March Round-Up!

Looking back at February's Round-Up, it seems SO long ago. It's hard to believe that only a month has passed since then! Even the photos at the beginning of this post (the "before" photos, if you will) seem crazy that we were just living life as normal, having no idea what was in store for us. 

The beginning of March kicked off with Dr. Suess week. While I don't mind themed weeks - and I certainly have nothing against Dr. Suess in particular - all the dress-up days just get to be a little much when you have four kids in elementary school at the same time. This was the only day I grabbed a picture . . . it was crazy hair and wear orange day.

Brianna, Brenson, Brooke, and Brecklyn

The little girls also had a dentist appointment that day. It never fails that their appointments fall on a crazy dress-up day! 

Brecklyn

Brecklyn

I'm not sure why I didn't get any photos of Brooke having her teeth cleaned, but both girls did amazing. They don't have any cavities, and there were no tears! Yay!

Brooke, Brecklyn

I mentioned in my February Round-Up post that Brianna and Brenson both participated in Jump Rope For Heart fundraising last month and were top earners in the school. Part of their reward for this was a pizza lunch with Mrs. S and Mrs. L. My kids love both of these teachers, so they felt very special and privileged. Mrs. S sent me these photos :-)

Brianna

Brenson

Because a dress-up day, a special lunch, and dentist appointments weren't enough, we also had LEGO Club that day. My kids just love this, but it's currently canceled like so many other things. I hope they are able to bring it back soon!

The twins are in a phase right now where they LOVE to paint. I think they ask just about every day if they can paint. I try to say yes more than I say no, but sometimes I get weary of spending 30 minutes getting everything out and cleaned up for them to paint for approximately 7 minutes! Actually, Brooke is really good to sit for 20-30 at a time and paint. She loves creating and art!

Brecklyn, Brooke

I have been thinking about this for a while, but I finally bought Brooke a weighted blanket. Based on the reading and research I've done, I just really felt it could help her with her sleep (she's still not a great sleeper) and emotional outbursts. I ordered a five pound blanket from Amazon, and ended up having enough rewards points that I only paid thirty-seven cents for it! I figured it was definitely worth a try for that price. She loves it, and it seems to be working well so far. 

The first weekend in March, my sister spoke at a Ladies' Day in Independence, Missouri. Mom, the girls, and I drove up there on Friday afternoon to be there for the Ladies' Day on Saturday. Lisa and Chloe Jo had ridden up with Kristin and Ashlyn, so all of us went to dinner Friday evening. 

The Ladies' Day was really excellent, and I'm so glad that we decided to go! We drove back home as soon as lunch was over on Saturday, so it was a short trip, for sure. It was also a little surreal seeing Lisa in that pulpit that I've seen my dad and so many others in since I was a little girl. She really did a great job, though!

Brooke won the perfect attendance drawing at school back in October, and we finally got around to using her coupon for a free taco earlier this month. She was so proud to pay for her own taco!

Brooke and Brecklyn still love having "paint nails" (and I love that they still call them "paint nails"). Rainbow nails for the win!

One day we had to run to Wal-mart before picking the big kids up from school. I laughed when I looked in my rearview mirror and saw this:

As we all know, this month has brought with it many difficult changes. The kids have been great and so resilient, but I know it's been hard on them, too. One night, the twins really wanted to sleep together in my bed (we often let them begin in our bed, then we move them to their beds when we go to bed). I came in my room to find this, and my heart just melted. Sometimes sisters just need comfort from each other! 

Brecklyn, Brooke

At the end of last week, we received another "surprise". Chris and I were talking in our bedroom when we heard a big clunk. I barely blurted out, "WHAT was that?!?" when we heard another and another. We quickly realized it was hail! 

Much of it was golf ball sized . . . I'm pretty sure it's the largest hail I can remember seeing in a very long time! 

It didn't last long, and after it stopped the kids wanted to collect it. Crazy!

I'm so glad the kids weren't outside playing when the hailstorm came up! Chris's car, however, didn't fare so well. It's hard to see in photos, but it has some very noticeable damage. Sigh.

Chris and the kids had collected a bag of pecans a while back. The kids really wanted to eat them, so Chris put them to work shelling!

Brenson, Brianna

Brooke

They decided pretty quickly that shelling pecans was a lot of work for the small reward :-). 

This month was . . . unique . . . to say the least. Through all the changes and craziness, I fully recognize how blessed we are. That is something I never want to take for granted! Now (I think) we're ready to see what April has in store for us :-).