Susie's Leaning Tower of Chocolate for 2022 February

Maggie finally had their first day of swim team practice today. They lost their new goggles, but I have hopes it will only go up from there. I also finally convinced them to go to drama club. They had a blast doing improv games, even though they didn’t know anyone there. The drama club meets regularly, and is hopefully something Maggie can get involved with. Maggie also got recommended by their English teacher for academic decathlon, and is going to winter formal at Knott’s on Saturday. Getting Maggie involved in stuff in high school is something we’ve been parking on for a while, so I’m pleased about all this.

Arthur started league baseball this week. He still has a few more weeks of the sandlot, which we are loving. (He recently won 14 baseball cards and a bravery award when a bee landed on his nose and he stood still while the coach flicked it off.) Arthur is on the Mariners. It appeared most of the other kids’ parents knew each other already and he was the only kid without a helmet, bat, baseball clothes, bag, or any knowledge of baseball, and the only leftie, but he had a pretty good time. He does have a friend on the team, but he wasn’t there this week.

Sienna on why she no longer eats the crust of her sandwich to save the best middle bite for last: I’m at the grade now where I try to impress people.

Every year at the end of January, John and I write on 14 hearts for each kid, things we love about them. I stick them on their doors every night until Valentine’s Day. This year, Sienna got up early Valentines morning and cut out hearts for me (fun crafts!) and John (movie nights!). It was so sweet and adorable. We also made hearts for Wally this year. Here is what some of this year’s hearts said.

Maggie: best dog parent, conscientious student, fast reader, strong, theater lover, creative maker, foodie, patient, awesome rapper, putting yourself out there, animal lover, responsible, clever, getting it all done.

Dalton: big brother, curious leader, chef, helpful, biking stud, healthy eater, loves outdoors, athletic, big helper, likes to try new things, kind hearted, adventurous, natural leader, polite.

Sienna: overcoming fears, big imagination, good with kids and babies, caring, great reader, Wally’s favorite substitute, singer, creative, loves to laugh, solid dance, Wally snuggler, spunky, loves to play, learning new skills.

Arthur: love doing activities with you, Indiana Jones, baseball star, always up for an adventure, gel head, snug bug, games, koala bear, hedgehog duck face worm dance, easily makes friends, silly, kitchen helper, good friend, silly giggles.

Wally: the raised paw, secretly loves us, sled dog, afraid of plastic reindeer, ears, the nose boop, so happy to go anywhere, when the tail is up, getting used to doggie friends, great with kids, chicken!?, always hopping in the car, sees all, greeting us at the door.

Today was a very sporty day, especially for our family. Arthur had his first baseball game today. He was so adorable in his Chadwick #1 uniform. He stood bored in the outfield, but enjoyed hanging with his buddies in the dugout, and when he got a turn to bat, he actually hit the ball. He made it to second because the other team overshot. And then he made it home for the first of five runs that inning. He was pleased that there were snacks after.

Dalton has been doing city tennis classes for a while, but we signed him up for a league. They’ve been practicing and organizing teams and today were his first official matches. He played a singles (lost 3-6) and a doubles won (6-1). He has been loving tennis lately.

Also today was Maggie’s first high school swim meet. It was a tri-meet at OCC. Maggie swam Four freestyle races (50 and 100, and two relays). They shaved a couple seconds off their previous 50 free time that was last recorded in the summer, So that’s pretty great. And had fun with their two swim team friends. I’m excited they have friends.

After the swim meet, we went to a ward social with our new ward. It was so nice to be surrounded by people, and people our own age! People I can relate to about high school registration, and youth activities, and piano lessons and outdoor ed.

Dalton went to 6th grade outdoor science camp this week. He had a blast. He went to a camp up in the mountains, where they wore snow gear the whole time. He did a zip line, practiced archery, did team building, learned about animals, climbed a frozen ropes course, did a night hike, and ate yummy food. It sounded like he enjoyed the adventures, and I’m proud of him.