Kendal is 12!

 This beautiful young lady is 12 today! Kendal is such a light and a joy to all around her. She is such a sweetheart and is so friendly and loving. She is so kind and friendly you can't help but be caught up in her happiness with her. 

Kendal has a lot going on these days. School keeps her busy with her many classes and advanced math. She's also on a Sources of Strength committee that adds to her school days. (It's a group of kids that are meant to share goodness to others and look out for kids who need some upliftment and help in life.) A few teachers have told Casey and I what a wonderful student Kendal is. They're impressed by her kindness, thoughtfulness, and love of learning and knowledge. She does have a love of school and learning, it's come more at a price though in this transition to middle school. Kendal's anxiety has grown quite a bit, and it's something we'll continue to work on so that her school experience is a positive one. Outside of schcool Kendal's afternoons are full of piano, sports, friends and reading. Her days are busy and I know where just at the beginning of these full years. Kendal is advancing in piano and on her final lesson books!After she completes these she'll get to pick and choose harder song, hymns, and so on. She's enjoying choir this semester and even went out for some group solo's which she got and preformed over the weekend. Kendal is growing so much in her sports this year. She is killing it on defense in basketball right now and is proving quite the force! Kendal has stepped up and helped out so much as I have work, and as she's gotten older. We appreciate her willingness to watch Alice and Peter as we are busy or catch a rare date night. 

For her birthday Kendal received: From friends, sticker / quirkle art book, cool geo lamp, mini waffle maker, gel pens, gift money. Grandma and Grandpa Loosle gave her a fun book, rings, and sheets. From Aunt Katherine, a scripture case, tote bag, and books. Grandma and Grandpa Darrington gave her a Barnes and Noble gift card. From us she got the Harry Potter book set, manicure kit, leather basketball, and an iron flask water bottle. 

Kendal we love your golden heart! You are beautiful inside and out! We are blessed and so very lucky to have you in our lives!! 

Kendal's 12 yr old interview:

Favorite color: pink, purple, & teal

Favorite activity: Basketball, Volleyball, reading, friends, family

Favorite Food: sweet pork / lime chicken taco's

Favorite Animal: Fox, duck, owl, wolf

Favorite Holiday: "All because they're special in their own ways."

Favorite book: Keeper's of the lost cities, Storm runner series, Harry Potter, Adventurers Wanted

When I grow up: "Teacher and a coach like dad."

Nickname: Sweet Pea

basketball, Kendal's birthday

 The first week of November was a busy blur. Casey had a conference he had to take off of school and do over zoom since he had basketball try outs. His tryouts went for a few days, then practice started for his season. He also had parent teacher conferences that extended his days even longer. I had the book fair going on so I put in an extra 15 hours of work with 5 hours on both Wednesday and Thursday evening. The kids were troopers the whole week dealing with their dad gone and mom gone or back and forth. I'm very grateful these week only come a couple of times a year, because it was such a crazy week. 

Below (Casey's team this year, they're pretty novice, we'll see how this season goes.)

Peter had some great grades from his first quarter. He got all A's except in spelling and good marks from his teacher(s). He's such a helpful and good kid in school and his teacher and the staff give him lots of praise. Kendal stressed a lot about her grades just to end up with straight A's and on the honor roll. We've gotten a couple of messages from her teachers sharing their admiration for Kendal and all that she is / does. Alice may not get the grades at this age, but she's growing a lot in her preschool learning. She shows us things all of the time that she's picked up and learning. Words, writing, counting, songs, etc. She's loving in person preschool and gushes about her teacher Miss Ellie!

Kendal wanted a birthday party this year so I made sure we did it on a weekend where Casey could be around which was the 6th. Our initial plan was to go bowling with friends, but I didn't call soon enough and found out it wasn't available, so last minute we had to switch and go to Skateland. A couple of Kendal's friends had a harder time skating, but overall they enjoyed themselves and had fun together. Peter got to go off and play with Austin while Alice stayed with us and "skated" with Daddy all around the rink. She was getting a bit better by the end and didn't want to go. 

(Kendal's friends that came: Becca, Alicyn, Hope, Renetta, Tayven, and David.) 

Fast Sunday isn't the easiest day for Peter (really any of us), so we pulled out puzzles to pass the morning away. Alice took tons of pictures of us at the table, along with some selfies. 

Kendal has had two basketball games the past couple of Saturday's. On the 6th her team was on point and won 42 to 23! Kendal played hard and did a great job getting in there and doing her part. This past weekend was a tough game. They were down a few girls, one got injured in the first quarter (later learned she broke her hand.), and even Kendal got hurt a bit. They stayed with the other team for a bit, then it just got away from them. A tough loss, but it happens. 

My parents and Katherine came into town over the weekend. They made it in time to watch Kendal's game! We went out for lunch at Cafe Rio. Us girls went to Barnes and Noble while they boys, plus Alice went home. Kendal wanted to bake and decorate her birthday cake this year so I gave her the go on it. She also wanted to have it while Grandma, Grandpa, and Katherine were here to enjoy it. She was a bit frustrated with the process, but liked how it turned out. Kendal had her first choir concert that evening. It was a big performance with the middle school and high school choir's doing a lot of musical numbers. Kendal had a couple of group solo's that she was so excited for and did a wonderful job singing. Alice was drawn in and enjoying the music the whole time. Peter was more antsy, but liked many of the songs as well. 

Yesterday was our primary program. Being in the primary presidency puts a different perspective on the work behind the scenes and it is A LOT! The kids did a great job in the program. Alice and Peter both gave their parts well. Kenny and Cheryl watched online and got to see Peter the whole time since he was just above the pulpit in the camera shot. Alice was a bit wiggly, but what 4 yr old isn't. After the program the kids watched church short films and ate popcorn (or I should say plastered the primary room with popcorn - it was so messy!). I ended the evening in charge of the priesthood / temple preview for the oldest primary class. 

I had to say goodbye to one of my best friends today. Her family is off to Pittsburgh onto new adventures. Kate has been there for me through so much and I her. We've gotten to do so much together and lamented over things we haven't been able to do. She has a heart of gold and I will miss her so very much. 

Kendal requested cinnamon rolls for her birthday breakfast. She opened presents and then was off to school. She wasn't thrilled to run the mile or take a math test on her birthday, but as she'll find out for years to come, birthdays don't stop life from happening. She took it in stride and still had a good day with birthday wishes from friends at school. She came home to a giant cupcake sign from her YW leader and after piano practice had an easy going afternoon. Grandma and Grandpa Darrington stopped in on their way home from California to share their love and birthday wishes. We got to chat with family and the kids had some more birthday cake after dinner. So happy to celebrate this wonderful young lady. She is a joy and a treasure in our family! 

And a couple of randoms to make you smile. Alice asleep at the grocery store, and Kendal and Peter are famous - they're on google maps!