The Seven of Us

A few days before school began another Haxtun mom with cinco hijos came meandering up to me and asked the typical "are-you-ready for this" questions. Actually, she didn't really ask; she assumed that I felt just as she did: Ready. And maybe ready to give away all 5. But I really wasn't ready to give them up. Ready for a little more quiet? Yes. And glad to be able to hop in the car or go on a walk without answering to anyone? Sure. But that's very different than being ready to give them up. 'Cause I'd want 'em back. Most moments. Nevertheless, here they are, all ready to conquer the 2010-2011 school year: Taylor--an 8th grader this year. Kenna on the first day of school. Isaac's birthday was on the first day of school this year!  Seven years old! Caleb needs to learn to smile. Corbin wanted to go to school, too.

Unlike some people who spend the summer vacationing and traveling, we spend the summer living . That's right: we live our normal, everyday life, although we live it in a slightly more relaxed way than we do during the school year. The older kids get to sleep until 8 or 8:30.  I can shower at noon if I've been doing yardwork and all morning. Everyone still does chores.  Isaac does schoolwork. The older kids mow.  I work.  We read scriptures. We just do things on a slightly different schedule than normal.  In a few days all of that will change.  But before it does, here are the highlights of our normal, everyday life. Kenna and Isaac sold lemonade on the day of Old Fashioned Saturday night.  While I shopped the garage sales, they earned $15, minus a few dollars for supplies. They had a great time serving their customers!  Keeping up with everyone wore Corbin out. McKenna worked really hard at making this cake for an Ac...