Road Show, Selfies and All That Jazz

Last month, Travis and I were the stake reps to head up Road Show, which is basically a 24 hour created skit, music, choreography, etc...performed by each of the wards in our stake - church terms that mean a congregation and geographical area that comprises 8-12ish congregations.  The theme was Disney/Pixar movies.  The end result was awesome.

We went to the Poconos to visit the Egberts, who are awesome and who we already miss, we celebrated Bella's birthday up there and had tons of fun.

Women's Club had a great little speaker on the history of hats.  She had quire a collection and we had so much fun trying them on.  Don't I look fetching?

Then the first week of April was Read Across America Week and Dr. Suess' birthday.  Kody's teacher always makes green eggs and hams for the kids to try.  Kody was not a fan, despite his liking both foods when not green.  What a punk!

Bella grew big enough for a full size violin.  We tested out over twenty different ones and settled on one we both loved.  It was not cheap, but it could have been so much worse.  Here's hoping she makes my investment worth it.

We also celebrated Easter with some egg hunts and candy.

Our school had an art show.  It was quite awesome.  Made me want to get all crafty, creative again.  But alas no time, energy or money for that.  I have bigger and more important goals that require those aforementioned resources.  But it was an urge I hadn't felt in a long time and so surprised me.

Apparently I practiced the art of selfies.  I think I am terrible at single selfies.  It's fine with my hubster, a kid or others, but when it is just me - it feels super awkward.

And last we had a Pinewood Derby.  Issac was over in weight, we had to last minute saw up the car to get it to work.  It raced horribly.  He put it on the track backwards which didn't help and lost every round.  But he had fun, we followed it up with a trip to Buffalo Wild Wings and his picture and care made it into the local paper. 

So here we are trundling along. 

Chavez/Carlock Wedding

Jessika, was one of my favorite sister missionaries ever.  But of course I never called her by her first name until she got off her mission and came back to visit us with her sister, Merilyn (pic 1).  Then I went up to New Jersey and New York for her wedding.  The reception was the night before.  Because they are Latino, they could dance and we all did.  Notice my sweaty glow in the 2nd picture.

 

Then the next day, I drove into Manhattan (pic 3), paid $40.00 to park and went to the Manhattan Temple (pic 4) to witness their wedding.  It was my first time at the temple and it was so different but very cool nonetheless.  I love this couple (pic 5) and how good they are for and to one another.  I love the attitude that this girl can flash (pic 6) in fun and that is why we are friends.  Last I love how close she is to her family (pic 7).  She is just so amazing.

 

Many congrats to the happy couple.  Love you guys!

 

This and That Ketchup (in no particular order)

Book Fair - I was the chairperson.  It was fraught with bad weather and lots of glitches, but it went well and is done.  Hallelujah!

Holocaust Museum and Valentine's Day- Valentine's Day we made balloons with the kids' names and after popping them they read their favorite things that Travis and I like about them.  This made Wyatt feel like a rock star and proved to be a great idea.  Then we went to the Holocaust Museum to teach them about what too little love will look like in the world and because it's awesome.  Then in commemoration of our engagement on VDay and our marriage, we went to the temple.





Cooking Lasagna - I tried using whole wheat pasta.  Travis was not a fan, the others mainly indifferent.  But if you are going to make homemade lasagna, why not make tons and freeze for later and for taking to people.

Cell Project - Wyatt had to draw or design a plant and animal cell.  Well why not make huge chocolate chips cookies with frosting to illustrate it more perfectly and win class favor and teacher bonus points.  There were some other really cool ones made of Jell-O and other food items.

Bowling RPA - Foster families have quarterly family building activities.  Two events ago, we did bowling.  The kids really are starting to take to it.  Not great, but we no longer need bumpers.  Bella masters it for at least one frame and grabs a strike.



School Vday Party - Games, playing and food - what's not to love?

Arrow of Light - Wyatt got his arrow of light, despite being postponed eat least 2 times.  He was so cute and happy.  As was I.  My kids are growing too fast!

Fasnacht Day  - the key is the real mashed potatoes used in the dough.  I made fewer than ever before this year, still 100.  Still I need all the fancy coatings (glaze, powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar).

