BRACE FACES X2!

I have been telling the boys that they would all be getting braces and they all used to fight me on it. Then on Sunday I brought it up again casually and then I am not sure what happened but Eli and Tyson were jumping at the chance. Let's get them on now, like tomorrow? Can I please have them? You can count this as my birthday gift!

I had to jump at the chance and take advantage of it, but because we are in the middle of a pandemic and everyone is on quarantine, I wasn't sure if the ortho office was open. I called and they were only open for emergencies only. Getting new braces did not qualify as an emergency. After talking to them and explaining that I needed them now and that I had an office in Mesa who would put them on now if they didn't want to then they came back and said we could get them on tomorrow morning at 10:30am! My evil plan worked. Got what we wanted.

We showed up in the morning and we were headed inside the office and then we were told we had to wait outside in our car in the parking lot and they would come and get us as they were ready for us. Because we set up the appointments over the phone and I had to text in pictures of their teeth I needed them to confirm what they saw on the pictures was indeed what was needed, I needed them to take pictures for me since I couldn't be in there to do it and they were so nice and did it all.

The boys might be regretting their desire to get braces as they have been complaining all week how sore their mouths are and they have to eat their food differently. But they are really good about brushing their teeth and keeping them super clean!

EASTER!

Like everything else, Easter looked different this year. No Jensen Easter party, no Regina Easter party, no glow in the dark Easter egg hunt at the Bells, etc. So we had our own Easter egg shindig. We dyed Easter eggs out back together, even dad helped! We enjoyed the last time dying eggs with Emma most likely since she will be gone at college. We went and picked up Florindinos for dinner, watched Cat in the Hat out back and then woke up to Easter egg baskets from the bunny, found the eggs hidden from him, played the new Switch game that the boys got for a couple of hours and then Jared gave us an Easter Sunday lesson and then we did the Sacrament. Rode bikes and then ate a pot roast dinner - not a traditional Ham and cheesy potato dinner sadly. It was still a great Easter weekend filled with memories even though they looked a little different from years past.

SENIOR SIGNS!

Sometimes you have to roll with the punches, even when the punches suck! Trying to make the best of the situation! A dad created yard signs you could order for your senior to put in your yard and let them know they matter. I texted out a few friends and we all ordered signs for our kids and then ordered one for Dane Bebak since Amanda Lawler had just passed away a week ago, we didn't want Dane to be forgotten. They arrived that Friday and Emma was surprised to find it in the yard for her and very happy about it. That night we loaded up the car and drove around to her friends houses and put them up in their yards to surprise them. All the seniors were surprised and it helped Emma and I to feel good about doing something for others!ps - Emma only curled the front of her hair for this picture - the back is all scrappy - we love quarantine lifestyle!! ha ha!

DOMES, TREES AND ROCK CANDY!

We have been doing lots of bike riding together as a family! We even ran to Target to buy Emma and bike and we were lucky - the stores are selling out of bikes because everyone is buying them to entertain themselves. We got the last one her size! While out on bikes rides we discovered this tree in our neighborhood that someone nailed in steps too - so we had to climb it of course! I also spent a couple of weeks gathering giant cardboard boxes from Sodalicious so we could make this cardboard dome. It looked super simple to me, I showed Jared and he said no it was much more complicated. So we waited for him to help us. Ya, with 5 people and all the hours we spent it was well over a 20 hour project - Jared was an amazing sport and finished while I had to go to work. It was a disappointment. It barely fit all 3 boys and they never played it in because it was so hot and small - cardboard dome killed time but what a waste! Lesson learned - ha ha! We also made rock candy! We spent over an hour making it and then it had to sit for a week to form. They tried it. To sugary. We had fun with it, but another waste - but again, great time filler - ha ha! We also caught the twins taking a nap outside in the hammock together - nerds!

PICKING UP OUR STUFF FROM HALEY!

I admit it...I cried. We got to drive through the school today and pick up the boys stuff from their classrooms and desks that were all bagged up with sweet notes and treats from their teacher, Ms Sirianni. This isn't exactly the end of the year teach picture I was hoping for, but grateful for the couple minute face to face we had with her and waving at our other teachers we love so much! Goodbye elementary school. I would not be sad if the boys got held back and had to repeat 6th grade! ha ha!

NATION JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY!

In a crazy time it's always nice to celeb rate something good! Beofer the 3rd quarter ended this kid applied for NJHS and found out today he got it! There won't be a ceremony to induct him but we are still so proud and excited for him. We did buy him a Sodalicious drink and scotcharoo and he was quite pleased with that! This kid is very deserving of such an honor and made his whole application process worth it!

LAVA LAMPS, VOLCANOES AND EASTER EGG TREES!

We learned how to make lava lamps - super fun and cool, but really only last a few minutes! We also made a volcano and had it erupt with red lava! Then we did a big Easter egg project for ourselves and our grandparents. We made little salt dough Easter eggs and painted them, then we colored designs on them, put together these little trees and delivered them to Grandma Joyce who LOVED it, Grandma and Grandpa Rodgers who also loved it and then Grandma and Grandpa Jensen who didn't say much about it until we asked them about it - we did ding dong ditch it there, but finally they told us they liked it too! The kids had a lot of fun making them and felt good delivering them to everyone and bringing smiles to their faces!