Category: Mari

Colorado Trip

My uncle Tom, who lives in Colorado Springs, has not been doing well. His mental and physical health have been declining and I had the opportunity to go visit with him for a few days at the end of last week. Susan stayed home on kid duty and I spent my days visiting with Tom, making time for a hike each day.

Susan playing at the creek with the kids.
Lucia chasing after Elliot.
I camped in Colorado. It felt like our RV trip to pull into the campground after dark and have to find my spot.
The view from my office. I worked on Eastern Time, so I had a couple of hours each day to get some work done before heading in to visit with Tom. I was fortunate that the weather was still warm.
My first good view of the mountains.
Uncle Tom, resting
Tom liked to hold hands and one of my primary responsibilities when I was there was to make sure I was available for that.
Meanwhile, life went on at home and Susan had to get all of the kids to their activities. here, Andrew is running in a XC meet , maybe at Southeast Polk.
My first hike in Colorado Springs was to Garden of the Gods. I tried to stay pretty close to town.
Susan also had to get up early with Oreo, who insists on waking us just a little earlier than we would like.
During this time, Mari also submitted her application to work at Coldstone Creamery. With soccer and XC winding down she will have more free time, and she is saving up for a new phone.
Soccer fans.
Red Rock Open Space in the foreground, with Garden of the Gods in the background.
Susan and the kids enjoying a fire.

Mari Soccer Game

Mari and Elliots soccer teams are participating in a tournament this weekend. Mari’s team got to play under the lights to close out Saturday play.

First Cross Country Race

Today was the first Cross Country race for Andrew and Mari. Cross Country and Soccer have been lifesavers during the pandemic because they are all outside and it gives the kids a chance to exercise and see their friends. Mari, Andrew, and Elliot are all running this year. Elliot’s first meet isn’t for a couple of weeks.

Mari making her way up the gradual uphill.
The start of the boys’ race.
Andrew on a downhill.

Mari’s 15th Birthday

Today we celebrated Mari’s 15th birthday. The Reagens and Mimi and Papa came over. We enjoyed tie-dye, swimming, pizza, cake, and presents.

Mari at 15 is a industrious, creative young lady. During the pandemic she has found many creative ways to keep herself busy, including artwork and baking. She still loves to be outside in the water. She also has been spending a lot of time in her room, partially because she does not like hanging out with the cat.

She wakes up on non-school days at around 10, because we make her. She promptly kicks us out of her room and usually makes it down within the next hour for breakfast. She then spends most of the day doing things around the house and in her room. She enjoys watching a show or two in the evening, but not going on family walks. I think she goes to bed around midnight.

She is still into soccer and is trying to run, but has been having some foot pain. She has also been working on driving lately and will take Drivers Ed in July.

Favorite song: None
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite band: None
Favorite book: The Hunger Games
Favorite sport: Soccer
Favorite movie: Spiderman Homecoming (Tom Holland)

24 Hours on the Trampoline

Mari and Hope spent 24 hours on the trampoline, including setting up a tent on the trampoline for the overnight. They were allowed bathroom breaks, but those breaks were timed and added to their requirement.

The setup
Nearing the end. . .

Mari Ross

Mari has been working on a variety of art projects lately. This afternoon she followed a Bob Ross video on youtube, improvising with using our kitchen utensils since we are lacking some art supplies. She also had to make the canvas out of tiled sheets of paper left over from our homeschool days.