Jump Rope for Heart - the school does a fundraiser for heart health awareness.  They do all kinds of activities, but one gym class is devoted to jumping rope and having a healthy snack.  This is Issac and his "rat pack" group of friends.  Cute boys!

Who Wants To Be The Chemist

It's like the National Spelling Bee, but it is for chemistry.  Wyatt loves science and so made his way to the county level.  There he answered questions in 3 out of 5 of the rounds before being eliminated.  He ended up being the 7th from our county when they only accepted 4 at a state level.  But he is excited to come back next year better prepared to go even further.



Lancaster County Participants

Let the nervous nail biting begin.

Happy smiles to move onto the next round.

The end of the road, but he is still happy.   Love this boy!

 

I'm Getting Old

So over a week ago on Sunday, I started feeling a bit under the weather.  At first I thought it was because of a series of late nights.  I had just spent the weekend at my best friend's house and as you can imagine there were several late night talking sessions.  But my kids had been sick'ish' over the weekend and when I started getting worse I quickly realized that I was getting whatever they had gotten.  Mainly head cold but with serious flu like symptoms - muscle aches, serious fatigue, cold/hot sweats, etc...

On Monday, one child stayed home from school, two left for school saying they didn't feel great.  I was quickly deteriorating and then a call came from the school.  Another child had bitten the dust.  I put a blip on Facebook about not feeling great and the funk going around our home.  While online, I had read something about how moderate cardio can boost your immune system.  So on Tuesday I decided to try and do a slow jog to the gym for a quick workout and then back home.  But alas, I was past a little sick.  Upon arriving at the gym, I had met my match, declared this illness the winner and asked for a ride back home from the gym manager.  While doing this a friend had brought me this care bag and delivered it on my door step.  Luckily I still had two children at home to bring it in.

9 days later, I'm still sick.  Not as bad as I was, but still not great.  My husband says this is the sickest and longest he has seen me since we've been together - more than 15 years.  He hints that it's because I am getting old.  I worry it may be true, but I sincerely believe it is because more than ever I suck at taking the time and rest I need, despite his absolute assistance in trying to help me.  He did win "rock star of the year husband award" as three days in a row he went to work late, covering the morning grind and letting me sleep. 

Still this is what the past 9 days looked like, despite the sickness in my calendar:

• 1 last minute project and animal diorama
• 4 times helping in kids classrooms
• 1 oral surgeon phone appointment and pre-screen
• 3 times watching the neighbor's child after school and walking another kid home
• 1 abandoning of VT and make and deliver treats instead (can't spread the funk)
• 1 eye Dr. appt.
• 2 FHE's
• 1 waxing appt.
• 1 orthodontic consult
• 6 music lessons
• 4 kids' activities
• 1 St. Patty's Day with green and traditional food
• 1 library board meeting
• 1 lunch with friend
• 2 dinners for people who needed it more than me
• 1 oral surgeon consult
• 2 sets of Scouts and YW's drop offs and pick ups
• 1 Foster Meeting and Home visit
• 1 Family Visit
• 1 IU-13 Seminar
• 1 First Day of Spring and Rita's Visit
• 1 Easter Egg Hunt
• 3 Play Practices
• 3 Sessions of Stake Conference (Travis spoke at Priesthood Leadership, so I popped in there)
• 1 Puppy Spay
• 2 Violin sound tests, 1 violin purchase

and in case you think, I didn't cancel anything...

• 2 missed book clubs
• 1 cancelled RS event
• 1 abandoned HS Girls Night dinner
• 1 Missed Spaying Appt (while I was sick someone accidentally fed dog, surgery postponed)
• 1 decline on Service Bingo at Pleasant View Retirement Community
• 3 skips on morning routine
• 6 missed gym routines

and healthy add ins included:

• 6 early bedtimes
• 3 added naps
• 2 friends helping with drop offs and pick ups
• 1 friend delivering food
• lots of puppy snuggles
• and the best husband and kids to try and spoil me!

I'll survive just to keep seeing these smiling faces!

Bella rella roo,

Love is too tame a word.

Smitten doesn't begin to do our feelings justice.

Happy 13th Birthday!

Friends Movie Themed Sleepover Party

Birthday Questionnaire

Birthday at Christie's in Poconos

 Love,

Mom and Dad