The legend of the killer ball (8/2018)

It's common for Grandpa and Omi to find the newest trends and hotspots to treat the grandkids. 2018's Bear Lake trip was the year of the oversized, gigantic ball. I missed it with a late arrival but have heard all about it. Legend has it that the fun and games soured quickly as one by one, each cousin was picked off with an injury. The games resulted in tears and grew into fears. By the time I arrived, the ball was nowhere in sight. We now seen it on AFV videos and the kids yell out with resounding sympathy.

How did Mom miss this? She was tending to her yearly girls lake trip whose dates unfortunately conflicted. With Dad's stamp of approval, he packed up the kids (and her road bike) and drove solo... and then picked her up from the airport a few days late. (HE is a legend!)

swim meet dates (6/2019)

David's high-powered board member position with ORSL meant that we had an inside seat to our kids swim meets - by way of organizing and handing out ribbons. Wednesdays at the pool was close to an ideal date night: we worked together, paused to cheer on our children's races, and enjoyed nights in the sun. And the kids have their own motivations for loving swim team, including: a huge group of guys, prized ribbons, and fashionable suits.

all 3 on the swim team (6/2018)

Getting dolly committed to swim team was a little terrifying because my work schedule prevented me from coaching her through daily practices but she was the last link I've anticipated for a few years. To guarantee success, I hired a nanny whose only job expectation was that she fill her time with keeping the littlest encouraged and engaged at practice. Devoted to the cause, dad also chose to be a board member and got an inside ticket to the weekly meets. Knowing that I'm on borrowed time for mutual interests, I thoroughly enjoyed my kids walking into the pool gate together, cheering each other on, and their discussions about the rigors of swimming.

an unprecedented school year 20/21

at the end of last schoolyear, kids went home with their belongings packaged in garbage bags via a non-touch drive through.  'Your child has accomplished something that has been asked of few adults. your child has taken 5+ remote learning classes.  Your child has learned to manage assignments, keep track of a schedule, and attend classes from their homes.' The same will likely be said of this school year too. (?) There was a later start, the kids are masked, and crammed high schoolers have a 50/50 attendance schedule. While the novelty of zoom technology has more than worn off, we still giggle about the time that Kindin learned to be attending upside down, the fact that Jack smashed his goal of avoiding use of the school bathroom, and about virtual introductions like this:

I am very excited to be in your 4th grade class. We will be spending the year together so I thought you might want to know some cool things about me. I was born on April 19th 2011. I was born with a big birthmark on my leg  that has grown with me my whole life. I was also born with a crooked toe. I had to get surgery when l was 4 years old to fix it and my mom was scared to give surgery to a little girl . I still have a crooked toe but it got better when I took the cast of. I have almost never been shy singing or dancing for an audience and l love to do art. I make lots of funny faces and l was born in Phoenix. My favorite book is Smile and I love making my own books. I have older siblings, one sister and brother which means I am the youngest and I am the youngest. I love going to school and meeting new people. My talents are singing , tapping , water skiing , drawing, and I am good at biking fast. If I had the choice to have a big, big house or have kids I would have kids. If I could have any job I would be a school  teacher or a dance teacher. I love to be creative and I love to make up dances. I have always dreamed of being a model too. I love hugs and my parents. I love celebrating birthdays and organizing. I share a room and love to be outside. I am excited to meet you and learn about you too.

and after 5 months of having my littles close, mom unprecedentedly felt like this after school dropoff: