Day 2 of our TX vacation. Lake Houston

Matt and Hollie have wanted us to come back to Houston to see their big beautiful house, their baby girls, and their lake toys: their jet skis and boat. I am finally doing it. Exactly 5 years since I last visited them here. (Today is their 5 year wedding anniversary.) They got married in the Houston temple here but we only saw the hotel then drove on to see my friend Amber Ayres in Dallas.
(Julia had a good first airplane ride. She took two naps at home so I could pack.)

Pink Flamingos

I like to run in my neighborhood. It is more of a light jog. I meet new neighbors. I like love the skies, turn the corner, then love the skies all over again. I really stop and smell the roses. (I am not a fast runner.)

Look at this tangled tree.

My hair is out of control! I got it cut 2 days later. 

I love these pink flamingos! This pesticide company is missing the boat though, their logo/website/QR code/or at least name should be on them! I'd switch to a company who put pink flamingos in my yard over one that just puts ugly white ovals or rectangles in it. I might even consider hiring a company although I don't want pesticides in my yard! What a missed marketing idea. There are two houses in my neighborhood who actually have the pink flamingo yard ornaments. I've made friends with both so when Julia sits on her own, I'm going to do a Florida photo op in their yards! It's so fun having a girl. 

Also I love the resources in my neighborhood. I took the blessing dress in front of an abandoned door. I took some slats of a fence that had been disassembled and had been laying by the curb for a couple of weeks and fixed my neighbor's fence where it was missing some. I took some 2x4s so Steven can do a tools cub scout requirement with his Wolves. I am going to do the flamingo silly photo op soon, and I'm loving the resources my neighborhood has to offer! Random I know. 

Dear Dylan, You're 8-1/2 years old!

Dear Dylan,
You're 8-1/2 years old.

This week, you are the Star Of The Week in Ms. Deming's 3rd grade class!

This means you have a little extra work to do but you LOVE it. You got to decorate and fill out a poster all about yourself. I only helped with the photos.

Which reminds me, ever since Kindergarten, you have loved to color. For your 7th birthday here, you got a sketch pad and LOVED it as you can see from this photo!

There are a lot of things that have not changed over the years. You worry other parents with your climbing and jumping skills. You jump off of high things, are fearless even with roller coasters, and have been an excellent climber. One time for homework, you wrote a "How-To" on how to climb a tree the right way. I remember it included first removing your shoes in the instructions so you could grip better. You climb like a monkey but land on your feet like a cat. 

You love sports. You have many sports that you like and we will try more I'm sure. Your dad coaches your baseball team when it's in season. You can be crazy silly in the dugout but are focused and are one of the few who gets to pitch for your team. You started when you were so small! 

When we went to the beach with your Grandpa Gille, I asked what the best part of the day was and you said it was when the two of you were playing catch out in the water. You have been moving up through your Tae Kwon Do belts since you were 5 and always pass each stage with flying colors. You memorize the basic motions easily. Your favorite sport now is soccer. You play it any chance you get. If we're going to a pool party, you ask if you can bring your soccer ball. If we're going to the park, you ask if you can bring your soccer ball. You took your soccer ball to school until you finally bought one for Coach D and another friend donated one to your class. You are on a team now and run your little heart out! On your first game last Friday, you scored a hat trick which means you scored 3 goals!

That day you played at recess, in PE, in your game, then were ready to play with your friends after Isaac's game still! Here is a photo of you from your first soccer team, the Rams.

You love to swim and have been swimming since you were two. 

 You made the decision to follow Jesus' example and got baptized into our church on your 8th birthday. You pray and read your scriptures and consistently choose the right instead of making bad decisions. 

You are a good big brother. You have been since you were almost two and your little brother Isaac was born. 

You still help him along with your other brother Tyler. 

And I can tell you have a strong sense of duty to helping your baby sister Julia. When she is fussy, you are quick to figure out how to hold her, even when that means that she slobbers on your arm or down your back - yuck!

You used to like superheroes. You loved Spiderman the most.

You and Isaac shared a superhero birthday party!

But now you are into other things like Legos,

learning about rocks and gemstones, and like playing with your good friends!

Dylan, you aim to please. You are quick to say sorry and really mean it if you make a mistake. You are a good friend and include everyone who would like to join you. You are so cute! You care about your hair now and grew it out over the summer. You have your own opinions but understand when they differ from mine and when you have to sacrifice. You would love your own room but when I explained why it's good to learn how to have a room mate now, you have not asked since. I like how you know how to listen the first time I say something. You do not give me resistance in doing homework even when your brother is finished and gets to play. You like being organized. You like the beach. You like going and doing fun things but also enjoy staying in, eating pizza, and having a family movie night. You write your own talks when you give speeches in church. You are giving one in church this Sunday! You take the initiative to create. You create forts in the living room with your brothers and with your friends. You create wall art for your desk area. You created space on shelves for your treasures. You would love to create things outside and are eager to learn new things, like how to crack open a coconut. I love that I can always count on you. Even when you would rather do something else, you will help me, will share with your siblings, will scrub the dishes, will clean your room, etc. Yay for being a star student, it got me to write your half birthday letter a month late.

I appreciate and love you my Dylan.
Love, Mom