Randoms since last time...

First things first: We're growing up and doing grown-up things sometimes. We've entered this strange and magical life phase where we can leave our kids for a few hours and nothing catastrophic happens. We also live on a street with people who are fun and social- so weird! We like people, but we don't ever plan things, because we're boring. Anyhoo, our fun neighbors planned a night out together to go see Jim Gaffigan. Oh man. So much laughing. My smiling muscles were sore. Yay for fun people! 

Some of the fun people! 

We just gotsta document this high honor roll situation. Neither Nils or I ever experienced this, but Anders will probably never NOT experience it. He checks his grades daily- I never have to.

On a related note, I need to document a conversation I had with him not too long ago. We've been quite open with our kids about how we were both terrible students back in the day, and how we're blown away with how smart they are, etc. We've muddled through life alright, but we definitely went about it the hard way and learned our lesson, and we both believe strongly in the value of edumacation. 

SO...one day out of the blue, Anders said to me, "Mom, I think you and dad are both geniuses. I just don't think you had the support that we have."

*Blink blink* First of all, he thinks we're geniuses?? Oh, how we have the poor child fooled. Nils and I were blessed with loving homes and loving parents, but there was some chaos going on in both of our households growing up, and I do think school was put on the back burners of importance. Illness, financial worries, general survival, and gospel-related things were more important than grades. Still are. Nils and I have been very blessed in our current lives, and our lives growing up. And, we'll see how long we can keep up this "genius" charade. Me thinks it's slipping already as the years tick by with this one. He's getting so teenager-ey.

Addie's class held a Greek Mythology Wax Museum, and Addie was Pandora. Such a giggly Pandora. Also, 6th graders in a large group smell like farts, FYI.

Helped some of the fun neighbors lay their sod 2 days after Thanksgiving. That hill was a real treat, so we all formed a bucket brigade, which worked much better.

Thanksgiving breakfast with cousins Wyatt and Levi who slept over. 

Then, we were in charge of mashed potatoes for the big dinner. 15 lbs this year. 

Thanksgiving was great fun, but we lost the garden gnome competition. AGAIN.