Update on Benson, Nephi, Spencer, and Summer

Months ago I mentioned in our blog that our due date is Dec. 31st, but that my Dr's office schedule c-sections one week in advance. (meaning Christmas Eve) I thought that they would never schedule a c-section on Christmas Eve, but I was wrong. We are going to have Benson Jon Spendlove on Dec. 24th....CHRISTMAS EVE!!! Kaiser (my HMO) will not do it before 39 weeks. I was kind of hoping that because I have massively large babies that they would make an exception. However, except for an emergency, they stick with 39 weeks. We have really explored so many options, but this one seems to work the best for our family. We are really excited for him to come on Christmas Eve.

The kids have had 2 weeks off for Fall Break. We went to Belmont Park, an amusement park by the beach. Nephi had several upsetting times as he was not able to ride the big kid rides that Summer was able to. But he certainly enjoyed all of the rides that he was able to ride. Summer went on all of the rides. I am amazed at how fearless she is. There were some rides that the younger 2 couldn't go on without a chaperone. Luckily Summer was able to serve as their chaperone since I couldn't ride anything. The kids had a blast. I am so glad we went.

Another day during the break we went on a 4 mile walk/hike around Lake Murray. It was beautiful and fun for all of us to be together. During the hike, Stuart spotted a snake and used a stick to gently get it off of our path as Summer and I are scared of snakes. The next morning we found Summer in bed with Nephi with her shoes at the bottom of the bed. She said that she had a reptile dream and so had to wear her shoes to his room. Wow is she my daughter or what. It sounds like something I would do even as a 30 year old.

Spencer had his first basketball game last night. I was terribly sad to miss it but I had Relief Society. I love being at Relief Society, but would have much rather seen my cute little boy at his first game. Stuart said that he was so cute. He had the job to pass the ball in from out of bounds. He kept on forgetting and so had to be reminded a lot. Stuart said that he'd put his arms up and constantly move his feet when he was on defense. I can't wait to see his next game. He constantly sticks his tongue out when he is concentrating on the game. He reminds me (in looks and actions) like his Uncle Sam and Grandpa Lentz.

Summer has loved starting Achievement Days. On her off weeks she goes to club volleyball. Summer just loves volleyball. She didn't like basketball because of the sweating. Luckily she hasn't worked up a sweat in volleyball. Hopefully she can learn to like it before she realizes that there may be times that you sweat in v-ball.

Spencer

Spencer officially had his first true love! A new family moved into our complex with children around Summer and Spencer’s age. One day, the 7-year-old girl named Leila was here watching a movie with Summer and Spencer and Kathy came out to find Leila and Spencer snuggling and kissing. Leila professed a deep love for Spencer and he reciprocated and POW!!! Love was in the air! After the movie, they took a “romantic walk” (as Leila called it) around the courtyard of the apartments and were in bliss. That night, we had a chat with Spencer about how kissing is for older people and he’s too little. Consequently, Spencer has been very shy around Leila even when she attempts to show her love by giving him gifts (e.g., a chocolate Jell-O pudding cup). Unfortunately, the saga ended just one week after it began when Leila broke Spencer’s new dollar store Star Wars light saber, complete with red lighting and sound. He came in upset and said she broke it and then declared he didn’t like her anymore.

Spencer also had a cute moment in Sacrament meeting last week when the primary was performing their program. He stood with other boys in his class at the microphone to sing the first lines of a song and when the time came, he began singing loud and proud as instructed while the others stayed silent. When he suddenly realized he was the only one singing, he got a look of terror on his face, stopped singing, covered his mouth, turned to his teacher, and buried his head in her dress as he began to cry. It was sooooo tender and sweet, Kathy and I both got teary eyed to watch him. We love our little Spencer!