We went to Bear Valley with our friends the George's the first weekend in March. There was a ton of snow for us to play in. We sledded, rode snowmobiles, built snowmen, and warmed up in the cabin we rented.
The snow was heavy and wet, so we ran a lot of loads of coats, snow pants, mittens, and socks in the dryer. Play in the snow, dry off and warm up, eat, repeat!
I drove on my very first field trip: Gemma's class went to the movie theater to see Horton Hears a Who. I've volunteered at the kids' school weekly since Hazel started kindergarten, but I'd never been on a field trip before because of their policy to not bring younger siblings. This is the start of something new!
We watched Spencer, Daniel, and Josh overnight while Chrissy and Gordon made a trip up to the Sacramento Temple. The kids had tons of fun playing together. They practiced a performance of "I'm Elmo and I Know It" again and again, and drew sidewalk chalk routes on the pavement outside to follow with their scooters and roller blades. Hazel even got inventive and tied the wiggle car to the back of her scooter and started giving people rides. She continued that adventure the next week when all three kids had early dismissal from school for spring conferences.
Todd took off for his two-week Army Training, so instead of making dinners, I took the kids out for extra afternoon outings. We scootered along the trail to "Marshland" and enjoyed one of our first sunny spring days.
We went to see How to Train Your Dragon 3 at the theater. Loved it!
We went to the skate park. The kids held their own even though the place was swarming with teenagers.
We were invited to a Pie Day dinner at a friend's house. Lots of families from the neighborhood/ward were there. It was fun. We also had a church talent show. Jack and Hazel both played the piano, and Hazel brought some of her paintings to display.
We went to the Saint Patrick's Day Festival in Dublin. We brought our friend Kate along. We enjoyed listening to the live music and scouring the booths for give-aways.
The kids made great leprechaun traps again this year. We had high hopes we'd catch one, because Gemma saw one out her bedroom window hiding in our bushes, but alas, the little buggers got away again. They even dyed our milk and drinking water green. We know they were still in the house, though, because the kids would empty their water bottles and fill them up fresh, but the next time they'd go for a drink, the water would be green again! Over and over again. So silly.
Gemma was excited to spend a week as Calendar Captain in her classroom. It's taken her a while to become comfortable in front of everyone, but she's getting there!
There's a big dog we pass on the way to and from school that Gemma just loves. He's not always outside, but when he is, Gemma loves to visit with him. All my kids think I'm mean because we don't have a dog. (Although they're far from united on what type we ought to have. Hazel loves golden retrievers, while Jack is obsessed with chihuahuas. Gemma hasn't settled on a favorite breed yet.)
I love watching Jack blossom socially this year. He's got a handful of best buds, and he's so happy and so silly with them. None of them are in his class this year, but they consistently find each other at lunch and recess and are always happy to have play dates.
Hazel had to sing a song at a school assembly with their buddy class. That meant lots of practicing and performing in front of a crowd, which was mortifying for her.
It was a good assembly to attend, however, as Jack received recognition for reaching 50 miles in running club, and Gemma was made Student of the Month for gratitude.
I had game night, breakfast club, and piano club, as well as a Relief Society activity or two, to keep my social calendar full. I've got to take more pictures!
Everyone was excited when Todd came home from AT. He got back to business giving everyone rides in the back of his truck around the culdesac, playing Troll Chase, and making sure the kids put their books down and and run around.
And he was tired enough to fall asleep on top of the play structure. . . Poor guy works too hard!
