PRIVATE LESSON RECITAL

Our co-op has been very different this year.

We still met on Fridays but it was not a regular class schedule etc.

We unfortunately had issues with our previous building prior to starting in the fall and after much searching and prayers, were graciously offered use of the building we used to use.  Our coop had grown very much since we last used that building though and so with this and a few other providential things  that came up, the board made the decision to have the year look different.  It was either that or not meet at all, so I am glad for the approach they took.  The kids were able to take a couple of classes this year including pottery, art, stage crew, theater, french horn lessons, cooking, voice lessons, and piano lessons. We did not have any concerts this year, but we did have a brief private lesson recital. 

These girls performed "The Next Right Thing"

twice as it turns out because the first time the mics didn't work.

Bean played "The Graduate" by The Arcadian Wild

and these girls sang "Impossible."

Lovely job!

I'm so glad we were able to do this.

As much as we missed the "normal" co-op year, this was a nice break!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

 Sweet 16!

Craaaazy!

She completed her driver's ed, 6 hours behind the wheel and passed her test to get her permit.

Can we say CrAAAAAzy again?!!

It is a super hectic time of year, so we are waiting on a birthday party, but we hope you had a wonderful day and may the Lord bless you with many more!

"WE'RE GOING TO THE ZOO, ZOO ZOO.."

We joined one of our co-ops to visit the zoo!

We actually hadn't been to this zoo in the daylight in many years!

We had done the holiday lights but had never been in the African Cats section or seen the giraffe enclosures up close either!

We had a beautiful day for it!

It was our first time navigating the route 80 sinkhole mess and yes, it was a mess.

I have such sympathy for those forced to travel through it every day--my husband being one of them. Depending on where you are going it adds at least an hour of travel time to the commute.

I'm glad I don't have to do it every day.  Our travels don't usually take us past exit 28, thankfully.

Anway, the zoo was nice and they are working on even more exhibits so we will have to make another visit in the next few years.

TREP$

 This year at co-op Missy took the TREP$ class.

It is basically a business model where they come up with a product, budget, marketing plan etc.

It is a pretty cool class option.

Missy went thrift store hopping and picked up tea cups and glassware and made candles scented with essential oils.

She called her business "The Wax Workshop" and made over 50 candles of various shapes and sizes.

The class culminated in a marketplace where family and friends, as well as the public were invited to come and shop.

She sold more than half of her inventory.

It was a rainy, cold evening so considering, she did really well.

A sampling of some of her work.

Those 4 in the front have since been sold.

NEXT SPORT

 Hockey is back in session!

We had to forego the Fall season due to rink renovations, so it is nice to be back.

I have two boys playing on the same team (thankfully).

They are both back after one season (separate from each other) each.

I see a lot of improvement in both.

Hockey is a little rough in the spring because it is an outdoor rink

If there is any bit of rain, they cancel because the surface gets too slippery and thus dangerous.

So I think we've had more cancellations lately than we have had practices and/or games.

Nothing we can do to help it nor can anyone control the weather.

I'm just hoping for a nice, full season.

On a side note, it is so nice to have "extra" drivers in the house now--we have some conflicting game schedules etc and I wouldn't be able to do it otherwise!

SPRING BALL

 This guy moved up to coach pitch this year.

Practices are significantly longer...games have the potential to be, depending on what the coaches agree on.

During a game, playes get a certain amount of balls thrown and if they don't hit one, they get to use the tee.

Some teams do outs, some do not.

The start of practice was frigid.

And there has been a lot of rain, but what can we say, it is spring!!

One of the nice things is that we have had the same coaches since tball.  They have continued to move up with the kids.

Have a great season!

HARD THINGS

 I told you a few months back that we were having some issues with our dog.

Unfortunately, things escalated and we made the very difficult decision to return him to the breeder.

In hindsight, I wonder that we kept him so long.

He was all fine and dandy until one day he wasn't.

It started with food agressions and escalated over a period of time.

He bit 9/11 of us..some more than once and everytime unprovoked.

I get that we have a lot of people in the house and not a ton of space, but each time it was out of the blue..

