school!!!

This week Calvin started 2nd grade.

Clare started PEPP. (Poway Extended Primary Program.) Basically PEPP is a 2 year K program. In our district kids are eligible for K if they are 5 before Dec 2nd. PEPP is a program designed primarily for the younger kindergarten students who turn five between June 1st and December 2nd. The kids do a year of pepp and then go into the regular K classes the following year. PEPP is a 1/2 day class 5 days a week. K is full day so pepp is a great transition year for those who have the late summer and fall bdays. Clare bday is nov 21st so she is a great pepp candidate!


This picture is extremely "picture perfect" and not really representative of everyday life at home!! I can't say my kids always get along so well but Calvin has been looking out for clare at school so far which is nice!

Alexey got ready for school and then was VERY sad to learn that she was not going to be able to stay at PEPP with Clare!




today when I picked up Clare at 12:15 we went out to the playground/lunch area and had school lunch w/ calvin.


This a a true candid picture.

I just love my kids.

super saturday

Saturday was an awesome last weekend of summer day for us. Calvin, Alexey and I spent the day at sea world with grandpa bob, scott (my bro), cousin lance. Clare opted not to come since she is afraid. She has been afraid of all sea animals since she was about 2. She is especialy afraid of Killer Whales. "What do they kill, Mom?" "Do they kill people?" (We told her no even though a trainer was killed this year by one.


calvin enjoyed feeding and petting the dolphins.


alexey wasn't too sure about it!

alexey enjoyed being with Grandpa!



We loved the pets rule show. At the end of it you can pet the pets. The kids got a big kick out of this pig.



Saturday evening we did our annual kayaking-at-la-jolla shores trip with the sabins. Here are dave and calvin out. Usually the water is warm by the end of summer but this year it is still FREEZING! Also there is some kind of algae bloom so the water is a weird green color.



DId you know there was a great white shark sighting at this beach just a week or two ago?

parent abuse

Here are a couple of examples in my house this week (one is from dan who is not techinically my child but since he lives her and I have to clean up after him I think he counts).

Clare, as she is putting sunscreen on my back for me: "Mom, you need a lot of sunscreen because you are so fat, right?"

Dan, to the Elders at dinner Mon night: "Yeah, I used to want to get married, but after living with Denise for the last 2 years I am pretty sure that I don't want to anymore."


I think I need a raise.

missing sleep

Alexey isn't sleeping as well as she used to now that she is downstairs in a new bed and new room. Where she was before was much more protected from the noise of the house. She doesn't nap anymore and almost always wakes up around 6am (whereas before she slept 'til 8ish and took a 2-3 hour nap a day). Needless to say, we are missing that sleep. Two reasons for missing the sleep. #1. She is a busy 2 year old and it was nice to have some time to get things done without having to worry about here trying to kill herself with acrobatics on the kitchen counter, couches, tables, chairs, etc. and making messes everywhere. #2. She is grouchy w/o the sleep.

Yesterday Calvin's noise woke her at 5am. (mom was not happy). Here she is in our bed with her crazy morning hair. (pretending to sleep)



Here she is throwing one of her wonderful tantrums. We see about 10 a day.
It is obvious to me that she is a tired girl.



Hopefully she will soon adjust to the noises of the house and learn to be a wonderful little sleeper.

cousins!

Lance is here!!

Alexey loves baby Park.

where does dave come up with this stuff?

"Did i ever mention that I told a med student she could stand to lose 10 lbs?" -Dave


"You. Did. Not." -Denise

calvin got new glasses

they are the same as Dave's (though Dave wears contacts 99% of the time).
They will be his back up pair but he is wearing them every day for a couple of weeks while his sport glasses are being replaced under warranty.

sleeping kids

Last night when we went down to check on all the kids I couldn't help but just love them a little more. Aren't sleeping kids great?!!

We have transitioned Alexey to a big bed. She sleeps in Clare's room. It has gone okay. However she has completely given up naps and has been grumpy and falling apart since she is so behind on sleep. The good thing about it is that she is ready for bed between 6 and 7pm. It is nice to have an early bedtime, especially as we're getting ready for school to start in a couple of weeks.


While Lex is adjusting to a new room and new bed, Clare moved into the guest room. With Tressel of course. She will need to move back to her own room this Friday when Scott and Lance arrive. She really liked her "new room" and even moved some of her clothes over. She is a cute little girl!

A couple of nights ago I had a sleepover with Clare. I had told her that when Daddy goes camping with Calvin sometime I would sleep with her. She went right to Dave and asked if I could have a sleepover. He said, Yes, but only for one night and so it happened that we didn't wait 'til the campout. Clare was very excited about this and was very sweet and smiley and cuddly all evening! I woke up several times with dog in my way and dog nose on my feet, etc. I personally don't love the dog in my bed but it seems to work for Clare and Tressel.



Calvin .... Calvin.
how is Calvin sleeping?

