To All Who Celebrate...

 Happy Justin Timberlake Day! 

Bet you can't guess what I will be listening to on repeat today? 

Making Dreams Come True!

Yesterday piano was cancelled. 

Monday, our teacher told Husband that his lesson was cancelled because she had an early flight today. But then yesterday morning, she sent out a text to the whole group of Tuesday-ers. 

This meant we had nothing on the calendar. 

No obligations to be anywhere. 

It was the literal first time in the month of April when we could just be home for the night. But we didn't stay home. Because it was Tuesday. Which is discount day at the movie theater. 

And one C has been DYING to see Super Mario Galaxy. But truly, we've had no chance to do that. 

So we (Husband and I) decided around 2:00 that we were going to do it. I ordered the tickets and snacks, and we didn't tell the kids. 

But they figured it out anyway. They also thought we were lying about piano being cancelled, but we were not! That actually happened! 

And he loved it. Worth the wait. 

And the rest of us thought it was okay. And worth the cheaper price. 

And tonight we really will do nothing!!! And we swapped C's voice lesson with another student, so we will also do nothing on Thursday! The actual dream! 

The Last 4 Days

Thursday was not only Husband's birthday, but it was also the piano recital! 

Both of my pianists played well. We were sitting towards the back, so my action shots are horrible. Just trust me.  

After we took this adorable picture! 

We went home and opened presents. Husband got a bikini for Gretchen the Porch Goose because a "reliable source" said that's what he wanted. **I am the reliable source.

Friday was pretty low-key. I spent the day with my parents, who came for the recital. I took my mom to Yinz Bins. She liked it. 

Yinz Bins is a place where you can buy random overstock and Amazon returns. On Saturday, when they first put bins out, items are $9.99, and by Friday, they're 50 cents. 

After school, the kids went swimming at the hotel. And we had dinner. 

Saturday was C's choir concert. 

And we taught my parents about Netflix Boggle. Thanks for that tip Billie Jo! It's great fun! 

After they got back to MN, we were still able to play with them. I just emailed a picture of the QR Code and they joined. 

Yesterday we went to Mass, and then we dropped the kids off to see their friends in Suessical the Musical Jr. Husband and I had a little date. 

And here we are... we made it to Monday again! 

Happy Birthday Husband!

Somehow, last night at the dinner table, we found ourselves in a full family discussion about old-school social media after our lovely children declared that Facebook is for “old people.” Well, kids, we were around when it was still The Facebook and when you needed a college email just to join. Plus, it was only for people at your specific school.

To ensure our children are well-rounded and knowledgeable, we even demonstrated what “poking” someone meant.
“What, so you just got into poke wars all the time?”
“Yes, my child. That is exactly what they were called.”

Then we took a stroll through the time capsules that are our timelines. 2005 was a wild time, and clearly at some point we both decided (wisely) to purge most evidence of our tomfoolery.

So, Happy Birthday to my favorite person to teach a history lesson with. I may not always agree with your television choices, and Lord knows I can’t handle the melancholy caterwauling music in the mornings (truly)… but I wouldn’t trade a single one of those quirks for anything.

You make the ordinary moments feel like the good old days in real time. You keep us laughing, and there is no one I’d rather occasionally question life choices with.

He's my favorite throwback, the one I’ll always be glad I “friended” for life. 

I both love you and like you Husband! 

**Throwback picture for vibes' sake** 

And what can I say? We're old people with Facebooks?

Wednesday Check In

On Sunday, C's show came to a close. It's been a crazy, wild ride. 

From his audition on a day that was so cold that we didn't have school to the final strike and cast meal at a Mexican restaurant nearby, it was such a wonderful experience for my guy. 

I am going to miss it. 

This is Abby. She was Mary. She is an incredibly talented young lady and so wonderfully consistent on stage. I am so glad she was there as C's main acting partner. I couldn't have wished for anyone better. 

On Saturday, there were a boatload of Husband's mom's side of the family to see him. This is even missing one of Husband's cousins and his girlfriend. 

Saturday also brought one of my bestest friends and my favorite bonus kid. And Sherry, her lovely mother. This is my friend who just buried her dad during Holy Week. The Secret Garden is very much a show about grief, and I am really hoping that it was a cathartic experience and not a painful one for the group. They said they liked it so who knows.

And the star of the show... Miss B. Without this voice teacher of his, we likely never would have thought about auditioning. He certainly wouldn't have gone into an audition as prepared with his song as he was. 

Miss B gave him the confidence to trust his voice. She helped him increase his breath control so that he could sing well sitting down. (He never once sang while standing... only sitting in a bed or a wheelchair.) 

So yes, 100% C put the work in. But he couldn't have done it without this lady's help and encouragement. 

All told, C had a ton of people come out to the show and support him. We kept track, and there were 70 tickets sold to people who came to see him specifically. 

C is going through his "post-show depression" right now. And I totally get it. I have my own feelings to process through this show ending. 

Watching your kid on stage is something entirely magical. C is quite good for his limited experience. He invited many of his teachers, and nearly every single one came. But other than his choir teacher, I think all of them were a little blown away. C on stage is so wildly different from C in the classroom. 

