Merle Birthday

Merle had another birthday and we had a party. The grandparents came. 

And some cousins for a spaghetti picnic outside. Oh how I love parties that can utilize the big outdoors. 

The Utah cousins came and the kids were happy to share the slower pace of rural life. 

We had the lemon sunshine cake. At our house that just seems to be the standard. The whole event was the norm. 

Afton lit the candles and Merle extinguished them one by one. 

Aliza and her cousin Karadyn washed the piles and piles of glass dishes. I had forgotten to get paper but truly there is good conversation that can come around a sink of soapy water. They were so kind to do that. Jake is positively huge. Here he is showing off his super legs. We were happy to get Reed back he had left for the weekend for the Auto and welding Skills USA contest. Reed had a good experience and is more determined to continue in his preparation for next year. 

It takes a long time to cross the state of Oregon and Reed had less sleep than he liked on Sunday thankfully we had later church. 

And what after school for about 5 hours a night looks like right now. Homework so much homework. They are working through and preparing for state tests, the play, a huge final writing project of 4 papers a week from Livy and Millie complete with illustrations which they are working on. The regular one page active each night, 4 science review worksheets for the week, and maybe some help at home. That's a lot. I know the end confidence that comes from hard things, so I'm biting my tongue, lip whatever. But it is a big stretch in a little time and more than one kid in the grinder is tough. 

We need some blessings to be able to cover all that is suppose to be happening. Yet another blessing of the rain we can't be in the fields they are too wet so we can keep working through this load in the house. These two are serious about food right now they must be growing to need so much nourishment. I love kids who will eat. 

Life is good and we shall survive. Aliza's presence is so nice. We are thankful.