Well, for the first 1/2 of the summer I thought for sure that Calvin was sleeping through the night and doing so much better. As it turns out, Dan (my 19 year old brother who lives here) is awake all night so he was able to take Calvin potty and put him back to bed and I never even heard them. Thinking Calvin's night roaming days were over, I put a light in Calvins room and left his door unlocked. Then there was this scary combination of Calvin being up all night playing legos, waking up the girls for some friends to play with, eating, exploring, etc. So we are just back to the usual Calvin. I think he is getting enough rest and hopefully will feel ready for school to start.

"The Test"

At girls camp I was in charge of a special fireside one evening. My YW president encouraged me to make it super special and gave me a lot of ideas of great camp activites she had heard about or participated in over the years. nothing seemed quite like something I waned to do so instead I went wayyyy out on a limb and made up my own thing. I worked on it for months with the hope that I would do something the girls would remember for a long time as being something that really taught them a lesson.

Overall it turned out great and was well recieved.

I prepared a series of “tests” which the girls had to complete.They were small tasks which would be difficult to complete with out a “tool” to help. The tools each represented a principle of the gospel. I focused on the idea that if the girls live the standards and principles of the gospel then they can have confidence in themselves and in the Lord.

Part of the reason for my idea came from a talk by elder Wickman, a member of the 70 and a dear friend. Here is the link : http://www.byub.org/talks/Talk.aspx?id=2888
he talks about some of his confidence tests he did in the military. The first page of the talk is amazing.

I am going to cut and paste the entire thing below but for those who don't want to read that much skip ahead and read about #5. The jar of snails. It was my favorite. I also love #8. I love them all like my own children!!!!






Instructions to leaders:

You read the task. Then, give the girl a “tool” where indicated. It works best if you have a little bag with all of your tools that you can keep with you as you travel from test to test.

After the task is completed let one of the YW read the summary.

Repeat for each task with the leader reading the intro and then passing the tool to the girls. After the task the girls can read the scriptures/quotes and summary.

Thanks!

Props needed:

-3 heavy rocks
-wheelbarrow
-shovel
-small box for buried treasure
-a few good rain umbrellas
-a big glass jar of snails or other icky stuff
-household rubber gloves for cleaning
-safe with a key
-binoculars
-picture of the temple
*****-a letter to each girl from her parents expressing love for that girl. On the outside of the envelope each parent should write “the green drink is the only safe drink”*** very important and must be prepared well in advance!
-food coloring, small cups and water




hints for setup are in written in italics before each “test”


#1. Welcome to life. During this life you will encounter a series of tasks, or tests. Some of these tests will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, without the tools provided to you. These “tools” represent teachings of our Savior and ways that we can become closer to Him. With the help of our Savior and His love we will pass through life with joy and peace and success in His Sight.

Let’s begin our journey. To receive your first tool we will sing, “walk tall you’re a daughter of God.”

(sing song)

Now you are given a lantern, representing Christ’s love.

President Monson said, “Look to the lighthouse of the Lord, there is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what it’s beacon light can rescue.”

The light of the Lord will help us in all of our life tests.

Instructions for the rest of the tests: Each team member will complete a task, in turn and by herself until all the tests are complete. There is no rush or race. Thank you and good luck!

Setup: place 3 HEAVY rocks in a pile and determine a location that the rocks should be moved to for the next task.. (The rocks should be heavy enough that a girl could not carry them further than a step or two but not so heavy that she can’t lift them)

#2. For your next test please move these rocks from point A to point B. Remember, this is an individual task so one person may complete the task alone. Though it may seem impossible, with the proper help, it is quite possible!

(present tool -- a wheelbarrow)

This wheelbarrow represents prayer. When we pray sincerely, the Lord will help us bear our burdens. In the book of Mosiah, the people of Alma are put in bondage and made to suffer terrible burdens.
Mosiah 23:12 “ And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God. And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries… that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death. And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.”

“And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, …..I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot fell them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do …. that ye know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.”

Like the people of Alma, the Lord will be with us in our afflictions when we seek him through prayer.


setup : there should be a buried treasure already in place well ahead of starting the test. Inside the box place the quote that the girls should read about what the shovel represents.

#3. x marks the spot

Buried 3 feet underground is your next assignment. You can use your hands to dig or you might want some assistance!

(tool - a shovel)

This shovel gives you the ability to dig deep in the gospel. It represents diligent scripture study. The scriptures help you understand the important truths of the Gospel. Through the scriptures you will come to know Jesus Christ, you will gain the companionship of the Holy Ghost and really know the doctrines of salvation. Without the scriptures you will have an understanding of the gospel but it will not be complete until you dig deep into your scriptures and really build your testimony on them.



Setup: figure out a way to give the girls a good “rain storm”. We were lucky enough at camp to have the kids walk through a tunnel so we could have buckets of water to dump on them as they came out the other side. You might be able to use a hose or other method to create rain depending on the location.

#4. Walk back to the other side of the tunnel to find your next task. In this case, we will give you your tool before you see what is ahead.

