Eagle Project

Trevor completed his eagle project last week!
Woo hoo! Hurray! Way to go!
His project consisted of working with a guy at the city named Richard, who didn't like to return his calls.

Trevor taught his "crew" how to put placards next to the city's storm drain.
First, the area had to be cleaned--scraped and brushed.

And some sort of epoxy was put on the back of the placard--the city even provided the plastic gloves.

Next, it had to be firmly placed against the curb--the black epoxy seeping through is good. It means it has a good seal against the curb.

Trevor learned some great leadership skills. He said it was stressful, but he did a great job!

Paint

Time to paint Trevor's room. He said he wanted one wall to be blue and the rest to be white. Fine. I don't care. It's paint. I kinda like to paint because it's cheap and it's easy and if you don't like it it's easy to fix. I wanted him to go to the paint store with me to get the little paint swatches to see what shade of blue he actually wanted. He said he didn't want to go with me and for me to get a blue "like this"--as he handed me a blue Blockbuster coupon that was in the car.

I bring home about 20 different shades of blue for him to pick one. We tape them up all over the one wall that he wants painted blue and he stares at the colors for a few days. Each day he takes down a few colors he doesn't like until he's narrowed it down to four. Peek-a-boo-blue, Suddenly Sapphire, Rainbow Bright and Teenie Bikini. No "Blockbuster Blue" at the store.

Who names paint? Teenie Bikini is the darkest blue of them all. It has nothing to do with a teenie bikini. I would at least think teenie bikini would be a tropical beach color, but it's not. And Peek-a-boo blue? What does that mean? Think what a fun job it would be to stare at a color and think of all the names you could call it. I really think that would be fun. But, I also think it would be fun to think of street names for new housing developments. You know, Lori Lane, Kelise Court, etc.

Anyway, he had decided on Peek-a-boo-blue so I went and bought the little half a pint sample that they sell. After looking at it for a day he decided he wanted to go a little darker, so Suddenly Sapphire it is! Now I have to decide between twenty different colors of white for the other walls.

First Day of School

Yesterday was the first day of school. Seminary doesn't start until next week so it was a busy morning with everyone trying to get ready at the same time. Kelsie seems to like her classes and teachers. Trevor had a schedule change due to basketball and wasn't able to take his computer class. Instead he was giving a woodshop class. I am very excited about all of the projects I want him to make for me. He is a little wary of woodshop since he is one of two people in the whole class that doesn't have a moustache.

Branden did not want me to accompany him to school since he is in 6th grade now. I told him it was the last time I could ever walk one of my children to school on the first day, and so he let me come. I only took a few pictures before I left, so I don't think he was too embarrassed.

Last Day of Summer

Today was the last day of summer vacation. School starts tomorrow. I hate school. I hate all of the driving and schedules and homework and projects and tired and stressed children. School really gets in the way of my life.

Since it was the last day of summer we went to the beach. We have been having SO much fun this summer going to the beach every week with friends. It has been so relaxing this year with the kids being older. When we go to the beach Trevor and Branden (Kelsie's usually at work) take off to the water with boogie boards, skim boards, or just themselves, and I only see them when they are hungry or thirsty. Thank goodness there are lifeguards, because I just sit there and talk to my friends while eating and basking in the sun. What a great life! But it's over. I have to get back to real life and set my alarm to get kids to school tomorrow. I can't wait until next summer.

Diagnosis

You are all so smart! Trevor does have a ganglion cyst and one of the ways to get rid of it is to hit it hard with a heavy book. I would like to thank those of you who volunteed to help Trevor with that arduous task, but for the time being, since it is not bothering him, he is just going to keep it and see if it goes away on it's own. If it starts to bother him, he will be willing to entertain the idea of hitting it with a book, since the option of outpatient surgery requires him to wear a removeable splint for six weeks.

Kelsie's diagnosis was a strained flexor tendon. It may take up to 9 months to heal! Meanwhile, she just has to do some stretching exercises so that she can eventually straighten it out all the way and she has to tape it up when doing sports.

Once again, thanks for all your concern and helpful comments.

Medical Mystery

Trevor noticed this gross thing on his wrist a few weeks ago, and being the concerned mother that I am, I just ignored it and hoped it would go away. It obviously hasn't gone away yet, and Chris thinks it is actually bigger. It doesn't hurt or cause him any pain. It's hard if you touch it. It's gross.

I'm going to take him to the orthopedist on Wednesday with me when I bring Kelsie there for a finger she dislocated over three weeks ago playing basketball. She popped it back in during the game, but she still can't straighten it out. It's her pinky finger on her left hand and I don't think it's healed properly. I just hope it wont be deformed forever. I keep having visions of beautiful wedding photos and pictures of her wedding ring on her ring finger with a deformed pinky finger right next to her wedding ring. Any insight on what Trevor's deformity really is?

A Day of Firsts

Yesterday was one of those days when each of the kids have something "big" happening.  Kelsie started her first job.  Her first real job where she actually gets a paycheck.  She has a part-time job working as a camp counselor for the summer for a Lutheran church in town.  She liked that the kids call her "Miss Kelsie," but does not like the fact that she needs to wear a polo shirt.  She, apparently, does not "do" polo shirts. The good news was the polo shirts have not come in yet so she didn't have to wear one.  As soon as they're in, I'll post a picture of her in her shirt.

Trevor had his first high school basketball game.  He had a lot of fun and played a great game, scoring 10 points.  He had a four hour basketball camp in the morning and then went to his game in the un-air-conditioned gym when it was 108 outside.  Needless to say, he was hot, tired and hungry when he came home.  I have never seen him eat so much in a three hour period.  It was actually rather scary.

And Branden got braces.

Last Days of School

Trevor successfully was "promoted" from 8th grade on Thursday and is now a high school freshman.   On  Saturday he had basketball tryouts, and on Thursday he has volleyball tryouts.  Nothing like giving  these poor kids (or moms) a summer vacation. 

Branden finished 5th grade on Friday, but he gets to stay at his elementary school next year and be the "big man on campus" (literally) as a 6th grader.  He had the option of going to middle school for 6th grade, but wanted to stay with friends, be in junior olympics, and run for president.

 

On Friday and Saturday we had an amazing stake youth conference that Kelsie and Trevor participated in.  It was so much fun for me to be there and see all the great youth in our stake, but I am still recovering from it.

 Today was the first day of summer vacation.  My favorite part so far was staying in bed while Chris got up to go to work.  That may sound really mean, but he rarely gets up before me during the school year, and it was so nice to stay in bed...until I had to drive Trevor to basketball, go grocery shopping and start some laundry. 

Garage Band

Over the weekend we went to San Diego.   Trevor and Branden's favorite things to do when we visit San Diego is play with their cousins.  Last time we visited, Trevor and Branden and Nate spent hours in Scott's garage.  Trevor and Nate played guitar and they gave Branden some buckets which he turned upside down to use as drums with lead pipes as drumsticks.   This time, Nate borrowed some real drums for Branden to use.  They had a lot of fun and created their own song.  Nate, we think you should buy the drums.