1. SPLASH for CASH at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We had to push off our Easter/Birthday celebrations a bit this month but the important thing is we DID get together and celebrate- even if it was a little late. Loved being together with our family and celebrating Grandma, Anna and Blake's birthdays along with the beloved Easter tradition of Splash for Cash! Grandma and Grandpa always work so hard to make it happen and it is so fun for the kids. Special day being together!
2. Mother's Day this year was another sweet occasion. The kids wrote such sweet little notes, Evelyn baked my favorite peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, Blake made a delicious steak dinner and Dane made the homemade Mac n cheese side. Anna was adorable in putting together a picture display on the table, just like I do for everyone's birthdays. The fact that she found pictures from Blake's computer, printed, cut them out and glued them up--- it blew me away! She also wouldn't let me lift a finger and did the laundry, dishes and all other tasks I might've needed to do. She is so thoughtful! Church was sweet as the primary kids sang and Evelyn and Blake spoke- both did an incredible job. Ev and I hiked, and we rode bikes a bit. We played Happy Salmon- much to everyone's chagrin.... but hey, it was Mother's Day so they had to go with it. Loved every minute and was so grateful to have a moment to reflect on how lucky I am to be a mom and how grateful I am for my own mother and mother in law and all that they do for me.
3. Jess and Mike in town! It felt like summer having our cousins in town! We had a blast swimming, playing Pickleball, ping pong, barbecuing, eating out, shopping, hiking, strolling around Old Town, visit the Mormon Batallian, and making s'mores. Loved catching up with Jess and Mike and the kids had the absolute best time with their cousins- especially Anna, but really everyone had fun together and we felt so grateful they took the time to come visit us!
4. Blake's birthday! Celebrated Blake's 45th this year and enjoyed making him feel super special and loved. The girls at the office really went above and beyond with candy grams, a soccer jersey, gift cards to the movies and Cheesecake factory! It was so sweet. He is very loved by his staff and patients and most definitely by his family! We are so grateful for all he does for our family and could never ask for a better father or husband on earth!
5. Disney Day! The last until the fall as we won't be visiting all summer. Had a blast with Stacy and Grandma-- missing Dane and Evelyn, but it was really so fun to go and get one last trip in! Memorable moments: Grandma and Stacy getting soaked on Grizzly Run, Anna being squeezed to death by Donald Duck and meeting Groot! SOOOO fun!!!!!
6. Prom- Evelyn and Eli had a blast at the Mo-Pro this year with all their church friends. Loved that Eli used Morgan Wallen lyrics to ask Ev! It was the perfect concept. The kids kept it simple by meeting at Old Poway Park and then everyone headed over to the Poway Plaza to have a quick and easy dinner! It had to be this way because so many of the kids were finishing up sporting events and didn't have time for a big dinner! Ev looked beautiful and had an awesome time with her buddies. The next week she headed to Classical Academy's prom with Emma and Amaya and also had a wonderful evening. Ev has been spending most of her time finishing up high school, registering for summer classes at Palomar and planning to graduate early--- like REALLY early! She is heading to the BYU Flex program at the end of the summer. When the reality sunk in that her friends were all headed off to college, most of them a year older than her, she just decided she wanted to do the same and with only two classes left to graduate, she is making this dream a reality. Strange for Blake and I- but we are supportive as she's always seemed ahead of the game and never cared much for highschool anyhow. She currently spends most of her time working at Target or with Eli. Side note: we were so thankful to him last month when her car died, he was able to come over and completely fix it! Needed a new battery and he installed and figured that out for her. They've had a fun little relationship but it's coming to a close with her heading off and him hopefully heading on his mission soon!
7. 6th Grade Olympics: Grant really had an incredible time and performed amazingly at the 6th grade Olympics this year! SO proud of that kid. This is a big event and so many kids compete. Grant won 1st place in the high jump and practically won 1st in the 50 meter and 100 meter dashes! He lost by 1/2 a second and came in 2nd place- although that fact might be up for dispute if you ask his non-biased mother....haha! I thought he was first! But regardless, he was incredible and I loved being a part of the whole experience and watching Grant shine with this buddies and classmates. He is one special kid... earning ALL O's on his report card put him into the category of TIP- (Totally incredible Person) at twin peaks and he's been invited to 3 different awards ceremonies for various awards he's won throughout the year. Loved reading his mission project all about Grant B Marston! Grant has worked so hard this year- earning all A's and keeping up with his studies, even though academics have not come easy for him. And trying new things: football this spring, taking up guitar lessons with Eli, biking, and even attempting a new hairstyle, though that didn't quite work out. Haha... so lucky to have Jen try to help my boys with various hairstyles and cuts. Proud of Grant for handling his free time effectively. He is almost always at soccer tournaments or games but when he's not, he's keeping busy with new hobbies and I am so grateful for that. Loved taking Grant to his tournament over Memorial Day. Grandma and I split the time because Blake was out of town. Which- by the way- is always so helpful to have Grandma to help me out! But I loved watching Grant play. And then on Memorial Day, Grant and I had the full day together at Sky Zone with Sam and then to the new Top Gun movie. Grant treated everyone to slurpees. It's always fun spending time with this kid and I love him to pieces.
