An evening at the beach

This afternoon, we went and cheered for our older kids as they raced with other youth of the surrounding area. The race took place at a beautiful park in Alameda, next to the beach. The weather was just fantastic and the kids were very excited.

Gillian's age group (girls K-5 grade) were first to race, and that was great since Gillian gets stressed out about doing well. Her friend, Mary, made it just right before the race was about to start. Having friends around makes you feel stronger and gives you courage. Gillian and Mary were beside each other for the most part of the race. We cheered them as they continued the race and giving their best. Great job girls, you sure did awesome!

After the girls finished their race, it was our boys' turn (Boys K-5 grade). Jefferson looked full of confidence and ready to take the challenge of racing with older boys. James seemed a bit worried, especially since he was placed in the back row with other younger kids (they don't want the older kids to trample on the little ones, so they put the younger kids in the back). However, as the race went on, James kept gaining more confidence and ran very fast. Jefferson was indeed a fast runner, and although he didn't make it to the first ten runners, we were very proud of him for truly giving his best. Everybody was pleasantly noting how well he did. Don't worry, Jefferson, with your speed and dedication I have no doubt next year you will be first. Good job, boys. You both were wonderful!
After the races were over, the kids begged to go to the beach and play with each other. They didn't have to convince me too hard. The sunset was so gorgeous that I couldn't wait to get some stunning pictures. My favorites are the ones of James and Zoe enjoying each other's company:

Aren't the many colors of the sunset breathtaking?! Who would have thought cross-country running was so fun!

Wacky Wednesday

Wow!!! I can't believe we accomplished everything that was on our list today without even feeling rushed, well a bit perhaps. I feel a sense of relief in the end of the day when I'm able to fulfill my responsibilities as a mother, wife, homemaker, CEO of the family, as well as take care of my own needs.

First thing we did today was the field trip I accompanied my boys to. A big 'thanks' to my friend Christina for taking care of Charlton, so I could be able to be with my older boys. We went to our annual Halloween Farm, the Pumpkin Patch. I was so glad to be with both of my boys. They are in different classes, and their tour was 15 minutes apart, so I did have to run from one class to another to be with them. I really am in need of that clock Hermine uses to be in several different places at the same time.

At least, their playtime was at the same time, and this offered me an opportunity to see them interact with each other and their friends. My boys are so different from each other - Jefferson is very talkative and confident, and James is reserved and a bit shy - but they are both very much of unique individuals, so it's fun seeing them interact with each other other than at home. It seemed Jefferson was listening more and James was talking more. Amazing how complex we human beings are! Here are some fun pictures I took of the fun we had:

Both K-1 and 2-3 charter school classes:
Jefferson and his favorite friends (Sabriel, Nicholas, and Zen):
James and his friend, Mario:
James and Jefferson playing with each other and their friends:
Jefferson being silly and trying out everything they were allowed to do:
This is my favorite picture of Jefferson today. He didn't want to be just any farmer; he wanted to be a robber farmer. Really?!
Have you seen a pumpkin with a cap? I can't wait till he carves his jack-o-lantern. What will his mind come up with next?
My sweet James! I didn't take as many pictures of James during his tour since his class was ahead, but he was happy just the same.
After the field trip was over, I dropped Jefferson off at school, picked up James, and rushed home to do some cleaning up. I had planned a play date for Gillian and Jefferson after school, and I had only thirty minutes to get their bedrooms in working order so they had room and toys to play with. Knowing my day was going to be really full today, I felt at first inclined to cancel the play date, but after giving it some thought I felt it would be wise to keep it. Gillian had a very hard time this Sunday. She kept coming to me crying several times. They were preparing their Primary Program and Gillian noticed that most all of her friends had solo parts, except her. First she was baffled and didn't understand why she wasn't chosen for any solo parts since she knows all of the songs better than anybody and they rely on her to lead the whole primary with her voice. And then when she heard this particular friend sing a verse of her favorite song all by herself, she became angry and very upset. I had known about this for quite some time and I had felt that I should talk to the Primary President about it, but then later I had dismissed that feeling and had decided to just let it go. It is just a Primary Program after all. I wished I had followed up with those feelings. Gillian felt unhappy the whole day. I talked to her and we came up with some ideas that cheered her spirit up. I also felt that she needed to still be friends with this girl that "had stolen" her song, since it truly wasn't her fault. I'm glad I kept the play date; Gillian seemed to be in better spirits and had a good time with her friend. She did tell me later that at least her friend sang that verse really well. Wow, that was a big step in overcoming those feelings of injustice and jealousy.

After cleaning up, I went to pick up Charlton, who was having a grand time with my friend Christina and her sons Jack and Sam. From there, I picked up Timothy and Emily, and then Gillian and Jefferson from school. While they were playing, I cooked dinner. I have to say, speaking of various games that kids play during play dates, my kids and their friends enjoyed each other, the boys playing with toy guns and swords, and then reading Tintin's adventures:
As for the girls, I didn't hear them at all. They played house, dolls, and did make-overs on each other:
Now, that's my kind of play dates: stress free and with harmony.

