar this shirt:

 The Homecoming theme is Disney- something or other, so these cute shirts said, "101 Titans" in a spotted font (hard to see due to camera glare).

This was the best "float" - with a Toy Story theme:

These were the best wheels:

And these girls got plenty of candy, despite the two aggressive boys that tried to commandeer the corner.

The parade was nice and quick.

Speaking of quick, gotta run.

Homecoming Hype and My New Best Friend

This week has been Homecoming week at LHS.  Around here, that means "spirit" is measured by class participation in dress-up days with Student-Gov-pre-determined themes.  Monday was TWIN DAY.  I borrowed a couple of pictures off of Lex and Shi's facebook to share, since for some reason I have been lax at using a camera this week.

 I'm not sure what "BRAH" means.  Lex says it's like "BRO" but I can't be certain.  I might have to google it.  

(FYI:  per google on urbandictionary.com it says, "This is the slang term for "bro" which is slang for brother...a slang inside a slang."  Originating in the state of Hawaii, it can be used as follows: 

 sup brah

howsit brah

ho brah where you stay)

You learn something new every day.

Shilo wasn't just a twin, she was a septuplet.

Yesterday was BILLIONAIRE DAY.
Lex didn't dress up, and Shi made an awesome t-shirt the evening prior...

 (Yes, she made it LATE at night - 11pm-ish - after swim practice.)

It turned out great, despite the git-'er-done-desperation-mode in which it was created.  My girls are way more talented than I could ever dream of being.

Today is TOY STORY DAY.  Lex went as Ham, Shi and Chey went as Slink.

No pictures.  Yet.

The Homecoming parade is this evening.  This will be the first time in 9 years that none of my children are in it.  Gosh, I don't even know if I need to go.  Mar likes the candy, and everybody likes a parade, so maybe we'll take a gander.  Maybe.

And my new best friend arrived today:

 The basement washing machine!!!  She's already working hard for me.  I need to give her a good name, since friendship longevity is my goal.  Any suggestions?

She fits nicely next to my old friend the dryer.  Next week the kids are on their own for laundry.
Woo Hoo!