April was dominated by activities - swimming, soccer, track, church, and more! Most days we had at least one event outside of the normal work and school. It's only a shadow of what's to come a few years from now though, when all four kids will have stuff going on. It was busy, but I'm glad we have so many opportunities to learn new skills and have fun!
The end of April also means there are only a few short weeks of school left. I just added Davey's PreK graduation and Sophie's Field Day celebration to our calendar. The countdown is on! I'm in denial about this and do not feel ready for summer to be here yet. I have signed the kids up for a week of summer camp at Amarillo College, a week of Vacation Bible school, and we have the pool, but I still need to finish booking flights, hotels, rental cars, and more for our very full summer itinerary. It makes me both anxious and excited to think our trips coming up so soon!
Here are some other things we had going on during April:
Sophie had no school on Good Friday and was able to join us for some fun at the Discovery Center and at Cinergy for a game of laser tag. Friends came along which made it twice the fun!
Poor Charlie is stuck between outgrowing naps, but not having the energy to keep up with all of our activities. Every few days he will pass out for a recharge.
Sophie and Davey did a session of swim lessons together. Sophie graduated from the program and is now ready for swim team, if we chose to pursue it. Davey passed off Level 3 and then did another session of Level 4 on his own.
Charlie is technically old enough for swim lessons now that he's three, but he's not much of a go-getter and I know it would not go well. For now he enjoys hanging out on the steps of the pool or floating around with mom. We will maybe try lessons in a year.
Davey wolfing down some strawberry shortcake
I've been taking these two out in the trailer more often as the weather has gotten nicer
I gave Sophie a haircut! A few more inches came off than planned (it always seems to happen), but she looks cute with short hair and it will be nice for the summer heat that is on its way.
Our ward has resumed all in-person 2nd hour meetings except nursery, so Charlie gets to hang out with us in Sunday School or RS/EQ each week. Some days he is good, and some days it's a real struggle to keep him quiet and busy for that extra time.
Playing Bears and Bees on a Sunday afternoon
Sometimes the boys and I combine a walk around the pond with our library trip if the weather is decent. I brought some food for the ducks, but there were none to be seen that day, so we fed the gulls instead.
Also, where do these gulls even come from?? Amarillo is at least 500 miles from the coast and our little pond is no substitute for the ocean. They are very lost indeed.
Griff showing off his windblown hair style :)
Charlie does not like the potty and is resistant to training so I haven't even tried. The other day, however, he wanted to sit on it so we are making baby steps progress! Nothing happened, but I'm hoping it's a sign that maybe sometime in the near future he might be ready to ditch the diapers.
Sophie brought home this persuasive letter attached to the Scholastic catalog. Did I even have a choice but to place a book order?? I had her circle everything she was interested in and was able to get most from the library, but I did purchase a few for home as well :)
Fun times in the backyard! Now that it's April we are spending a lot more time out back and the kids have done a good job helping me get it all cleaned up after winter. Davey is an expert weed puller and Charlie has been gathering up leaves with tongs. Griffin was content to chill on the patio while I mowed the lawn.
Now that it's warmer we've moved our walks to the morning, which is why Davey is in pajamas.
On one of our walks we found a little fledgling in the grass. It could hop, but not fly. When we walked past the next day it was gone, so hopefully it made it home instead of being eaten.
One of the best parts of April was our Chick fil A opening again after a 12 week closure! We have missed having this as an easy dinner option on Tuesday nights and are happy we can give them our business again.
April was also the first time I was allowed back in Sophie's school! Davey was at PreK, but Charlie, Griffin and I were able to join Sophie for lunch and we brought some Sonic slushies as a special treat.
On the last day of the month I went with my friend Candice and the kids down to Lubbock for a quick visit to Costco and the Science Spectrum. We only had a short 3 hours in Lubbock before we had to get back for school pickup, but it was fun to do something different! The most challenging part of our day was not the long drive, but keeping track of my boys at the museum. I dressed them in blue, and we happened to be there on the same day as a field trip of kids that were also all wearing blue shirts. It was a nightmare!
Charlie and Rossi looking at the fish
Davey and Jaxon on the climbing wall
At this rate Griffin will be my first child to learn to ride a bike. He is motivated!
Charlie was so amused by the newscaster booth and being able to see himself on TV
We had the missionaries for dinner the same day I went to Lubbock. Cooking for guests, plus me being gone all day created a backlog of dishes, but Dave just kept stacking them higher until we were all caught up again!
April was our first full month of quarantine, and our first month with baby Griffin! Other than celebrating Easter, we had no big events this month. I heard on the radio one morning that one of the most Googled questions right now is "What day is it?" which is not surprising because they do all sort of run together, especially when you're sleep deprived from feeding a baby all night....
Here are some moment from our April at home:
A sweet neighbor brought us dinner and included these fancy cupcakes! Davey's pjs are on backwards which is why he's being strangled by his shirt :)
We moved Charlie from the pack-n-play our closet into a real crib in his own room. At first he was excited, then he cried a lot for several nights, but now he's adjusted. He's gotten big and I think he'll like having the extra space to spread out in the crib.
Captain Spider Matey protecting us from bad guys
Davey took this picture of Charlie (which is why his head is partially cut off)
We've been going on a walk every day to get some outdoor time and exercise. One of their favorite destinations is Pilgrim Park, which is actually just a narrow green space, but at least it gives us room to play a bit. They've really been enjoying these flyers grandma gave them.
Chick fil A is still offering free kids meals on Tuesday nights so at least that part of our life is still normal! We just have to pick it up to eat at home instead of dining in.
Chilling in the hammock with my little Griffin
The fire department has been driving through neighborhoods each week with their mascot to give the kids something exciting to look forward too. We heard the sirens and found a spot to watch them drive by!
Hair cut time again for the boys! I gave them a summer shave since it's starting to get hot and was amazed at how much hair came off their two little heads.
Davey, who is not normally crafty, got really into these paint by diamond sticker projects. He made several superheros throughout the week.
Real baby on my lap, while the baby wanna be is in the bouncer. Charlie is still not quite ready to give up that position in the family.
Now I know where all the binkies went...
We had a fluke snowstorm come through in the middle of April. It was hot over the weekend, then snowed on Tuesday, and then hot again a few days later. Good thing I never put the boots and coats away!
Uncle Greg ordered desserts for the whole family to eat at the same time over a Zoom call to celebrate Liz's birthday. Our family received these bug cookies, which the kids loved!
The construction crew was back in our alley for some utility work. The kids spent the morning watching them dig up the street and were so happy when the workers let them sit on the excavator for a picture.
Davey has been missing our usual supply of library books and took this grocery ad to bed one night. The next day he told me a list of everything from the sale that he wanted my to buy :)
I used one of my precious yeast packets for some homemade pizza!
On one of his more defiant nights, Davey went to bed not in his bed, but in the hallway
Ready to grill with daddy
We built Davey's bike! He still doesn't really know how to ride it, but at least we're moving in the right direction.
Charlie wanted to be like the big kids and wear a helmet too
The boys love to watch Sophie do homework and most times she will let them
I made bubble foam one day and it kept them happy outside for a few hours
Relaxing after a hard day of play
The kids did a virtual puzzle race with Grandmari. Sophie did 100 pieces, Davey did 48 and Charlie did 24. Davey was the victor!
