Back to school this week and it was Ben's birthday!

Benjamin turned 14 years old! He is so grown up and so tall, too! On his birthday, I made him pancakes for breakfast and then he went to school and to track practice. He said he got sung to in almost every class and at track practice. His friends wanted to make sure he was thoroughly acknowledged! I think it was fun for him. That night he opened presents and requested doughnuts for his birthday treat. When I asked him what his favorite doughnut was he said, "Big ones--with no filling." He's pretty easy to please! We love that kid. He is a hard worker and very kind to others.

Benjamin also had his first track meet this week! It was on Wednesday and he ran the mile, the 400, the 800, and the 4x400. He wasn't planning on running the 400 but they asked for a volunteer since no one from his school had signed up. Ben figured, why not? So he ran it and won it--by a lot! The problem was that he had already run the mile and the 800 was the event right after the 400. So ... he was definitely a lot slower on the 800 then he otherwise would have been but he got those first place points in the 400 for his team! You go where you're needed. The best part is that he is having such a fun time.

Bethany and her friends participated in Questival this week! Questival is a high school activity that they do once a year where friends make teams and then complete items on a list for points. Some highlights this year were eating an entire box of Twinkies, eating pancakes in the mountains, having a dance contest, and going on a date. Beth and her friends were in the top 12 on Wednesday but were eliminated on Thursday. They made it really far! It really wore Beth out, tho. She had early-morning choir rehearsals on Monday and Wednesday and then stayed with her friends all afternoon and into the evening for Questival. On top of that, she had after-school social dance practice on Wednesday, a performance on Thursday night, AND she got a very bad head cold. No school on Thursday or Friday for her while she slept and slept. She is starting to feel better today so that is good news! Also, her dance performance was super fun to watch. She is a great dancer.

Savannah was sick this week with a head cold. She didn't make it to most of work and that has her feeling bad. She's committed to giving it another go this upcoming week and we are all rooting for her.

Kevin was also sick this week. He tested positive for strep. That's hard stuff! He was able to cancel some of his stuff on Tuesday, but Wednesday through Friday he had a couple coming from out of town for an intensive so he powered through -- like he does. He is starting to feel better, too so that is good news.

I am very grateful that I haven't been sick! Because school has been a bit much last week and next. Plus I'm getting some more hours at work. I'm loving the greener days here, though, and the sunshine.