Week 39

The week started off with a strings performance featuring Emma Louise and her violin. She looked extra beautiful up there on stage.

Pa even came to watch the performance, and afterward, we took the crew to Andy’s for celebratory ice cream. It was pretty funny looking back into the minivan and seeing Pa eating ice cream alongside all the kids.

Tons of fun with my “afterschool crew”! They LOVE when October rolls around and I take them to the Spirit store. So much fun running up and down the aisles!

We followed it up with a trip to Baba Bling Cupcakes, where we learned last year that they fully decorate in a “Beetlejuice” theme each Halloween.

Another meet-up with these two beauties. Never in a million years would I have guessed that two of my “competitors” would become such incredibly dear friends.

Somehow, I even talked each of them into letting me interview them for my new podcast!

The support and wisdom they share with me is invaluable, and it definitely helps that we share so many similar values in how we run our businesses.

Fall Break started off with hosting the Nelson family for a fun-filled pizza night. It’s been amazing to watch all these kiddos grow a little more each year.

Hunter has woken up early his whole life. This particular morning, he found me on the couch, sipping my coffee in peace. I tell him, “Son, there’s no way that TV is coming on right now — I’m having a moment.”

He disappears into the dark house for a bit, then returns a short while later.

I say, “Buddy, it’s not happening.” He replies, “Your moment’s over.”

I ask, “How do you figure?” He says, “Because it’s been over one minute and thirty seconds.” I reply, “You think that’s how long a moment is?” He nods confidently: “Yes, that’s what Alexa told me.”

The fall break weekend kicked off with the kids heading down to Casa Grande.

While in Casa Grande, the kids witnessed a Starlink satellite constellation during a walk to Burger King with Pa for ice cream — a simple but magical moment to top off their weekend.