Singing Time/Sharing Time Visual

They won't let Singing Time go first but our primary presidency ALWAYS goes over their time for sharing time so I don't get my 20 minutes. Singing time, or at least the songs is what the kids remember from Primary, not the sharing time lessons but that never mattered, they always went over. 

When I saw this on Pinterest, I KNEW I HAD to make one.

It only KIND of helps them not go over QUITE as bad.

Starting January 1, 2019, this won't be needed anymore.

The Final Year of the Circus

Since it is the final year of the circus I wanted to take the older kids. We went with some friends when Matthew was 2 or 3, and we enjoyed it but Matthew doesn't remember it at all. 

Anyways, I wanted to take them now that they are older....AND it is the last year...and there aren't many perks to being a teacher but one of the few was that we got discounted tickets. We were in the top part, so not the greatest of seats but since they kids were just there, they didn't care where we sat.

They (and admittedly I) were so amazed with everything. I do remember thinking, my mouth is opened with amazement and it has been for awhile, I need to close it:) Matthew kept saying, "Pinch me! Is this real?" He thought it was AWESOME!! 

Allison couldn't believe her eyes at some of the things that were happening....like all the girls were doing the splits.....she is interested in that right now.

I don't think I have ever seen lions in a circus, usually just tigers but here were two lions, two lionesses, and then like 8 tigers or something like that. Some of the times the tigers would raise a paw or kind of growl at the guy. I wasn't completely sure he would get out of there awhile. It was pretty impressive to see tigers walk upright on their hind legs.

So for this motorcycle show they started with four motorcycles and then went up to 8 motorcycles in there zooming around. When they were all done, they all came out and took off their helmets and waved to the audience. Allison saw that some of them were girls. She was so amazed and exclaimed, "Oh WOW!!! NOW I KNOW that GIRLS can do ANYTHING!!!" It was hilarious. I laughed and laughed at her realization.

At intermission, I was like ok, lets go, Allison needs a drink. Matthew was reluctant to come and when we got out here he said, I wish it were longer. I just laughed and said, Matthew this is only intermission, it isn't over yet. He was VERY happy with that news:)

I don't remember seeing llamas in a circus but there were a lot of them.

The whole thing was just really good. I enjoyed all of it. There was even a kangaroo that came out.

They also did a bunch of tricks on horses that were really impressive.

It was a fun night with my older kids and we all came out completely astonished with the whole circus.

Chris asked me if there were elephants. I didn't even realize they were there until he asked. All that they had were amazing.

Old Friends/New Friends

One of our friends from Texas moved to Maryland many many years ago. They were only in Texas for just a short while compared to many of us because he was only there for get a MBA.

I put on a surprise baby shower for Dadra, which was the funnest baby shower I have ever put on, I think because of the surprise factor.

Anyways, she had a February baby, and I had an April baby. So our first kids started to grow up together for the first year.

However, they moved away and even though I have tried a few times, we have never been able to catch up.

Dadra was coming back from North Carolina from visiting some family and was so sweet to stop by for a couple hours.

Our kids didn't remember or know each other at all but they sure had fun together.

We had lunch and then went to the park together.

It was so nice of them to stop by for a visit.

Dying Easter Eggs

We had fun dying Easter Eggs.

I have learned that I have to do at least 1 dozen for each kid, but since I usually by 18 count, each kids gets 18 eggs to dye. By that point they are about done. 

Good thing we like hard boiled eggs!!

We saw this trick with our friends when they had a small child. Just give them a glass with water in it and put an egg in it and they will be happy!!

Yep, she is happy!

Allison's eggs

Matthew's Eggs

Michelle and Mommy's eggs:)

During spring break Ethan joined us for some Easter fun also.

They had jelly beans and tooth picks and they could build whatever they wanted to.

Matthew built this house with a chimney

Allison built a tomb, even complete with Jesus inside.....ummmm

Then she also made angels and Mary as well

That night we actually let Michelle dye eggs in the tub.

Once we rinsed it all down the drain it is bath time!

Making Time for Friendships

I feel like everyone surrounding me is so busy in their own lives that we don't get to make friends as much. I miss being around my friends from Texas and I need to create wonderful friends here as well because there really are some great people here, I just need to get to know them better.

 I am thinking on having a party or get together just so we can hang out and not have anything to do or worry about per se. I have been trying to think what I would call it and today I saw a post that said Making Time for Friendships. It listed why we should do this:

• Friendship supports mental health. In addition to bringing joy and warding off loneliness, friends can reduce stress, boost self-confidence, and mitigate the effects of trauma, like divorce, illness, or loss of a loved one.

• Friends can encourage you to live healthier lifestyles and avoid harmful habits, such as lack of exercise or excessive drinking. At the same time, it is possible to adopt the unhealthy habits of your friends, so be sure to choose your social network carefully and recognize when someone is having a negative influence on you.

• Adults with strong social support networks are less likely to develop major health problems, such as high blood pressure and depression. Scientists believe that isolation and the loneliness that comes with it may cause chronic stress, which has a negative impact on physical well-being.

• Elderly people with active social lives tend to live longer than those with more solitary lifestyles. In addition, older adults who experienced high levels of loneliness were more likely to develop dementia. Scientists hypothesized that a perceived lack of social connections contributed to the risk of cognitive decline.

So my question to the couple people that actually read this. 

Should I do anything other than just have people over and have food in all the different rooms downstairs? 

I was thinking about having an area where everyone could right down things that might be bothering them or a trial in their life. No name and only one per piece of paper. Then maybe towards the middle or something we each pull out a piece of paper and possibly say which "trial" or thing that might be bothering them. I feel like all of us suffer so much it would be nice to see that others suffer from the same things or maybe others have suffered and could be a help or help us realize that we need to help others??? Just an idea. I was just thinking that because someone that I thought has a million friends said she feels lonely. I would have never guessed that. I am sure so many people think I have a ton of friends too but I really don't. At least not here. 

What do you think about this??   (Please honest opinion here)

Adorable Michelle

I took Michelle to the park one chilly day and she had fun playing on the toys.

I didn't realize how chilly it was until we got there but Allison not surprisingly left a jacket in the van so Michelle got to use it.

The best sisters around!

We went to an Easter Egg Hunt and of course Allison loved to be with Michelle.

Michelle blocking Matthew from coming out of her room.

Just too cute

I must have been trying to fix Allison's screen or something using the ladder.

Our neighbors let Michelle (and Allison) take a ride in his truck...that was a mini one of his dad's.