I’m a little late writing this, so it will be even more scatter-brained than usual! But the week was so exciting, it’s worth recording.

Before school the boys cut out varying sizes and colors of tails and taped them to the back of their pants. Lincoln was a ring-tailed lemur, the rest (including Venice) were fossas. Levi wore his until it bent when he sat in his chair, then he carried it in his pocket and let it dangle. After we took Levi to school on Monday, Keller and Lincoln changed out of their clothes and into new pajamas and wore them all day. We worked outside and played, then Keller put himself down for a nap. “Goodnight, Mom. Goodnight, Lincoln. Goodnight Veni!” We pulled out our kid-sized card table and had an “etiquette snack time” to practice asking for food, using napkins, etc. We’ll have to repeat this activity for, oh..the rest of our lives. We enjoyed it though. We’ve had pie pumpkins that the boys drew on and an acorn squash out on the dining table just for festivities. Venice finds ways to get the squash then carries it everywhere. I’ve found it under the piano, up the stairs, behind couches. She loved it and was very sad when I finally cooked it. Levi gave our FHE lesson on temples. Wesley took us to the quarter prize machines for the activity to reward the boys for good Conference behavior.

Tuesday Levi woke before 6 a.m. screaming. Thankfully, we settled. He decided he wanted to run home on his own (which he usually does with us trailing behind him), so we let him try it out. This has been a very good thing. I’m proud of him for being brave, safe, and self-reliant. Lincoln kind of had a day: stole three cookies, colored his entire body (and Keller’s) with orange highlighter—including fingernails and eyelids. He moved my desk chair out of our closet and across the room to climb our tall dresser and find Wesley’s sharp pocket knife. He also said, “Mom, I memorized some of the Bob books. You read these now and just give me a prize.” We all played jaguars at home; he informed me that I can’t be a real jaguar because “Jaguars are adults when they are two years old. You are 28, so you’d be dead if you were a jaguar.” Shortly after that, the dead jaguar (me) rolled over on something soaking wet: socks that Lincoln peed on and hid under all of their sleeping blankets. This led to Keller revealing that Lincoln had peed in the closet. Not just in the closet: on seven winter (some down-filled) quilts! He had very precise aim. Each one had a spot completely soaked through. Plus probably writing his name on the wall! Did he save up all day? I tried not to lose it, but failed. While I started that process, Venice dunked herself in the toilet, Keller wailed, and Levi flooded the bathtub. I took a time out, then discovered Levi whimpering that I’d hurt his mouth—but no, his loose tooth was just dangling—and he lost it! Keller is growing and wept most of the day. Venice is learning to climb out of her crib, thanks to Lincoln.

Wednesday I went to parent/teacher conferences where Levi’s teacher told us we should be proud (we are!) and how thorough Levi is and always goes the extra mile. She says whenever she asks how something went (GT pull-outs, 2^nd grade math, etc.) he smiles, looks down and says, “It was fun…but easy.” He seems very happy at school. Phew! I told Lincoln I needed a nap (Keller had been up 7 times at night and Venice a couple) so we rested. I think he’s growing. Keller melted down over sock seams. If they ever invent seamless socks, I’m investing. This causes grief for our children. Maybe I should invent them. Venice tried to say “Love you.” She totes her blanket around and chirps cheerfully. Her favorite foots include ketchup, ranch, and salsa.

I gave up on Thursday so Keller and Lincoln played outside in underpants all day while I cooked and prepped food. Our good friend and her son ate dinner with us and the missionaries. It wasn’t what I hoped, but it wasn’t bad—and the boys all loved it. We were excited to have anyone cross paths with the missionaries, but we would really, really love this friend to have the hope and joy of the gospel. She is golden. Whenever I’m with her I just feel God’s love for her. After a lot of contemplation and resistance against the Spirit, I’ve become heavily involved in organizing my class reunion (now an 11 year). It will be Saturday, June 18—so we’ll have to leave the family reunion that day to make it to Kuna in the evening. I don’t like social gatherings; they make me nervous. I’m not good at fluffy, but I can organize and remind and encourage—so away we go. Wes told me that if I’m doing this I can’t complain. Pray that I’ll learn to enjoy it. I pulled out my senior yearbook to discover that it had never, ever been open before. I don’t think I’ll open it again either. This is a great opportunity to reconnect and grow with others though. And I’ve felt like I should do it. No more whining!

We found an Everything You Need to Know About Star Wars book at the library. Each page has been studied extensively. Lincoln found a picture of Leia in her golden ensemble. He quickly ran to me. “Mom! I just saw a bad picture of Princess Leia. I didn’t mean to. What should we do?” He decided we should cover her up with a sticky note. I’m very proud of his fast response and desire for modesty. I’m glad that he wanted to tell me about it immediately! Thank you!

Levi’s class had a field trip to the zoo on Friday. We met them there. Levi was happy to share his extensive zoo knowledge. When we hooked up with another group the adult leader was happy to have someone used to racing little boys. That night we had a babysitter come over to watch kids while we went to the temple. Bless her. The boys were so excited. Venice and Keller had both buzzed through their naps, so Venice went to bed an hour early very well. A migraine hit me on the way there. But! I didn’t pass out and I didn’t throw up. Success! Next time I will be more attentive. It was neat to be in a session with Wesley again. He’s the best. He worked and went on visits and played with the kids and kept us all sane. I’m not sure how he does it all!

Yesterday was unexpectedly productive. We found some pants for Levi (kind of a tricky process these days). We discovered the joy of an apple peeler/corer. I’ve never used one before. The kids and I were completely giddy over it; on a whim we canned some pie filling. I wasn’t prepped or anything, we were just so happy to peel apples! That night we went to the stake youth “Roadshow” with the theme “Latter-day Avengers.” The boys loved it. Keller loved it until one of the Hulks pretended like he was going to throw a chair into the audience. Then he was done. “I don’t like scary!”

Levi was on the scripture for our Sunday devotional today. He shared how Lehi read the scriptures and was filled with the Spirit. He told us that he feels the Spirit when he reads the scriptures. So wonderful. So many hopeful, beautiful moments in all of our chaos.