I Finally Found: Sunday, September 29, 2024

John accepted a job offer from JobNimbus, a software company in Lehi specializing in meeting roofers' needs. He had a long week with a lot of conflicting emotions as he has really, really enjoyed working at Degreed and still appreciates a lot about the company, but a job change has been years in the making even though over the past few years he has worked hard to figure out how to stay. It is time for him to move on and be better able to grow. Once he could let go of all the hard things about leaving Degreed, he was able to get really excited to go to JobNimbus. His very good friend Ben works there and loves it, there are lots of intelligent, capable people for John to learn from and work with (one of his his biggest needs at work), and there are a lot of things about how the company is run that make him excited. A significant pay increase doesn't hurt, either. He'll finish off some things over the next two weeks at Degreed and then start at JobNimbus with their new hire wave. 

 Balancing things on his head is a new excitement for Gus. I forgot exactly how it started, but I think he did it for a second with something and then I showed off, walking around with that on my head, and the kids did, too, and then Gus has been trying to balance lots of things on his head lately. He's adorable. 

We had a last-minute talent show for Chloe's Family Home Evening activity. Mommy recited the alphabet backwards (John said he didn't know I could do that, and I don't know how he's missed it since I do it for the kids all the time), Daddy played a song on the piano, Oscar and Oniyx did a dance (except that Oniyx kept running away), Oscar and Gus did a dance, Gus did ninja moves, and Chloe did some comedy. I really love Oscar teaching Gus choreography, whether dance or ninja moves. Oscar is so creative and he's a good teacher, and Gus is absurdly adorable with his eagerness to play along. 

We met with Oscar's English teacher and the principal to work through some issues Oscar has had in that class since school started. Thankfully, we walked away feeling hopeful that the teacher was able to understand our concerns and Oscar's needs, and things might work out for Oscar going forward. 

Chloe got new glasses. She gets a bit impatient for new glasses to arrive after we order them, so as soon as she heard me say they were ready she was jumping up high in the air raring to go "Yes! Yes! Yes!" so I took her down even though we'd already made a few trips that way that day. 

Grandma Carol had been there to watch Gus and for piano lessons, and she stuck around so we could go to Chloe's Parent Teacher Conferences without Gus. Chloe had a lot of anxieties about her pair of teachers going into this school year, but over time she's worked through those and she's pretty happy with how her school year is going, even without best friend Gwen in her class. Chloe is a shining star student. She goes above and beyond, especially in English where she literally attaches extra pages so she can write more (and it's good stuff). She still feels weak in Math but her teacher says she's actually very strong in math. That's manifest not only by test scores but by all the mental calculations Chloe keeps going through randomly throughout the day. She is always finding ways to practice arithmetic and I told her recently she's much better at math than Mom is. "That's because you don't practice." Touché. Chloe's teachers both say they would love to have all their students just like Chloe. She's pretty awesome. 

Gus has been begging to go to the skate park at the park where Oscar's baseball games have been held, but it's always so busy and it's not a gentle park so I've wanted to go during the school day when there wouldn't be so many people around. I talked with Tristyn and we agreed to go one morning, but somehow she missed the part where we wanted to go so we could go to the skate park, so her kids didn't have bikes. Gus was reluctant to leave the skate park and play on the playground with Isaac and Harper, but we managed to stick it out until they had to leave. Gus and Isaac raced the circle around the playground and Isaac often outran Gus on his bike. Gus and Isaac and Harper took little cars to play with and Gus managed to throw his into a tree where it stuck. Tristyn got it down with a water bottle, thankfully. Tristyn and I had a chance to talk and for once I wasn't totally weighed down but was actually feeling good about lots of things, which was nice. 

After they left, Gus finally got to go around the skate park for the first time in the over 6 months that he's been asking to. There were still a few skaters there for him to have to maneuver around but no crashes. He really enjoyed it, although almost all the slopes are too steep for him, especially without the counterpower of pedals so he struggled to do very much, but he found a route to go around with enough hills that made him happy. He's been needing his pedals on for weeks. 

And we did put his pedals on this week! One evening Gus was so excited to go out while Harper and Isaac were out on their bikes at the church and they went around and played, so fun. Chloe was playing with Lani and they came over with the little kids and made games and races with them. That included picking juicy red berries which made Ryser messy. Also it was youth night and they were doing a service scavenger hunt so groups of youth would run past us, including Oscar. Eventually Daddy came over and got Gus's pedals on his bike! I was standing with Tristyn's mom Kim, chatting, and helping Gus and he was balancing really well, and then I told him that he could put his feet down just like he could without his pedals and he looked at me, and it clicked, and he pushed off before I could help him and he was off like a pro! Less than ten minutes and he had it. Balance bikes are magical. Naturally the rest of the week he has been especially excited to bike, even more than his usual constant excitement to ride his bike.

