The calendar says that spring has arrived!
I am not one that gets all crazy when the calendar says March 20th and the *poof* the snow isn't gone, the temperature isn't 70 degrees, and we can't wear shorts yet. We live in Michigan. It regularly snows during spring break in April....get over it. Winter will reign for another few weeks. Now, if there is snow in June, I'll complain. But not in March, never in March.
However, I am making exciting plans for our family this spring and early summer. From now until the end of the year we will be busy, busy, busy! I sat down yesterday and sort of mapped out the next couple of months. Here is how it adds up:
Gabriel: He is active! He will be finishing up the last of his young 5s program on his 6th birthday. He has learned so much, and his speech is so much better. Kindergarten, be ready, he can't wait! In the meantime, he is finishing up a session of swimming lessons, taking dance class, and starting t-ball. Also, he may be adding a hip hop dance class. He hasn't decided yet.
Calah: Loving the third grade! I can't believe how grown up she is. She is also finishing swim lessons and dancing. She will definitely be starting her hip hop dance class! She can't get enough of dance. And I am so very proud of her. Her musicality has improved so much in the last year. I see her listening to the music to help her know what to do next.
Chuck: Things are busy for my husband, too. With the obvious and normal work for school, he has agreed to again be Gabe's t-ball coach. There is also the finishing touches to his German trip. He leaves in June. He is very excited. I am so happy that he gets a chance to travel like he does. He really loves it.
Me: Well, sometimes I feel like I am the busiest of all! Auction for the kids' school is quickly approaching. That will eat up at least a week of my time, plus some evenings and weekend leading up to it. I am hoping the network hooks up easily this year to save me some time. Also, NHS is kicking into high gear with new member selection and induction, as well as officer election and installation. Maybe I'll get some time in at the pool....I hope!
Then school gets out and the craziness of June begins. Once the end of school celebrations and parties end, we will have Gabe's birthday, which he has informed of his wishes for his party already (just like last years superhero party, but with more Batman, and he wants to go to SkyZone, and he wants to have 10 more kids, and a pool party, and ice cream). Sure, whatever, we'll see what we can do......... On a sadder note, we also have my mother-in-law's memorial. I am not looking forward to opening those wounds with the kids. They miss their Granny terribly and talk about her often. We all miss her a lot. :(
Then it is the recital. And this, my friends, is an EVENT! If you have never had a dancer, let me fill you in. In our little studio (which is in year 5 and growing!), we are having the dress rehearsal the day before. Every group is on stage doing their number and trying out the stage at least once. The little kids are hilarious! On the day of the recital, it is an all day event. We start early in the morning and all the girls (and Gabe) get their hair and makeup done at the studio, then they are all walked down the street to the theater and herded back stage into little rooms to await their turn on stage. Now, this may not seem like much, but as the person in charge of the makeup, trust me, it's daunting. All those little girls (and Gabe!). Fortunately, there is a lot of help. All the moms pitch in, one way or another. Either hair, or makeup, or helping with costumes, or entertaining dancers while they wait, or herding them down the street and into the theater. It is busy and so much fun. This is a big deal. The kids have worked so long all year for this. This is their showcase, where they show off all they have learned.
After the recital is Father's Day, and a couple of days later Chuck leaves for Germany. I feel like after that we can relax a little, at least until our summer vacation!
