Snapshot 10/2/20

Life feels normal now. A routine is in place, and we seem to be flowing well over here at Brassell House. I thought I would jot down few things about each of us in this moment.

Cate:

• When school started, it was quite an adjustment period listening to her teacher lecture over zoom for 5 hours. The schedule wasn't always consistent, which also made some parts of the day seem really long. She seems to be adjusted to the pace at this point, and is enjoying the challenge her school work gives her.
• Yesterday she got together with her friend, Hadyn, and his brother toplay basketball against her and Johnny. She was one happy girl. She has been missing sports. Not only are extra curricular activities limited, but she obviously isn't playing sports at recess either. Playing was such a highlight and they plan on playing basketball every day at lunch!
• She got to play with Roan, Elise and Grace this afternoon, she came home beaming. They haven't seen each other since March. They are all in the same class and they set up a chat in google docs and it is the cutest thing.
• During class, her teacher goes over every problem on the homework. Sometimes she gets 100% ,and instead of just zoning out, I will sit next to her and we will turn on The Home Edit and she will watch it over my shoulder.
• She had to invent an airplane and then make a commercial about it. She made a Phoenix, and enlisted her brothers to act in her skit. It was so darling. 
• When Cate grows up, she wants to be a music teacher.

Johnny

• He is typically done with school by 11:00 AM every day. He has been so responsible and on top of things this year! I believe he is motivated by getting done so he can play Legos.
• Speaking of which, he plays Legos with our neighbor, McKay for hours at a time. It kills him a little bit inside when I ask him to put away his creations to clean his room.
• Johnny is pretty happy every day. He gets his jobs done quickly, and is excited by what we are having for breakfast, lunch, or dinner every single time. He makes it a point to thank me for every little thing he notices I do that helps him.
• He has been a rockstar with reading the Book of Mormon lately. He is keeping me on track to finish by the end of the year.
• He narrates his life like he is in comic or cartoon often, like "I'll be there in three seconds...three seconds later, and I'm still not there." It cracks me up.
• He wants to be an astronaut or NASA engineer when he grows up.

William

• Though he puts up a little fight going to his zoom meetings, I think he has resigned that this is his life now, and he sits pretty well through them. He often does his zooms in the kitchen, so it is fun to watch him. He will often "pin" the video of his best friend, Luke, and just watch him. It's a little cute, and a little creepy...but it gets him to sit through class.
• He got his LionGaurd Halloween costume in the mail and he was SOOO excited and keeps putting it on and growling everywhere.
• He gives me daily hugs (and daily scowls.) I've noticed since being home so much, he has become more sensitive and open with his feelings. 
• He drags his feet for Morning Meeting, but gets so excited when we get done early so he can go play animals with Matthew.
• He wants to be a paleontologist when grows up.

Matthew

• This boy loves preschool! Every day he runs up the walkway and gives me the biggest hug.
• He loves playing card games and is always following me around with a deck of cards until I am able to sit down and play a game with him.
• I will someday miss when he is grown and I don't hear his constant sound effects.
• He still hates being left out, and whenever there is any door closed in the house, he will squirm his way in. When John and I went to walk the dog after a particularly long day, I turned around to Matthew clothed in his Spiderman costume, barefoot running after us with his arms spread out like he was coming in for a hug. To be clear, we had already walked four or five blocks. We waited as he determinedly made his way to us. It was too cute to be too upset.
• Yesterday he said he's really stressed out because he doesn't know who he is going to marry.
• When Matthew grows up, he wants to be a Dad. 

John Calhoun:

• Working tirelessly on Cars Changing Lives, helping families who need vehicles post fire.
• Excited about Pheasant hunting season. He has also driven us out to a few locations to track some elk as well
• Makes us watch live action Lion King scenes often, especially the song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight." 
• Anxiously weighing what to do for the next step of his career. 
• Is looking quite handsome these days.

Mary:

• Living for Friday night dates! My favorite weekly tradition.
• I feel like I am just getting the hang of PTO treasurer, which is a relief.
• My favorite parts of every day: the five minutes the house is clean, nightly walks with John, reading out loud to the kids, joking around during lunch breaks, and family dinner.
• I am starting to make really close friendships here in Jacksonville, and that helps me feel more settled. 
• Busy-ish with Primary stuff for church. It has been tricky navigating church service with Covid! It seems like little things go a long way. 

Morning Meeting

ALWAYS scrambling all over dad!

Matthew snapped this picture of me and he really, really loved it. So I'm going to include even though it's blurry and a little embarrassing.

Poor Matthew, always seems to bust his nose! 

Lunch Time!

The boys are always our climbing trees! Here is Johnny with his friends, McKay and Wallace.

William's Halloween costume came in the mail.

Matthew ALWAYS in his Spiderman Costume!

We had a Welcome October party on October 1st. We made cider, special graveyard pudding cups, and mummy dogs. Then we watched the Legend of Sleepy Hallow.

I cannot believe the comparison of my kids from FOUR years ago! The time just goes by so fast.