It got to the point where the little ones were all afraid and we were all on eggshells waiting for the next time he would "snap."  It was very stressful. 

We did bring him to obedience training.  We brought him to the vet to see if there was something physically wrong. We had him professionally groomed to see if there was something matted and hurting him. We also reached out to 4 or 5 different trainers, especially those with "problem" experience and there was only one who was even willing to work with him. One of the kids did some research and he really fit all the criteria for schizophrenia.  The breeder was willing to work with us and do whatever we needed to do, she was amazing that way.

We pretty much did everything we could within our means to keep him, but just couldn't continue the way we were going with no change.  There were tears, lots of tears and lots of sadness, but also relief, knowing it was the right decision.

We did not want to give up on him, but kids come first. 100% 

So we surrendered him back to the breeder who found him a home with a child-less couple.

Even though he is a dog, we still pray that it would have worked out for the best.  That his issues would be worked out  and he would have a happy,loving family and life.

We will get another dog in the future, but for now we need to heal from this.

SURPRISE

 

Bean and I had a quick overnight trip out to PA in the beginning of April (more of that to come later on).

Upon our arrival home, this beauty was waiting.

It's the sink.

We bought it probably 4 years ago or so..and it was finally installed, replacing the stainless steel that has been there since we bought the house.

Little by little, we are making improvements.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT

 

In March, we had a girls' night out.

Missy, her "bestie," Bean, and I headed out to Panera for a quick dinner before catching a three-hour Faith Center performance of "Prince of Egypt."

Fantastic performance, as usual.

NEW LOOK

 It is one of those things we do every year...taking everyone to the eye dr.

AAAANNNNDD..this year someone needed glasses.

They are used for close-work.

Reading and computer.

So far, so good--they seem to be helping.

DOCUMENTED

I just have to have this documented.

I bought this puzzle probably 18 years ago for Mike.

It was started several times, but we never had space to leave it out to be worked on.

So, it was always put back into the box for another time.  

I believe it was last year that we made a "puzzle board" that could slide under the couch.

Over the winter, two of the boys got on a puzzle kick and completed 8-10 large puzzles.

This one being one of them. 

Yes, if you look closely there are two pieces missing, but I'm glad it isn't more with the amount of times it has been in and out! 

It is now hanging in "Dad's Shed."

By the way, the puzzle boys have hit pause for awhile.  They ran into a puzzle that is challenging them and need a break.  I'm hoping they pick it back up soon.

SKATES

The boys got to try skating for the first time recently.

The girls have gone before..and I didn't sign the 2 youngest up..but the middle 4 went.

2 took to it like naturals right away (they play roller hockey, so I had no doubts) the other two struggled at first but got the hang of it. 

break for lunch

They all want to go back soon!

I skated on ponds when I was younger, never on a rink.

I also haven't been on skates in probably 20 years.

How about you?

HOBBY?

 

I acquired a sourdough starter back at the end of January..this seems to be a thing nowadays?

Anyway, I had been telling Bean to make a starter and then this one kind of "fell into my lap."

I wasn't really prepared, but did a whole bunch of research and reading up on how-to.

After a lot of trial and error..(nothing I made was inedible) I've found a few recipes that we love and we've stuck with.

It is definitely time consuming, but yummy.

We will never go back to "regular" pancakes.

These are AMAZING!!!

First time making bagels and I will definitely make them again.

We've also made delicious chocolate chip cookies.

Well, confession-we now make them every single week.  We like them that much.

We also made cinnamon buns and pretzels.

There is soooo much out there regarding sourdough and so many opinions on the "best" way to do it. 

My loaves aren't perfect, but again nothing has been inedible yet.

Just finding our way one "discard" at a time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

We quietly celebrated this guy in the beginning of March. 

Happy birthday!

Through thick and thin, you make it all easier.

We love you.

WINTER FORMAL 25

 This year's winter formal was in February at David's Country Inn.

Done by herself::

Surprise Cousin visit for formal!!

How fun!  Bonus was help with hairstyling.

They all had a great time!