Dancing with Daffodils

Friday night we went to Curtis's game up at Calvert HS and just as we got there the lightning alarm went off and everybody had to clear the field. We sat in our car for about 40 minutes while it rained and then it was sunny and nice again so game on! Nicole was there to cheer on Claire so we chatted and I had invited Elizabeth to come since we were right by her house so she came over and cheered with us too. It was fun to talk and see friends and both Curtis and Claire played well but their teams lost. It was a close one and probably the best game we've watched so far (besides maybe the Patuxent one) so lovely night all around despite not winning.  Saturday we went to the ward fun run (well, me and the boys) and Curtis and Brandon ended up doing the whole 5K while I walked with the Coxes and Grondels. It was fun to chat with them although I felt a bit like a fifth wheel since Josh was home doing homework. There weren't that many people there but I think it could be a good e...

 Last week was good. I took Brandon to the doctor and despite some theatrics, he survived his two shots. That night I was asked to lead some games for the Relief Society activity so I picked two from previous Christmas parties and made them work for a different season. I had to gear myself up to be in front of people like that for an hour but we had a good turnout and I think people had fun and it felt good to check another thing off my list!  Wednesday we went to Curtis's game and then Brandon and I went to church activities. I also took Emma to the orthodontist and she got rubber bands so that has just added to the fun. Thursday I was supposed to sub from 12-4 but then they made it an early dismissal for heat (AC hadn't been turned on yet in all of the buildings and apparently it is a process) so my hours got cut in half but it all worked out. I subbed for two different teachers while they were in meetings. I kind of like just bouncing around and not having to deal with any ...

 This past week was a birthday extravaganza! Wednesday was Josh's birthday but it was a pretty normal day. I went to the gym and grocery store and he went to the doctor for his ankle and went to work. I did make him fancy egg sandwiches like we had in Miami on our 20th anniversary trip with sourdough and garlic aioli and that made him happy. We waited until Curtis got back from his away baseball game and the girls got back from their youth service project to do cake and presents. Actually, he didn't really have any presents and we had brownie sundaes. Brandon made him muddy buddies and Emma got him his favorite ice cream and the big kids promised to clean his car for him. I couldn't think of anything he needed and since we are trying not to spend any extra money right now, I sent him on a scavenger hunt reminding him of the fun things we've done lately to sort of celebrate his birthday. That included our trip to NYC and eating a ton of pizza and seeing Hamilton, going t...

I don't feel like we had much of a break. Curtis had two baseball games and two practices, the girls still had two dance days, Brandon still had his practices and a game, I taught most of my piano students and we still had church activities. So I guess no school and no seminary did at least allow us to sleep in but I felt even busier because I still had to do all the same stuff but with the kids around and needing my attention too. Lily got her to-do list done though; she picked out a prom dress and mostly figured out her BYU classes for the fall.  Monday night's game was at home and a blow out against the poor other team. Since we are usually on that end, I felt badly but Curtis did a great job at shortstop and it was nice to get a win. Tuesday's game was up in Waldorf but since I had the time I drove up there and watched it and they lost 1-2. I chatted with my mission friend all the way up there and listened to a podcast on the way home and enjoyed the alone time. Curtis ...

 This past week was all about Curtis. Monday night he had a baseball game that unfortunately I couldn't go to but I watched it on game changer while I was at Brandon's practice. He has been playing third base but when I logged on he wasn't in the game so that was disappointing but then he went in to pitch! He did pretty well and I was proud of him.  Tuesday evening he was inducted into the National Honors Society. Lily had pneumonia so we missed hers so I was thrilled to go and it was 30 minutes and very efficient. I sat with Nicole Davis and saw Aryin and appreciate knowing these great ladies who have awesome daughters in Curtis's class. All of his friends were pretty much there. They are the nicest group of high schoolers I have met. They are all really good kids and I was glad I could be there, although Curtis was not as enthralled as I was and actually kind of asked for some space to be with his friends. Whatever; I talked with Nicole and it was all fine.    Wedn...

 I forgot that the Friday we got back from NYC we went to see Hoppers in the evening and it was okay. I feel like Disney movies have lost their magic lately and it makes me sad. It was kind of funny and I think pretty clever but it just didn't quite make it all the way. Saturday was busy and I spent four hours watching baseball since Curtis had a double header scrimmage. It was cold and windy and lonely but Curtis played well. I left during the second game to get Emma to a birthday party and take Joel home (who had come to spend the day with Brandon) and Josh came and watched the end then brought Curtis home.  Last week was a challenging one. Josh left on Sunday so after the linger longer I invited Michelle and her girls to come play games with us since Matt was gone too. It was a fun evening and I always love spending time with my favorite people.  The rest of the week was challenging because it was hard to talk to Josh at all with the time difference and his work schedu...

About a month ago I had been walking with Michelle and we were talking about our words for the year. My goal is to let go so I think about that often but my word for the year is gratitude. Every time I get stressed I try to relax and feel grateful for the many, many good things in my life. But Michelle's word for the year is celebrate and with that in my head, I went home and started researching. I had been wanting to take my kids to see Hamilton in NYC for more than a year but our finances just haven't allowed it. I regularly looked for hotels or tickets and everything was always so expensive. Plus it is nearly impossible to find a time for us to get away. With dance rehearsals every Saturday and now Curtis has baseball and Josh has class and Brandon had his play and now flag football, there is never a time where we are all free.  But, that day I was feeling like this was just an experience I really wanted to have with Lily before she leaves this summer and so thankfully, thin...