April 2015

April 1, 2015, marked 13 years here in Charlotte.  I cannot believe it has been that long and then sometimes it feels like we have always lived here.  

April 3rd we pulled out the ivy that had started to take over the front garden area.  It took all day, but with all of us helping we got it done.  We also cleaned up the garden boxes in the backyard.  They were falling apart and needed to be replaced this year.  The boys (including Steve) went to Lowes and got retaining wall bricks and built a new garden around the side of the house.  We also laid sod where the old garden boxes were.  The patio is now a great place for Nick to practice basketball without fear of crashing into the gardens.  It feels so open -- we love it.  

Conference weekend is always really fun.  All the talks this time seemed to have a family theme to them. Loved it.

Spring break (April 5-10) was rather rainy. Nick had Ryan come and play one day.  Another day we went to Steve's office for lunch.  Matt stayed the night and we went to the Auto Fair.  This is one of the highlights of the year.  Nick especially LOVES it.  His buddy, Matt, came with us and made the day even better.  We had to take two vehicles to accommodate the extra person.  I had just parked the truck and was looking for Steve when a gentleman approached me and asked if I had tickets for the Auto Fair.  I told him we hadn't purchased any yet.  He had several extra from his company that we could have if we wanted them.  He gave me three free tickets (since Matt, Nick and Naomi would be considered free with a paying adult).  We got in for free - AWESOME!   We agreed on a meeting spot and time and then Matt and Nick headed off to explore.  After four hours we were all ready to go home and relax a bit.  Steve took Matt home while Naomi and I went to the stake baptism.  I was leading the music and Naomi came along for the ride.  Later that night Jeremy went to a stake youth movie night and had a great time.  Spring break was fun this year.  

The car from Starsky and Hutch.  COOL!

Jeremy and Steve looking at all the cars. 

Naomi taking a rest at the top of the track.

Cars everywhere!  Matt and Nick are out there somewhere.

Jeremy and Naomi taking another break at the top of the track.

This car ran on wind-up power.

How can you see past the engine while driving?

Cool car.  It reminded me of the car brother in law Shaun had.

April 22-24 I had the unique opportunity to substitute teach at Highland Creek Elementary with a student teacher in the classroom, Ms. Hall.  Basically, she taught and I was crowd control.  I learned so much about handling a group of kids just by watching her. Ms. Hall will be amazing in the field of education no matter what she chooses.  

One of the days I was substituting for Ms. McElhinney was the 3rd grade showcase day.  All the classes had been working on several projects for both literature and math and this was the day they would unveil their projects.  Naomi had designed a zoo and done a book cover for one of the Guardians of Gahoole books.  I snuck out of class for a few minutes to check it out and take a few pictures.  

She was especially proud of the alliteration in the names of all the animal enclosures. 

Haylie (with Callie in beween) and Maggie

Naomi's bestie, Anusha

The whole group.  Quite an impressive undertaking. 

Naomi and her other bestie, Juhlia

April 27 through May 1 I substituted for Mr. Willits.  I was only supposed to do Monday through Wednesday, but Mr. Willits got sick while chaperoning for the Sound to Sea fieldtrip and I took on the whole week.  Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal, but the drama and dance classes were getting ready for the Middle School Knight of the Arts (Friday, May 1).   I had to make sure the performances were ready and coordinate with the art, music and band teachers as to how the night was going to flow.  It was a great opportunity to work with the other teachers.  The Knight of the Arts turned out really well and everyone seemed to enjoy being there and watching the performances.  The dance and drama kids really did a great job.  I was so proud of them.