5 September 2026

 Rosebud and her three best friends had a seven-hour pool party today.

The hosting mother said that when she said it was time to leave that the girls insisted that they had to get out of the pool holding hands, and it took them several tries.  When I talked to Rosebud afterwards, she giggled and said, "We did that on purpose.  So that we could make it last longer."

When she got home, she told me a long story about their game that involved a magic boarding school, a wealthy family, orphans and choosing an element (hers was water).

Meanwhile the rest of us went to the ward barbecue, ate some delicious meat, and enjoyed the beautiful weather.  The boys engaged in some gymnastics, or maybe cheerleading lifts.

Also D reorganized all his shelves.

He was very pleased with himself.  He found more space without getting rid of anything, and also made space on the library book shelf in the living room so he can check out more library books (a self-imposed restriction).

When Rosebud finally got home, he engaged in some relieved teasing, which she was made about until I told her that's actually how he shows love right now.  I told her to watch for it in other boys too - when they want to show they like you, they'll do something that really annoys you.  Her eyes widened in understanding.