Here is an umbrella for you …. You just never know when “the storms of life will come.”

Though we do not know what lies ahead, as President Faust said, “we have only one safe course: to press forward in faith.”
The umbrella represents your faith which serves as a shield from the storms of life.

(leader – give girls umbrellas and have them walk across to the other side of the tunnel to the next station. Then they can read the rest after “the storms come”)

As we move through life we will meet with many temptations and challenges, each day! If we carry our shield of faith we will be protected. Though we may get a little wet, we will not be completely soaked or overcome. So it is with life, if we have our faith and firm testimony in the Savior, even though we will have challenges we will make it through them without being completely overcome. We will be okay!

President Faust continues, “Faith is the first principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ as set forth by the Prophet Joseph: “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” This faith will be the sanctuary for our souls.”

I would add….even when those rains come pouring down.
Setup: Prepare a large glass jar with something icky inside. I used some yard debris with lots of snails and leaves. Place the part for the girls to read (describing the gloves purpose) at the bottom of the jar in a plastic bag).


#5. At the bottom of this jar you will find what you need next! Have fun finding it! You might get a little messy.

(Here is a picture of the jar of snails.)

(tool - gloves)

The gloves represent a protection from the filth in the world which comes to each of you by living the standards you have learned about in the strength of youth pamphlet. If we follow the standards and keep ourselves clean we will be pure in the Lords sight.

Elder Tingey of the 70 said, This booklet contains standards that will keep your minds and your bodies clean from the sins of the world.

Elder Richard G. Scott said, While the world has other standards, you must stay morally clean. The Lord will bless you richly and will help you keep clean and pure.

If we chose not to follow these standards, we are in essence, removing our glove and letting the grubby worldly standards make us dirty in the lord’s sight.

Here's audrey reading about standards!

Setup: place the prompt for the girls to read (description of what the key represents) inside the safe and lock it with the key.

#6. Open this safe.

Oh, you need a key? Okay! Here is the key.

(tool)

As we do all fall short we must repent in order to make ourselves worthy to have the Lord’s spirit with us. The key represents repentance. President Packer said, “You always hold the key of repentance”

When we sin we lose the privilege of having the Holy Ghost with us and put ourselves in the influence of satan. However it is in our power to move closer to the savior and repent!

President Packer continues: “You had conferred upon you the gift of the Holy Ghost. There will be whisperings of approval or warning when you have decisions to make.31 The Holy Ghost can guide you away from evil and bring you back if you have wandered and lost your path. Never forget that you are sons and daughters of God. Satan cannot forever imprison you. You always hold the key of repentance to unlock the prison door.”


It is up to us, when we have made a mistake and offended the spirit to pray and repent so that we are worthy of all of the Lord’s blessings.




Setup: place a picture of the temple a distance away so that it cannot be seen clearly with the naked eye but with binoculars will be clear

#7. Near our camp is a picture. What is the picture of?

You can’t see it?

(tool - binoculars)

These binoculars will help you see with clarity further than you can with your unaided eyes. They represent the temple and the perspective we gain there!

As you look to the temple and attend the temple you will think about yourself as you truly are: a daughter of God who wants to return to him. The temple reminds us of the importance of family, of covenant keeping, service, and of Gods love for us. Look to the temple as a symbol of your commitment to be worthy to enter the Lord’s presence.

Elder Nelson said, “Each holy temple stands as a symbol of our membership in the Church, as a sign of our faith in life after death, and as a sacred step toward eternal glory for us and our families."”

Let us look to the temple and “see” far into our future with Heavenly father and our families.




Setup: prepare the table with dozens of small Dixie cups of water with various colors.

#8. On this table are some drinks. Some are safe for you to drink, others are not. How will you know which are safe? Should you try one and see what happens?

NO!

As you make decisions in your life you will be wise to rely on the instruction of your parents, grandparents and other righteous adults who you are close to and who have much life experience as their aid. Your parents love you and they want the best for you. They want you to be safe and happy. By relying on the council of parents and leaders we will know how to proceed with safety. At times, it will be the only way we will know what to do to be safe.

Each of you will now receive a letter from your parents. On the outside of the envelope will be instructions on what drink will be safe.

After you drink your drink, please go back to the fireside and you will have quiet time to read your letter from your parents.

homesick

we read a story about elmo going to visit grandma and grandpa and he gets a little homesick. The kids were wondering what it means to be homesick and I said it is feeling a little sad if you are away from your home and family. clare asked, "you mean if I had to sleep without Tressel?" "Yes, Clare that is what it means." She said, "oh, I'd be sad."

Sometimes I wonder if we are just setting her up for a terrible heartache in 10 years when he dies, but I sure hope it is true "it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all."




Of all the kids, clare is the most attatched to Tressel, I think. Alexey is for sure the biggest overall dog lover, but Clare really loves tressel. He sleeps in her bed, she'll go lay on him when she's sad, she'll feed him and take him potty. She really loves having him around.