Back to School

We're three weeks into school . . . I guess it's time to post the back to school pics of the kids.  I finally feel like we have our schedule under control enough for me to focus on editing and posting pictures.

First up, our sweet little 2nd grader. . . .

Joseph started 2nd grade at Felida Elementary. He was ready for school and excited, which he should have been.  2nd grade is the best!  His teacher is Mrs. Coffey, and he has several friends in his class.

 Next up, beginning her 7th grade year at the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics . . . . Aubrey! 

These pictures of Aub make me happy and sad at the same time, because she looks so grown up. When did my little Aubrey girl turn into a grown-up, beautiful teenager?

And, beginning her sophomore year at Skyview High School . . . . Bailey!

The picture above is from first day of school.  We took some more pictures on the second day of school. 

 Sigh . . . once again, my mother heart is amazed at how grown up and gorgeous my little Bailey Boo Boo has become.

After school, we had our traditional first day of school Rice Krispy Treat apples. And for dinner . . . Guiltless Fettucine Alfredo and Rosemary bread (both from my favorite cookbook - Our Best Bites).  That was the first time we tried the bread, and it was scrumptious!

Back on the wagon

Every day since school started up again I have been pulling myself back back onto the exercise wagon, which I fell off . . . . last March sometime.  Sad to admit, but true.

I did a pretty good job exercising last year, but then mid-March things got busy and pretty stressful with the kids for awhile, and I cut out non-essential and not-very-fun things.   I must admit, this included exercise. 

The older I get, the more I accept that regular exercise needs to be a part of my life.  I am especially motivated when I go to the gym and hear the 75 year old women talking to each other about their exercise routines.  We go to a gym with a preponderance of senior citizens and families with young kids. I am usually in the weight room or classes with men and women many decades older than me. Today in the locker room of the gym I overheard two women in their mid-70s talk about how they exercise every day because they want to retain their flexibility and strength as they age so they can stay active.  These same women had just finished a Zumba class with me, and they wiggled their hips admirably. They also talked about their travel plans for the year - lots of far flung and awesome places I want to visit when I am their age. I want to be just as active as them when I am 75.  For that matter, I have great examples in my own family.  My parents exercise as frequently, and my Grandma Palmer has always (until some very recent health problems) walked every day and attended aerobics a few times a week!

This motivation helps me overcome the significant obstacle that I don't really enjoy exercising. I mean, I love the endorphin high afterward, and I am always glad I did it. I like the way I feel when I regularly exercise, and I know it gives me a boost physically and emotionally. But, I don't necessarily look forward to exercising.  I have friends who absolutely must exercise every day or they go stir-crazy.  That is not me. I would go stir crazy if I didn't have a good book sitting on my nightstand or any dark chocolate in the house.

If I made a list ranking all the things I do in a week, obviously things like reading a good book alone or with a kid, going on a date with Dan, or talking to a friend or my family on the phone would be high on the list.  On the other hand, exercise would rank above toilet cleaning and spider killing, but below weeding, laundry folding, doing the dishes, and even bill paying.  But, exercise I must.

This is how I get myself to the gym every day right now.  At some point in the morning I throw on my exercise clothes.  Then, after getting the last of the kids off to his or her respective bus or school, I don't allow myself to go home until I go to the gym.  Then I tell myself that I "only" have to go in and do the Treadclimber machine or the weight circuit, so I can be out of there and on my way to do errands lickety-split.  But once I start, my competitive side pushes me to do both the aerobic and the weights or to go to one of the exercise classes.  The classes are good for me because the peer pressure makes me push myself way beyond what I really feel like doing.  It's really embarrassing to allow the little old ladies show me up in the total body conditioning class!

The kids have been back in school for five days, and so far I've worked out five days.  Yay for me!

Walking in socks

We're are off and running in the new school year.  Whew.  Back into the craziness. It's good craziness, and all is well, but it is busy. My phone calendar is working overtime to keep us all on schedule.

