Field Trip, Class Performance, and Winter Reprise

On this first week of spring, Landon had a field trip to Camp Floyd, and Eliza’s grade had a performance. We got productive on the weekend, and snow came back to remind us that winter is not quite over yet, despite what the calendar may say.

Monday was normal with an added trip to the doctor for Hallie. More than likely being low on iron will be something Hallie will struggle with for the rest of her life. Her doctor drew blood and later in the week told her she needed an infusion again and to make sure she was taking her supplements. So she is back to taking them morning and night and hoping something kicks into gear to make her feel better soon.

Landon won this John Cena doll -- er, action figure (that Eliza calls a boy Barbie) -- on a dare. A kid at school did not believe he could do a back handspring. Landon is quite impressed with the action figure's physique and articulation. 

Eliza had art class in the afternoon, and Mike picked her up while Hallie did stuff with gymnastics.

Tuesday was boring with all of our regular routines happening.

Wednesday seemed to be typical as well, and you know what? That is okay. This week after Hallie has finished her shift at work, she has driven one of the teachers from school to another school since her car has been in the shop after an accident on the way to work last week. Hallie said it has been interesting getting to know her.

Thursday was interesting day for all of us. Hallie had a very slow day at work because most of the students that she works with were on a field trip that Mike was lucky enough to go on. The other set of her students were busy getting ready for their 1st grade program that they presented both during the day as an assembly and in the evening for all of their parents. Hallie will admit though that she has a great job where she can see her kids in their program or go on field trips and still get paid. Here are some field trip pics. Mike got to teach the kids how to make "dobies" (adobe bricks).  

Hallie did not need to babysit Lily in the evening, which is sometimes a blessing. Eliza had her 1st grade performance in the evening, and Mike was able to make it back from a meeting just in time to see it. Eliza was so excited to participate she thought she should put a bit of make-up on, Hallie made sure it ended up in the right places but left most of the art work alone. Oh, this seven-year-old is growing up too fast.

Friday was rainy for most of the day, which was a nice change of pace. Our winter has been a little odd this year. Hallie came home after work and took a much-needed nap. Hope this low iron thing can be resolved soon. Both kids had gymnastics this evening, and Eliza loves practicing with the Level 3’s. Eliza had told us earlier in the week that she had wanted to quit and it was time to try something new. However, when we were a few minutes late today she was not happy. Hallie said it didn’t matter if she was going to quit, and Eliza answered back that she was just being sarcastic and she does not plan on quitting gymnastics. Sigh! We watched the new version of Jumanji for pizza and a movie night, and the kids thought it was quite funny.

Hallie went to the Provo City Center Temple from 10:00 to midnight to do some cleaning. She heard ghost stories and did some light dusting. She had fun, and it was interesting to hear stories from the regular custodial staff who work there.

On Saturday, we got the garden beds ready and planted seeds. Plus, Mike put together the grill he got for Christmas. All that remains is to have a few sunny days and to buy some propane. In the morning, the kids and Hallie went to Elk Ridge to look at a rental for her parents in preparation for their move here as soon as their house in California sells. The trio drove pass the Krishna temple and saw people leaving from the Color Festival. It sure looked like a lot of fun and maybe the family will have to attend next year. Hallie and Landon got his room cleaned up in preparation for the Hopkins visit this coming week. A bit of the garage was emptied and cleaned up with our garden preparations. The kids spent most of the afternoon and into the early evening with neighbor friends. In fact, they both had dinner with friends instead of at home. Thanks to the Ingrams and the Bridges who treated the kids.

On Sunday after church, Mike took the cat for a walk, and he and Eliza flew his kite for a little bit before the wind got too strong and cold. Spring kite-flying time is not quite yet here. In fact, we got snow in the late afternoon/early evening. Hallie attended choir, and this week there was a whopping five of us in attendance compared to the three from last week. In a ward of 500, you would think we could get just a few more out. But, oh well. Sister Hallan keeps trying, and she is amazing at her calling. 

Landon wanted to take pictures in the pretty snow. 

Oh, and another thing. Help our kids on their way to Olympic glory: Buy doughnuts!

Gym Pics, Parent Conferences, Unauthorized Playground Access, and Instant Pot Corned Beef

This week the kids had gymnastics pictures and parent-teacher conferences, and we revived our St. Patrick’s Day tradition of corned beef and cabbage, this time using the instant pot. We got some snow, but we also got some spring-like weather, so we took advantage to play outside.

We started Monday off bright and early with a meeting at the school. Mike and Hallie headed off to work after the meeting. After school Eliza had Art Club which she seems to be really enjoying. Hallie dropped Landon off at gymnastics and Mike had his China prep class. If we haven’t announced it yet, Mike is going to China this summer, and we are so excited for him and this adventure with BYU.

Tuesday was a fun girls’ day for Eliza and Hallie. After work Hallie checked Eliza out of school early and took her to get her hair done at Taylor Andrews Hair School in Orem to prep the cutie for team photos. Steph, who did Eliza’s hair, did a great job and was amazing with Eliza! One of Hallie’s favorite parts was that it was free. Eliza wanted her friends at school to see, so she had on her leotard and they went back to pick up Landon from school. It was fun to watch people notice our cutie all decked out for her pictures.

Mike had a crazy busy Wednesday with meetings most of the day. Hallie worked and then picked up the kids from school packed with all of Landon’s things for his team’s picture day. With spiked hair, singlet, and pommel pants the boy was ready to go. It was fun to see the four boys all dressed and posing for the camera.

