I started out April with a good ol' April Fools Joke. I put cotton balls in muffins, just like my Grandma Young used to do. It didn't work very well on most of the kids ( I should have put batter in the bottom of the pan and then the cotton ball so it wouldn't show on the bottom), but I did get Chet just a little. He thought it was mold and thats why he has a look of horror on his face. I took this screenshot from the video. It still makes me laugh. Totally worth it.
We celebrated Mariah's birthday early because we were planning on being at the cousins' on her actual birthday. It is always my favorite to see how excited the kids are to give their gifts on birthdays.
The boys had fun trying on Mariah's new pajamas. Goofballs is what they are...
Tanner and I had planned on going on a little overnight stay for our 14 year anniversary while the kids were at the Hilton's. But then Asa woke up with a high fever the day of. If that isn't the epitome of 14 years of marriage, I don't know what is. But that doesn't change our love for each other. I love how we have grown over the years together. This life is so good and I am so grateful we decided to do it together.
The kids handled our change of plans well and the girls even helped with some yard work. Mariah made her own birthday dessert (peanut butter brownies) and she got to watch a birthday movie (Little Women).
We went down to the cousins for conference and everyone was so excited to celebrate Mariah.
And Tanner! He waited patiently for his birthday dessert of strawberry shortcake. He got his gift a few days late because he had unknowingly picked the package up off the porch and hid it in the closet, thinking it was a gift for Mariah, and promptly forgot about it. I got him his old black and white checked vans, just like the ones he had in elementary school. Now we just need to challenge him to a kickball game.
We had a great time at the cousins over conference even with some sickness. We just swapped illnesses and called it good.
Austin and Eliza got to go to a pottery class and make some containers. Now they are just anxiously awaiting to see how they held up in the kiln. Fingers crossed!
Asa had a run in with our rooster Henry. Chet came to his rescue and we said goodbye to mean ol' Henry.
We kicked off Holy Week with a Palm Sunday celebration. Vivi was insistent that she be Jesus and she was very reverent during the triumphal entry, not even bouncing her donkey.
Just a few days after the demise of Henry, his chicks hatched! I was so worried that this wouldn't work so we were so excited to have four of the nine eggs hatch. Two never developed, and then three more never got past the blood vessel stage. But it was such a special thing to be able to see these brand new little chicks.
Some of us even got to watch a couple hatch. We're excited to do it again next year, but we'll probably buy fertilized eggs and hopefully that will increase our odds of hatching. Now here's hoping we don't get any Henry Juniors, because we don't need another grumpy attack rooster.
We tried to make oil lamps, and were humbled. Those were a lot harder than expected.
Beatrice seemed to be struggling and I thought she might be egg bound so we gave her a nice soak in our bath. Never again...the smell...not good.
She still walks like a penguin, but it's been a couple weeks and she still gets around. I'm done trying to be a chicken vet. Apparently this was the month of the chicken: rooster attacks, chicks, chicken baths.
Mariah had her last choir concert.
Big brother and baby brother.
We decorated eggs...in this economy...we're just bougie.
Tanner designed this after a funny Voxer moment with my sisters. I was trying to tell Tiffany that "in the grand scheme of things, no one is going to care if the eggs are peeled perfectly." But while I went to say that, Vivi was telling me over and over that she was a magical kitty, wanting me to repeat it back to her. So what I ended up telling my sister was, "In the grand scheme of things you are a magical kitty." and then continued what I meant to say and wouldn't have even realized what I said if Amanda hadn't pointed it out. Children make us sound like crazy people. Tell me I'm wrong. And yes, there is a misspelling, apparently AI isn't so good with spelling things sometimes.
We did the community Easter Egg Hunt and I didn't lose anyone. Success! Also, Chet got $32...the boy has the best luck. Now hoping they don't all end up with cavities from all the suckers.
Tanner and Mariah picked up Natalie that day and we had our Passover meal. This was probably our calmest one yet.
And then they lit their lamps and they worked! They burned for quite a while too.
Easter morning we had to hustle to get to church early so I didn't get any pictures. But our Sacrament meeting was so special. There were so many beautiful musical numbers and Tanner shared a special Easter message.
We had a big dinner with the Hiltons, Natalie and a friend from church. Mariah put together the Easter egg scavenger hunt and I was happy to pass the baton.
I am so grateful for the Easter season and the reminder of the love our Savior has for us. I always have this image in my mind for how our Easter week will go, but there are always things that don't happen, or don't go right. But that actually is a perfect analogy for life. Thankfully because of our Savior, we can try again and keep going.
Vivi was loving the mud one afternoon when a big thunderclap made her hustle inside real quick, screaming to Chet to "run!" as she ran inside. I loved the muddy handprint she left. But now she keeps talking about thunder and storms and how they are not her favorite.
We've been able to spend a lot of time with the cousins which has been fun.
I was feeling a little guilty about forgetting a homeschool fishing trip, so we trooped down to the pond to try our luck. Chet had a bite right when he dropped his hook in, but it got away and must have told all his friends to look out because we didn't get any more bites. But it was fun to be outside and enjoying the warm weather.
The chicks are growing so fast!
Their names according to Vivi are, Banana, Cherry, Carrot, and Apple.
I helped with activity days one night and Asa was really happy and messy with the dessert. He clutched that little pudding cup the rest of the night.
Mariah and Chet both performed in a talent show and did great. Chet played Chariots of Fire but in the program it said he would be playing, "Charitos of Fire" which made us giggle. I don't know what a charito is, but it sounds delicious. Mariah didn't wear her sunglasses and feather boa in the dress rehearsal so there was a little confusion at the beginning of her song (Elton John's Your Song) because she couldn't see the keyboard with the sunglasses. But once she adjusted she kept on playing and even after some major microphone feedback, she powered through and did so well. We are so proud of those kids and their willingness to perform in front of people. That takes a bravery I don't have.
Aunt Nattie helped paint some more of the rock wall and all the kids got a chance to paint.
Vivi was so tickled with her bun; after I clipped her hair up she had to run and show her dad and then delightedly said, "I'm a mom!". Maybe I should branch out on my hairstyles a little.
Happy artists.
The cousins came up for another overnight stay and Vivi was delighted to be matching with Elsie.
We have loved having Natalie here for two weeks.
Everyone wanted to let her practice ultrasound on them, even Asa.
This boy...thinks he's a big boy that can do everything his siblings do.
And one more chick pic, just to stick with the theme. Pretty sure this is Banana, but I'll have to double check with Vivi.