Last week we had our first three days of school, and everything went great. Everyone wore their cute new school clothes, everyone got to their respective schools (one at high school, one at middle school, one at elementary) at the appointed time, and the reports were favorable all around.

This week we introduced another variable . . . the first day of early morning Seminary. Not only is Bailey involved in Seminary this year, but Dan was recently called to be a Seminary teacher - Bailey's teacher, in fact.

So, we have had to move back our schedule a few hours. Porters aren't known for early bedtimes.  But we are changing our ways. And beginning Monday morning, Dan, Bailey, and I all got up at 4:45 a.m.  They were ready for the day, breakfast eaten and lunch packed and out the door by 5:45 a.m.  Then I did a load of dishes, started the laundry, and sort of accidentally fell asleep for an hour on the couch.  After which I woke up Aubrey and Joseph and helped them get breakfast and lunches packed and all the other school prep stuff.

I was feeling pretty good about my organizational abilities - everything seemed pretty smooth.  Joseph and I left at 8:15 to drive to school while Aubrey finished getting ready to catch the bus.  We got to the school with just a few minutes to spare before the tardy bell.  As we parked and prepared to walk in Joseph said in a quietly desperate voice . . .

"I forgot my shoes."

Hmmmm.  No shoes.  Almost late for school. That was a tricky one.  I explained the options. We could run back home to get shoes, but then he would be late.  (He shook his head at this option). I could carry him into the school since the ground was wet from the rain that had fallen overnight. (I didn't seriously think he would go for this option, and he didn't, because being carried by your mom when you are a big 2nd grader would be beyond humiliating.) Or he could walk into the school in his socks, and I would run his shoes by the school shortly.

So that's what we did.  He tiptoed in his socks on the wet pavement all the way around the school to the door to his classroom.  He trailed his backpack along the ground next to his feet, trying to disguise the fact that he was shoe-less.  Even so, he got some funny looks from the kids and adults we passed. When he got to his class, he darted into his seat as fast as possible and I walked over to explain the situation to his teacher. She laughed and agreed to help him stay inconspicuous.

I'm pretty sure that Joseph will never forget the experience of walking into school without shoes - it was quite memorable.  But not quite as memorable or mortifying as the day in 4th grade when I didn't get my hair done before the bus came in the morning so I decided to wear my winter coat with hood all day long to disguise my serious bedhead.  And it was September and was really it hot outside.  And it happened to be school pictures that day. Yep.  That's embarrassing.  I'm thinking he won't have quite as much residual trauma from his shoeless experience.

So, we sort of have it together as we begin a new school year. It's day by day, minute to minute effort.

Oh, and a postscript about Seminary so far - two days down, and Dan and Bailey both feel like it is going great.  Dan has studied and stewed and worried and prepared over the past few months.  It all paid off, and he pulled together some great object lessons/interactive activities for the first few days.  The only problem is that has to pull it off five days a week all year!  He'll do great. 

Jesus' Love is Like a River

Our Aubrey sang a solo in church this last Sunday. I know I am biased, but I thought she sang beautifully and that the Spirit was very strong as she sweetly testified through song about the power of Jesus' love.  I recorded her during one of her run-through practices the day before and thought grandparents might enjoy listening to it.  Practices are never quite as good as the performance, but it will give you an idea!

The song is "Jesus' Love is Like a River" by Janice Kapp Perry.

Click here for the link to the video

Random bits of summer

I'm woefully behind on blogging but I have a list of getting-ready-for-vacation-to-dos a mile long and some hungry kids to feed.  So, here are some randomly organized quick glimpses of the last few weeks of summer.

We've been . . .

Painting Aubrey's new room (here are some pictures during the process - "after" pictures are coming soon)

 with a really cute painting helper.

Teaching Bailey how to drive now that she has her permit and it taking Drivers Ed three days a week.  Dan is a better driving teacher than I am (he is unflappable), but he has been out of town a lot the last few weeks.

And Bailey, Joseph, and I spent three agonizing hours at the DOL waiting to get her driver's permit.  Not the highlight of our summer so far.

