Penny's Party

Monday Lucy got a much needed haircut and I got to chat with Grace while she cut Lucy's hair. Win-win. Grace has been trying to create a gameplan to make sure this school year is a more successful one for her kids. I hope it works out for her. Meanwhile I feel like I have all the supplies but I am really lacking on a game plan for homeschooling. We are going to start when the boys go back to school so that means I have one more week to get myself organized.

Tuesday morning I took Steven to get his wisdom teeth out. He was really nervous- I could tell by how chatty he was. He kept asking me questions about things I did not know the answers too. A frequent question of his was when he would wake up...He was worried about waking up too soon I think. When it was done they had me come in and boy was he out of it but he was his usual shruggy self. Every question was met with an elaborate shrug. It was tricky to get him in to the car. He was very unsteady and I was a little worried he might fall. Much to his friends dismay he did not say or do anything exceptionally funny while under the influence of drugs. Lots of shrugs, some touching his tongue with his finger because it felt weird, and one short convo where I told him not to bite his tongue- he said why not, I said why would you, and he said because it tastes yummy. Then we were back home where he sat for a second and then immediately got up and started texting on his phone. The rest of the week his recovery seemed to go smoothly. He was good at taking his meds on schedule and making his own soft foods (ramen, mac and cheese, oatmeal, soup cups...). This kid never seems to eat much typically but man was he hungry this week. So weird. He was also quick to get back to gaming with friends and there were several times I had to remind him that his jaw was healing and maybe he should give talking to his friends a rest.

Wednesday I met Grace and her family at the Detroit Zoo. She had told me they were going and I sort of invited myself along. I also picked up and brought AJ, Andrea and Claire so my kids could all have friends. I regretted my decision to go. Not because the kids were particularly difficult or anything people related but mostly because I just really really don't love that zoo. It is so much walking for so little reward. It was also hot. Just enough to be uncomfortable. By the time we got to the polar bears, everyone was very done and it was a long walk back to the car. Then it was a long drive home- lots of traffic plus I had to drop off all the kids I had picked up. Just not my favorite way to spend the day.

Wednesday night Ben got the results from try outs. When he came to the car in tears, I knew they weren't great. It made me cry too because I know he had wanted to be on the team so much. He had a good cry that night but seemed in better spirits the next day. I started to think maybe it was good he wasn't on the team because it was lots of money, a big time commitment and he might actually be happier on a rec league. BUT we had some total whiplash the next evening. He had told us that he could be an unofficial member but hadn't said what that meant so Tyler decided to go to the team meeting Thurs night (while I was hosting Penny's birthday party). Turns out the JV coach was confused when Tyler talked to him because he said Ben had made the team- he just wouldn't get much- if any- play time. I really am glad he is on the team because I know it means a lot to him.

Thursday afternoon we had Penny's 10th birthday party with friends. It was probably one of the best parties I threw because it was inexpensive, easy, and did not involve anyone messing up my house. I picked up one of Penny's friends on the way, Lyla (who dissed our taste in music and later Penny's imitation crocs :| ), then I picked up the pizza (and noticed the cupcakes I had made had taken a tumble so they were a little smudged) and then it was off to Ford Field Park in Northville. Penny had 3 more friends come (Mimi, Geli and Luna) and they had fun playing, eating pizza and cupcakes. And of course, Penny had a blast opening gifts. She got spoiled with a bracelet making kit, a fairy door craft kit, a Stitch bracelet and clip on earrings. We had also invited Caroline and Lizzie because Caroline was the one who helped me come up with the great party idea. Caroline made Penny a beautiful Hawaiian flower crown- called a Lei Po'o.  

After the fun at the park we all carpooled over to the Northville Community Center (just a few minutes away) for a (free) Hula class with Kuana Torres Kahele (he was one of the writers of the Lava song in a Disney Pixar short). He wrote a song about squirrels just for the workshop that night because all the squirrels here in Michigan had inspired him. There were four verses for him to teach the hula dance moves to so it was a bit of a long class but I think the girls all still enjoyed it- even if they were tired at the end of it. Lizzie was the only one who ditched out near the end and started bugging me instead. I practiced the first couple verses with everyone but then I got tired of embarrassing myself and found it much more fun to watch everyone hula dancing instead. I was amazed by how some of the woman who were dancing could move so fluidly and shake their bums. My girls were a bit of awkward dancers- much like me- but I am proud of them for trying something new and just enjoying it. At the end of the night they got to take a picture with their famous instructor and then they were each given goody bags- how perfect was that! It was really a perfect birthday party.

Friday I had one last back to school errand to run- I needed to get shoes for Steven. Of course he did not want to go shopping for them so I had to guess his size based on what he already had and get the same brand. Annoying. All the girls came along and through the power of pic messaging, we were able to get Steven shoes. Then the girls insisted upon visiting Claire's. Ruby grabbed a stuffie there and cried when I took it away- she is a tantrum throwing baby already, heaven help me. After that we let Ruby get her wiggles out at the play area. There was a little girl there that decided she was her new bestie and followed her around a lot. Ruby had some issues with her when she tried to "steer" a car with her- seriously this baby of mine is a true toddler now. Then we got a pretzel, because that is a necessary snack at any mall visit, and were ready to go home. 

That night Ben had his first high school soccer game. It was a home game and they played against Dearborn. Tyler got to take care of the clock at Ben's game and then later- for the varsity team- he was the announcer. Lucy got to be a baller- give them a ball if they kicked a ball too far away. You have to volunteer at least twice or they charge you $150. Ruby, Penny and I were spectators. Ruby spent the whole game wandering around and trying to get into trouble- climbing the stairs, trying to take people's keys, dropping a toy onto the field. She did make friends with a little girl who had a doll named Lucy. Ben's team lost 2 to 4. Ben also did not get out on the field at all and he was really bummed, even though he kind of knew that was going to happen. I am hoping this is the kick he needs to work on skills outside of soccer practice. We are hoping that he can prove himself later and get out on the field. 

Saturday morning Penny had a Primary activity. It was a hodge podge of things- relay race, spa, a gift exchange...I think the Primary President who had just been released just wanted a last hurrah with the kids. Lucy and Ruby also came. I managed to get Ruby to take a nap during some of the activity. I enjoyed that part- sitting in the mother's lounge watching a show while she slept. After Ruby's cat nap, I sat and chatted with Caroline and soon after it was time to go. As we were leaving, I did finally meet the new mom in the ward and found out her daughter is just 6 months older than Ruby. I am so glad that Ruby finally has another baby her age and gender :) The rest of my day was pretty uneventful, except for a nice date night with Tyler to our favorite Asian restaurant. The last time we went it was so empty but this time it was positively bustling. I liked it better empty but the food is still delicious.

Sunday Ben gave a talk and cracked some good jokes (like "for those of you who weren't paying attention when they announced my name- I am Ben Hatch"). He spoke on being a peacemaker and how we can look for common ground  ("we may not agree that Super Smash is better than Minecraft but we can both agree that video games are fun"). For singing time I had to play some trickier songs on the piano but I did better than I expected. After church we (me, dad and Ruby) took Steven on a drive to the community college he will be attending. It is a small campus and an easy drive so I am feeling better about him going there. I think this will be good for him. Next up, we need to find him a job.