Oscar had his last baseball game, a makeup one for weather. Unfortunately it was at the same time as Gus's game, but it is pretty amazing that this was the only time that happened. Oscar had asked and asked Chloe to come to his games and she kept putting the off, on Thursdays citing that she'd go when it was both his and Gus's game. But she had to come to the last and miss Gus's game. Oh well. Next time I'll make sure she goes to the first game to make sure it happens. But, Oscar hit the ball again! And John got a video! Huzzah!

I had lunch with Sabrina. Gus stayed at Harper and Isaac's after preschool so she and I got to talk uninterrupted which was nice. We had yummy sandwiches at The Village Baker and talked of school and kids and work and such things. 

I took Elijah out for his birthday, weeks late. We got pancakes at IHOP then went to Veterans Memorial Park where Gus spent more time on his bike than on the playground. I did notice that he's gotten so fast with zooming just as a balance bike that the resistance of the pedals kind of slows him down, actually, when I had been telling him he'd be able to go faster once he had his pedals. I wonder what we can do about that. But he's a pro! Elijah and I had some nice chats. After the park we cooled off at the library, then went to the game store where Gus picked out games for his wish list and Elijah got a couple DnD minis. We went over to Scheels and rode the Ferris wheel and looked at the stuffed animal (not toys) display. We got pizza on the way home and then Elijah stuck around while I did the rounds of picking kids up from school before I took him home. 

After a day with Elijah Gus told Daddy, "But Jenny wasn't at his mom's house but Jenny is his sister." how confusing the world of adults is to young minds. Days later he was also confused why Jenny had a roommate and no kids. But he got some Jenny time as I dropped her off at his house so she could watch him. She took him swimming at her apartment's pool and took him to the movies to see "Despicable Me 4" before bringing him home for bed. 

We went to see "The Magician's Elephant" at Hale Center Theater. Carol had offered to send us to the ballet in the Spring but since I have promised John I wouldn't ever make him go to the ballet with me and I had recently been musing about the possibility of seeing "The Magician's Elephant" at Hale, I suggested she go with us there instead. Cousin Michael ended up joining since he was at Grandma's to help with yard work as he does. It was a nice outing. Hale is an impressive theater and the talent is good, the music was fun and the visuals were excellent. I was excited about the show because it's a new musical based on a book by Kate DiCamilo who is an exceptional children's author whose books the kids already adore. I haven't read the book but I suspect it's much better than the play since the play had some weaknesses I didn't appreciate. But it's always fun to see a live play anyway. Mom and Angelo suggested Curry Connect, an Indian restaurant close to us we hadn't tried yet. They had gone there recently and Angelo said it was the best curry he's ever had. It was really good and hands down the best curry place near us so we'll be back. 

For Daddy and Chloe night ("DAC night") John took Chloe rock climbing for the first time, and he said she's a natural with her long limbs and tendency to curl up into a spring.

Gus heard Daddy talking about a parade and he jumped up and down in excitement so I took Chloe and Gus down to the Sandy Heritage parade, except that we were so late (it was only a 15 minutes parade) that we missed everything but the very tail end (and it was mostly a horse parade, so there was a literal tail end). I'm pretty sure we were just barely late to the Sandy Heritage Festival last year, too.

Chloe did have Friday off of school so after responsibly doing her chores she had a play day with friends, and Saturday she did chores and played with friends. Never enough time of course, but lots of it. Gwen and Lani are awesome. Oscar had Malcolm over Saturday, too. Gus got friends this time, too, with James's birthday party. He had a rough few minutes before leaving for the party due to a sibling having a rough bout, too, but he had a nice time at James's party, even though he didn't know anyone other than James. 

Then we all went down for another birthday party for Cash and kind of Lida. A classic Grandpa-coordinated event. Kids had fun with cousins. I chatted most of the time with family friend Jeni. It's always nice to chat with her and give her hugs. Her daughter Lexie spent good time pushing Gus on the swing and walking Oniyx around the park. Ana also played, and Austin showed everyone his little motor. I also got a little time chatting with Mindy. And Brett had to show off his Halloween costume; Gus was fascinated. Family is good. 

Softly, Slowly Sighing: Sunday, September 22, 2024

Last Sunday was a walkabout. I stayed home. John carried Gus so that he wouldn't go grabbing treats and running with his friends, since he had been sick enough I had kept him home from church. Walkabouts are Oscar's favorite day of the month, and he is very disappointed they're mostly only in the summers. But what a great neighborhood to have them at all!

In the morning, Chloe decided to make a Cafe for breakfast. She hung signs and hired Gus as server and Oscar as the marketing department (as he requested). The kids set up tables with stuffed animals. Chloe took John's and my orders and made us eggs and toast for breakfast. She's fairly adorable. 

 

Gus stayed home sick from church Sunday and preschool Monday, which made him sad. He said he could cover his cough every time and not get his friends sick, but I kept him home anyway since I've seen his track record. But we did four letter lessons in one day from the Learning Dynamics set I have. He is SO eager to learn to read. He is starting to recognize the sounds in different words he says randomly throughout the day. "'Yes' has a 's'!" "Does 'airplane' have a 'puh'?"