 

Joseph and I spent fun couple of hours one afternoon playing with our microscope. We walked around outside until we found some specimens to investigate. Then we zoomed in close to check them out under the microscope. Science is awesome!

Finishing our school shopping so we can concentrate on getting ready for vacation. Joseph has been pretty patient with the painful process of taking all three kids shopping. For that matter, I have been pretty patient with the painful process of taking all three kids shopping.  In the picture below we stopped for some nourishment at the Ikea food court while looking for accessories for Aubrey's room.  (And that could be a post in and of itself.  Ikea is enormous.  We wandered through the labyrinth for what seemed like hours. Bailey was whimpering, "I have a feeling that I am never getting out of here - ever."  I felt the same way.)


Visiting the science museum OMSI a lot. I never get tired of it, and we always find something new to explore. Here Joseph and a buddy try out air rockets, a static electricity ball,

 and they formed a circuit and powered a lightbulb as voltage ran through them.  The voltage caused interesting muscle twitches which Joseph said tickled because the electrical impulses they were getting through the wires are similar to the electrical impulses our brain sends to get our muscles to move.

All three kids forming a circuit on another trip to OMSI:

 

 Budding chemists Aubrey and Joseph (and two friends) in the chemistry lab and Joseph the aspiring astronaut.

One day, when we had seen everything else in the Physics lab, we asked to have the 100 year old phonograph demonstrated for us.

We tried to go to OMSI about every week all summer, and we usually took another family with us on our pass.  It was great to immerse ourselves in science!

Spending time in the water - our friends invited us to join them for water activities several times. On this day, mid-August, we rode waverunners on the Columbia River.

Our kids are all super brave about anything involving water. I am a wimp about anything involving water.  I will go on the scariest amusement park ride and love it, but I really dislike flying through the water on a waverunner. I am always terrified of falling into the (freezing cold) water.  Joseph loved being pulled on a tube behind the waverunner at breakneck speeds.  I was sure that he would be flipped off into the Columbia River at any moment.

Dan took Bailey and Aubrey on a number of rides.

 And Bailey did a great job driving also. 

I, for one, felt much better when  everyone was safely on the shore.

And maybe my fear was justified?  See those blue and red specks way out in the water, right next to a huge barge going by on the river?  The specks are my family on waverunners.  And just before the barge reached them, Aubrey was thrown off into the water (her second time of the day).  Yikes!

Jumping on the trampoline with a sprinkler spraying underneath while eating a popsicle with a buddy.  One of the truly joyful moments of summer.

Wrestling on the floor with Dad.

Introducing friends to Bubble Snakes.  And sharing a barbeque with them, too.

Marching in a parade in support of a friend running for office.  Dan got to drive the convertible, Joseph and I handed out candy, and Bailey danced with some friends behind the car to "More" by Usher.

 

That's it for now.  Must get something done . . .

Disney Fever

We have Disney Fever here at the Porter household. We get this way whenever it has been too darn long since our last visit.  We are almost to 2 1/2 years, so the fever is getting intense.  We are going to alleviate the symptoms with an upcoming Disneyland trip.  We can't wait!

These are things we do every time we visit Disney:

• We skip arm in arm down Main Street when we enter the first day. Well, I skip with any of the kids who are willing.
• We go on every single ride and see everything.  We love everything about Disneyland. Every single thing. Except for crowds and long waits.
• Because we hate waiting, we have become masters at using fast passes and planning our tour of the park to avoid the crowds.  And we do a pretty good job.
• We take our Disney preparation very seriously. For months before the trips we study books and videos and (recently) websites to get the latest tips to create the best possible experience. This time we'll try something new - smartphone apps with updated Disney info while we are in the park. 
•  I eat a pound of fudge from the sweet shop during every trip.  It's a necessity.
• We always stay right across the street from the park in one of the little suite motels. We like to be able to walk to the main gate within 5 minutes and have the freedom to go home midday for lunch if we want to.  Every time we go we price out staying in a Disney property, but we have never been able to justify it.  We really like our inexpensive, large suite with a kitchenette!
• We get a little emotional as we watch the fireworks at night and listen to the Disney/patriotic music. 
• Dan and I find a compromise between our different styles of vacation food purchasing . . . I would have us eat as many meals as possible in the room to save money and Dan would have us buy every meal at a restaurant.  We have found a good happy medium that works. 

