Summer

The summer's at least halfway over and it has gone by quickly. We did swim team that is everyone except for Benjamin. We were on the memorial Marlins and it was Daniels first year to be on it. He was on the hope team which means he got to be assisted while he crossed the pool at the very beginning of the meet. He's a good little swimmer but hasn't quite figured out how to breathe and then put his head in the water again.  Leah got to swim all the events of the meet at champs and Elizabeth swim two or three and Isaac swim one. Isaac was up against 15 to 18-year-olds so it was a bit more competitive for his age group. People said Elizabeth had a good reach and a good kick for her freestyle. We didn't go every day this year like we usually push ourselves to do; maybe because I'm getting older and don't have the push and me. But it's always a thrill to watch these kids across the pool and do their best. It's inspiring to see anybody really try their best at anything.

Leah had the opportunity to fly to Tulsa and visit her good friend Emily Reynolds. Luckily she also got to attend a four stake youth conference event at one of the universities there.  She was gone for nearly 2 weeks and I wondered a little bit if she and Emily would have any annoyances or tips during the visit but we assured me after she got back that there was absolutely no problems or awkwardness or fighting. They just laughed and made good memories. It was her first dance at the youth conference and first dance ever actually. That night she got to dance with seven different boys, one was so sweaty she had to wash your hands afterwards. The last dance the night before she came home she met a boy who asked for her number and they texted throughout the night. The next morning they SyJet her again and enjoy talking for 20 minutes or so. After she got back and told me more about it she said how it was the first time she's been able to talk to a boy without any awkwardness. She also said she learned a lot from him about how a guy should respect a girl and make efforts to show interest. While there he had his 16th birthday and a bunch of the kids went to a dinner and movie, chaperoned by sister Reynolds since Leah and Emily are not yet dating age. They had a great time but she's not texting him much now that she's home. 

Benjamin went fishing last night with Jaden's family at Grabd Lakes. He would much prefer fishing over swimming despite the heat. Today the two littles were dying to help me make fruit salad. As a four-year-old Daniel has some fine fine motor skills. Afterward they took our neighbor David a heart shaped plate filled with the fruit they had cut up.  

Benjamin went out looking for ways to earn money and was able to earn $20 for washing and vacuuming out the neighbors car!! so far he's earned enough money to buy himself an iPhone but we haven't got it activated yet and he'll plan on using it as an iPod for now.

Paul took me to lunch today at our favorite restaurant in sugar land called Thai Siam. Our favorite is yellow curry and pad Thai and of course afterward we had to get their fresh coconut ice cream.

Tonight we took the kids to see the new store near church called Gallery furniture. We saw birds and fish send a giant chair but will have to go back to see the monkeys, they must've gone to bed early