Loved everything about this past month. So many small and simple moments added up to make for many awesome memories.
First things first. The month came in with a bang as Grammy and Papa arrived for their annual spring visit! We sure did have an amazing time. We went out to yummy lunches, hiked, played pickle ball, watched movies, attended soccer games and practices and beaded up a storm. I put both Grammy and Papa to work per usual! Grammy on party favors for an upcoming bridal shower, and spring flower pots, st Patrick's day bracelets and marble necklaces for the cousins! I put Papa to work making a big donut board for our parties! It turned out so cute and was so fun!!!! I'm GRATEFUL I come from such handy creative stock! My parents are just like me.... they like to keep busy and they like to create things. We truly had such an awesome time with them! Went by way too fast but we are always so grateful for these special times we get to spend together.
Other March highlights included celebrating Marianne Hartzell's upcoming wedding with a bridal shower at our house! The theme was: She found her main squeeze and included lots and lots of lemons. It was really fun to see so many old friends from Del Norte ward and to wish Marianne well on her upcoming marriage! Seems like yesterday that she was babysitting for us. Time sure does fly.
Blake took half the kids up to St. George for a ski weekend! Our whole family was supposed to go but Grant and Evelyn needed to be at home for games and other commitments so Blake, Dane and Anna headed up with their best buddies and enjoyed a day on the slopes and then a day exploring St. George and a fun stop along the Las Vegas strip on the way home! Glad we didn't cancel because they had the time of their lives and I loved spending a little extra one on one time with Grant and Ev!
Evelyn and I had the time of our lives at the Garth Brooks concert down at Petco Stadium with Amaya and Jen! Oh my goodness!!!! An actual dream come true for me to see this concert and I loved every second. SUCH an awesome thing that Evelyn loves country music as much as I do. Special night for sure.
Anna spent a weekend at horse camp with all of her girl scout friends and had the actual time of her life. It was an incredible experience in every way and I was so proud of Anna for being a responsible, helpful and fun kid at camp (according to the leaders). She was a no-drama, kind and happy camper. That's exactly what I would've expected from her. She even packed herself up! Anna continues to want to spend ALL of her time with her little school buddies, Nora and Millie, and of course Kate. They come up with everything on earth to do- including making lemonade, shamrock rings, beading, swimming, hiking, making slime, sleepovers, learning tik tok dances and singing Encanto songs! Anna is a hoot and just absolutely loves her little social life.
Grant enjoyed a week off from school as he decided to skip 6th grade camp and hang out with Grandma and Grandpa half and his buddies instead! It was truly the best week EVER for him! He loved going to Disneyland with Grandma and Aunt Stacy and picking all of the activities and food and rides in the order he preferred. He enjoyed rock climbing and eating out and spending time catching up with Grandpa in the hot tub. Of course he had fun playing with Dutch! It was a special few days. Then the moms split up the remainder of the week and each took a day entertaining the boys! Chanel (Gaige's mom) took the kids up to Six Flags for the day!!! I took the boys to hike Annie's Canyon, The Taco Stand (Grant's favorite Mexican) and Boomers for Go-carts and mini golf. Then Tracy (Sam's mom) took the boys to the beach for the day. Loved having my cute little guy around all week and seeing him so happy. It was a time. The week actually really helped Grant to bond to a few of these 6th grade buddies and they have been getting together quite often to swim and play football, and just hang out. Last weekend, the boys all attended the school dance together. They sure were a handsome crew..... but Grant had somewhere to be first! His flag football game- ha! He didn't mind being an hour late to the dance if that meant he could play in his game. Man, he sure has taken ALL THE ENERGY he once put into scootering and placed it into football!!! He is loving this season and having the time of his life. He's incredible too! Such a great receiver and so fast. Love watching him play.
