August

Pretty much everything around here for the past month has revolved around training for my bike race. I ride either on the trainer or outside several times a week and my family and friends have been immensely supportive and helpful in making that possible. 

While training may have been at the center of it all, there's been lots and lots of life flying wildly around the periphery. Matthew was out of town for the first week of August, which also happened to be the boys' last full week of summer break. We had play dates nearly every day and spent as much time as possible in the pool. Hyrum started school on the 11th (a Thursday) and Abraham started the following Monday, much to the displeasure of their little sister who has missed her brothers terribly. 

Three is not my favorite age, and Mercy has been particularly trying since school started and it's just the two of us. While I am not especially fond of the inexplicable meltdowns, the constant flow of conversation, and the never ending demands for food or a show, it's her recent propensity for peeing on the floor that is really starting to drive me mad. It's not all urine and tantrums though. Just as often as not, Mercy is darling and sweet and rather fun to have around.  

In addition to the normal mom stuff, and work stuff, and school stuff, we've kept busy with regular babysitting swaps with the Jolley's, Ward FHE, a date night at the Temple, book club, the Buras' party, D&D, and Bubonicon. I also got an Accuquilt Studio 2 fabric cutter. I have since made a couple of sample pieces using the clamshell die as practice for a quilt I've got in the works. 

The boys discovered a love of Pokemon cards this month and ever since we started using them as incentive to finish levels in their piano lessons, they have both spent hours and hour practicing. If there's a conflict between the boys, it's more often than not over who's turn it is to play piano. Matthew couldn't be more pleased.