I loved Christina's idea of making a post resembling a Christmas letter, and so I am copying her. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, after all. Here's a recap of our month:
Amy
Amy started first grade the beginning of the month and she loves it. Anybody who knows Amy knows how enthusiastic she is about life, and first grade is no exception. I've been in her classroom helping out, and she is not afraid to raise her hand and participate which is very exciting for us quiet Zapalacs. She came home one day and said that she had made a "connection" between the motorcycles they were talking about in class and an episode of Monk that had motorcycles in it. She of course shared this with the class. Monk is a very important part of every child's education, isn't it? Amy is learning how to read, and she reads me a book every day and we are making a paper chain of all the books she has read (this idea I got from Tiffani--I'm good at copying, aren't I?). Reading is a very physical thing for Amy. During the course of one book, she usually rotates around the book clockwise a couple of times, even if it means reading upside down (does this indicate genius?--please tell me yes or I will have to get a prescription for Ritalin for story time.) She also makes so many comments and observations about the book that it takes forever, and I am constantly taking cleansing breaths to maintain patience. But really I love every minute of it.
Amy also started soccer. Before it started, she drew pictures about soccer, read books about soccer, made graphic designs from the computer about soccer, sang about soccer, dreamed about soccer, all while wearing her shin guards and cleats. Thank goodness it finally started. Dan is the coach, but I guess I can talk about that in his part.
Anna
Anna has started fourth grade this year, and although I think she's doing alright, she comes home every day saying it was the "worstest"day. So I ask her if she went diarrhea in her pants at school, because that was my worst day of elementary school, and if that hasn't happened she's doing okay. Since then she's been a bit more positive. She is continuing piano lessons and is doing awesome. Other than her constant head ache/stomache ache/leg ache problems she is pretty happy/googy/hyper.
Jeremy
Jeremy started middle school this year, and though he complains also, he seems to be excelling. He has a big group of LDS kids in all of his classes which is nice. He plays the trumpet in band, which he has before school MWF. He's not playing any sports right now, but manages to somehow invent his own within the battered walls of our home. He also went to the referee training so he may be reffing a game or two of Amy's. He went on a bike ride to the beach with the scouts and only came back with a little blood. He also got to go to a sleepover at his friend Joey's with his gang from Garretson, where they played water polo, hockey, dodge ball, and guitar hero while eating lots of cookies and homemade ice-cream. They stayed up until 3:30 a.m. and got up at 8:00 a.m.
Kaylynn
Kaylynn started high school yesterday, but that's not technically August, so I'll have to backtrack. Early in August, she went with the Sorensen gang to Arizona, and had a blast there. I missed her, but she was happy there, especially when eating the stew. Whoever has that recipe, pass it on please! She also loved being with baby Laney. Kaylynn finally had her birthday "party," which was a shopping spree with Ashely and Brandy. We went to the Ontario Mills mall, where they shopped while I sat and read, and we all had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. The girls also got manicures and pedicures. Kaylynn only spent a little of her money the first day, so the next day they shopped again at another mall. She and I finally had time to spend together the last week before school started and we had a few movie days. We watched Legally Blonde, Sydney White(very funny), and Miss Congeniality. The last day we made a walking tostada while we watched our movie. It was yummy but I made myself sick! Now Kaylynn is in school and things are going well. Next week seminary starts.
Shelley
Shelley had a crappy month but that was her own fault so she can't complain. She also completed the referee training but would rather die than actually referee. She is currently learning all about how football works and actually paying attention to the election news. This does not mean that she likes either of the candidates. She is way behind on laundry and food shopping but her family has managed to have clothes on their backs and food in their tummies. She is currently trying to overcome her addiction to Diet Cherry Pepsi.
Dan
Dan has been busy coaching Amy's soccer team, installing windows for the front of our house, and constantly enhancing our media experience. He took a business trip to Wisconsin for a week, and got to drive a cute little Yaris. He is excited about the new football season, and about not hearing me nag about windows.
