Ethan is 10!?!?!

Ethan just turned 10. Wow!  It’s hard to believe that Ethan is double digits.  Since Ethan was our first Arizona baby, his age also dates how long we have lived here, plus 9 months;)  So besides having to accept how hold my little boy is getting I also come to a realization that Arizona has been my home longer than any place else.   But this post isn’t about being a California Girl trapped in  a Phoenician body.  It’s about my sweet Ethan who is slowly becoming a young man.  There are  several birthdays that are special, and turning 10 is one of them.   If you live 100 years only 10 percent of your life is in single digits.  And somehow that is translated to a kids mind in their own way.  They feel a little more grown up, and it shows almost immediately.   
Ethan has accomplished a lot in his first 10 years.  He has a lot to be proud of.   While Ethan has often been viewed as silly or a space case, he has a brilliant mind.  Ever since he was little he was a deep thinker and a problem solver.  From learning how to escape his crib early, to figuring out how to sneak ice cream using whatever object he could reach to scoop it out.  I really started to realize how creative he was the first time I gave him some scissors, paper and glue to keep him  busy one day while I was getting some tasks done around the house.  He was only three (they were child proof scissors)  and it was like he had been cutting and pasting his whole life.  That was the moment I realized the creative gift he was blessed with.  It has continued his whole life, from making contraptions, creating costumes, creating his own “life hacks”,  to becoming a great artist.  
Ethan loves to draw.  It’s one of his releases, along with reading.  Often times, especially in sacrament meeting, Ben and I will look over in amazement at what he has put on paper in such a short time, and without looking at something for reference.  He just pulls it from his brain.  This year he took first and second place in his school Art show.  Many of times, I actually have to redirect him from drawing or reading to get things done that are of more importance at the moment.    
Ethan’s love for reading is like no other child of mine.  Since Boston and Aubrie don’t like to read, Sophia is his only competition.  But he reads more than I ever did at his age.  He has to decompress every night with reading.  His favorite author is Rick Riorden.  He LOVES the classics, so he can’t get enough of his books.   He also enjoys comics, so the Big Nate series is a more casual read for him, because it appeals to his silly side, which we are all too familiar with.   His family sees most of that silliness, and sometimes it drives us a little batty, but when he gets around adults he becomes very shy.  Talking to an adult is like torture for him lately.  He is just too cute to ignore though, with his freckles and smiling eyes.  When he laughs he still has the smiling eyes he has had since he was a baby.  He is still that cute little boy, under his toughness.   And when we watch family videos, everyone loves watching him as a toddler.   He is just so cute and funny.   Right now he is trying to figure out how a  cute and funny 10 year old behaves, because he is realizing the cute silliness that worked when he was 5 and 6 just doesn’t cut it anymore.  I see him struggle with finding that balance.   But I see him growing up in many ways.   From actually taking an interest in doing his hair, to taking notice of girls(in the most innocent way possible) , and trying to be responsible, the best he can, and working hard at things that are important to him.   
Lately Ben and I have been impressed with his ability to be really good at just about anything that he tries.   He really has more focus on the things that are important to him, resulting in success.   His soccer game has been amazing this year, standing out as a phenomenal player, and helping his team to an undefeated second season.  Not just by being the star goal scorer, but learning how to work with him team, and help them to become better as well.   Ethan picked Karate back up and moved up a belt within a few months.   He just started a weapons class, and he is super focused and does well at learning the moves quickly.  Ethan just started his first season of flag football after many years of asking.   We weren’t sure how he would do, but he is fast and very good.   His new love the past year has been archery.  He asked for a bow last Christmas and though he doesn’t get to do it often, his accuracy is uncanny.   He is great with music, adapting his piano songs onto the recorder that he got at school.   I believe that he is so successful, because beyond the spacey forgetfulness that is like a cloud that follows Ethan everywhere, he also can be very intense when he really focuses on something that is important to him in the moment.  He is very smart, and that helps him.   But he has to want to do it.  If I tell him to do something, we don’t get the same results from him as when he wants to do it on his own.   It was like when he was a baby and took FOREVER to talk.  He was two and a half and he hardly spoke.  My Dad observed him and he said, “Rachel, I have been watching him, and I can tell he is very smart.  He is soaking in all the conversations and I can tell he knows exactly what is going on, and he can talk, but he has no need for it right now.   And when he does talk it will be in sentences.”  He was right.  When Ethan decided he was ready to talk, it was in sentences.  While the rest of our children sometimes often misunderstand Ethan and have a hard time relating to him because he is so intense, and also silly, I know that whatever he puts his mind to, he will be successful.   I look forward to seeing what kind a man he will be.  What kind of missionary, husband, father.  I’m thankful for Ethan...he tries my patience with his clothes and belongings all over the place, his continual hiding and sneaking of electronics, his forgetfulness of homework and things I have to remind him a million times to do, but he also lights up my heart with his endearing smile, and sensitive heart, and determined spirit to be the best at what he loves...which obviously isn’t a clean room or doing homework:) Hopefully he desires that eventually!

