April Rundown 2011

Packed with fun, adventure, music, celebrations, stress, and love - April has kept us hoppin'.

To lead into April my friend Hyla called and said she was on a plane to visit. She had lots of friends and family to see, but I was able to enjoy breakfast a Mimi's with her and her girls and also a little day trip to the Getty Museum. It was a wonderful surprise to see her and spend time with her just before her birthday month.

Other Fun Stuff:

• James - 6th Grade Overnight Science Camp
• Lakers vs. Jazz Basketball Game at Staples Center
• Finish editing photo shoot with my friend's beautiful daughter
• Happy Birthday JessiLu!!!!
• Mom busts out her new sewing machine and crafts a cute flag banner
• Trip to American Girl Cafe with Jessica, her doll Emily, Mallory (who turned 7 the same weekend) & her doll - Moms had fun too :)
• Music Practices for the Living Christ music performance at our Church
• We ordered a patio cover that Jon gets to install
• James continues playing basketball with the same team and coach now as a travel team
• Mommy & Me Disney Day with Goose where we had a blast at CA Adventure
• Jacob performs in his 1st Band Concert along with James who is in 6th Grade Band.
• Quakes Baseball Game with Elementary School friends
• We officially started potty training which has yielded extra laundry :)
• See EVITA at our local performing arts theater
• Easter Breakfast & Egg Hunt at the Church
• Help with Daddy Daughter Sock Hop at the Church
• Take Senior photos of my friends handsome son
• Out to Mimi's with the BEST Visiting Teacher EVER
• Jessica's final choir performance with Encore
• Jacob crafts a Hershey's bar Pinewood Derby car
• I finally have a doctor's appointment scheduled - my new years resolution from 2009 :)
• More music practices with the Orange County Mormon Choir for our Beautiful Savior Concert April 30th.
• James shoots rifles & handguns with the boy scouts & attends a campout with Dad
• Award Assembly for Jacob where her will receive: mystery award

Encore Choir - Spring Finale - April 26, 2011

This was the big finish to Jessica's experience with the Encore Choir. Our dear friend, Jacey, directed the choir and just moved away after living here for a year. I love her energy, friendliness, laughter, and smile. She is a beautiful mother and taught me to savor the little moments with my kids. She adores her children and genuinely enjoys them. She gave that love to our girls and shared her love for music with them. I enjoyed having another "music friend" that was at choir rehearsals. We had big plans for Christmas duets that I guess will have to wait until another time.

Taking Notice

Today I noticed how the light catches on Jayson's strawberry blond eyelashes when he blinks. I was mesmerized by the length of his curled lashes as he spooned Life cereal up to his standing height to his mouth. Drops of milk raced back down to his chin.

It's a scene that exists in my kitchen on a regular basis - cute boy standing on a chair eating his breakfast. It's a moment often taken for granted. It's a moment missed if I'm satisfied that he's busy and I can busy myself with something else. But what if I didn't miss it. What if I were to stop more often to see the simple joys that are right before my eyes... in my very own kitchen.

Spring Band Concert 2011 - April 13, 2011

This was Jacob's first band concert. He plays the trumpet in the 5th Grade Band. This was the first performance that was not held in the gym at the intermediate school. We were able to use the auditorium at the local high school. It felt more like a concert in this setting (although it was harder to walk up and get photos).

Can you spot him??? He's on the left side in the middle - his hair looks blond. It's bleaching out a lot as he plays basketball outside everyday after school.

6th Grade Science Camp - April 4-6, 2011

James attended overnight science camp on April 4-6th. He didn't think he wanted to go at first since it's an away camp. But a few weeks later he came to us and told us that he felt comfortable going since he knew of several friends who were attending as well.

We packed almost all the the items from his list. It was a good time to explain what "toiletries" are. Jon & I wrote notes to slip into his bag to help offset any homesickness. We packed a few energy bars, apples, & nuts just in case the camp food wasn't working for him. Actually, he voluntarily gave up his food supply once at camp because they were told they'd get in trouble if they had any food. They were also told stories of how some kids snuck brownies into the cabins and ate them. They didn't get all the crumbs off their lips so mice crawled on them during the night to eat them off. NICE!!! FYI: I had double bagged the food and didn't see any harm having it zipped in his rolling bag, but whatever.

Here are his pictures and lovely video of squid dissection :)

Ropes Course - I didn't know if he would do this or not because he is VERY afraid of heights. This was the milder course of the two, but he did it and had a good experience.

The principle published daily updates on the school website reassuring us that the food was good and it wasn't too cold and they were busy with great activities. I was still anxious to pick him up Wednesday morning. I had to keep my sunglasses on because I kept tearing up. I really missed him while he was away. James adds such a stable, soothing influence in our home.

I wanted to hear all about his trip, so we went out to lunch to Chick-fil-a. That's when I got to see all of his squid dissection videos - GROSS!!!

He's come a LONG way. When he was in first grade and they were going to dissect frogs, James brought home the permission slip and asked me to check the box that said, "my child does NOT have my permission to participate." It's quite obvious that James is not going to be a doctor. He gets grossed out talking about the functions of body organs. Love you anyway, son.

Go Utah Jazz!!! - April 5, 2011

We bought basketball tickets last fall to see a Jazz / Laker game. We didn't realize back then that the Utah Jazz would be re-building a team and having a tough season. We also didn't realize that James would be away at Science Camp for the night we bought the tickets. Oops. Still - it was nice to go to a live game. Jacob brought a friend. We didn't have huge hopes for a Jazz win either. It helped that the Lakers weren't playing their best while a few Jazz players played their hearts out.

Not cool to be sitting with all those Laker fans while the Jazz inch away at their lead and ultimately win the game - right at the end. It was a great game to see!!!!