My Christmas Letter in June

The Schmalz family has been pretty busy with the end of the school year plowing us over before we even realized that it was here. Summer is once again upon us and we are looking forward to what lies ahead. Here is the latest buzz...

Gavin is a stud! When he asked me what a stud was and I told him, he suggested I not call him that anymore. Smart kid. Put that on the list of things I need to do (come up with new nickname for cute oldest son)! He has been working his fanny off the past few months getting in shape to play football by going to early morning workouts and conditioning. After all that hard work he has decided not to go the football route which is fine by me. I just want him to feel involved and I want him to be happy. I never thought football was the answer and as many friends as Gav has I am not too worried about him not being involved. He prayed about what to do and has decided to focus on things that will help his future and knowing that football is not really in the cards for the future, has decided to focus on other interests. Art, grades, girls, training for a tri with his dad, and maybe a job. He does have a summer job tending a little neighbor boy a couple days a week and is looking forward to the rewards $ of that. I love him so darn much, and I am grateful that he works so hard at school and that he enjoys it. I am so happy that he is finding his niche in the world and that he has great friends and that he is happy. I know that he is a great kid first hand, and he has a sweet and kind heart. This above anything else is what is most important to me, not if he can play corner-back!

Sophie is a tending mad woman! She also has a part time job this summer watching a cute and very energetic little girl a couple days a week. Since school got out she has had so many jobs that she currently has $100 in checks hanging on the refrigerator door and that is not counting the cash. She loves the little ones so much and she is such a good little worker. Speaking of working, she has been working so hard at the goal of reading the Book of Mormon before she leaves for girls camp next week and I am pretty sure she will make it. I am so proud of her and I love her guts! We also got her report card in the mail and it had a big ol' 4.0 on it! Yee haw! She is so smart for such a little thing!

Grayson just got back from his first official overnighter as a scout and he came home with the conclusion that he didn't pack enough candy. You did read that right... My little boy that was such a health nut that he wouldn't order pancakes at IHOP but instead would get the kid cod has decided that candy and sweets are where it's at! School was awesome for him this year and he proved that by bringing home straight A's the ENTIRE YEAR!!! He is also Mr. Olympian and came home from field day with THREE gold medals around his neck. One for winning the mile run, the second was for 100 meter hurdles, and the third...wait for it...wait for it...was for the long jump! The littlest kid in the 6th grade won the long jump!

I have an announcement...Delanie finally grew a front tooth! Thought we would never see the day beings she has been toothless for so long, but sure enough, they finally are starting to come in. We have been teasing her that she looks like Nanny McFee with her little snaggle tooth, but she takes it in stride and just teases us back. I love that girl and her sense of humor. She is so quick witted that little one, and sooooo tan already even though summer has just begun. I can't see even one ounce of me in that girl. It is hard to look at your kids and not see anything that might come from you even though I gave birth to her. I love her all the same though and can't imagine not having her around to make me laugh, or to add that little bit of spicy attitude that she has.

Now onto my little Gentry boy. He won't let me call him my baby anymore and that makes me sad :( Just between you and me I am still going to call him that when he isn't listening :) Now this boy is a character! Plum full of imagination. Plays hard. Bursting at the seems with independence. Super tender hearted. Sweet. Works so hard at trying to get out of work that it is actually more work than the work itself (sound like anyone else you know? Perhaps his twin separated by 7 years?). He refuses to dress like it's summer because he is so attached to his half zip sweaters and winter jammies and it's driving me ca-razy! That's my Gentry...and I love him!

There you go folks. The Schmalz kids update. I will keep you all posted as our summer gets underway. I ♥ summer and spending time with my kids. No more homework, no more books, just Otter pops and night games, and maybe just a few books!