Here are some pics of his birthday party.  He had fun hanging out with friends from school and his soccer team.   They did some swimming, played soccer, tether ball, basketball, played video games, and whatever else they could come up with to do in the back yard.  Ethan had a great time.  He always has been blessed with many friends.    
 Scavenger Hunt to find his gift!

A Brand New Bow!

 Cake time! Which we turned into ice cream sandwiches (cake came later as a family.  He is always hamming it up...pretending to be all emotional about it!

Boston's 12th Birthday Party

Last year Boston decided to not have a party and took the money instead.  I was happy that this year he wanted a party.  We had it in our backyard, and it was the same type of party Aubrie had.  Just come and hang out and do  your own thing and enjoy yourself as young preteens, hanging out together.  The key to this type of party is letting them invite boys and girls.  I really feel that its good to get them together in controlled fun environments so they know how to act around the opposite sex.    Otherwise when they start dating at 16 they are social awkward.  We didn't have that problem as kids, but with social media kids really need that face to face interaction...with parental supervision:)    I'm so glad we have the type of yard to throw that type of party.  All the kids have a great time, and feel a little more grown up being able to just "hang" out.  They have fun going between the baseball court, tether ball, trampoline, pool, hanging out around the fire pit, hanging out in the hot tub, playing soccer, or coming in for some X-Box Kinect.
Boston's party was full of variety, when it came to the kids.  He had almost his whole soccer team there, along with his friends from church (including girls) and friends from school and his best friend from West Wing.  He did very good at spreading the love around, and socializing with all the groups of people.  He is quite the social guy, and very friendly to all kids.  We had a wide spread from the more "studios" kids with all his rubix cubes, to the jocks, to the socially inept kid from school who Boston so graciously accepted as he crashed his party uninvited.  I'm proud of how he treats all kids, and doesn't make anyone feel inferior.  I think thats why people love him so much.
All the kids had a great time, and some of them who had committed to other parties and had to leave early, were sad to have to leave.  For Ben and I, these parties are easy.  They basically run themselves.  The only thing we didn't prepare for was how much food twelve year old boys eat!  We ran out of food quick, and Ben finally made a Taco Bell run!
Boston scored big time with the presents. Everyone was so generous. I was really quite overwhelmed by it.   He ended up with over 200 dollars in cash, and over a 100 in gift cards.  Way better than his 200 dollar party cash out he did last year!  LOL   The great thing is that last year he was super generous at Christmas, and always is.  So I know that money will be spent wisely and generously!  What a great kid!

Ethan's Midevil Fun!

Ethan just had his Middle Ages festival.  I  planned on making him a costume, but I just ran out of time.  I was at Walmart and saw a rack of 50 percent off Halloween costumes.  I said a quick prayer that I would find something, and the second to last costume on the rack that I looked through I found this, and it was his size!  I sang my praises and gave thanks for that tender mercy!   

For this festival I helped in the classroom.  The first round of activities were in the classrooms.  Ethan's classroom had fun games.  I was in charge of helping the kids learn how to play the games.  The first few minutes were crazy, but after that there was plenty of time to talk and get to know the Mom's better.  I always enjoy that.  The other classrooms had crafts and a round of Jeopardy.  Their crafts were Goblets, and mini catapults.  

Afterward I had to help with reading in Sophia's classroom, but I quickly went to sneak a peak at the cafeteria.  We have some pretty amazing Mom's that have the most creative ideas, so I had to see what they came up with this time.  Pretty cool.  

 After I was done helping with reading, I took Sophia out to check out their outdoor games.  This one was Ethan's favorite!   He had a great time! 

Sophia's first Shiner

Yesterday I came home from picking up Aubrie and Boston to finding Sophia with this!

I hadn't heard from the school and honestly was quite livid that no one called.  It was really upsetting for  me to  walk in seeing her so banged up and swollen.  She is my little girl...and without a head up it was a little emotional. After some conversations with the head of school, it didn't look like this when
she had the accident.  She had run right into a pole on the playground and came in with only a small scratch on her eye.  She had an ice pack on her eye when she went to the classroom, and everyone else after that had assumed the office had seen her condition.   Sophia was super brave, and didn't complain of any pain.  However, she didn't want to go out in public and she was wearing sunglasses in the car when it was dark out, because she didn't want anyone looking at it.  She didn't want to go to school the following day because she said, "I'm going to get sick of everyone asking me about it".    I made her go and she survived.

