Catch up for all 2010

I'm grateful for Diana's posts. I have a lot of catching up to do for 2010. This year is flying by.

This was one of the best school years the kids have ever had. It culminated in their STAR testing which I feel they were well prepared for. As room parent, I assigned people to help bring snacks to Emily's class on testing days and it made it really fun. We enjoyed Excelsior School's open house, featuring all the state report displays. Emily learned so much about Florida! We were very excited we would get to travel there to visit Grammy.

In April I became determined that I will get Emily's bedroom organized and decorated. I attended a fun design class with Cynthia at Pottery Barn Kids and plan to have her continue helping me until it's done.

Emily was recognized as "Swimmer of the Week" early in the season. Here she is with Coach John and getting ready to fly their mascot Sponge Bob on the tarp with Scout Sanders and Jordyn.

Returning home from Monterey, it was time to enjoy Easter. Emily and Lyndsey Benner helped me color eggs and bake and decorate sugar cookies. The ward's full time missionaries, Elder Brunetti and Elder Pancheri, came for dinner Saturday night. Sunday we were home to watch General Conference on TV and have a hunt for filled eggs in the house since it was raining. Marv is the best at hiding eggs so I rewarded him with DVD of one of his favorite stories, "The Velveteen Rabbit".

We ended March and began April with a spring break from school. I orchestrated a crazy cast party at Strikes Bowling alley with the cast members all signing a big document for Dana Sanders the director, just like the Golden Ticket winners do in the show. The next day we left for a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I'm happy Peter had Blake Clarkson along and Emily at the last minute was able to bring Jordyn Sloan when Marv couldn't come. Although Luke may not have appreciated the trip as much as I'd hoped, he's good company and I was grateful to have Diana along as another adult. We loved staying at Embassy Suites. We watched Luke so Diana could get a morning workout (preparing for her half marathon) and Luke showed us how he likes to go "splat" on the bed.

Emily attended a humanitarian event with her Girl Scout troop at Katie Carson's church where they packed food for third world countries.

Peter was awarded the Life Rank in scouting in March. He has worked hard, his leaders are also truly amazing. I applaud Brent Newbold, Mark Evans, Howard McKeon and Bishop Cota for running an amazing Young Men's program in our ward. It doesn't hurt to have three older brothers who are Eagle Scouts to look up to and chase after.

Kevin got to come home for his spring break. It's always so nice to have him around and see his friends. We went to Roller King with Nathan Mills to bring back elementary school memories.

I have a few pictures here of our wonderful production of "Willy Wonka" with Theatre Alive, but I hope to add more to a scrapbook when our lovely friend Christian Sanders gets his to me. Emily also participated in the school talent show as an MC in March. This would never have been possible with her crazy schedule except Diana Benner, who was in charge of the event, really looks out for Emily.

Kevin and Emmy with cast friend Megan who played Veruca Salt.
Nancy, Pam, Lorna, Michelle Z., Dianna, Michele S
Nikki, Sophie, Bailey, Emmy, Lyndsey, Phoebe
Katie and Nikki

Many happy memories in March, including Luke accompanying me on days when I would go to shelf books at Emily's school library. He and Diana would play at the park while they waited for me. Early in the month, Beth Thomas and I led the Read Across America for Excelsior. We brought the members of LaRee Florence's TNT troop to the school to give presentations on their favorite books and Shakespeare, then they performed their "Music and Melodies of Laura Ingalls Wilder" at the end of the week. Wow, they do a great job.

Emily at the wedding reception for Kate Huber's oldest sister, Danielle.

The new Disney version of "Alice in Wonderland" premiered this month; Emily and Allie had to be there opening night. By coincidence, we set next to Megan who played Emily's mother in "Willy Wonka." Our friend Emmaline Fletcher from TNT introduced Emily to "The Looking Glass Chronicles" books which are and adaptation in the same style as the movie--she's enjoyed reading that series. (She still reading Harry Potter series books on almost a daily basis; I think she's read some of them seven times. Peter is reading the Dave Barry "Peter and the Starcatchers" series, but he doesn't read very much.)

Kwabe's and Corban's folks (Mabel and Alex and Daron and Betsy)
Brandon, Kwabe, Paul, Blake, Corban, Peter

In February, I was able to arrange a hair appointment on a Friday so I could show up with a new, darker color at Peter's last basketball game. Don't remember if the team won the game, I do know I received compliments from the other basketball team parents! Here we are at Chipotle after the game.

February's highlights were the big sales of Girl Scout Cookies. When Emily first started as a Brownie at age seven, she said,"I've always dreamed of selling Girl Scout cookies!" She's made her dream come true with many neighbors, friends, family, co-workers, even cast members of whatever play she happens to be in at the time, anxiously supporting her. She sold about 140 boxes this year, by far the most in her troop, and had fun at booth sales. No dream is without its flip side, the nightmare. There's the time it takes to sell--going door to door in the cold, rainy weather. Whent the orders arrive, cookies take over the entire dining room table. Did I mention my problem of addiction to the peanut butter patties? Then, there was the day I had a big scare because I had misplaced an ENTIRE CASE, but it was located by sincerely praying. God helps even with Girl Scout cookies!