Braces!

Calista has got braces!

She and I went to the orthodontist before school started.

Calista was kind of scared but mostly really excited. So many of her friends at school and church either have braces right now are just got them off, so it's not exactly a huge deal, socially.

I think it was harder than she expected, though. The first few days  after they were put on, she said it hurt so much she thought she would die (dramatic much???) but it's gotten a lot better and she can actually eat bread again!

For posterity, here is the before...

And right after. We'll see how they look in 1.5-2 years!

Oregon Adventures 2024: Ape Caves and Lava Tubes!

My brother and family left for home, my sister for Scotland, but we stayed in the area for a couple more adventures, specifically, the Ape Caves!

These caves were formed about 2000 years ago, as a lava flow cooled and hardened on outside, while lava still flowed in the center.

Family photos 2024

While we were at the beach, we took family photos. 

First ones with all of us in six years!

RCM Success

Calista has been working for several months now, preparing for her first ever Royal Conservatory of Music exam. 

When we first talked about signing her up for the exam, I told Calista I didn't want to fight or nag her. She had to be willing to practice and prepare on her own, with only gentle reminders from me, otherwise we shouldn't do it.

Well, this girl followed through. She practiced in the morning, before school. When she got home. After dinner. Before bed. 

Anytime she had a few moments to spare, she'd sit down and play a song or two.

And it paid off! Her songs and scales were ready to go! Time for the exam.

She was nervous but found it was actually kind of easy because she felt prepared. I love this girl and am so proud of her work the last few months!

And, I suppose I'll add this: we got her exam results, and she passed! In fact, she earned First Class Honours. Way to go, Calista!

School's out!

It is finalllllllly the last day of school! We have finished Grade 7, 5, and 2.

The kiddos with their awards! The boys (coincidentally) each earned the Truth award for embodying the principle. Calista earned Honours with Distinction and the Grade 7 Music Award. So I'm bragging a little bit.

Calista wants to be a an author or a marine biologist when she grows up. She said the best part of grade 7 was lunch and her best friends are Vanessa, Karen, and Olesia.

Her favorite class was band and she doesn't really have any regrets for grade 7 because it was a good year.

Next year, she's excited for seeing her friends again in grade 8.

If she could be any animal, she'd become a cheetah and she's looking forward to seeing her cousins this summer at the beach!

Craig wants to be a chemist when he grows up so it makes sense that the best part of grade 5 was the chemistry unit in science. It wasn't perfect, however: "We had only one little lesson about the periodic table, though it makes up all of chemistry..."

Craig's best friends are Maddy, Mateus, and Steffan and his favorite subject was science! Don't tell him otherwise.

He has no regrets for grade 5 but is not excited for the PATs in grade 6.

If he could be any animal, Craig would stay a person, probably because he's looking forward to playing lots of video games and going to the Ape Caves this summer.

Caleb wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up and the best part of grade 2 was the obstacle course on fun day with the French Fries of Doom.

His best friends are Oliver and Jackson and his favorite subject was science.

Caleb also has no regrets for grade 2 and is excited for a nice teacher in grade 3 ("because I had a really nice and kind teacher this year!")

If he could become an animal, he'd be a friendly T Rex that only attacks bad guys.

Caleb is looking forward to spelunking in a cave this summer.

Bring on summer!

Eight is Great (and Awesome)!

Caleb has turned 8!

How awesome is that?

For his birthday, Caleb got to open presents before school,

marshmallows in his lunch, macaroni and cheese for dinner, 

And cinnamon pizza instead of a birthday cake!

He also desperately wanted to have a couple of friends over for video games and pizza. 

So a couple of days after his birthday (and after his baptism), we had Jackson and Oliver over.

They played at home and at the park and it was fun and really relaxed.

Exactly as Caleb wanted.

Happy eighth birthday, my baby boy (and welcome to the family, Tyranno!)

Caleb's Baptism

My littlest man is now baptized!

He and I went and too some pictures and he was so practical about it. 

He just focused on taking the pictures.

Probably because I'd promised that after the photos, we'd go out to get a treat:

Gelato! A couple of ladies told him how handsome and adorable he was, all dressed up in his suit. And it's true, he is pretty adorable.

Spring Break: The Good and the Bad

Happy spring break! Our spring break started out really nice and relaxing. The kids and I made a deal that they could have screen time/video games before breakfast and after dinner, but during the day we were screen-free. That way, I have to actually be an engaged mom and not just lazy, we spend time together, and they (Craig especially) gets to do his favorite things and not feel punished.

Of course, this policy does mean the boys will wake up at 6 AM to play video games

and then be tired and want a nap later on.

All of this time without screens definitely means a trip to the library.

Although, yes, they have screens at the library.

And yes, I let them use the screens, even during our "screen-free" time.

They still get lots of books and read, too!

All He Wants For Christmas...

Caleb lost his two front teeth! It was difficult and they kept poking him in the gums, but Kyler convinced him and got them out in the end. 

It's a little late to get them for Christmas, but Caleb is definitely going to want his two front teeth before NEXT Christmas!

Brown and Kitten Christmas

It has come and gone, but a Merry Christmas to all!

I love decorating for Christmas.

I love the warmth the tree and the lights bring.

The focus on family, friends, and my Savior is welcome in the bleak mid-winter.

Watch out for Demon Mops!

Prior to Halloween, we prepared by carving jack-o-lanterns.

In bell pepper form.

Seriously, it's so much easier. 

Although Calista enjoys using the knives in either just fine.

Spooooooooky!

There and Back Again

Driving to Oregon is long. Driving to California and then back home again? Even longer. 

But we did it. 

Lots of snacks

And lots of breaks.

Getting out of the car is essential to everyone's mental health!

Plus, spinning in circles is just fun.