Halloween 2013

This year for Halloween was a realization that my family is getting old.  Gone are the days when we all go out as a family.  Aubrie went trick or treating with her friends, Boston and Ethan went out on their scooters so they could go as fast as they could and collect as much candy as possible with their THREE costume changes.   And Ben took Sophia up and down our street, and then she was done!  She had just thrown up the day before  so I'm sure she was a little wiped out.     However, she did have fun  helping me scare people....more than collecting candy, for sure.
This year I spent dressed up in a witch costume sitting in the shadows.  I put the bowl of candy on my lap, and lowered my head and tucked my arms behind my back.   People couldn't figure out if I was fake or not.  As they would reach for the candy, I wouldn't scare the first victim.  After a few grabs at the candy, and people started to relax thinking I was fake, I would strike at the third or fourth victim by jumping or grabbing their hand.  I scared the life out of our neighbor by just moving my head up!   I also scared a bunch of teenage boys, which they tried to play off, but their girlish screams said otherwise.  That really is my most favorite thing to do on Halloween....scare!  Sophia loved it just as much, and she said she can't wait for next year...she has all types of ideas on how to scare people!
The other three kids scored big time with candy.  Ethan came in as champion...his candy weighing in at 15 lbs!  I'm glad the boys went with each other...good memories for them.  And I'm thrilled that Aubrie finally has established a good social life...a huge adjustment for a retired gymnast whose social life is at the gym!
Unfortunately the kids were out the door so fast, this is the only picture I got of the evening.   But for memory sake...Aubrie was a butterfly, Ethan was ninja, Boston was the Stay Puff (Which he got runner up for Funniest costume at this school dance), and Sophia was an Egyptian Princess.

Ehtan's Candy Organization! 

Boston's stash!

Sophia's Halloween Soccer Practice.  What a fun idea...she went with a Tinker Bell costume for this one! 

Finally the Reach Award!

Sophia’s school has something called a Reach Assembly every month.  Each teacher gives a reach award to one of her students.  Reach stands for, Respect. Effort. Attitude. Character. Heart.  After the awards  a whole grade puts on some type of music and speaking performance.  It is a lot like Happy Valley school.  Last year Sophia wanted the Reach award so bad.  We were really surprised and disappointed she didn’t receive one, because she is such a great student, and so thoughtful and loving.  She saw several kids with behavioral issues get them, and while Sophia was confused about that, she was still so happy for every child that received one.  Not one ounce of jealousy coming from her.  

Last month I was so happy when her teacher emailed me to tell us she would be receiving the award.  Luckily Ben was able to attend the assembly, and we both were able to be there to see her beaming.  She was so sweet as she graciously and excitedly  applauded every student who got an award.  She was the only child up there who clapped for the ones that followed.  She is such an amazing girl, and I truly am amazed by her loving, thoughtful attitude, and her gratitude for every little thing in her life.  She reminds me so much of my Mother! 

The day she got her award was also the day of her Egyptian festival.  Her outfit was obviously a popular one.  I think a quarter of the first grade girls had the same costume.  

The kids had a blast doing mummy wraps, making Egyptian crafts, and trying Egyptian type foods.  The festivals are such a great experience for these kids!    

BEAMING!!!

