So, we had the usual stuff this week: visiting teaching, dance class, Music Playtime, playgroup, and Cameron’s writing club. Errolyn was also nominated to be on the morning announcements for the next 6 weeks. She was already the 4th grade reporter but had only been on a few times. Now she’s the daily weather person and in charge of the camera and technical things needed during their broadcast. She’s excited. Mike also went to Canada for a few days this week, but he’s back now.

So, I had a good birthday week. Sister Johnson posted “happy birthday” a week early on Facebook and a bunch of my friends saw her post and thought it was my birthday. So, I got a lot of “happy birthday” messages a week early. One friend even gave me a present on Thursday with a cute poem saying she was sorry it was late. I felt bad telling her my birthday was on Friday and she was early, not late. But, it was still sweet.

Mike took off from work on Friday for my birthday. We started out the day going to the Kindergarten Fiesta Float Parade. Logan made his float with a solar system on top… he’s really into planets right now. Then Mike took me to get a pedicure and out to eat at Stonewerks. It was fun to just have fun with him all day. In the evening, Jim and Grandma stopped by to have cake with us. Then we rushed Cameron off to his Sports Banquet to receive his tennis certificate and I took the other kids to the Scout Fundraiser. Errolyn volunteered to set-up for Cameron and help out at the fundraiser since Cameron was going to be late. Errolyn also made some cute necklaces and bracelets to auction off, Cameron donated tennis lessons, me two piano lessons, and Mike an IT Security consultation to setup firewalls, virus support, etc. We bought a CTR shield shaped pillow for Errolyn and some cake pops Cameron wanted. Boy Scout Camp is SO expensive, so I’m glad they had the service auction to help out. When we got home, I opened presents and we had my birthday meal (Taco Salad) today.

I woke up sick this morning with a cold, so today was uneventful. I went to Logan’s t-ball game in the morning, but when I got back I was even worse and had a fever. Cameron went to a youth service project this morning and Mike went to help set-up. Mike and the kids went to the Updike’s house for their Book or Mormon Party in the evening. They had a blast and I was sad I was too sick to go. Logan and Errolyn sounded stuffy when they went to bed, so I’m betting only half of us will make it to church in the morning, but we’ll see. Dad called this evening and I enjoyed talking to him and most of my siblings called yesterday to wish me a happy birthday.

So, we had our General Conference review, led by Errolyn, for FHE and it turned out really good. Cameron and Errolyn took some really great notes. I taught Music Playtime again on Tuesday and then in the evening Mike and I had to divide and conquer. I took Emma to Cameron’s National Junior Honor’s Society induction and Mike took Logan to Errolyn’s choir concert. Then we both dropped them off at the church for Scouts and Activity Days.

On Wednesday, I had my yearly OB appointment (NO, I am NOT pregnant), but the doctor got called to an emergency surgery so I was there quite a while. Mike had to come home at lunch and pick up Emma from playgroup because I was there so long. But, I was able to read a lot in my Stock book so that was good. Later that evening I sorted music at some of the church libraries. Emma had her dance class again and did much better this time at paying attention and actually… dancing. On Friday morning, Emma and I went to the elementary school to see the Science Hat Museum. To help the 5th grader’s prepare for the state Science Test coming up, they assigned a science word to every child in the school and they created a hat based on the word. They displayed all of the hats, with the science word on the front, in a “museum” at the school. Logan had “condensation” and built a really tall palm tree on his hat with condensation drops on the leaves. Errolyn had “thermal energy” and built a giant volcano off the top of her hat… needless to say, our kids had some of the tallest hats, although many of the hats were very creative.

The kids had early release on Friday, I went to a Farmer’s Market, and then the Scouting activities began. At 6:30pm Cameron’s friend Josh came over so they could do their assessments for their Personal Fitness Merit Badge again. Then at 7:30pm all of the street friends and several from church came over for a Geohunt Cameron had to do for his Geocaching Merit Badge. He hid 4 different bags of candy and they went on a treasure hunt with the GPS coordinates. Then at 8pm, he built a fire and had a program where people told funny stories, jokes, skits, and did crazy cheers for his Communications Merit Badge. It turned out well and the kids all enjoyed themselves. We were worried about the burn ban, but the fire marshal told us the guidelines for building personal fires, so we just had to build up the fire pit a little taller and then Mike built a metal screen for the pit. At the end, the kids all had s’mores.

