Letter Home - October 28, 2012

Dear Mom and Dad,

Wow – any thoughts of having a more relaxing week after surviving two birthdays went out the window by 9:00 a.m. Monday morning.  Mary and Laurel were both home all day Monday because each threw up on Sunday and I wasn’t sure if it was over or not.  Fortunately, by noon, they were both able to eat something and keep it down so they could return to school on Tuesday.

My goal for the week was to complete the girls’ Halloween costumes before our ward party on Saturday.  Between straightening the house after the weekend to catching up on laundry, not much sewing took place on Monday.  My friend who is moving called late Monday to ask if I could help on Tuesday, so that day was shot as well.  I had already set up Wednesday to scrapbook with a friend that I haven’t seen in 6 months so I kept that appointment, which meant little to no sewing took place on Wednesday.  Essentially, I had Thursday to sew because I was scheduled to go on an all-day fieldtrip with Charlotte on Friday and the party was on Saturday.

I was so nervous I woke up at 4:00 a.m.  I didn’t answer the phone or check email – I just worked on the costumes, determined to finish them that day.  I went to bed at midnight, but had made three beautiful 3-Musketeer costumes by the time I was done.  The girls were thrilled and received many nice compliments on how cute they were as a trio at our ward party.

Charlotte and I spent the day outside on Friday at a local park reserve.  The sixth grade was broken into small groups and rotated between various activities.  Charlotte’s group (which I tagged along with) first learned about wilderness survival.  Her group was broken down even further and had to build a small shelter and then were allowed to start a real fire.  From the survival class, we went to the archery range where Charlotte managed to hit the target several times and then the foam animals they brought out.  We ended the day with an orienteering course.  It was very fun, very hands-on, and the kids loved it.  I just wish it had been a little warmer.  We roamed around in 30-40 degree weather all day, making it hard for me to feel warm even that night after we returned.

Jacob wasn’t bothered by the cold.  The scouts had a campout Friday night and Jacob came home and told me how warm it was.  I guess that’s why you camp out when you’re young because I know I wouldn’t have thought it warm enough to sleep in a tent that night :).

As I said, Saturday night was our ward party and trunk-or-treat.  The costumes were a hit and the kids all enjoyed collecting candy before Halloween.

We hope your surgery goes well this week, Mom.  Hope you both enjoy the week.

Love you,

David, Ella, Jacob, Charlotte, Laurel, & Mary


Mary's Letter