8

8 is the number of soccer games we had this weekend.  Boston had three, Aubrie and Sophia 2, and Ethan had one!
Somehow we survived the weekend.  Boston's tournament started on Friday, and was in Tempe.  We left early and got dinner at Cafe Rio.   I love Boston's team.  The parents are like family, and its always fun being together.   It was a fun night.
Saturday's first games were Ethan and Boston, at the same time and different locations.   Ben took Boston out to Tempe and I went to Ethan's.  Ethan finally got to play goalie the whole first half.  His coach hasn't been playing him because he needs him on the field, but he realized last weekend that he also needs him in goal.  Ethan had some sweet saves.  His team did really well the first half, and they were playing a really hard team.   The problem with Ethan's team however, is when the other team gets two on them they kind of give up.   They ended up losing.  But Ethan had one of the sweetest goals ever.  He dribbled it up the side, with a guy on him the whole time, and then took a side shot and put it right in the top corner of the net!  If it weren't for the no Sunday play thing, he would be on a better team.  I'm so glad he had a great game last weekend and got a hat trick.  He really needed that with all the bad luck he has been having with his team for the past year.  
Aubrie's team did awesome.  Aubrie did AWESOME!  She played hard, like she used to.  She got a hat trick, and a few other shots on goal.  The girls on the other team were yelling to "cover #3", or "don't let number 3 get the ball!"   That is just what Aubrie needed to get her motivated.  Being successful in gymnastics, and then going back to soccer, you don't get that individual praise and recognition like you do at meets.   She is pumped for this weekend's game.   She said "I forgot how good it felt to make goals Mom. "  She has been playing defender for Andy, and is really good at it!  But getting the goals is the feeling she got when she scored high 9's on the beam, etc!  Aubrie also did well at her indoor game.  I wasn't there to watch, but they won again.  Andy is a great coach!
Sophia's tournament was fun for her.  They didn't win either of their games, but they aren't that competitive.  At this age, and with this new program, they are basically developing game skills, ball skills, etc.  Its more entertaining at this level, which is a nice break from the intense competitiveness of Boston's games.  
Soccer is a love/hate relationship for me.  It takes up our weeknights and weekends, but its so fun to watch our kids play.   I look forward to High School, when practices are right after school, and games are during the week, and then we get our weekends back!  Till then, at least I don't have to think about what to put on on Saturday!  (My black Stars Shirt)  That's one perk I guess! :)

Halloween Makeover

I'm beginning to seriously question what Holiday is my kids favorite.  While they say it's Christmas, they seem to be most excited and bug me the most to put up Halloween decorations.  Perhaps they just know that the beginning of a long string of fun Holidays, and that is why they are so excited.  All I know is that they (mainly Sophia) is relentless on bothering me half way through September (or whenever it is that Halloween decorations pop up in the stores) to decorate our house.  This year I told her it would not happen until we got home from Rocky Point, so I'm sure you can already picture her up early that very next morning ready to decorate.  The other three weren't far behind her...well maybe Ethan was still in bed!  Aubrie loves to take charge of these types of things and gets super creative.   This year it was time for a Halloween makeover.  I finally got rid of some old decorations and added some new.  We had fun with the new decor, and trying to find the things we needed to complete our ideas!  The great thing about decorating outside is that its catchy.  We quickly saw a few neighbors follow suite and use a few of our ideas.  That just makes things even more fun!  Happy Halloween!  

Add a spider to a fall wreath, and now its scary!

My kids were all about the proper positioning here.  Can you tell which one they said is the girl?

My personal favorite!

Aubrie's Idea! 

