This month has been especially awesome as we enjoyed celebrating Blake's birthday. We made the traditional poster, ate strawberry shortcake and waffles, supported him at the Fiesta in Rancho Penesquitos, and gave him back rubs and new hair styles. It was a special day for the kids and I to make sure he knew how awesome we think he is. We're a pretty lucky bunch!
We also had friends come to town! It was awesome to have the Bachmans here. Cathy was able to see Evelyn's play and we enjoyed seeing Kai play in his basketball tournament. Who would have thought when we were neighbors in Brooklyn years ago-- back when Dane was just a little baby-- that we would have stayed in touch as we have! It's been such a joy to watch the kids grow up!
It was also a special treat to have the Howeys in town as well this month over Memorial Day. I get to see Eryn every year in Seattle when I visit, but our families rarely get to spend any time together- so it was awesome to play soccer together, have a BBQ and boogie board at the beach. Love those guys!
Earlier in the month we drove out to Palm Springs where my Mom and Dad were staying for a few days. We vacationed with them over the weekend and rode the tram up the San Jacinto Mountain!~ BEAUTIFUL and such a fun afternoon hiking and enjoying the beautiful scenery! Also loved playing at the park, swimming at the pool and going to the movies and out to eat. It was the perfect little get away. I was so incredibly grateful to my mom for sewing Evelyn's Wendy dress! She was a LIFESAVER.... it looked amazing.
Mother's Day this year was pretty darn perfect. I adored the cards that the kids made me and Evelyn even decorated the family room-- so sweet. Blake had bought me an apple watch which initially I did NOT want, but was very sweet and has grown on me significantly in the past few weeks! He knows me so well--- even when I don't think I want to do something new, he's usually there to prove me wrong- ha. We had my good friend, Melanie, over for dinner as her husband was out of town- and Blake grilled for us. We then went on a stroll and just relaxed for the rest of the day. It was so sweet and the best part was the incredibly sweet talk Blake gave in church that day. He said so many kind things about me and pretty much shocked me completely! He's not one to get mushy- but he got mushy and earned an entire year's worth of good measure from me. It was so touching and kind. I'm so grateful for my little family. And so grateful for my own mom and all that she has done for me over the years. I loved looking over old pictures and feeling so blessed. Love my mother-in -law who is always there for me and raised such an awesome man.
Evelyn has been keeping busy practicing gymnastics like you wouldn't believe. She all of a sudden decided she wanted to get her skills back! She's been working on her aerials, back hand springs, press hand stands and flips- and she's hoping to start up classes again this summer. She's also been spending a lot of time in the kitchen-- cooking chicken salad sandwiches, eggs, sugar cookies, etc. She loves trying new things and is actually quite a good cook! Evelyn has many good friends and it's fun to watch her with these cute girls-- I know she's going to miss her little bestie Saanvi- next year! She'll still see her, but Evelyn will be homeschooled and that's going to be hard on their friendship. Her other little best bud moved about 20 minutes away and so that's been rough as well. Evelyn fills her time with piano, violin, musical. ly videos, Once Upon A Time TV series, singing and voice lessons, learning lines... oh, and persuasive writing. Ha! This month she decided she wanted to be a graphic designer, but would need adobe illustrator to do so. My computer is on it's last leg and wouldn't download the software. She wrote this letter to Blake in her attempt to solve the problem. Such a funny girl!
Dane has been as busy as a boy could be with all of his sports! He has so many soccer tournaments this summer! But he loves it. He finished up his football season a week ago and it was bitter sweet to see it end. He has the greatest coach- Tighe-- and we've been so grateful for all that he's done for Dane and Grant . He lets Grant practice with the team because I can't get Grant out to his practices! And he's built our boys self-esteem so high this season. We love the Reardons-- who we've been playing sports with since Ev was in kindergarten! Dane was named MVP of his team which was such an honor. So proud of all he's accomplished with his dedication and hard work.
Lately, Dane has been quite interested in drawing and has been watching Youtube videos learning how to draw cars and animals. He loves to study whatever it is he's learning at school. Lately, he's been super interested in the Civil and Revolutionary wars. He's been reading non-stop! Dane is also very eager to earn his badges in scouts and poor thing will even wear his handkerchief and hat without the shirt if mom forgets to pick the shirt up from the dry cleaners! Now that's dedication!
It was awesome to go with Dane on his floating lab field trip. Dane and his best buddy Andy, had a great time together looking at all of the fun animals that were scooped up in the net! We had an octopus even!
Grant has had a busy month too-- with football season ending and soccer season just heating up! His team did so well in the playoffs that he made it to the final Super Bowl game! And man! He is such a great little player. He played his heart out but it just wasn't meant to be. So proud of him, though- for all his hard work this season. He gave it 100 percent! And now he's moved on to absolutely loving his new club soccer team. He has a new coach and mostly new kids he's playing with-- so it's been an adjustment, but he's loving it. Grant is growing like a weed! He's been eating non-stop and sleeping more than normal. One of our favorite things to do is stop by the bagel store on our way home from school-- plain bagel toasted with butter is this kid's favorite treat. Grant did an awesome job on his animal report for school-- I was able to watch the presentation in his class and was so proud of him! He is such a great friend to all the kids in his classroom and he is full of energy and love.
And Anna has kept busy playing with her dolls aka: lil' sis, tiny sis, and big sis. She plans picnics, styles hair, paints nails, fixes her own hair, sings, dances, changes outfits, colors for hours, reads books aloud to anyone who will listen, and always finds a way to convince her brothers to help her clean her room. Anna is just adorable and we love her to pieces. At the soccer games she always has a friend to sit next to. At the mall, she always finds something to her liking. Even in a lotion/soap store! She loves to play with Grandma when she comes down, loves to play with the kids when they are home. Lately she's been learning how to better follow directions! I made a printable to remind her how it should go. That worked for a day or two. But then she decided she'd only follow directions if it went according to her plan Ha! Such a fun little girl!
And I've kept pretty busy with all the usual things! This month I put together a presentation for the youth of our church: 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. I'll do the second half in a month or two. I just finished teaching the 5th grade and Kindergarten classrooms the curriculum for the year... received the cutest notes from the 5th grade classes that totally made my day! I've also been working on a presentation for the Activity Day girls in our stake- there's 150 girls that will all come together for a conference in a couple of weeks and I'll teach on Peer Pressure. I've loved going out to breakfast with my friends and thinking up fun ideas for teacher appreciation week and staff appreciation week at Blake's work. I'm earnestly getting to work organizing summer plans!!! Can't wait for the break from school-- the kids are so excited! Happy Summer!