This month, Evelyn spent over 40 hours doing the hair and make up for Seussical the Musical at Classical Academy Middle School- AND she tried out for a play (Freaky Friday) and got called back for the lead. HUGE NEWS as she hasn't been in a play since 8th grade! We'll hear back this weekend on the results, but either way- a big deal in my book that she put herself out there and gave it a shot. She was so close to NOT trying out. She was adamantly against it. But I couldn't stand by and watch her NOT give it a shot out of fear. I KNOW how much she loves musical theatre and misses it. I told her that her life story had to have all sorts of ups and downs! Times when she took a risk and lost or times when she took a risk and won- but both parts of her story would be SO INCREDIBLY important! The thing she can't do- is not try at all! Because that's not a very good life story-ha! I also told her she didn't need to be a broadway star to try out and do this role-- she was nervous that she wasn't good enough to actually do the part because it's hard and there are MANY songs to learn. "honey- you are 17 years old! People aren't paying $200 to see this show! This is a highschool musical and you are a star in every every every way!!!!! please try this and just do the best you can do. You aren't expected to be perfect!" These were my words. I record them here for prosperity because this was maybe the only time up to this point in my life in which I was able to convince my teenage daughter to do something!!!!! I was so happy with myself and so so proud of her. Again, whether she gets the part or not, I'm thrilled with the fact that she gave it a shot.
Dane had an incredible month- leaving behind high school soccer and starting Club soccer. He attempted to run high school track (sprinting) for most of the month but then was asked to play on the top team for a new club that he moved over to - Force. Of course Coach Conner moved over, and that was why Dane wanted to do the same. He figured he'd play on the 2nd team, which is not so high of a commitment....leaving him with time to do both track and soccer. But once he decided to move to the 1st team, he wasn't able to skip any practices. Well.... the track coach didn't want him to skip any practices either- so he had to make a choice between the two and he chose soccer. Proud of Dane for his work ethic and positive attitude. He won MVP for the High School freshmen offense. He's had a blast playing soccer on Friday nights with his old soccer buddies from SDSC- they are an incredible group together and have had so much fun playing on this little team just for fun. I've loved meeting up with the moms every Friday! Weekends for Dane are full of friends, soccer games, Aidan often over on Saturday nights, Sunday morning duties at church and afternoon cooking for the family. Dane has been making all sorts of incredible dishes lately. Gourmet hamburgers, chocolate chip pancakes, creamy red pasta with sausage, orange chicken, and SO MANY variations of teriyaki noodles. The kid loves to cook and it's super fun to watch him do it. And to eat his creations! At seminary, Dane's teacher asked that he take the lead of helping a student who doesn't have many friends and needs support. He asked Dane to sit next to him and visit him at least once a week after school. I thought this was SO cool that Dane's teacher trusted him of all the 30 kids to do this job. I adore Dane. He's an incredible kid.
Ok... I feel like I've covered our month here for the most part. As for my own little life outside of the kids?? Hmmm.... I've enjoyed hiking with my friends, planning fun super hero singing times, playing pickle ball, meeting buddies for lunch here and there, subbing A LOT this month, attending our school's fundraising gala with friends, running my business with Tony. We've started seeing patients and it's been amazing. I have run three sessions so far and I'm loving it. I love connecting with other therapists and working with Tony. Learning new information and taking on line courses to become a better school psychologist. It has been a huge highlight of my month. Of course I'm gone one evening a week- meeting with these sweet kids- but my own kids are awesome at taking care of things at the home front on that one evening I'm gone. They are very supportive of my new job and Blake too....and I love them for it. I've always wanted to do this- it feels so great to have it come to pass. And it's everything I hoped it would be! Helping kids to learn coping skills and giving them healthy tools to manage their disabilities is my passion! So grateful to be doing this.
Sweet little Paxton- Jamie's foster baby for the past 6 weeks- was just placed back home with his Mom. Jamie is a hero for being there for these sweet little babies and taking care of them when they have no one. So proud of her and grateful for the example she is to me.
