Last Week of Summer

Caroline had a good start to the week.  After 144 classes, she finally earned her solid grey belt.  New belts include flips by Professor Mike.  Since they take so long to earn, she got to pick out a slightly better treat.  The Bubble Waffle Shoppe was chosen and she enjoyed a Smore's waffle cone.  The boys were happy to celebrate with her.

The next class Caroline attended, the women's coach watched her spar and invited her to the women's competition class.  Caroline seemed keen to try it, but when the time came, she said she wanted to be better at jiu-jitsu before she went to the class.  I told her that was what the class was for - to increase her skills.  Maybe someday she'll try it.  It's a mixed class of kids and adults, but, obviously, all women.  

Later in the week, Henry went to the no gi class (just street clothes) and a different coach said he needed to move up to the adult class.  Although it was a compliment to his skill, we did ask if there were any kids his size in the adult class.  There are a few and the other adults could work with him.  He may check it out this week to see if it is feasible.  It would give him better training and there would be less inclination to chat with his neighbor, especially if that neighbor was a grown man.  

Mid-week we went bowling.  Todd joined us because he was dealing with pink eye (but 24 hours on eye drops, so not contagious).  We just watched the kids play anyway, but it looked fun, so we'll probably join them next time.  We used our Kids Bowl Free coupons so we only had to pay for shoe rental.  The man at the desk was extra helpful getting our lane ready - he inputted each of the kids names so when we got to our lane, it was ready to go.  Seeing the size of our kids, however, he did not anticipate that one kid was not keen on bowling without bumpers.  After two bowls, said child had their brother go up and ask for bumpers to be added under her name.  Once her score started going in the right direction, she was happy again.  Josiah was there for the game and played no matter his score.  Henry tends to express his frustrations with everyone until his score goes in the right direction.  He was also quick to remind us that Caroline's score was higher because she had bumpers.  Yes, dear, we know.  

Josiah

Henry

The heat is always a constant.  The foundation needed to be watered, so the kids enjoyed the watering with Benson.  

At their Bible study later in the week, the boys played sardine hide and seek.  Once you find somebody, you squeeze in and hide with them until eventually everyone is squeezed in and one person is left seeking.  They are also going through the book of 1 John.  A little Bible, a little fun and games.  They have really enjoyed their time.  The following morning, the boys went to their first disc golf game with the same youth pastor.  All the kids were at or around Josiah & Henry's ages.  Our boys could only play half the game because Josiah had Latin class, but they had fun nonetheless.  They came back to the car dripping in sweat and ready to try it again.  

And Latin started back up again.  The summer is really over.  Henry's Latin class starts early next week.  Then CC starts towards the end of the week.  They have to come to class with everything completed, so Monday is Day 1 of school.  9th and 7th grades here we come!  Ready or not...

We did close out the summer enjoying National Chicken Finger Day.  We couldn't let that pass by knowing Josiah's love of chicken fingers.  We ate the classic Cane's.  

This weekend, Todd and I were driving home from a store and passed some cowboys on horses.  Just riding along the same road as us.  Not the first time we've seen that in Texas.  (The other cowboy's horse ran up the grassy hill on the left, eager to get to the McDonald's on the other side.)

Besides the yardwork and cleaning the cars, Todd got Caroline's new blinds installed this weekend.  Hers had been broken for some time, but they were zip-tied in a position that provided a good 90% coverage.  She is now enjoying being able to open and close them, as well as their full coverage.  

And we have skunks in the neighborhood.  We've always had skunks, but now we have baby skunks.  Early this week, Todd took Benson out for his morning ritual and he immediately tensed up and started barking.  Across the street was a baby skunk.  They walked to the side of our house to avoid said skunk, and found another baby skunk.  They've been around all week, so now, when Todd takes him out, he has to look out for both babies.  Who knows where the mother is as well.  Sundays are my day to get Benson in the morning.  5:00 a.m. we went out and immediately spotted the skunk in the driveway across the street.  Benson just stood and stared.  I wasn't about to stand and stare at a skunk all morning, so I kept encouraging Benson to find a spot and do his business.  Find a spot.  FIND A SPOT!  Find. A. Spot.  The skunk did not help at all.  It just skittered all over the neighbor's yard, crossed the street and skittered all over three different yards all within perfect visibility of our front yard and Benson's curious eyes.  Just walking around at it's own baby skunk pace with no cares given.  I never spotted the second one either, so I was just as alert, scanning the yards.  

We're praying for a good school year, for diligence, focus, responsibility, self-discipline, and a desire to do one's best.  I've had many conversations with Josiah that it all counts now.  It's high school.  We watched the clip from the Cosby Show when Theo told Cliff he didn't want to go to college.  He wanted to be a 'regular person.'  Then Cliff game him Monopoly money and proceeded to incrementally take it all back for rent, food, car, etc.  After we watched it, Josiah said he still wanted to be a regular person.  Even regular people need to have a high school education, especially ones who like to eat out as much as Josiah does.  Here we go!