Be a Good Neighbor

I mentioned that Stephanie read to Jet that Sunday evening. Jet wanted her to read some more but it was getting late so we agreed that maybe we could go after school the next day. After school on Monday we did check with Stephanie and she was happy to have us come. She read so many books to Jet, including some she illustrated herself. She's really good with different voices of characters, too.

September 28 was National Good Neighbor Day and Stephanie is definitely a good neighbor.

That morning I was looking at the Calendar of Celebration and reading that day's holidays out loud.

"My brother's birthday, National Family Day, Ask a Stupid Question Day, National Good Neighbor Day, National Sons Day. Oh, I need to make sure I wish my brother Happy Birthday."

Jr.'s response was, "Why?"

I just looked at him.

He asked, "What are the holidays?"  

It took me a moment. Jeremy had just walked out the door but he got it. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! 

I did spend time with sons on National Sons Day and that night we celebrated National Family Day with Family Home Evening.  

 

The next day, September 29, was Happy Goose Day. I told Jet that I wanted him to be happy that day since I call him a silly goose all the time. I mean it in a nice way. 

Parents Day Off? Ha!

September 14 was Parents Day Off. Ha! Too much to do. I even made dinner even though the menu plan said FFY (Fend For Yourself). And Jeremy had to go to work.

I did go for a walk that morning, though.

 

We needed some necessities so among my other errands that day, I went to Costco and bought flour tortillas. I spent a lot less than I normally would at Costco. #shelftember

With the flour tortillas I bought at Costco, I made fajitas with...

green bell peppers and yellow banana peppers from our garden, onions from the shelf, chicken from the freezer, fajita seasoning from the pantry, and sour cream from the fridge for those who wanted sour cream. 

Another errand I went on was to the library to check out a bunch of Terry Pratchett books that all reference a certain card game that some family members wanted to play. It helped for our literacy activity that night. Still going strong following Shadow Mountain Publishing adult and children's calendars for National Literacy Month.

 

September 14 Ready poetry or essays

Have a family reading night

 

Jeremy read us a passage from one of the books that talks about the game, Cripple Mr. Onion, then we played it.  

That was our Family Home Evening activity. Our treat was ice cream. Jet is so independent... sometimes (sometimes when I don't want him to be). He wanted to dish out the ice cream. Cute.

September Continues

September 9 was Wonderful Weirdos Day. We never have to put any effort into that holiday. We celebrate it by being us.

 

September 10 was National TV Dinner Day. I put a little more effort into that one, putting together a dinner with things you might find in a TV dinner. Crispy chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, brownies. Shout out to Jr. who baked the brownies for it.

On September 11, I took some time to reflect what happened 25 years ago. I found out that day someone I know was in the same building experiencing the same thing I did at the time the second tower was hit so we were both reflecting on similar things this year.

I also got out for a morning walk, which I hadn't done in a while.

On a brighter note, it was also Make Your Bed Day so I made pigs in a blanket. 

 

September 12 was National Video Games Day. The kids played video games. 

It was also National Chocolate Milkshake Day. Jeremy did some sketching of a chocolatey scene.

It was also Hug and High Five Day. Nichole, Jeremy, and I went to a funeral for my uncle so there were lots of hugs but not so many high fives.

You know family means so much to me, including extended family. Even if I haven't seen some of my cousins for years and we've gone in different directions, that love is always still there. We are always still family. It was also good for the three of us sisters to be there as well, representing the rest of our family.

 

Jeremy's sketch from that day must have been in my mind because the next day, September 13 was Roald Dahl Day and International Chocolate Day and National Peanut Day. Someone at church was wearing a purple dress. It made me think of Willy Wonka and chocolate. I pointed it out to her. Later she told me she had peanut M&Ms to celebrate. 

That day was also Positive Thinking Day. There was some positive thinking going on.

It was also Grandparents Day. I wished that happy holiday to my mom and sister.

And it was Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day. I told them to make dinner. I think they maybe made pizza? I don't know. I wasn't in charge. And I didn't take pictures.

 

Lots of emotions that week. 

School Begins

School begins. Reading during pick up and drop off times begins.

It's that time of year. You better believe I was quoting Nemo. "First day of school! First day of school!"

I remembered to get first day of school pictures (oldest to youngest because they started on different days). 

Jeremy got in on the action. 

 

Before that, I got some going to the schools to pick up things or talk to teachers (and eat hot dogs) pictures. 

We have another string player this year. We joked for years about how the oldest played violin, the next oldest the cello, and the next oldest the viola in orchestra, so the next should play bass. 

He took it to heart. Ha Ha Ha Ha. This is NOT a full sized bass (it might be 1/4 size) and it's taller than him. Ha Ha Ha Ha. I love this family.

 

Congratulations!

My niece got married in August. Toward the end of July she had a bridal shower that Nichole and I went to. We got to spend time with both of my sisters and some of their daughters.

 

The day of the wedding was wonderful. Beautiful day spent with family. All but one of my siblings were there. 

The temple sealing was in the morning.

There was a family luncheon after pictures.

Some of us did some juggling afterward.

My sister-in-law has been practicing her juggling. 

Jeremy and I took the kids home between the luncheon and reception for a little break. It was pretty little because we went back in time for the whole reception.

The reception was also nice. 

Look in the background of this picture. Lucky photobombs without even trying (I can also see his reflection in the middle picture).

There are plenty of times he does try, though. Looking through my blog, I noticed he's been creeping into photos since before he was 2 years old.

It was a beautiful day. I'm happy for my niece and new nephew for finding each other. And because he already has children, we got even more family members added to our numbers. 

You know I love family!

Pacific Northwest Trip 2026- part 13

The last day before we left the Pacific Northwest, I went for a walk to say goodbye to my parents' yard, including their own monkey puzzle tree and a lizard.

Jet said goodbye to his reflection in my mom's mirror. He had fun talking to himself.

 

I did some multitasking by playing a card game and having a tea party with Jet at the same time.

While we were playing, there was also some singing going on, including songs from The Muppet Christmas Carol. I said we must be celebrating LEON Day observed since we didn't celebrate it on June 25.

We did celebrate Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day that day, July 1, not by eating ice cream but by thinking of different flavors we could have. Since we had fried rice for dinner, I thought of fried rice flavored ice cream. 

 

The next morning, the kids and I headed back to Utah after saying goodbye to my parents and my brother.

Jet got pictures of my mom as we were driving away. 

 

I didn't take a "road trip" picture but I did do some juggling at one place where we always stop.

 

We had a great trip to the Pacific Northwest. I love my in-laws. I love my family. I feel very blessed.