Last Week of Summer

Even though we were all looking forward to school starting for various reasons, we were also sad to say goodbye to the freedom we'd had more or less since the second week of March.  We tried to make the most of the last week of summer before carpooling and homework and teacher emails took over our lives.

On Sunday evening, we went on a nature walk with Suz's family up to the Albion Basin to see the wildflowers.  We were probably about 2 weeks too late to see the wildflowers in their prime but it was still beautiful, and it was fun to just walk around and enjoy being in the mountains and take some pictures.

The last time my family went to this spot, we saw 2 or 3 moose, so
we were hoping to spot one on this day too.  We got lucky right before we left!

When I asked the kids what they wanted to do during the last week of summer, Luke was adamant that we make at trip to Scheels.  He wanted to play with the wooden swords, and he ended up buying two and Jack bought one.  I told them we'd keep them as long as they didn't hurt anybody.   I'm happy to report that after a month, we still have all 3.

I made Jack go to the thrift store with me and he was happy to entertain
himself driving a Powerwheels Jeep around the store.
He was very sad that I wouldn't buy it for hime.

Jack started reading Harry Potter to Luke after our HP Birthday Movie Marathon.
He read him all of Chamber of Secrets and Prisoner of Azkaban - they were both
very committed!

We attended Ben's company's summer work party in the office parking lot.
It included Thai food, ice cream, and a drive-in movie.
It was nice to get out and see people again, the food was great, and check out that sunset.

With everyone working remotely through the end of the year, the company
will not be renewing their lease on this office.  We'll miss seeing the sign when
we drive past on the interstate!

Provo Pool ✓

We had our customary Sleep In and Eat Cinnamon Rolls morning
the Thursday before school started (Cat had to be up early on Friday for soccer
practice, which would have defeated the purpose) and Luke and Eliza
helped me make the cinnamon rolls.

Luke was happy to help eat them too.

That was also the day I made appointments with Luke's
and Eliza's new teachers so we could meet them.

Eliza is in the older kids' building this year!

Most of the teachers were wearing this t-shirt and it honestly made me
tear up.  It's going to be an odd year, but I'm glad the kids can go to school,
even if it's only for a little while.

On Friday afternoon I insisted that we take the kayaks to Tibble Fork to just get out on the water and soak up a little more sun.  We didn't end up staying very long, but we had a great time we were all glad we went.

The water level of the reservoir was very low, so it was all pretty shallow,
but this... sand bar?... in the middle of the reservoir was kind of crazy.

That evening Cat gave Jack and several other new incoming students
a tour of the school in her official capacity as Sophomore Class President.
She did a great job and Jack and I were both glad that the school decided to have
a back to school night (though different than usual).

While I was at the school with Jack, Eliza was busy working on her blackberry pie.

We don't have a picture of the finished pie when it was baked,
but it looked great and tasted delicious!

I think Luke's happy place is Surrounded By Stuffed Animals.

Luke and Jack helped Ben harvest our corn.

Ben has tried to grow corn several times and this is
by far the best crop he's ever had.  Exciting!

Luke loved playing with Whit whenever possible,
though I don't have many pictures of them together at all.
Here, they're in Luke's little (and shortlived) lab/cozy corner
that was in the boys' new room when we moved bedrooms around.