Some things I never knew about 8-year-old boys

So, I've been a bit perplexed with Connor for the past month or so. There are some behaviors that have changed that I was totally unprepared for! Sure, I've known 8-year-old boys before, like my brothers, but when they were 8, I was a teenager, so I really didn't pay that much attention! No offense, guys.

For one, you know those things he's been wearing his entire life, but never really noticed before? Well, now he cares about them! It's weird, having him tell me how much he loves a certain item of clothing, picking out clothes for his dad to make sure he stays looking sharp, and asking me for new clothes?!? The short list right now is a suit for church, a big belt buckle, and a tight Under Armor shirt.

He LOVES his scriptures. He takes care of them like a prized possession, which they really are. And several times this fall when I've asked him what he would like me to read to him at bedtime, he suggest that I go get my scriptures and we read from the Book of Mormon together. I knew he'd be excited about having his own to take to church, but I thought it was just so he would look big. But it's more than that. He truly loves them.

My Connor is NOT a morning person--never has been. And so during the school year, we've struggled every day getting him up and moving. This year, he suggested that we buy him an alarm clock. I didn't see the point, since we're up anyway and can just wake him up, but Tony thought we should give it a try. We haven't had to get him up once since. He sets the alarm, and every morning within a minute of the alarm, he comes stumbling out, scriptures in hand, ready for family scripture time. Amazing!

I never realized that 8-year-olds were capable of making lunch (sure, it's just quesadillas, but still!) and are happy to do it.

Although in many ways, Connor is more responsible since turning 8, I can't figure out what has happened to his bedroom! He used to take pretty good care of his stuff, but now every item of clothing just ends up on the floor. I've told him, and told him, and eventually he cleans it up, but today I decided to start treating him like the big 8-year-old he is. I did laundry, but only washed his things that had actually make it into his laundry basket. Maybe when he runs out of clean clothes, he'll decide that it's not such a chore to throw them into the basket rather than onto the floor. We'll see . . .

So, I knew all these things would come eventually, but maybe a few years down the road. Luckily, he still has no interest in girls. Major sigh of relief.

4 Random Items

Random item #1:
A couple weeks ago, at Connor and Mylie's school, the kids earned a "crazy hair day." Mylie was especially excited about this priviledge (despite the fact that most days her hair already looks a little crazy.) This was the result of our crazy hard work on her hair. She was pretty proud of it.
Random item #2:
When you live in a coaching family, sometimes family night looks like this:

At least everyone is engaged, right?

Random item #3:

Although I really am a scrooge about decorating for holidays, I did do one simple thing this year. I bought three cute little pumpkins and let the kids each draw a face on theirs. We then put those up on top of the entertainment center and called it decor.

(Disclaimer: Although Mariah is shirtless, her hair is a bit unkempt, and she has marker all over her arm, I really do love her!)

(No, they didn't do another crazy hair day at school.)
Connor was pretty proud of his finished product.

Random item #4:

Mariah learned a new trick this Sunday. Pretty cool!

Simple Pleasures

Monday was a BEAUTIFUL day--with highs near 80--and I didn't have volleyball practice, so the kids and I took advantage of a little daylight together and harvested the potatoes. We were so excited about how many potatoes we got, and how BIG some of them were!
Also, on Monday, I pulled up the rest of the garden plants. While doing that, I discovered a little bit of broccoli and peas that were good. I was shocked! In October?!? Anyway, I decided to mix them in with our carrots and potatoes and enjoy a wonderful vegetable medley in October. Pretty sure that's the first time I've done that with my own fresh veggies. So fun! Team this up with some Alaska salmon and homemade bread with raspberry jam, and you have my favorite meal I've had in awhile.

Today, however, the weather is not so beautiful. In fact, it's been snowing almost all day! But what better way to spend a snowy, blustery day than having a dance party with friends?

Mariah just LOVES her "best friends." These twins are actually Mariah's cousins. They live here in the valley so they get plenty of opportunities to play together. They just love each other!