Well It's October

 Ok, I know it is October.  I know a lot has happened and yet a lot has not happened.  Of course we are still living in Covid-19 times but for a second there I forgot.  Then we got a swift reminder this weekend that the government is very much in control of our lives right now and there is not much we can do about it.  

Edward was supposed to have another swim meet this weekend but it got cancelled along with EVERY single competition this weekend.  All kids are sad.  They have been able to practice and have a semi normal life up until this weekend.  I have so many thoughts but the most pressing thought is that we have no control right now.  It seems less and less about protection lives and more and more about political agendas.  And, well, that's heartbreaking.  The logic for the decisions being made is lost.

So, here are some of the fun things we have been doing over the last few weeks.

We went on a beautiful hike to some hidden red rocks in San Lorenzo Canyon two weeks ago.  It was stunning and an easy hike except for one big leap we all had to make.  Very adventurous and perfect for boys who love to climb. 

With summer coming to an end we decided to have a friend over and play in the sprinklers with balloons on the trampoline one last time before it starts to get cold.  Autumn comes so quickly here and I wanted the boys to be out side as much as possible before we are trapped indoors until March.

I got to go rock climbing with the young women and it was thrilling!  I have never been rock climbing except for at the rock climbing gym.  This was much easier and more accelerating.  I would definitely do it again someday.

Nolen and Edward got to go to an animal class after ninja gym on Friday.  They love animals and any chance they can hold an animal, they take it. 

Edward wanted to try horse riding lessons, so he and Nolen went back for another lesson.  So much fun! They both seem to really enjoy riding.  If I thought their love for horses would last, I would actually think about getting a horse!

Nolen pulled a muscle running last Friday, so he hasn't been able to run all week.  That meant that we didn't get to drive up to Colorado for the first meet of the season.  So instead of running around trying to get to competitions, we went for a nice mountain bike ride as a family.  It was relaxing and fun.  Just what we needed to remind ourselves that we are a loving family.  

All meets are cancelled.  No swim.  No running.  No Balloon Fiesta.  No pumpkin patches.  This will be a slow season for us but probably what we need right now in our lives. 

No more Facebook!

 Today, is day one of no more facebook.

I joined a study and they want us to be off facebook for six weeks!  I think I can do this.  I know I can do this.  Although, I have wanted to click on the facebook icon for last hour.  I know nothing is there that is necessary but I still have that terrible habit.  This will be so good for me.

DAY ONE!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

 Today, we celebrated

my Dad's 69th birthday!

I am so grateful my parents are here for another year.  I love them to the moon and back.  My dad is a pillar in my life.  Someone that I want to emulate my life after.  He is giving, kind, and generous to every one. He is always trying to give away stuff to other people.  I love, love, love him.  

We bought him a ring doorbell for his birthday because his flags keep getting stolen.  The boys made him a card and gave him cashews.  We made delicious steaks and home made apple pie for the birthday cake.  It was a great day!

It's a Messy Messy World

 BUT we are making the best of it!

Home school days are in full swing here.

We are loving ninja gym again. 

Sharla came to visit for a few days so we got to dogsit.  It was so great.  The boys love taking care of her cute little puppies!

We had a huge storm blow through a few days ago and this tree was blocking the bike path!

Edward had his first swim meet with Mako and did amazing!  He swam the 200 meter Breaststroke.

Grandparents day was Sunday so I snapped a photo of my amazing parents who are staying in ABQ for another year to help out with my sweet, sweet boys.  I am so blessed to have them here.  I will not take this time for granted.  They are my everything.

Last night, as the boys were getting ready for bed, I snapped few photos of just the "normal" stuff that goes on at our home.  I love these simple times. I will miss the madness and craziness of raising children when the grow up and have families of their own. 

Nolen had a horse riding lesson on Tuesday.  He LOVED IT!  Both boys said they wanted to have lessons. I am sure it wont last too long but it was so fun to see them taking care of a horse.  Horses were the center of my childhood. 

My Dad's garden has been AMAZING this year.  He got more than 20 pumpkins!  The boys were impressed!

River Floating with a Rapid

 

I took the boys white water rafting today.  Well it was more like river floating because the water was so low.  We had quite the adventure.   We went with the boys two best friends, Dylan and Kyle.  Dylan's mom, Rebecca was the other adult in the group.  We went white water rafting last year and it was so fun; however, the water was much much higher.  

This time, the water was knee to ankle deep most of the time.  So we hit EVERY SINGLE ROCK along the river.  It was frustrating to get stuck on every rock.  Our guide was not that great.  She either couldn't see the rocks coming or she didn't know how to guide us around them.  We hit them, then got stuck, then our guide had to get out and get us unstuck.  Very annoying.  

The boys had a BLAST, though!  They got to get out of the boat and swim a lot of the river, which ended up being the most fun part.  Rebecca fell out of the boat as we went over one of three rapids on the whole trip.  She lost her watch and got hit by two other boats.  It was a little intense for a moment but she was ok.  She seemed really shook up for a moment. 

We got some great photos on the ONLY real rapid.  AH!  Next time we go in May!

Growing up is Hard to Do!

 

 Well, today I let Edward grow up just a little.

It was hard.

Very hard. 

I am a control freak.

There, I said it.

Anyhow, Edward has told me for a while now that he hates the cello and he no longer likes the trumpet because he wanted to play in the band and, well Covid-19 changed all our plans.  So, he is no longer going to play the cello or the trumpet.  We returned is cello today and we will return his trumpet next week.  

He wants to focus all his time on the piano, swimming, and art.  I guess it's time to let him grown up.  It's hard for me to let him quit anything.  I do understand he is human and wants to live his own life, so I guess I have to start letting go soon.  He will be out of the house in 6 1/2 years.  That's not really very much time.  Freedom is what he is asking for and more time with his friends.  

Lastly, I made a huge mistake as a human. I pride myself on making smart decisions but yesterday, I failed.  I let the boys stand up in the car with their heads poking out of the sunroof while we drove a pie to a friends house down the street.  After we got home, I pulled up to the garage and turned down the music while the garage was opening.  Nolen climbed back inside the car but Edward did not.  I drove forward and heard a loud "bonk".  Yep, that was Edward's head hitting the garage.  Nearly decapitating him.  

Turns out, I suck a life sometimes.