Rocky Point with the Cousins

This year all the kids had their fall break during the same week. It was HEAVEN!  This summer Michele and Bryce had mentioned they would like to take a family trip to Rocky Point and would love if we could go.  So we booked one of the Casita's at Las Palmas for the first weekend of our fall break. The kids we looking forward to the experience of spending a vacation with their cousins.   I was looking forward to the sand between my toes, the massage, and getting away from it all!
We pulled our kids out of school at noon on Friday, because their kids had a half day.   We set "sail" for Rocky Point about 12:45.  We made good time and got in at 5:00.  The House we booked was AWESOME!  It's going to be hard to go back to the condo for sure.  It had four big room, 3 bathrooms,and an huge kitchen and family room.  The master had it's own bathroom.  Bryce and Michelle graciously gave us that room, and they took the other room with a king, but shared a bathroom with the boys, who all shared a room with 2 twin over full, bunk beads.  The girls had their own room with two queen beds, and their own bathroom.  Perfect for our two families.  It also had a huge stair cased balcony.  The boys found that out immediately, and were in trouble within minutes of getting there, for climbing all over the roof.   Once we got all settled, I started dinner while everyone hit the beach.  The kids had fun jumping the waves, and hitting the hot tub.  I was in charge of the first dinner and made Jerk Chicken Pasta, with salad, grapes and bread.  It was delish as always.   We then headed into town for ice cream!  When we got back we played games, and watched tv a bit before bed.  We were all tired.
The following morning, Bryce made a big breakfast.  I contributed my yummy buttermilk syrup.  After breakfast we hit the beach.  It was strange that the banana boats and wave runners weren't out that day. We spent our time floating int he water with the floaties we brought, laying in the sun.  The kids spent their time going back and forth to the slide and hot tub.   That night we went into town for dinner.  We finally asked a local where the best place to eat was, and went there for dinner.  Of course, I can't remember the name, but I remember how to get there.   It was really good!  We knew it would be when the place was mainly filled with locals.   Finally good Mexican food in Mexico!   After dinner we went into town for ice cream and trinket shopping.  The kids all got these clacker balls that drove us CRAZY the rest of the time.  When we were shopping there was some mariachi band playing in the plaza down by the shoreline.   People were watching, and then one couple started dancing.  The next thing we know Boston gets out there and starts dancing.  He starts doing all these hilarious moves, and pretending like he is singing along to the music.  He was cracking us up.  After the son was over he took off his hat and walked it around like he was pan handling.  I love that kids sense of humor, and how it had developed into a "I don't care what people think" secure in himself attitude.  We stuck around for some more songs and entertainment, and the kids and I joined in with the dancing.   After that, we headed home.  The older kids went to the beach to hang out, an after awhile I decided to go check on them.  We all ended up parking it on the sand and enjoying the evening.
The following day was Sunday, Conference Sunday.  I watched the first session, and the kids (of their own free will) watched the first couple of talks before they headed to the beach.  Sunday on the beach was so nice.  It wasn't busy, and the banana boats and wave runners were out.   When we did the banana boats the kids told Michele and I to take the front.  That was the worst spot!  I almost flew off a few times.  I had to squeeze my thighs so tight to hold on, that my legs were sore for days that followed.  To make things worse I had all the water splashing in my face, so I couldn't even see where we were going and when we were going to hit a wave.  The whole family thought it was a riot!  I'm so glad I could provide them with entertainment.   Later, Aubrie and Boston went on the Wave Runner.  Aubrie had it full throttle, of course, and Ben was sore the next day also.  Boston had a good time too, but was a little more cautious.   Sophia and Kaylee enjoyed a ride on the horses.  So they all got to do a big thing that day!   My big thing that day was my massage.  It was so HEAVENLY!  The best one there yet.  It was so good I was wishing I would have done an  hour.  I told her to be there the next day early, so I could get one before we left.   Ethan really wanted to get a massage before we even went on the trip.  He was asking me if they massaged kids.  Boston and Ethan ended up getting 15 minute massages.  They are hooked.
For dinner Michele was in charge.  She made yummy fried chicken, jello salad, amazing corn on the cob, and baked potatoes. Bryce also picked up some fresh shrimp the night before and made these amazing shrimp appetizers with cream cheese and jalapeno!  They were to die for!   Dessert was a confetti cake.  She went all out!
After dinner came one of the most memorable parts of the trip.  Hide and Go seek!!!  It's no secret that our family loves to play, and so a dark unfamiliar house with cousins to boot made it even more exciting.  The first round people didn't have much time to hide and so it went fast, but I was still the last to be found.  I hid behind a tall floor vase,  up to a curtain.   When the kids finally spotted me it looked like a huge shadow, and they freaked as I jumped out from behind the vase.  Round two was the BEST!!  Aubrie hid in a the same closet as Jayden, but she picked a spot way in the back behind a rolled up rug.   This closet is HUGE and deep, and since they weren't familiar with it, no one wanted to go in there.  Jayden even hid in there, and couldn't find her.   Boston and Cassidy hid together in an entertainment center on the side where the door was latched shut, and Ben pushed me up so I could hide on top.  Michelle and Bryce went through that room a million times and could not find us.  Finally I heard Bryce say "I could see Rachel hiding up here", as he reached up his hand.  At that point I had been up there so long I was laying next to the edge instead of up against the wall where he wouldn't be able to touch me.  Since I didn't have time to move, I grabbed his hand instead and scared the life out of him.  They still hadn't found Aubrie yet, and there was a lot of freaking out, as no one wanted to go in the close.  Finally one of the little kids turned on a light and when they did that they saw Aubries hair and eyes peeking out from the rug.  The screamed in horror, and later said it looked like a scene from the Grudge.   Boston and Cassidy were finally found when again someone turned on a phone light just as they were opening the entertainment door for the umpteen time.  It was fun round.  Ben and I volunteered as seekers for round three.  Most everyone was easy to find, but Aubrie.  Jayden had cleverly hidden her behind an opening in the brick shelving that went behind the TV.  That was the best spot of the night!  I would have never found her without some "hot and cold" type body reactions! To top off those memories we also added three rounds of ultimate spoons.   At one point it was so heated that Aubrie slipped and fell and Bryce jumped right over her instead of checking on her, as did I.  We were cracking up at our competitiveness after the round was over.
The following moring I woke up early to pack things up and go get my message.  The lady didn't show up until it was too late.  At least I was able to enjoy a few last hours on the beach.  I really love that place!   It was so much fun to share it with Bryce and Michelle.  The kids rarely fought, and we had a fun time in that house and making life long memories.  It definitely feel a tradition coming on!

Typical Teenagers photo bombing my phone with about 50 of these pics!

The silliness continues even after the dancing...what was in that Thrifty's Cotton Candy ice cream?

No Soliciting necessary!

Ethan's first Massage!