His Spanish teacher truly could not. She said, "He just hides all that talent, doesn't he?" Which is silly because he has been in all the school musicals. Also, most of the teachers were surprised that it wasn't a musical with an entire cast of kids. C is good on stage, less so about marketing himself. 

I am so proud of him for all of his hard work. I pray that he can continue to be on stage and find other perfect roles. 

A Celebration of M

Hello! 

We are still in our last little lap of a marathon, but I did get to take a nap on Wednesday afternoon, and I can't even tell you how good that was. Let me tell you a little bit about M! 

Earlier on Wednesday, M had her BizTown interview, because she did not win Mayor if you remember. 

She also took a math test for adding and subtracting mixed-number fractions. When I tell you that my girl has to work really, really hard at math, it's not a lie. And she studied a lot. 

And she got a 27/30 which is so huge for her!! I am so proud. She honest to goodness made her teacher cry to see how much effort she put in and how that hard work paid off! 

Last night M and I went to a show together, and beforehand went out to one of our favorite restaurants, which we don't get to often because it's a few towns away. 

It was AWESOME, and I got all the 5th grade gossip. Including an updated seating chart. 

There was a bout of severe weather, so we got evacuated to the green room. 

And she got a little treat during intermission. 

We had a nice time and got home safely at the same time as the boys from C's show. 

Then this morning, we got her job letter from BizTown, and she will be the CMO of John Deere. 

We are very proud! 

A Marathon.

Today is Wednesday. 

I am sure you're a rational and normal human who already remembered that. So don't worry. This reminder is for me. 

Last week it was C's tech week for his show. Late nights for him. And for me as the driver. Also, last Wednesday we had our final Faith Night at church. So that's where this story begins. 

M gave her speech for BizTown Mayor.

That evening, we stayed late at church and talked about the Holy Spirit. 

Thursday was the election, and she did not win. The disappointment was hard. But a good learning experience. 

Thursday, I also spent some time marveling at the Easter candle, which I believe may be the prettiest candle we've ever had. This picture isn't great, but it's a Marian rosary. Also, bear in mind I am a sucker for blue. 

Friday was C's opening night! But before that, I got to go to a second show... the 4-year-old preschool program to see my favorite Goddaughter. Who is a natural on stage, let me tell you! 

You know how Olympian parents are fun to watch because they get just as stressed out? I was fine on Friday night because I didn't know what to expect. 

Saturday morning was our First Communion Retreat. I got to work at 7:00 to get that set up. 

And then, due to all the things going on, I got to stay at work when it ended at noon for about 4 hours to get everything else ready. 

By the time I could leave, we had time to eat some frozen pizza and salad and take C to the theater. There was time to kill, so Husband and I sat in the car and finished some of the work I had. (Sticking stickers on packets. And stickers on cards.)

Saturday night, C had quite the crowd to support him. Teachers (and a teacher's daughter). 

My parents and brother. 

Husband's dad and his brother's family. 

I was there too. I was much more of an Olympic parent, though, on Saturday after seeing it once. It's nerve-racking! 

Sunday, we got up early even though we had a late night before, because we went to the 7:15 Mass. It's a very efficient Mass you see, and we had a lot to accomplish. 

We left church and went straight to Flipps for some pancakes with my parents and brother before they left town. 

Then we went home and let C rest up a bit before his next show. M and Husband went to hang out with his family. 

I took C to the show and then ended up taking a nap in my car. I was reading but kept drifting and decided to just own in. I leaned my seat back, set an alarm and slept! 

Sunday's show was lovely. He had 2 friends from school come. (And some other people as well who either didn't stay to see him or didn't get their picture taken.) 

These are some of the publicity pictures I was given access to. I promise I didn't take pictures during the show. 

I am not even lying when I tell you that even though I am so biased, the show is truly so lovely. And C and Abby, the young gal who plays Mary, absolutely just steal the show. It even says so in their review. 

I got C home and went back to work because we had a Confirmation Large Group night. Of course! I didn't take any pictures of that. 

Monday morning came far too quickly for my liking, and with it came the 7th-grade retreat. Which you know, what? Overall went really well! We took them off campus to the cathedral because they have a very nice set up. 

We had some great high schoolers give some lovely talks. 

And each group had an adult who was not one of their teachers and a high schooler leading their conversation. 

I was in charge of food and keeping people on track. Since this was C's class and I have known most of these kids since preschool, there wasn't a whole lot I was going to bring to the table. 

Some of the feedback from the kids was so positive. "Can it be longer?" "Can we do another retreat?" 

I mean... that's really something. 

After school on Monday, C had student council, and next year he will be the student council president! Then I rushed him to his choir practice, and finally we were home for the night! I slept like a rock. 

Yesterday it was Tuesday. You might be imagining I took the day off because I had to have been over hours will all of the things. I was actually significantly over hours, but there was the worst meeting of the year to get to. The calendar meeting. 

It was long. And we always discover problems. But good news... we have actual leaves growing on our tree. 

And M was quite funny with her personality. Taking selfies is her favorite. 

And now here we are. It's Wednesday again. 

Gearing up for C's second weekend of his show. 

And that is what we have been up to.