Dancing with Daffodils

 It has been a busy three weeks. I got my booster shot and spent the next day resting but other than that it has been go go go. One week was school, piano lessons, dance, and two middle school band concerts. I took Curtis to his on Wednesday and his was short and sweet. It was only his second concert ever and the first one I got to go to. I loved playing in band and really hope my kids continue to find joy and community by participating. Lily's was Thursday and hers was much longer and better overall plus everyone could be there so that was nice. She played so well and has made a lot of improvement this year.    On the 11th Curtis had a basketball game at 8am, the ward Christmas breakfast was at 9am and the youth were in charge so that was Josh and Lily helping out, then Brandon had basketball and then that evening was our Christmas party. I was not sure I wanted to host a party because socially this year has been really challenging but I went for it and it was really nic...

 This week was very busy with piano lessons, basketball, catching up from being gone the previous week, dance and symphonic band rehearsals, running errands and going to the gym. I did go watch Olivia's kids one morning so she could go Christmas shopping and we had an electrician come one morning to put some plugs into our unfinished basement area so now the 3D printer, refrigerator and computer/cricut can all be plugged in safely. Mom got us the refrigerator for Christmas and it has already been so handy. I took Lily to the physical therapist to try and figure out what is going on with her ankles. He's the same guy that helped Josh so we're hoping she'll be able to jump and dance on pointe without pain again soon, it just means twice a week appointments for a little while. I already feel like I am running that girl all over town but at least it means we get to hang out. I'm trying not to be stressed about the next two weeks because this is such a wonderful time of ...

 We had a really nice Thanksgiving week. Last Saturday Josh put up our Christmas lights and I did laundry and we cleaned and packed and bought Curtis some new pants and it was a busy, busy day. Then Sunday we went to church and right afterwards we hurried home, changed and packed up the last of our stuff and headed up to Rochester to visit my family. We didn't stop at all and made it in 7 hours 12 minutes, in time to have a late dinner and get to bed.  Monday we slept in and relaxed and then we went to the mall. Since we don't have one around it was fun to just walk around and shop. Josh got a new winter coat, we got Curtis some basketball sneakers, my mom found a few gifts for the kids, they all picked out books at Barnes and Noble and we got Brandon some new shirts. Then we stopped at Abbott's for a healthy custard lunch and that evening my sister and family came for dinner.  Tuesday morning Josh, my dad and I went to the temple. It was a snowy, beautifully cold morning...

 I haven't really felt like writing lately so here are some highlights of the last two weeks.  1. On Veteran's day we went to D.C. It took a lot of effort to have one entirely free day (no school, no work, no church obligations, no sports, no dance, no social plans) but I made it happen. Last minute an elderly man in our ward died and Josh did try to schedule his visit to the family for that day but we compromised and he went in the evening after we had gotten back. We haven't had a family adventure in awhile and it has been 2.5 years since we've been in the city, which is ridiculous, so I said we were going and going we went. We got Wendy's breakfast sandwiches on the way up and rode the metro in. A guy danced for us in between two stops, which Josh loved. He was good, especially his moon walk, but he didn't have a shirt on and was very sweaty so Lily was very uncomfortable and wouldn't even watch the guy. It was hilarious. We started the day at the Natural...

 Our farewell week of October was pretty standard. Laundry, piano lessons, dance, baseball, groceries, working out at the gym, and replacing light bulbs in all the ceiling fans. When I sum up my life like that, I feel pretty lame but I do keep my family alive and get them where they need to be so I suppose I am pretty useful to them at least. I went over to my friend Olivia's house on Thursday to watch her little kids so she could go out and get a haircut. My friend, Jana, used to help me all the time when my kids were little and hers were in school and I was always so grateful so I'm trying to pay it forward. Olivia's kids don't typically like being without a parent but they were both super happy and we read lots of books and it was good. I guess I did also talk to Shelly for two hours one morning. It was so fun to catch up with her and talk to someone who knows me so well; she was making me laugh so hard and I'm excited to see her in May when she comes to visit.  ...

 Another week. I've had lots of feelings this week and I usually save those for my journal but it has been a week of ups and downs. Monday my parents left and I got to go on a field trip with my favorite first grader. It was his first ever field trip and he was excited. We went to Elms Environmental center (my favorite field trip) and had a great time. It was fun to get to know his classmates and I love his teacher. It was a beautiful day and the kids didn't have to wear masks outside and I'm glad I got to go be with him. Then I hurried home to teach piano lessons and do dinner and family night.  Tuesday I did laundry and read. It was book club night and I was only 35 pages in so I read for a few hours in between laundry and ironing and kitchen clean up and it was nice. Then I took Brandon to baseball and read there too but was 60 pages short of finishing the book. I got home and made dinner, ate a quick dinner, finished the last load of laundry and helped the kids with som...