Spring fling

Like a tree in early spring, I sat with my leaves and buds curled up against the cold, waiting, waiting for warm weather. Then, suddenly one warm night, all the flowers unfurled and the tree is busy with bees and birds. Spring has finally arrived and with it a flurry of activity. Suddenly we need to get the flower beds ready to plant, the deck cleaned off, ballet and chorus rehersals and concerts to attend, and tax money projects started around the house.

Paris and Brian went to the first of many soccer games the day after we got back from NY. Brian gets about a dozen at-home soccer tickets for the NY Red Bulls and takes one kid at a time for a father-kid date. Brian is amazed that all of our kids love soccer so much. I told Brian they would love log rolling if that was what he was into. They love being with their Dad--it also doesn't hurt that Brian's idea of a good dinner is hot dogs, pretzels, and cotton candy.



That Sunday, Tritan went to Priesthood Preview which is a preview of what to expect when he turns 12 in August and moves from Primary to Young Mens. Tritan doesn't share a lot of how he feels with us, but I can guess that he is excited to graduate from Primary. He was very attentive and answering all the questions--which is very different from how he usually behaves in Primary where he is very quiet. He is such a good example to our family; he will be a great Deacon.

Talking about previews, Athena had Preview night at jazz class. Every time I watch Athena perform, I can't help thinking how talented she is in dancing and performing. She is very quick to learn new steps and know her dances inside and out but still performs it with spunk and sparkle.


Talking about spunk, she is obsessed with getting her ears pierced now. She had to wait until she was 8, but that milestone came and went and she didn't want them pierced then. In fact, in most conversations about it, she usually doesn't want to get them pierced because she's afraid it will hurt. But suddenly, she really wants to wear earrings and after a cursory look at Target and the internet, she hasn't been able to find any clip earrings that look like a 10yo and so now she must get her ears pierced. Now.
We'll allow her to get her ears pierced, but it's definitely not a necessity, so she has to pay for it. So everyday she begs for chores around the house--which, believe me, is not a bad thing--except she wants to work instead of doing homework, and doesn't want to do any chore that doesn't pull down a $5 price tag.

Talking about price tags, we went into Home Depot for a wheel barrow and walked out with a BBQ instead! Now, after 15 years of marriage, we can finally host a real BBQ (instead of hot dogs done on a grill pan).

Coming up in next post: Paris' rain gutter regatta (try saying that 5 times fast) and Athena's choir concert.