Farmstead Fun

The boys had a wonderful band concert on Tuesday. The boys went early to be “band-aids” and help Mr. Burton set up the gym. Phillip and Everett chose Robotics over Jazz Band, a very tough choice. I love watching Everett’s expressions while he plays, he is one expressive dude. Phillip worked hard on his percussion parts, he even took his music to Sam for help figuring out the rhythms. It is amazing how much growth happens within one school year! The Columbia Marching Band performed one of their competition pieces. Can I just say “WOW!” After the concert the CHS Band Teacher was walking out. I technically never graduated Hight School, so I asked him if I could finish my Senior year just to take band. He laughed, said that is the number one comment he gets from adults, wishing they had not quit their instruments. Way to go boys! 

Wednesday Josie and Everett were sick at home with general ickiness. We planned to visit Farmstead that evening because Amelia was not scheduled to work and I can get off a bit early. Everett and Josie were feeling better after a day resting at home. We had a great time together at the Farmstead. Amelia used her two free passes to help reduce the entrance fee cost and her discount for some food. The family added amazing kitchens and updated the obstacle course last year. Amelia said Farmstead was the “Bougie Patch!” Yep! So many moms wearing cozy sweaters, carrying their Stanley cups, glittery phones, yelling for their kids to pose for instagram. The best part was the corn pit. Everett was the first victim to get buried in the corn. Amelia gushed over the darling Highland cows. We drank in all the fall yumminess until closing. We ate dinner since it was too far to drive home and I did not have time to bring dinner. Sheesh, the dinner price tag hurt even with Amelia’s discounted meal. Josie was whining about walking through the maze, she was not keen on that event at all. We could use our phones to scan QR codes for hints to get through the maze. Amelia wanted us to try treats from both the Cider place and the Cookie shack. I ordered the fanciest dessert, apple cider, ice cream, and apple doughnut served in a mug. It was divine! We all shared it, enjoying a few bites of it. Amelia ordered a bucket of warm chocolate chip cookies to eat in line for the pumpkin hay ride. Another MCO family was also in line, we enjoyed visiting while we waited. Hooray for family fun.  I was feeling quite out of time by Thursday with several photo sessions sitting unedited on my computer. Amelia took the kids to MCO for me, Josie was sick so she stayed home with me. Evelyn caught a ride home with Sister Flake. Amelia brought the older kids and Darrel home. It worked out in a pinch. I was able to get my plate cleared and snuggle Josie. 

Phillip attended the marching band event at CHS last football game of the season. Evelyn and I dropped him off then went to Lakeshore to return some posters I decided against. I was thrilled the exact set I wanted was 75% off! I could not find it because it was on the clearance racks. Since Ross was next door we continued with our spot of shopping. Evelyn found a cute pink cow bucket hat. She was raving about the cow her class adopted, named Molly “Moo.” Course we drove home with a special treat in our hand, that was a much needed evening on the town. We stopped at the HS to pick up Phillip. While we waited the marching band performed another competition piece, gracious they were amazing. 

Justin left after work on Friday for Utah. He attended Aunt Jo’s funeral down in Payson. He said the weekend was quite enjoyable with his Mom et al at Charity’s home. He got a surprise phone call from Bruce apologizing for his behavior a few years ago…hmmm, that was unexpected. Then before he left on Sunday Justin got a strange message from his ex-wife’s husband asking for Justin’s POV on his marriage to her. That threw him in a strange time loop for the next few days. 

Saturday the kids helped me clear the garden beds. I did not make that a priority last year and by spring it was not a fun situation. We had a lovely time getting our hands all dirty working hard. 

The Stake Youth Council worked hard organizing a program for the World Testimony meeting. They decided to split into smaller ward groups in classrooms around the Stake Center. Amelia was sad only a couple kids bore their testimony, I hear most of what they heard was silence. 

Josie stayed home sick Wednesday-Friday plus the next Monday with a mysterious ailment that included all the symptoms of first a cold, then the flu, then general ickiness. Saturday night she broke out in a rash all over her back and chest. I used some sick hours to take her to the Dr on Monday only to find she had strep. She started a powerful antibiotic and was able to return to school on Tuesday. That was the strangest case of strep ever! She did not have a fever, just a mild sore throat, headache, and all the symptoms of the flu. Everett was also sick on Wednesday, with a cold. I upped the baking soda intake, hoping to avoid the icky germs. Sara and Justin were godsends, helping care for Josie while working. That is a hard situation.