Oscar stayed home sick Monday, too. He never did get all the way down like Gus and I and now John, but he got his day off. But Tuesday he had his one and only field trip for the year so he mustered enough energy to go to STEM Fest. 

Chloe had her well child checkup. She's tall and skinny and as healthy and well-adjusted as can be. She had plenty to tell the doctor, just like Gus did for his. 

I wasn't as wiped as previous days so I went to our Relief Society dinner and ministering interviews. Chatted quite a bit with Brandi, sharing stories about trying to feed children well. I also sat with Ileah and Christine, and Emily and Sharon came over, and at one point Tristyn.

Gus still had that lingering cough but it'd been a week and he was mostly fine, so his teacher said he could go to preschool. I sent him with a mask. He picked out the tiger mask from our old cloth collection and wore it for an hour before preschool and wouldn't take it off even when they told him he could during outside recess at school. 

I went to dance even though I'm still getting over being sick. Our awesome teacher noticed my lack of enthusiasm so I admitted to the whole class that I was sick, and several were very kind and thoughtful asking after me later. Nick is really an awesome teacher, with community building being his top skill. I'm glad to be taking this class. 

Gus played at Sister Hurst's house while I went to an appointment. He loves Sister Hurst, and I am so grateful that she loves having him over. She is so great. They play and create and have good fun. He never wants to leave when I come to get him. 

Chloe had both Gwen and Charlotte over after school, after waiting for both of them to be done with safety patrol so they could walk to our house together. They played but I had to cut them short so they'd have time for the pre-planned activity of making ice cream. Chloe has been so excited for weeks and weeks. But we failed to read all the pertinent instructions and so the ice cream maker we borrowed from Zach's mom was not prepped and frozen, so we tried to use the mix they'd created with the simpler version of just mixing it in bags with ice and then sticking it in the freezer. Not a win, but the ice cream maker is now prepped for the next try. I do love that Chloe wants to make everything.

Oscar had what was supposed to be his last baseball game of the fall season, except that they have a make-up game next week. Gus really wanted to wear his baseball shirt even though he didn't have a game (his had been cancelled due to wet fields earlier in the week), and he again matched Oscar's opposing Gold Team. This time Gus found number 3 on Oscar's team, and I told him that the yellow team also should have a number 3. He was amazed and eager to find him. Gold's 3 was next to bat. Very exciting stuff. But not as exciting as Oscar hitting the ball!! Hooray!!! He said the batter was calling strikes even when they weren't quite perfect so he figured he might as well swing, and he did, and he got a crack! Of course, every single time Oscar's been up to bat I've had my camera ready, recording him not swinging or the occasional miss. And this time, he hit it!! And I didn't have my camera out. And John wasn't there. Ah, well, we try. And Oscar did it!! We need to work some more on fear of the ball. 

Gus was eager to help me tidy the house (after two weeks of Mom being too exhausted from being sick to do any house work) so that we could put autumn decorations up. Really, he wanted Halloween decorations, and he wanted big ones outside, but I'm not putting Halloween up until a week or two into October, and owning big outdoor decorations -- especially creepy ones -- is not something I'm up to. Maybe Gus and Oscar will come up with something this year or another. 

We've been going through about eight or more band-aids a day just for Gus's detached fingernail because he washes his hands and they start to fall off, and we use two every time to cover it fully. Mostly it freaks him out more than hurts him, though as it keeps breaking and pulling away that is irritating to him. He has another band-aid or two in addition to that and his healing forehead injury, and at one point after replacing band-aids he said, "I'm just a ouchy boy."

We met up with my friend Jenny and her family for sushi. Except that I misunderstood and had told Jenny's husband Mark that John likes sushi and apparently that's not true, so they ate sushi (as they do every Friday night) and we ate chicken and ramen and things. I do adore Jenny. Mark is fun and energetic and inclusive and engaging. He made lots of comments on how Jenny and I are similar, something she and I often talk about. We also talk about how our husbands are very similar, but you put the two of them together and their similarities are not obvious, outward ones. Their outward personalities might be a bit opposite, actually. But they're both nice guys so we can all get along. Oscar was nice enough to play with younger Tony, using chopsticks for a swordfight. Gus and Scarlett saw each other and tried to play in the busy restaurant before getting segregated and told to play another day. Sometime we'll have a movie night at their house, and that will be fun. 

 A Saturday filled with friends. I guess Gus couldn't find any, but Oscar had Malcolm over and Chloe had ever present Gwen and Lani. I like our home filled with friends and playing. 

Gwen stayed for family movie night, watching "High School Musical". The kids all danced and squealed, so a success. Beforehand Oscar and Gus went around interviewing everyone in the house with the big video camera to get votes for whether we'd watch that or "Willy Wonka". We'll get to Wonka later.