7. Sacramento trip with Anna. Fun times in Sacramento with Anna's 4th grade buddies and their moms. Seriously, this trip was a blast. Loved touring the state capitol, visiting the gold rush sites, and the Railroad Museum! Loved strolling around Old Town Sacramento and swimming at the pool. It really was a blast and Anna is just the best best best little travel companion in every way. She is always making sure I have a mom friend to sit with before she sits with her buddies and she always makes sure she is carrying just as much as I am. It scares me how thoughtful she is- haha! I want her to look out for herself a little in life and not be thinking tooooo much about others! But it really was an incredible trip together. Anna just made the school safety patrol for next year and she is taking this seriously, let me tell you. She is thrilled to be on patrol on Thursdays before and after school. So cute because none of my other kids had any desire! But she is on it! This month the school held a daddy/daughter dance but Blake was in Vegas for a tournament with Grant. That did not stop our little girl one bit. She got all dressed up and joined her friends and their dads and had the time of her life! She is a go-along girl in every way. And always always wants to be with her friends. It's pretty sweet to have Kate sleep over because I know everything will be organized. She even made the entire bed the other day- when I was washing sheets! I came home and the sheets and bed were completely put together! But Anna and Kate are the cutest together. They always make a little list of movies they'd like to watch and then organize their treats and their beds on the couch. It's adorable. Anna has enjoyed so many fun birthday parties this month! They have such a fun group of girls at school and Anna just adores these friends more than words can say. And the birthday parties are incredible: outdoor movies, swim parties, bingo, tie dye, magicians! It's so much fun! Of course Anna also still loves her besties- Millie and Nora and they always have a blast as well. This past playdate, I laughed my head off as they learned dances from Just Dance on the TV. So cute. Two other quick Anna stories: 1. Anna wanted to create a drawer with foods she could take for school lunch. She helped me organize the entire fridge and we created a drawer together and it has made both of us very happy:). 2. Anna has really wanted a "bra" but of course in my mind she is way too young. I guess the girls at school are wearing them. Well.... we found training sports bras at Target the other day and she bought one with her own money. A few days later, she came out in just that training bra and shorts as though this were her outfit. She was so proud of herself until I let her know- she needed to put on a little more clothing. Ha! She is too funny. Love this girl.
8. Dane's 9th grade trip to Mexico! We came up with the 9th grade trip idea from the Kleins. 9th grade is just hard and not the best time of life. It's a good time to connect with your children and help them know they are loved and important. I took Ev to New York during her 9th grade year. Blake took Dane to Mexico! And they had the best time ever!!! Swimming, snorkeling, shopping around, fishing, watching the soccer championship game, and eating at so many yummy restaurants! I'm so happy they had that time together to connect and get away from the stresses of life for a bit. Dane's been struggling with his throat lately and severe allergies that have kept him up at night and then in pain throughout the day so he's been behind in school, and lacked energy to do soccer and seminary to his normal capacity. It's been concerning. We are waiting for his allergist appointment to hopefully address some of these issues but in the meantime, I'm so happy he had a fun trip to look forward to! Dane is the best kid. He will do almost anything for you, even as a grumpy teen! He has been befriending a boy who doesn't like church very much, but his seminary teacher asked that he look out for him and Dane has done just that. He loves watching soccer games in the garage with his dad. Loves relaxing in his room watching TV after a long day of soccer school and seminary. He is a low key kind of person who doesn't want to be on the go all the time. But he is preparing intensely for the 200 mile biking trip coming up next month! He goes on long bike rides each weekend with his church friends and I'm excited for this adventure coming up. Love that he has such good friends and that they are always up to something fun-- yard work, lunch out with the gang, video games, soccer games, school festivities. Though he's growing up and pulling away a little, arguing more, asking for more freedoms....still he'll always be my little buddy. Can't imagine it any other way.
Ok.. well....that about sums it up! Keeping me busy outside of all the above mentioned items: Working with Tony a few evenings a week- teaching executive functioning lesson plans. I finished up one client this month and now am in the middle of three new clients! When all was said and done for my first client, we learned quite a few new tools to try and I'm hoping it helped in her efforts to stay on task and perform well in school/with friends. I brushed up my photography skills and took senior pictures for one of Evelyn's friends! It was terrifying and fun all at the same time. Celebrated Jessica's birthday by hiking Torry Pines on such a beautiful morning- I love when the world slows down and you get to enjoy a wonderful friend and a beautiful day together. Celebrated Rebecca's birthday with home-made macaroons by Nikki! So much fun. Put together staff appreciation gifts for the ladies at Blake's office-- gift cards and Roxy hats this year to keep it simple. And other than that, mostly just made snacks for kids after school... I think the favorite is crepes, drove around town to practices, argued with teens about screen time, and helped with endless English and Social Studies papers. That's the job and I love it!
from the class I subbed in all week:)
more artwork from the class I subbed in: these are portraits of me- haha!
one of my favorite quotes!! Ev used in her devotional for seminary
new Pickleball court and basketball court lines!
staff appreciation!
