The Seven of Us

Taylor turned fifteen at the end of June.  It was a milestone in her mind because in Colorado kids can get their learner's permit at the age of fifteen.  Being the go-get-'em kid that she is, Taylor had told us months before her birthday that she wanted to get her permit on her birthday. So we did.  McKenna was playing in a softball tournament in Wray, so Taylor drove from Holyoke to Wray (30 + miles).  She did pretty well, despite my hand-clenching and instruction-giving.  (I'd forgotten that the road to Wray is narrower and hillier than Hwy 6. I've never liked sharing space with the shoulder, but I got through it.  And Taylor and I were still speaking afterward.) Besides getting her permit, other things that made Taylor's birthday special were having Gramma and Grampa Droddy here and getting a pair of "blingy" (sparkly) sandals.  Taylor is a great daughter.  She has some incredible habits (like reading her...

Is this the expression Jared made when he came home to find another window broken? y

Here is a short essay McKenna wrote at the end of last year (fourth grade). "My Disliked Chore" My chore that I dislike the most is babysitting Corbin. I don't like babysitting Corbin because he screams if he doesn't get what he wants, and that is super annoying, and very loud.  He also hits. When he hits me it stings, and sometimes leaves a big brownish purplish bruise.  Corbin tries to cook, but he just makes a big, sticky, gross mess. He also has to watch studpid non-funny Droagon Tales, and I have to watch with him.  (By the way I hate that show.) Corbin likes to run to our ditch with Charlie (his bear) so I have to go get him. That is why I hate watching my brother. Note:  Once I was frustrated with my kids and for some reason the thought "Will this problem be solved by maturity?" came to my mind.  Reading this essay confirms that maturity does change kids.  Corbin has stopped biting and running away when he's mad. Yay!   And Kenna r...