A Fun Week at School!

 We had a Spirit week this week...and I got to pull out the Norton shirts for Dress Like a Teacher Day.  It's my favorite.  I have a class that was so into it this year.  I only had one hold out who refused a sweatshirt.  (I was very unsurprised by his response.). One kid in particular said, "this is so FUN!" like about 20 times while they were getting their sweatshirts on.  Loved it.  

Then on Friday, they earned enough "paws" that they get from specialists/subs for good behavior to have a reading fort party.  We used the parachutes to create two forts and students read inside.  (So I basically tricked them into silent reading for 30 minutes and thinking it was super fun.). 

I do love teaching.  And I'm happy for a week off for Spring Break.  FINALLY! 

Northwest Ball--aka Mormon Prom

I had this fun idea of hosting a dinner before Mormon prom.  It would be for the kids in our ward and their friends/dates.  Well...then Libby got asked by someone outside the group.  So she didn't end up being there. But--it was still fun! And she had a good time too. 

We had Mexican food--so a fun tablescape!

The LFP kiddos (and one date)

Libby said it was a really fun night! 

This crazy week...

This last week we kept up the chaos.  I taught the youth at church a waltz lesson.  It has been like 15 years since I last taught one, so I was youtubing and prepping and praying.  Thankfully, a college boy in the ward who's taking social dance came and helped me.  

Libby loved the waltz night--she slept in the car through the whole thing.  

I took my class on a field trip to Brightwater--the wastewater treatment plant.  It was super cool! 

Libby and Sarah did a wrestling camp in Marysville Friday & Saturday with David Taylor, Olympic Gold Medalist, and this girl, whose name I can't remember.  But she's also super awesome.  

Ben did his first tournament.  He got teched in the first period both matches.  So he's got some learning to do. 

Camp war wounds. 

 Ben and I also cleaned out Libby's room on Friday night.  It was a BIG BIG mess.  But together we got to the bottom of it.  And the new rule--no food in bedrooms.  Period. 

Easter 2023

 It was fabulous not to be on crutches this year for Easter.  It made Easter prep so much easier. 

Also, the bar was low.  I told the kids no to expect much.  And they didn't get much.  And it was just fine. 

We started our Sat. before Easter with an Easter Egg Hunt at church.  Libby was in her element, running games for the kids.  

We hid about 500 eggs on the lawn at the church. 

Libby and one of her fav little guys from church.  This is the look we got when I said "Smile!" So precious! 

Then we quickly went dress shopping (Libby got asked to Mormon Prom while I was in FL--so she needed a dress!) We found one and then headed to Maren's for her annual egg hunt. 

Dessert! (This year's hunt included lunch :)

Yep, we hunted in the rain.  Seattle hard core. 

Then actual Easter Sunday...The bunny came after church while the kids watched a show. 

Once again we couldn't find all the Lego filled eggs (somehow) so they couldn't finish the little Easter set.)  But they worked on it all together and ended up going upstairs to create a Lego town together--so mission accomplished! 

Also, these were from Saturday too--Ben and Sarah stayed at Maren's for a pottery lesson! 

Then we hosted Easter dinner.  It was really fun with the special bonus that the McCalls joined us.  So fun to have family and friends gathered.  Derek made the potatoes, which took a huge load off of me.  Overall it was a lovely day. 

Florida Trip

 I've kinda been stalling blogging because this is a hard post to write.  Rachel is now on hospice.  So, I went to FL (just 5 days after my SLC trip with Sarah) to spend 6 days helping out.  

It was AMAZING weather.  Taking the boys swimming was so much fun. 

But it was hard.  It's hard to see my sister getting sicker and less of herself.  

She's still praying for a miracle, and so am I.  But it's just hard.  And heartbreaking.

I love her and her family so much.

My mom is a trooper.  She's trying to hold it all together so Brad can keep working.  But it's hard.

Rachel did what she always manages to do, got me to slow down and watch some movies! I watched Coco--loved it.  And Come from Away--LOVED it.  Also I am now in love with Bluey.  Seriously.   

This is technically after I left, but can you believe how cute they are? 

We made a Costco run that resulted in a falling apart at the store (by the adults--Davy was fine, haha.)  It's hard to know when grief will strike.  

Davy and I worked on his reading lessons.  He's doing great!  He'll be reading in no time! 

Cutest note ever! 

We got out and walked to the school bus.  (He scootered, then I rode the scooter home, getting some good laughs from a dog walker.) 

Conference Lego building. 

I made conference cinnamon rolls.  My kids at home were upset that they didn't get any.  It's sometimes surprising what traditions the kids really bank on. 

Probably my fav pic of the trip.  Davy fell asleep with a veggie straw in his mouth.  Haha! 

I pushed this wagon several miles--to and from their community pool several times.  Did I mention how much I was loving the sunshine?

Yeah.  I was reminded that while parenting teens is HARD--littles are exhausting too.  

I'm going back in a few weeks.  This time my mom will be gone, taking a break and spending time with my dad.  Looking forward to hugging these guys again and spending time with their mom and dad.  Cherishing the time we have left. 

Wrapping Up Wrestling...(or are we?)

We finally finished the middle school season.  Hurrah!  Sarah took co-third (getting only one match at the end of season tournament.)  There were no girls in her weight class (many fewer girls this year) so she had to wrestle up.  Her match as a tough loss.  She was SO nervous.  Much more nervous than last year.  But she came out smiling.  And every other day she thinks wrestling in HS will be a good idea...and on the other days, not so much.  

But, this year we're not done with wrestling really.  We've got freestyle tournaments to attend.  Libby is also trying to get on the 16U Washington National Dual team.  So we'll see.  So far only Ben has been to a freestyle tournament (his first tournament ever, and it was tough).  But the next 3 weekends are tournament weekends.  So the season continues.