Just for fun, here is a look back to past Disney trips, starting at the most recent and going back all the way to the olden days . . .

Disneyland March 2010  

(Brandon was there for a choir trip and we tagged along. Grandma and Grandpa Porter and the Mellors were there with us for a few days.  Brandon was 18, Bailey was 12 3/4, Aubrey was 10, and Joseph was 5.)

Disneyworld - December 2007

(Our only time to Florida - it was awesome!  Dave and Mimi and family were there also - so much fun to visit with them!  Brandon was 15, Bailey was 10, Aubrey was 7, Joseph was 2.)

Disneyland - May 2006

(With our good friends the Yates family - just a few months before we moved from UT to WA.  Brandon was 15, Bailey was almost 9, Aubrey was 6, and Joseph was 1.)

Disneyland - May 2004 
(Brandon was 12, Bailey was 7, Aubrey was 4.)

 

Disneyland - May 2001

(Ashlyn Yancey came with us. Jenny and Andrew and Rich and Lindsey and kids also met us at the park! Aubrey was 14 months and just recently walking, Bailey was almost 4, Ashlyn was 5, Brandon was 9.)

Disneyland -  July 1998

(Jenny came with us to help with the kids. This is the first time we got it right and stayed for a full five days. It was a huge revelation to us to realize that there is a relaxing, more enjoyable way to do Disney.  Brandon was 6 years old and Bailey was 13 months and not walking yet.  She was terrified of all of the characters. Jenny or I had to hold her to get any picture of her with a character.)

 

 

 

 Disneyland - August 1996

(We were there with all of the Porter family for a family reunion in CA.  We spent time in the San Diego area and then visited Disneyland for one day.  And I don't know why we didn't take a family picture with Mickey.  

Disneyland -  June 1995

(Brandon was 3 years old and Jenny was with us for this trip.  We visited Sea World first, where Dan had a business trip, and then drove up to Disneyland for one day. This was back before we knew how to see Disney the right way, which requires more than one day in the park!  And we didn't take a family picture in the park this time either.  I had a lot to learn about important Disney traditions!)

 

Disneyland - June 1991

(Just Dan and I for this pre-kids spontaneous trip!  We were in need of a fun getaway to lift our spirits, so we decided one day - while sitting in Matta's Mexican restaurant in Mesa - to go to Disneyland that weekend.  So, we did.  We scratched together enough money for a super cheap trip, drove to Anaheim,  stayed in the now-defunct and very unimpressive Space Age Motel, and spent a day in the park.  It was a wonderful day with a wonderful man!)

 

We definitely look young there. And a little nerdy, too.  

On this first trip to Disneyland as a couple we had no idea that Disney destinations would be a big part of our family vacation traditions.  We've made wonderful memories in  Disneyland, and we're excited to have the chance to make more memories!  Here we come!

Mid-summer update

Ahhhh, it's a little past mid-summer.  Much of the world goes back to school in the first half of August, but we are out til after Labor Day. We've settled into summer nicely.  By about this point of the summer I've almost forgotten the craziness of the school year schedule, with activities every night and early morning Seminary and every-minute-planned afternoons and evenings.  While I sometimes think longingly about the structure of the school day (when I have some hours alone to complete something I start), I am really in love with the laziness of summer. Here are a few bullet points about our mid-summer:

