We came back from our Morro Bay trip with a few days left of spring break. Hazel had a volleyball game and a beach day with friends. Jack and Gemma met up with friends as well. We watched General Conference and Gemma drew this sweet picture to add to her fridge gallery.
Jack was getting over being sick, Todd was right in the thick of it, and Gemma was on the front end of the bug. so there was lots of extra napping and snuggles on the couch.
We did get started on our backyard garden, however. We added compost to the planter boxes and Jack and Gemma collected over 100 maggots. Barf. We planted tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and basil, and it looks like our strawberry plants survived the winter and will produce again this year - yay!
Hazel went on a spring trip to Southern California with the music program. They competed in a competition and visited Six Flags and Universal Studios. She came home exhausted.
Gemma had three of her four volleyball games this month. It was a blast to cheer her on.
Todd, Gemma, and Jack all participated in a middle school Staff vs Student volleyball playoff. The kids gathered their own teams of six and entered. Todd was invited to join the staff since he's coaching. He was so excited to participate! It was adorable watching him interact with the girls he's coaching. He is so gifted with teenagers.
While Hazel was away, the rest of us drove up to Bear Valley and back on a Saturday to fit in one last ski day before the resort closed for the season. I got in a long walk, a yoga session on the deck, and a little shoveling while the rest of the crew hunted down the sweet jumps and enjoyed their bluebird day.
I went on a satisfying walk with Karrie Harrison and got in some much-needed heart to heart conversation. Sunday, Chrissy and I went to a Heavenly Mother fireside featuring McArthur Krishna as the speaker. I love learning about Her and wish we would more openly and naturally speak of Her when we talk about the gospel.
On the drive to Newark to pick up Chrissy, the van was wobbly and the tire pressure light was on. Turns out we had driven over a metal staple (probably in Bear Valley the day before) and the tire was majorly flat. We used the Dix's Tesla to get to the fireside and Gordon and Josh filled up my tire. It was still holding air two hours later, so I drove the van home, and lucky us, ended up buying a new tire the next day. I'm grateful I was safe on the freeway.
I have loved expanding my Easter celebrations the last few years. This time around, I practiced meditation each day for Lent, read "Considering the Cross" by John Hilton III, which deepened my understanding of Jesus's suffering for me, studied the Savior's last week of life with my family for Holy Week, kept fresh flowers in the kitchen, and listened to lots of worship music.
Gemma fell asleep on the patio in the backyard twice. I'm not sure if that's from being sick or from turning into a teenager.
It's still been loads of fun to watch Hazel playing sand volleyball.
Todd and the kids went on an overnight campout with the ward youth. While they were away, Katie and I went to a yoga class and out to lunch at my favorite, The Press. I also helped with a primary egg hunt and made bread for Easter sacrament.
Easter Sunday we made resurrection rolls for breakfast, had a wonderful worship service full of music and Jesus-centered messages, died hard-boiled eggs, then had the Dix family over for ostrich egg frittata and an egg hunt. We ended our day with a performance of The Lamb of God in Oakland. It's been such a beautiful season of reflection on the precious life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Jack and Hazel played in the district orchestra concert. Hazel got sick and was completely miserable throughout the concert. She stayed home from school for two days. She was toast day one - slept until noon - and majorly bored by the end of the second day. She collaged nine or ten scrapbook pages and was ready to go back and face her math test.
I found these bright, beautiful roses on my walk during Jack's piano lesson. I couldn't believe all the colors!
I started my literacy tutoring this month. I've met with my adult learner a couple of times now. She is so friendly and it's been really satisfying so far.
Todd substituted for seminary one morning and brought everyone parfaits. He also taught both the girls' young women's classes this month. I am so proud of how interested he is in all the youth in our ward and how sincerely and openly he's been sharing his testimony.
Hazel and Jack have been especially silly around each other lately. I love that they're buddies.
Gemma had her last game of the season. She told me she was going to try a jump serve. Her first try it did not make it over the net. I was surprised and proud when she gave it another go later in the game and totally aced it! It was a cool moment.
Jack has been assisting coaching, so he's been at most of the practices and games. Hazel has come to support at the games. She'll sit by me for a minute, but then Jack beckons her over and I'm left alone on the bleachers. It's cute to see them chilling together, and I'm sure they're giving Gemma encouragement from the sidelines.
Todd seemed super invested in coaching. The girls learned a lot from him and he's already dreaming about coaching them for 7th grade. We'll see if they need him next year. He's got notes of who made the most progress this season, who listened and who had a good attitude. It's so cute.
We had ward temple day. Todd joined the youth for baptisms, and I joined the rest of the Primary presidency for childcare and a visitor's center tour with those who came but didn't have recommends. It was a nice morning. I loved the Easter artwork I hadn't seen before.
We had a family date in the afternoon. Gemma was in charge: Boba, Books, and Bocce. We stressed that it was screen-free time, so the kids made a big deal about me not using my phone. I wish I had taken a couple of pictures anyway!
Jack has been making treats on Sundays and bringing them to school for his "besties" on Mondays. This week it was dulce de leche cake. He loves trying new recipes.
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