On Saturday, Cameron went to a Merit Badge Workshop and finished his Communications Merit Badge. Logan played a t-ball game and hit and threw really well. Mike and I went and saw “Oz, the Great and Powerful” last night and I enjoyed it. I expected it to be hokey, but I ended up really enjoying it and it had a good ending. The kids all want to see it now, but they are saving up money for their movie tickets.

Well, I’m glad we had already decided not to move before we heard Elder Ellis’s talk.   It’s been an interesting week. The kids had been planning April Fool’s Day for a while, so it was a fun day, not.  I woke up with my door taped closed and the words “Beware” taped on the door. They took the batteries out of all of the remotes, hid my cashews in the crock pot, hid Mike’s wallet, put a piece of tape under Mike’s mouse so it wouldn’t work (although that backfired because he didn’t use his computer all day andE rrolyn was the first one to use it and didn’t remember what she’d done when the mouse wouldn’t work), and then Logan gave me a plate of brownies… but they were really brown letter “e”s that he’d cut out in school… brown-“ee”s.  My only prank was to tell Cameron that Emma messed up his “Scratch” game he’d been programming all month… he was crushed so I quickly told him “April Fools.” 

On Tuesday, I took Emma to Music Playtime where I taught singing time.  She had fun, but is still getting used to it.  The kids had their State Test this week and think they did well, but they were a little stressed out.  On Thursday, I took Emma to her dance class.  She spends half the time looking in the mirror instead of dancing… (rolling eyes).  Lol. But, when she does dance she’s cute and she has a good time.  On Thursday, I think I lost my brain completely.  I was running late for my symphony rehearsal and grabbed my socks, violin, music, purse, make-up, and then I ran into the car and left…… and I forgot my shoes!!  My rehearsal is an hour away so by the time I realized I had no shoes I was 30 minutes down the road.  Mike looked up a Big Lots right around the corner from my rehearsal.  I ran inside in my socks and was actually able to find some cute, but cheap sandals… whew.  I also had trouble counting during the rehearsal… my concentration was completely off on Thursday for some reason.

On Friday, I took my van to the dealership to be checked out because Honda had a recall on the airbags in my Odyssey.  They said it would only take 5-10 minutes, so Emma and I headed inside to help ourselves to free doughnuts.  We walked out with our doughnuts and a huge, black bird flew out of a tree and took a bite out of my doughnut.  He then started swooping down at me over and over again trying to take my doughnut.  If I’d been thinking I would have thrown down the doughnut, but instead I sat there holding on for dear life while fighting him off with my other hand… lol… so stupid. Three men jumped up and started fighting off the bird so Emma and I could run inside.  Needless to say, I had to throw away the doughnut because of all of the bird bites and black marks on it.  I guess I should be grateful it was only one bird and not many, or that it attacked me and not Emma… but it was an interesting experience.  All day, anytime Emma or I saw a bird, she would walk really far away from it and yell, “Crazy bird.  Don’t take Mommy’s doughnut.”  Lol.

Mike and I saw “The Host” last night.  The book was good, but not great… same with the movie… good, and fun to see, but not great.  Even so, I still enjoyed it.  J Logan had a t-ball game this morning.  We took him and he had two really nice scoops off the ground and some great throws.  After about 5 minutes he walked off the field.  Mike went to see why he was leaving and then Logan threw up all over the ground.  So, we took him home and he’s been sick ever since.  Cameron and I went shopping at Sam’sClub because on Monday I will be making 4 months worth of freezer meals.  Normally I won’t do more than three months, but I felt I needed 4 months this time around. So, don’t call me on Monday unless you want to come help with dishes or watch Emma.   

I had an eye doctor appointment today.  She said I don’t qualify for Lasik and she wouldn’t even recommend contacts because one of my eyes is perfect and doesn’t need a contact. She said I need glasses for an “as needed” basis only, specifically when I’m playing the violin and can’t see the music or I’m driving at night.  Cameron’s orchestra teacher is creating four new levels of orchestras and had all of the students re-audition… Cameron made the top orchestra again.  Errolyn was assigned a small solo in her choir and she’s very excited.  Cameron was also selected to join National Junior Honor’s Society and will be inducted this week.  Other than that, conference has been great today; a lot of talks on marriage, family, and tolerance.  It was fun to hear President Ellis speak.  J