• I started the summer with a plan to do a science experiment/Pinterest craft project every day.  Well, we haven't done that.  What we have done is cover the kitchen table with newspaper and then set out all of the arts and craft supplies from the depths of our craft cupboard.  My goal is for us to use up some of the supplies this summer, freeing up more space in the cupboard and filling our days with something other than Lego Batman 2 (that comment is for you, Joseph.)  So far it's been pretty successful.  We tinker with projects on and off throughout the day and Aubrey has done an awesome series of mini watercolor paintings.  We don't actually have room on the table to eat meals, but it's a small sacrifice for us budding artists!
•  Joseph and I have attended almost all the free library events this summer. Our favorite was BJ the Clown, in which Joseph was a part of the show!  Pictures will be forthcoming, as soon as I get the gumption to upload the pictures from my phone.
• July has actually been fairly busy with camps and trips until the last few weeks. We started the month with a week-long trip to AZ for the Porter Reunion.  Then the girls and I spent a week at Girls Camp and Joseph did a week-long soccer camp. The next week Bailey was one of the teenage helpers at the all day Activity Day Camp (she was in charge of a group of 19 8-year-olds and she came back so tired at the end of the day that she fell fast asleep on the couch.)  The next week Aubrey started a month-long musical theater day camp (five days a week) and Bailey left for EFY.  Now, Bailey will be back from Utah tomorrow, just in time to start Drivers Ed three days a week for the month of August.  Aubrey continues her musical theater camp, and Joseph does a soccer camp a few hours each day this week.  
• Inbetween all of this, we renewed our OMSI (Science Museum) membership and have visited every week. We bought a pass which allows us to see unlimited Planetarium shows and also bring visitors for free, so we have taken friends with us each time.
• I have read a bunch of books and really liked a few.  And then there are some that I started and abandoned, because they weren't worth my precious summer hours.
• We have eaten way too many treats. Because summer just goes with snowcones, frozen yogurt, and all other forms of ice cream. And Aubrey has taken to making a decadent treat every Sunday, and then she takes around a few plates to people who need some love.  But that does leave a lot of delicious goodness for us/me to eat.  Needless to say, when school starts I seriously need to get back on the exercise wagon and repent for my indulgence. But it's been fun.
• Bedtime has been pretty much a fluid thing. I'm a night owl, so I like the fact that I can get away with staying up late to watch a show or read a book and still make it through the next day. Right now Aubrey's camp starts at 8 a.m. each day, so that has forced us to go to bed at a fairly reasonable hour.
• We accepted a challenge from our Stake President to read the Book of Mormon again in six months.  We are pretty much on schedule (well, we are 4 days behind, but that is pretty impressive considering the busy July schedule). The kids seem to have a great grasp of the Book of Mormon stories and we have had some nice discussions about gospel topics.  We have also had plenty of complaining and orneriness as we try to read our scriptures.  It's always uplifting and delightful when the majority of the kids are in time-out during scripture study. Which brings me to my next bullet point.
• There has been way too much fighting between kids this summer. I'm back to square one trying to remember all the tips for dealing with sibling rivalry. It's exhausting. Luckily, most of the time everyone gets along and plays together peacefully. It certainly helps to have plenty of distractions.
• We have seen two awesome superhero movies - Avengers and The Amazing Spiderman.  We all liked them, although Joseph spent half of each movie with his eyes and ears covered. I'm glad he is still bothered by violence, even comic book violence.  Dan and I saw the new Batman movie, and he enjoyed it but I seriously did not like it.  It was way too violent for me and I felt like I was watching a living nightmare.
• Aubrey and I finally devised an acceptable plan for the re-do of her new bedroom (Brandon's old bedroom). We found great bedding, chose paint colors, and this week I will finish painting the room. Then the big room switch begins.  Next up, re-painting Joseph's new room. 
• Our favorite missionary (Elder Brandon Porter) is doing great and working hard in the extreme heat and humidity of Ukraine.  He says that Ukraine is bipolar - freezing cold and then crazy hot. 
• We spent a fun day at the lake this last weekend.  I'll have to blog more about it later, because this post is getting way too long.

I'll add pictures to illustrate some of the above at some point.  Right now Joseph and I need to go paint a wall.  Long live summer and hooray for sunshine!