What we've been up to lately.

The randomness that is about to become this post is already disturbing me.   

Since summer started we have been driving around a lot.  Laura had to take a three week driver's education course that was all the way across town every morning at 7:00 AM starting bright and early the day after the last day of school.  The kids also started swimming lessons--also all the way across town.  Once at a stop light, I saw this van.  It is the delivery van for a falafel shop--one of my very favorite places to eat in Iowa City.  The sticker on the back window says "HUMMUS WHERE THE HEART IS."  Totally agree.

I started BYU's BGS program when Noelle started kindergarten because I never finished school once Laura came into the picture all those years ago.  I'm loving it, except it is a lot of work...I think more so than actually attending class on campus.  Now that the kids are home for the summer, I'm struggling to find time to get all my assignments finished.  Occasionally, I have a day when a deadline approaches and I have to study for most of the day.  Once my internet at home would not work, so I packed up the kids in the car and we spent a good chunk of the day (like five hours) at the library.  The kids had to entertain themselves there the entire time--they were so good!  Here's a picture of them at Panera for our lunch break that day:

 For my humanities class, I had to critically analyze an original painting.  I headed over to the University of Iowa Museum of Art where they house an original...

 ...Grant Wood painting (Grant Wood was from Iowa) called "Plaid Shirt".  I don't really even like art, but it was cool.

 Also, I was just called to be an online seminary teacher.  They needed a picture of me, and since I began wearing braces, I have not allowed anyone to take pictures of me.  Isaac took this one quickly, and I sent it on it's way before I could delete it.  It's not bad actually.  Usually when I smile closed-mouthed, the braces contort my face to look like a grimace.  I call this progress.

Laura had youth conference.  They did a trek this year.  It took her about three days of not budging an inch while sitting in her pajamas for her to recover.  

I've been reading this awesome history book with Isaac (and sometimes Noelle) in the morning every day.  It's fantastic.  I think it is written for 10 year-olds which means it is perfect for me, but ideally could be a bit more challenging for Isaac.  

That's all folks!

Lincoln's Birthday and the Earthquake Cake

Lincoln turned 13 in May.  A tradition in our house (another really boring tradition, but the kids don't know they are boring, so...Shhh!) is to let the kids pick out a sugar cereal for breakfast.  The last few years it is always Reeses Puffs.  Also, notice the amazing birthday decor we set out:  The cup.  It was the only thing we had on hand that said "Happy Birthday."  Noelle was gifted it a while back from the Christian preschool she attended.  The cup may or may not be appropriate.  I'm not sure.  Anyway, it did say "Happy Birthday" so maybe this will become the next super exciting Fletcher family birthday tradition.  

 Here's the evolution of the dubbed "earthquake cake."  As I was frosting it, I noticed a line forming down the center.  Within about ten minutes, the cake looked like this:

 The gap grew bigger:

 And bigger:

 And bigger:

 This collapse was completely accidental, but the kids thought it was awesome and wanted to adorn it with sour patch kids "victims" which, unfortunately we did not have on hand

 The only solution to the earthquake cake dilemma:

Happy Birthday, Lincoln.   We love you more than the crumbling cake would indicate!  

Dining Room Remodel

I'm putting up mini-posts quickly tonight because I don't have much time...yet I should delay this post till I can do it justice and spend enough time to symbolize the work it took to remodel this room.  But you're still getting the sweetened condensed version.

 Before the remodeling, the room had all tan walls.  We wanted to add wainscoting, so Steve did research online for days then set up shop in the garage and had some fun with his saws and sander.  There was a lot of dust, but it was all contained.

 The basic framework above.

  After adding the chair rail and details.

 Some blue paint.

And our table.  I'm afraid to hang any pictures because I think the room is so pretty by itself.  I don't want to ruin it.  So it will stay like this for a while, I think.

Good job, Steve!

Last day of school.

Swim Lessons, Bright and Early in the AM.