Sorry that this is later than it is supposed to be. Too many computer problems, not enough time in the day....
Mikaela is preparing to participate in our Ward'sPrimary Program. She has a speaking part and has been practicing her part in the car, wherever we go. She loves being in Primary. We have some wonderful teachers, finally. Mikaela has had four Primary teachers this year alone. The teacher she has is moving in December, so it will be five teachers before the end of the year. I feel sorry for the ones that are turning eight. It is such and important time for them, they need the stability of good teachers. (Mel's on her soapbox.) Anyway, she also was given the "WOW Award" at school for being such a helper to everyone. Mikaela applied to be a Postal Carrier in her Elementary School, Brookside, and was hired. She will take the mail to all the classrooms and then return any mail from the teachers, to the office. She is so excited about the whole thing. She had to have a job interview and pass a spelling test to qualify. She loves her Principal, Ms. Kay and has had some good experiences with her. She is still taking gymnastics, but they changed the time for her lessons to Tuesdays, which makes it really interesting to get to all our events on Tuesdays.
Benjamin is wanting to try out for Lacrosse. He will have to miss the games, because they are on a Sunday, but he still is planning on being to all the practices. He is now in the computer club, the science fiction club and wants to be on the Lacrosse team. I tell him it seems like an odd mixture of talents. He reminds me that it doesn't matter what you do, you just need to enjoy what you are doing. He went on a scouting overnighter to Manadnock at the end of October. I was worried that he would be cold or he would wander off, like he is prone to do, so I made him dress in many layers, and take a whistle. I then made sure that I went over the rules of the buddy system, hugging trees, not wandering around, what do to if it is cold and you can't find shelter, etc. He then said, "Why don't you just come on this hike, that way you can make sure that I do everything that I am supposed to do?" I backed off a bit.
Braden attended the same hike. It tends to be that he hangs out with the scouts his age and was going to be sleeping with them as well, so I told him to keep an eye on Ben. (Which didn't make Ben any more happy with me.) Braden has been to Manadnock before and knew that it is warm at the base, cool at the mid-line and freezing at the summit. It was supposed to rain, so he was amply prepared. He even took an extra blanket. (He said it was for Ben, if he got cold, but we didn't tell Ben that.) They had a great time, and came home to rain and snow. Braden is still in the marching band and will be practicing with them until the end of November. The last home football game is on the 11th of November, after the Veteran's Day Parade. He is tired of marching in the cold and the rain and will be glad when he is just performing in Symphonic Band.
We don't hear as much from Siovhan now that she is feeling a little bit better. She was diagnosed with GERD and has been taking medication for it. It helps a little, but it isn't as effective as we would like it to be. She loves some of her classes and will be glad when her Stats class is over. She is still working as the Family Home Evening Grandma, and she helps out with some of the struggling Family Home Evening groups. Her roommate, Heather, recently went to Hawaii with her family, which made Siovhan long for a warm weather trip. We can't wait 'til next month to see her again. Howard stopped by and saw her on his way through the United States, after a trip from Australia. They went grocery shopping and Howard took her car for the night. She loves it when her parents commandeer her car.
Howard has been traveling. On this last trip he spent time with Andrew, touring the battle sites of D-Day. They did a lot of site seeing in the pouring rain, but they enjoyed what they saw. Andrew has become a photographer, so Howard was asking questions about lighting, settings, and overall photography questions. He wants to launch back into his hobby with a little more thought of what he is taking pictures of, how the light is affecting the shot, and what the subject matter looks like from different angles.
I am still working hard to keep the family glued together, no matter where they are or what they are doing. It is amazing how many things can break down when Howard goes on his trips. I am grateful for our membership in AAA this year. We have needed to have batteries jumped, cars towed and other help. I wasn't sure we would see the benefit of membership, but it has paid for itself four times over this year. I just wish they had something like if for household appliances, which are past their warranty.
The fall colors here have been beautiful. The snow that fell last weekend, and the rain this weekend, have pretty much pulled down all the leaves (much to the boys' sadness). New England is wonderful in the fall. The nights haven't been too cool, the furnace has come on a few times, but for the most part we are doing okay at beating the high oil prices. Hopefully we'll be able to hold off on ordering oil and will get it at a low price. $2.35/gallon for home heating oil was a little high to be paying!
We love you all. Happy Holidays!
Melanie and family
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