March! One year ago, mid March, the world slowed down. Schools, church, sports, birthday parties, concerts, all of life came to a halt. It's so crazy to look back and think on the year we've had and all we've experienced... for better or for worse. And it's so incredibly hopeful to hear rumors of school starting back for the high school and middle school! Possibly a full day in the classroom for Grant and Anna! After an entire year of partial home school/ partial in person! Church from home! It's all starting to open up again and we couldn't be more thrilled about this. What a blessing.
Now on to my report. In many ways, this March was not much more exciting than last March- in fact I really liked this meme:
Highlights this month included a baptism for Spencer- Blake's assistant, Pam's son! Blake was honored to perform the baptism and he did such a nice job! Spencer loved his gift of a weighted blanket along with the book about the Holy Ghost and His role as a comforter. Special day for sure. Another highlight was the Sadie Hawkins dance that a few moms put together - outside in their backyard! Blake and I were in charge of dinner for a subset of the group. We ended up grilling steak and chicken for 50 kids and loved every minute. Obviously I haven't had much of a party planning fix lately and so I adored coming up with the spring tablescape and settings. Easter nests with chocolates and would you rather questions at each place setting! Candy bowls and tea lights everywhere. Loved putting together the boutonniers and corsages with Mindi (Cooper's mom). It was a really fun night and so easy to put on because of the help of so many moms and dads.
Another fun event was the celebration of Herb, Troy and Dane's birthdays at Grandma and Grandpa's house! We had a blast gobbling up Grandma's chicken noodle soup and Stacy's lucky charm treats. We played the game of things - birthday boy edition- and laughed our heads off. Truly a sweet Sunday and so happy that Grandma and Grandpa have both been vaccinated !
One sad misfortune was our missed camping trip to Joshua Tree with friends. We had to cancel because of Spencer's baptism and one too many soccer games. But the silver lining occurred when Anna was invited to go without us! Haha.... she had the time of her life with our best family friends- camping, rock climbing, hiking and playing all weekend. Loved the beautiful pictures that made us feel as though we were there too!
The rest of the month crept by with mostly the mundane tasks of daily life to manage. School, soccer practice, lacrosse, dance, a million trips to the skate park and back, soccer weekends, and so forth. Small things bring me quite a bit of joy these days. Walking around the neighborhood talking to my mom or sister, basking in the perfect 70 degree weather. Love hearing about Khy' Ella, Jamie's foster baby- and excited that such a little angel was able to spend the month with J- but then have the opportunity to live with her Grandma- the perfect placement. I've loved hearing all about this adventure and I marvel at my sister's generous gift of time and energy. Other small moments of joy include my special morning routine: I meditate, pray, do yoga, read uplifting material and listen to a spiritual podcast-- all before the kids need me! It has helped me in so many ways to feel at peace and to be a better human.
And I've been slightly productive, mostly out of boredom. For instance, I organized the pantry, re-stained the kitchen table, AND put on my first singing time IN PERSON since the beginning of the pandemic! That was such a thrill. I was rusty- for sure but it was very sweet to sing with those kiddos in person. I continue to create videos on YouTube for the kids to watch once a month (this month, Anna and her buddy Owen helped me teach "I want to be a missionary NOW" with the Elders and Sisters!) I hope to never be released from this calling.... ha! Proud of one creative endeavor on the part of the kids and I this month. We put together Easter Advent baskets for our neighbors! The baskets included candy filled eggs and then 14 scriptures and discussion questions focused on the savior's life and resurrection. We think it was a big hit.
This is our family every day since quarantine started... haha!
When we aren't watching or traveling to soccer games on weekends, we spend our time hiking the Poway hills, hopping in the freezing cold ocean to surf, and enjoying Friday friend night....a new tradition of allowing each kid to invite a friend or two over on Friday nights for pizza, swimming, movies, etc. Super fun way to start the weekend.
Ev has spent most of the month hanging with Cooper- on double dates or at our house. Sadly, just last week- the two broke up. It's been a rough week but Ev has managed like a trooper. She read every article and watched all the YouTube videos she could about "getting over your ex" and she's managed not to text him back for a week now! Her friends have been darling... bringing over gift bags and chocolate chip cookies. Seriously, the girl is very lucky in the friend department and she's kept pretty busy working with a team of make up artists as an assistant for the Classical Academy's production of The Lion King. Lots of trips to the desert to film the production and lots of make up training sessions- it's been an awesome distraction. Well, that AND driving her siblings all over town every afternoon to help out her mom! She's a pretty great kid.
Dane recently started back to school 2 days a week... after spring break, this may increase to 4 days a week- if you can believe it! He's loved going back and is thrilled to meet his teachers in person and be with friends on campus again. He's been invited to a few boy/girl parties lately and shockingly has wanted to go- demonstrating surprisingly few nervous jitters. He's growing up before our eyes and is turning into such a cute, big and awesome young man. He weighs more than me and is taller than me- it's so weird! Since Evelyn is exactly my size, I haven't yet experienced this crazy phenomenon of a child outgrowing me! Dane picked out his high school courses last week- again.... weird. So grown up. He's played his heart out all month- enjoying an actual soccer season since the fall season was postponed. Love watching him play. Love watching him grow up!
Grant continues to adore scootering at the skate park. He is currently working towards a weekend getaway at Woodward West- a skate park 3.5 hours north of San Diego. The kid has a one track mind and is very determined when he wants to be. So proud of how hard he works- in his academics, his soccer and lacrosse, his hobbies- learning new tricks at the skate park, and his duties and responsibilities at church. He is a pretty special kid and I adore him. Loved what his teacher wrote about him on his most recent report card. Loved one day this week when he stayed home from school because of a stye in his left eye. The two of us did grocery shopping together and we had the grandest time. He was helpful, fun and the perfect little friend to spend the day with . Not sure how I was lucky enough to be given the blessing to be his mom but I am so grateful for the awesome kid he is.
Lastly, Anna continues to do just exactly what a little 8 year old should do on a daily basis. Lots of swinging outside, lots of swimming in the hot tub, lots of songs and playlists, dancing and chasing cats around the backyard. Anna adores playing with her buddies- Kate and Zachary Judd and Nora and Millie Doud. This is her passion and biggest thrill in life- playdates. She is such a hugely social kid and probably more like me in this regard than any of my other kids- followed closely by Dane. Love this sweet little girl and her spunky personality. This month she's dyed her hair 3 times- blue, purple and pink! And sadly I haven't even capture one picture of it. But she is constantly having a good time and always up for whatever the family is into. She is upbeat and talkative and full of good energy. Love absolutely everything about her!
So much to look forward to as we head full force into spring. This is one of my favorite times of year- I love finishing the school year, anticipating summer, visits from family, wrapping up sports seasons, dance recitals and theater productions. I have a feeling this month will be the last of the slow ones for a while. And I might just miss this slower pace of life!