We had to cut the time with friends short, since I had scheduled a doctor appointment for all of the kids: Gillian and Jefferson had to have their annual check-up, and all of them had to get their flu shots. Gillian ended up with two more shots (vaccines) and Jefferson with one more. They were brave, but happy to be done.
Afterward, we hurried home to have the kids change into running clothes. Today for cross-country running their team was going to play relay games and other fun exercise routines. Gillian as always enjoyed being with her best friend, Mary.
We got home and the kids took care of their showers, while I set the dinner table. After dinner, we had our home teachers visit us for a little while, and then we did our classic book reading, as well as scripture study. The kids went to bed at 8:30p.m. amazingly early if you think the many thinks we had accomplished. I was happy to have some time left for me to talk to Elijah, watch an episode of British comedy series of "Alo, Alo," and read for a little while.

I loved the feeling I had in the end of the day. I was thinking how I get happiness in different ways; I'm not satisfied with only one permanent way of living. I love having days such as these where every minute of my day is accounted for with worthy and fun activities, but I also love those days when I just sit down and read to Charlton book after book, or work with James on his handwriting, or play board games with Jefferson, or cook with Gillian, or just read to them or myself all day. I can't say I like one way more than the other. I don't like doing the same old thing over and over again, that's for sure. Being a mother and staying home gives me that freedom of choosing how my day is going to be, whether is going to be filled with activities or just a day to read and rest. Elijah thinks I tend to be happiest when I have high expectations for myself and my life. He maybe right. So I guess, whether I am a country mouse or a city mouse, as long as I'm accomplishing worthy things for myself and my family, I'm happy.

What is your state of happiness?

Being a parent is so rewarding!

What wonderful two weeks these have been. We have had hot sun and rainy days, we've done a lot of swimming and running, reading and playing, listening to prophets and apostles, and we've visited museums and seen great shows.

As the cold weather was taking its time in coming, we took every opportunity in going swimming. Swimming in September is the best!
Every Friday, the cross-country team competes with other teams in a major race. They are divided in groups according to their gender and grade. My kids really enjoyed it, especially Jefferson who loves competition. Knowing that, I want Jefferson to know that I was very proud of him for staying with his brother and sacrificing winning. This was their first meet, and Jefferson was concerned that James might get lost and so he stayed with him the whole time. Way to show brotherly love and responsibility Jefferson! I was very proud of James for running and doing well although he was one of the youngest in the whole group! Gillian was really glad to run alongside her best friend Mary, and and I was proud of her for giving her best although she wasn't equipped with the best running shoes. And lastly, hurray to Charlton who was an awesome fan alongside Zoe, and who ran fast when they offered a mini race for the younger siblings. He kept saying to his mom "Fast, fast." Don't let his cute chubbiness deceive you; he is a fast runner.

On Tuesday, September 27, both James and Gillian had their first field trip. I had already signed up for Gillian's field trip when James showed me his forms, and my heart broke when I saw tears in his eyes as I told him that I couldn't go with him. So, I decided to ask Elijah to go with him. James's face beamed when Elijah told him he would go with him. They visited the Lindsey Wildlife Museum and James had a wonderful time, and it had very little to do with the animals they went to see. Being with his father all by himself had made his day!

On the same day, I went with Gillian to the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. I have to say this is my favorite museum in San Francisco and was looking forward to seeing it again with Gillian. I chaperoned three other kids, but Gillian and I held hands the whole time. We were inseparable. I love my daughter, and I'm so glad we've a strong relationship with each other. I also enjoyed taking a bunch of very fun pictures of the things that we were able to visit that day.

On Thursday, Gillian's teacher had received free tickets for the Wizard of Oz musical showing at our Walnut Creek Civic Art Center (her husband plays in the orchestra). She was a bit apprehensive about parents wanting their kids to have two field trips in a month. I took the lead on that and we made it happen. Lots of parents showed up driving since our charter school is based on parents' participation when it comes to transportation. Gillian was so excited to be with me again and see the Wizard of Oz. Since she loves the book, the movie and the songs, she was thrilled to get the chance of seeing the play as well. I was happy to be with just her for a few hours and share our love of music and plays.

Lastly, I know I shared something already about my kids' cross-country running, but I wanted to share something about this Friday's meet. This time all the kids of our team were going to race together. I told Jefferson that he didn't have to wait for James this time since there weren't many kids and James would be okay. Wow, did he take that to heart! Jefferson gave it all in this race and came in fifth competing with 5th graders, and his time was the same as the 3rd and 4th! Seeing James running and passing Gillian and never letting go, and seeing Gillian running and smiling although I knew she was tired, made me want to be in a better shape myself. Thank you my lovely children for inspiring mom to get in shape!

What do your kids inspire you to do?