The normal routine happened in the day. After school we attended the kids parent-teacher conferences (here called SEPs), and this time the kids walked us through their various activities and projects. It had more of a Back to School Night feel. Hallie was a bit late to watch Lily at gymnastics but thankfully one of the other parents covered until Hallie got there.  

The kids and Hallie had the day off from school on Friday. We had to take the KIA to the shop. Fortunately the repairs the car needed were less than we thought they’d be, plus we got the emissions test completed. Thanks to a coworker, Hallie found the shop we took the car to, and we are optimistic that we will be able to keep using them in the future. Hallie is glad one of Mike’s meetings was canceled so he was able to take her to and from the repair shop.

On Saturday the kids were out of the house for most of the day. Hallie and the kids ran errands in the morning while Mike did some work. Mike, Landon, and Lincoln broke the rules (a bit) and went over to the school across the road for some baseball practice. (*Editorial: What’s with fencing off school grounds and then telling people they can’t use them? Mike gets the security notion, but these grounds have two sets of fences between the street and the building. Seems like an awful waste of playground on a weekend when no one is in the building. *OK, back to the blog.) Eliza headed over to Ashley and Lexi’s house while Landon continued to play with Lincoln. Mike and Hallie weren’t quite sure what to do with themselves with no kids in the house for so long. Could this be a glimpse into the future?

We also cooked a dinner of corned beef and cabbage and soda bread. Although the veggies were a bit overdone, they were full of flavor, and the beef came out great! Thanks Instant Pot!

Sunday took us to church, family time, choir for Hallie and more family time and leftovers of corned beef and cabbage for dinner.

After dinner we called and talked to Mike’s side of the family where we learned of Alie losing her first tooth, she even pulled it out herself! A mini Eliza!

Mike put Eliza to bed and turned in early himself, and Hallie finished another chapter of Fablehaven Book 3 with Landon before it was their turn to wind down the week.

In less than 12 hours it all starts again.

Snow at Home and Gymnastics on the Road

Turns out this one title works for the last three weeks! We had Landon and Hallie at a tournament to end February, Eliza and both parents at a tournament to start March, and his state meet a week later. Plus, we got weekend snow two weeks in a row. Spring has definitely started to bloom (at least this weekend), and our warriors are out!

On Monday the 19th, seeing that it was Presidents’ Day, the whole family had a day off from school and work! Mom went to the chiropractor and then Landon had gymnastics.

Then for the rest of the week we were back to our regular busy schedule with school, work, and gymnastics. We woke up to this on Tuesday: 

Wednesday was a pretty normal day except for we added a doctor’s appointment for Eliza. Talk of a storm approaching is in the air and so Hallie and Tami a fellow gymnastics mom decided they would leave earlier for the upcoming meet in Phoenix hoping to beat any bad weather.

Thursday the 22nd was when life got a bit exciting, at least for some of the family. Everyone went their normal ways in the morning. After work Hallie ran over to the university for her weekly Y Be Fit appointment. Hallie’s new Wellness Coach is an eager young nutrition student. After her appointment Hallie ran home to finish packing for her and Landon to take a trip to Chandler, AZ for the Sun Devil Classic. Tami and Blake picked the two travelers up and away they went to St. George hoping to beat any bad weather. For the most part they did except for right between Cedar City and St. George where at some points you couldn’t see the lines on the road. Grateful for prayers that kept everyone safe and all made it to St. George.

Mike hung out with Eliza on Friday and took her to gymnastics where she trained with the Level 3’s. Mike even hung out with some of the other parents Hallie has started friendships with over the last several months.

Friday the 23rd Hallie woke early this morning to Landon throwing up in the hotel room. Bile only but still was a cause for concern. He had been sick before but only a temperature and nothing more, maybe nerves? He felt better after throwing up and getting ready to head out for the rest of the drive. So Hallie thought it was okay for him to eat breakfast. Landon kept it down for 3 hours until in the middle of nowhere Nevada he brought back up everything he ate for breakfast.

Here are some photos from his meet: 

We had snow Saturday night into Sunday. Mom and the kids stayed home while Dad ventured out into the cold. 

Week Two: March Came in Like a Lion

This week was a blur. Not a lot to write, but here are some photos. Eliza earned some medals at her meet, and we’re proud of her hard work!

The kids had Dr. Seuss week, and we got some more snowflakes.

Landon took an hour off from gymnastics on Wednesday to attend the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Dinner. This year's was Star Wars themed.

On Friday, Eliza had her first meet of the spring season in Salt Lake. She did pretty well (3rd overall).

Getting her hair done up. 

Week Three: Spring is in the Air

Unless we keep at it, we’re going to lose the habit of writing in the blog! This week, Landon had his state gymnastics meet. He got 5th place overall and 1st on the high bar. The latter is a real accomplishment considering the high bar has been a bit of a challenge for him this season. Persistence and practice pay off!

He wasn't about to let a splinter in his big toe get him down. 

Mike has found new hobbies in vexillology and heraldry, and he has designed some flags and coats of arms for the family over the last few months. He even won a little contest for one of his designs in January. The kids got into the act this Saturday when he and they made cardboard shields inspired by a website on English Heritage Mike found. The kids got into drawing and coloring and cutting and then fighting.

Sunday was downright spring-like with temperatures almost reaching 60 degrees. The kids went out to play, and the horses grazed, and we had a pretty sunset.