Last Day of School 2026

 First day of 11th grade v. last day (which was really a few days before the last day)

First day of 9th grade v. last day (ish. He didn't go the last couple of days)

First day of 6th grade v last day

 

First day of 3rd grade v last day

That evening Erica had a bunch of friends over for a party. They burned school papers, ate lots of food and mostly ran around the yard doing various dance routines.

I didn't even see James until dark. Henry hung out with different groups of friends throughout the day. Sarah was feeling sick and slept most of the day but did manage to go to Kyleigh's house later that night.

I made them clean their rooms the next morning and going through all their clothes, closets, under their beds is on the docket for the next week or so. Here's to a great summer where everyone is busy but me!

Henry Turns 15

 In true Henry style, we started out the day with a delicious breakfast of pancakes and sausage

Erica was also a big fan. We had about 25 minutes before Sarah had to leave for school so we ate and opened presents quick.

He got lots of clothes (his request) a smart watch, a fan for his room so air can blow right in his face all night long like he likes, a leather wallet, and lots of snacks. He got restaurant gift cards from Justin's parents and some cash from mine.

When he came home after school I asked him if anyone knew it was his birthday. He said yes and they even sang to him in seminary.

 

He looks taller than me in this picture and he is, by 1/4 inch. With shoes I'm still taller, especially on Sundays.

Justin came home early from work so we headed out. Our first stop was Chick-fil-a. This kid and Chick-fil-a. 

Then we went bowling at BYU. It has been a bit since we've all gone bowling. 

We all played one game (I didn't do too bad) but Erica and I went out to the billiard area during the second game because I had a headache and she didn't want to play anymore. She found a piano and played some hymns because this is BYU.

The fam with Henry's beloved Y on the mountain. And a fire on the mountain. It's a officially summer when there is a forest fire around.

 

Then it was time for cake! It was strange it just being us. Justin's parents are on their mission and mine went on a road trip for my dad's birthday so it was just us. More cake for Henry, I guess.

Here are a few things you may not know about Henry.

He loves food. Owning a restaurant someday is his ultimate dream. He's working at a snow cone shack this summer and he is so excited about it.

Just about every day Erica asks him to make her some food and he'll do it. He is a great helper in the kitchen and is always sharing what he learned in his food class. He asks every day if he can make dessert or a smoothie or something. He'll eat food out of the fridge or pantry but he prefers to make up a little concoction.

He loves sports. Watching, playing, talking about sports. 

He always wants to do something but he never knows what. His ideas are usually for me to take him to get food and I always decline. Typical middle child always looking for someone to hang out with.

His favorite hobby is weight lifting. He also lives to hang out with his friends. They are in the wandering about town, bouncing between houses, stopping at food establishment phase. Good times.

He is a good student. Some classes he hates and I hear about it every day but he still works hard. Classes he loves I also hear about every day. How much he likes his teacher is a big part of whether he likes the subject or class. 

He'll be going to the high school in the fall with Sarah and that will be the last time any of my kids are in the same school. One more year and he'll have his license. He's got a list of restaurants he wants to work at after he turns 16.

He is very proud of that 5'6"

Mother's Day

Erica made this cute cup robot at school the other day. She wanted a picture with it before she tossed it into the trash.

Sunday morning before we church the kids gave me a few presents. They picked out some treats I'd like plus a few handmade cards.

James wrote me this

And this

And gave me a magnet and this bouquet of cookie flowers.

Erica wrote me a story and gave me a necklace. 

Henry got me some smore chocolates, Sarah gave me a bag of dried mangoes. I also got more containers for the ninja creami (summer is coming) and Justin gave me a new set of scriptures.

These are my kids. Next year Henry will be taller than me but for now I've got a 1/4 inch on him plus heels.

After church we rode bikes to my mom's house to give her a gift and played a card game with her and my dad before they went to dinner at my sister's. Then we came home and ate Greek tacos and played hand and foot.

I am so grateful for these kids. They are the most chatty, confident, smart, and creative bunch of kids I know.  And I'm not being biased. People that aren't their parents tell me so too.

I feel the need, the need for speed

Sarah went to prom! She had been looking forward to this dance for a long time. She got asked like 3 days after the last dance so she had a lot of time to prepare. 

This is her date Logan. He's a very nice kid. "You look beautiful!" he said, totally in awe.

She got ready with a bunch of friends and she called me with like an hour before pick up time and asked if I could alter her friend's dress. Her friend drove the dress over to me and I did the best I could and then sent it back. I thought I was cutting it close ironing Sarah's dress that afternoon!

She had a great time and nothing but good things to say about the marathon date. It started at like 9 am. 

Here's how my cinnamon rolls turned out in my new deep dish half sheet pan.

Look at that puffy rise evenly across the pan.

They turned out so delicious. I started them right after we got home from church at 12:30 and they were ready for dessert. Might be a common Sunday dessert around here. I also used dough conditioner and it improved the texture so much. Yum!

James built a treehouse at a primary activity, Erica painted it and then once we had a nice weather day, they filled it with birdseed and hung it outside in the pear tree. Then I interrupted family home evening with a bird sighting. Once we were done, they gathered at the window to watch.

I think the pinecone covered in peanut butter and birdseed was more entertaining to watch. The birds treated it like a punching bag.

James had his piano recital. The theme for the recital was inspirational songs and James chose the Top Gun Anthem. He introduced his song by saying, "I too feel the need, the need for speed."

He wore his aviator sunglasses and did a great job. He says he doesn't want to play piano next year and I am really hoping he's just ready for a summer break and will feel like it again come August.

This is the most fun I've had with $10 spent at Amazon. A stained glass window sticker! It comes in 5 pieces and the black strips so it can be sized to the window dimensions.

Other things, not pictured. After I went to the temple in Provo, I went to the BYU bookstore to look for a birthday present for Henry. The college student working the booth at the visitor parking didn't ask if I was a student. They've always asked if I was a student. Sure, I'm old enough to be his mom but what happened?

Henry is in his final stretch of orthodontist appointments. If all goes to plan, he'll get them off in July.

I taught relief society on Sunday. I really like this calling even though it stresses me out. I do have to say it is getting less stressful--I didn't have a pang of adrenaline every time I thought about it during the week leading up to it. I don't know if I will like it better or worse come September when I teach twice as often but for less time.

Tomorrow is May and it's always a month I look forward too even though it is crazy. Church cleaning, Cinco de Mayo, planting the garden, Mother's Day, Erica's concert, Henry's birthday, my dad's birthday, last day of school, our 20th wedding anniversary!