Hope of America
Category: Benji
Life Lessons
Benji had a hard day on Monday May 16. It was Grade Up day! (it’s when you pretend to be the grade that you’ll be next year and you kind of but not officially find out who your teacher will be and who will be in your class.) He is in a class with a new, Male teacher, and none of his friends. Not with Seth, or Ty or Hyrum or Ryan or… 🙁 Heartbreaking really… so we had some good discussions about life and making the most of what you get and having a good attitude and maybe he will be an awesome new teacher and it’ll be good to make even more friends before he starts Junior High and at least he can still see his buddies on recess and lunch.
Everyone is telling him to just request a different teacher but… that just seems like too much. I think enough people will already be doing that, some with good reason others just because they are disappointed like our son. I think it’ll make him tough and he’ll be more ready to deal when life doesn’t always give you Roses.
On the flip side: Packer and Cali both got good teachers and are in the same classes as their Falabella Cousins and other friends!!
Pinewood Derby
Pinewood Derby PREP and RACE
PREP:
RACE:
This was the final standings: Packer got 7th and Benji got 8th!
Ben and Rose had a soccer game at the same time as the derby so we asked Grandma and Grandpa to come to the derby to help with the kids. They were excellent help. The boys had fun. They were hoping for the win but it’s a good learning experience.
This was Benji’s last pinewood derby! Packer has 1 more year!
Blue and Gold Cub Scout Dinner
end of wrestling
WRESTLING is over for the year. It was really good for Benji. He pushed himself more than he ever has and he seemed to excel with the hard work and busy schedule. He was definitely a beginner wrestler BUT he improved each time and he made some good friends and learned how to communicate with coaches and teammates.
We went to the AF tournament – the whole fam to support Benji!
Then January 22 Benji got to miss school and participate in the State Tournament!
Rodizio! for all his hard work.
New wrestling Shoes for Packer.
And Benj got a shirt with the names of all of the wrestlers on it that wrestled at this state meet.
WRESTLING
Benji got to take part in the PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE of Pleasant Grove Wrestling program at the high school. And he went to 2 Saturday Tournaments in December. They match the boys up with 3 others and do a round robin wrestle off. It’s been good experience for him and fun to watch. He is definitely getting better with practice.
At the Provo tournament Benji won his bracket. This Smile says it all:
BACK TO SCHOOL
We started School on Wednesday August 19th this year. We’ve got a kid in 5th, 3rd, and 1st! All at the same school. They walk to and from school together and I love it.
growing up fast
cool kids
Benji’s class
Cali and Mia
Packer’s Class
30 Laps for 30 Days
Ben gave the kids a summer challenge to dribble the soccer ball around the perimeter of the house 30 times a day and if they did 30 days they would earn a reward. The kids were diligent and did make their goal! They whined and complained a good deal but I think they’re better for it. For their reward Ben took them to the outdoor theater to see the Minion Movie.
I chose to stay home with Millie and Tiago. Millie always enjoys being the only one home and getting the extra attention.
Benji’s 10th Birthday!
Benji is double digits now! the big 10!
He had his party with his cousins a few days early so that we could get it in before vacation:
His cake was self designed. I made the mistake of asking what he wanted and then he had so many ideas that I just could not fulfill so we got realistic and I told him that if he could draw it then I would make it 🙂 This is his Heroes of Olympus Book Birthday Cake:
On Monday the 29th was his Real birthday. We woke up to birthday donuts and chocolate milk. We opened presents and spent the day playing with his gifts. He really wanted BLT’s for his meal so we had that for lunch. We went out for Kong Cones in the afternoon and then that evening we went to the Day Break Park with the stream. The Eggers and Joel’s fam and Kelsey all came to the park for the evening. We stayed late so that he could try his glow in the dark frisbee 🙂
It was a successful Birthday. Benji is an awesome kid. We are proud to have him as our son and watch him grow and learn. Love you Bud!
Strawberry Days
Ben took the 4 oldest kids to the Strawberry Days Carnival on Wednesday night! I opted to stay home with the babies. We ate Strawberries and Cream all week and then we went to the parade Saturday morning. Good times!
