Happy 15th, Cormac

 My kids are fairly disgusted with me and the fact that I've missed a few weeks of blogging. It has been a very busy few weeks for us with lots going on. So I'll do my best to chronicle the comings and goings of these kids.

On October 4th Cormac ran in the State Cross Country meet. He did really well. He placed 26th overall and his team took 3rd place. We are really proud of Cormac and all his hard work.

The very next day Cormac had a double header for water polo. Azure also had a game. In the first game Cormac got put in goal for a while. He doesn't love playing goal, but as long as he is in the pool I don't think he minds too much what position he is playing. They lost their first game, but won the second. Azure's team lost, but they played well.

Because we are water polo obsessed and 3 games in one day was not enough, and mostly because Cormac begged for a ride, we went and watched the High School boys state game. It was an awesome game. I snagged this picture of Cormac has his best friend, Jacob.

A few days later Azure got her glasses! Her eyesight has been questionable for a minute, so we finally got her in and she picked out these fantastic glasses. They are perfect for our Azy. They fit her personality so well.

On the 8th we celebrated the cross country kids. Cormac got to be specially recognized along with the other 9th graders. This is their last year in Junior High. 

Friday night we hosted the 14u water polo team at our house for team bonding. We provided pizza and a yard for the kids to play night games. While playing capture the flag the kids managed to anger a hive of wasps. Azure came in saying she had been bit by something. Her leg was swelling alarmingly fast. She had never been stung before, so we weren't sure what it was. I took her to urgent care to get it checked out. Apparently, about 1/2 the team also got stung. Some kids multiple times. They came running in the house after I left and brought a few wasps with them. Ammon had to kill off the wasps that came inside. Azure was cleared with just a strong reaction to a wasp sting. We got home and the boys were inside playing Smash Bros. They eventually got up their courage to go back outside. I felt terrible, but the kids all said it bonded them together. 

Azure's leg continued to swell until it broke blood vessels. It is still healing up.

That weekend more water polo commenced with Azure having a double header. They won a nail bitter against Cache and then triumphed over Bear River. Cormac played Kearns at 8:00 am. They lost, but I have never seem them play that well against Kearns. It was awesome. We have had a suspiciously large number of 8:00 am games this year though and we are all a little over it. 

In between Azure's games we hit up Shake Shack because they have one in Ogden and it is delicious.

Sunday Cormac and Ammon went mountain biking in the canyon up behind our house. It has been the hottest autumn on record here in Utah. I'm really ready for cold weather, but it does make it easier for this family of mine to adventure outside while I stay home and let my foot continue to heal.

Monday the 14th was the Fall Concert for our kids. Azure is in the choir at the Junior High and Cormac is still in Advanced Orchestra. They both did awesome.

We have had some time for horsing around as well.

Speaking of horses, Lucette continues to love horse-back riding lessons. She is now convinced that we need to get her a horse. While we are not in the market any time soon, it is really fun to see her gain confidence and enjoy being around her favorite animal. She rode bare-back this week.

Friday night Ammon got to snag a spare ticket and go to the BYU football game with the Cobian boys (thank you!). He had a wonderful time. It was an awesome game. BYU pulled off a win in the last 10 seconds!

Every year Gardener Village puts on some fun witchy events and I have wanted to go for years. Back in August I finally decided to book some tickets for the girls and I to attend the Breakfast with a Witch. I picked this weekend specifically because it was Fall Break and we never have water polo games during Fall Break. Unfortunately, I was wrong. Our breakfast turned out to be at the same time as Cormac's water polo game this Saturday. 

They played UCO which is a team they are very evenly matched with. Cormac really wanted to win. He scored the first goal and at least one other. They were tied with just a few seconds left on the clock. The other team managed to get a fast break and won at the buzzer. It was a heart breaker, but we played really well.

The girls and I had a good time at the Breakfast with a Witch. We enjoyed food and some entertainment. Then we wandered around and took some pictures until the shops opened and explored the fun shops. 

I crocheted an enormous witch hat for this occasion. It was huge and heavy, but also very fun. It was a hit with the other witches. Cormac also discovered it could double as a plague mask.

After their 8:00 am game...again...Cormac grabbed his 2 best buddies, Clark and Jacob, and Ammon took them all rappelling. It was the first time for Jacob and Clark, but they all had a good time. We only do official birthday parties every other year. This is our year off. But I do usually let the kids find some fun activities and often with a friend or 2. 

After all of those busy activities we returned to Kearns for Azure's water polo game. She played really well. They won their game against Murray. 

That brings us to today. Cormac's 15 birthday! This kid is a delight. We love him. We went around the table today to say our favorite things about him. Here is what everyone said (paraphrased from my memory):

Lucette: Cormac is awesome and fun and nice.

Cormac: I like water polo about me.

Azure: Cormac is helpful and always giving me tips about water polo, which also bugs me, but I also like it. He is always helping.

Melanee: Cormac is incredibly loyal and also, he has really stepped up this year and has been taking responsibility for more things like his job and school. He also helps out more around the house.

Ammon: I like a lot of things about Cormac, but what I'm thinking of right now is how Cormac is always game to try things. He is always up for trying all kinds of new adventures.

I am proud of this kid and the person he is. He is kind and inclusive. He plays hard and works hard. Cormac is rarely in a sour mood. He sees the needs of others and steps in to help lighten their load and cheer them up whenever he can. Simply put, he is a genuinely good person. Happy Birthday, Cormac. We love you like crazy and are thankful your are part of our family.