Absolutely Awesome Eight: Spring Break

The first graders at Hibbard Elementary shared their special Spring Program with us on March 30. Quinn represented the color blue during one of the songs the children sang so he's wearing the #10 blue football jersey on the front row.

First grade is my favorite school age.

The children are still so innocent and adorable.

While reviewing the months of the year, all of the children delivered flowers to their mothers while singing about the month of May.

With Tanner out of high school, he was able to join us mid-day for Quinn's program along with G-ma M and Aaron and me.

Once again, I volunteered to be an "Art Mom" for our PTO sponsored spring art program. I assisted with Elsie's class last year so it was Quinn's turn to have me be a helper.

Jensen & Quinn

Painting days are always the favorite.

With our former art teacher currently serving a mission, Mr. Hidalgo came on board and did an amazing job with the children. He was very kind and encouraging and insisted the children be respectful of the work they/others were doing. The specific projects he selected were age-appropriate so it was easier for me to assist the children and keep their energy focused.

Even clean-up seemed easier this year even though the art room was moved out to a portable classroom that did not have a sink.

Tanner & Aaron - another drive to the SL airport on March 31

Tanner was home from Costa Rica just long enough to wash laundry and pack up again before heading out on his next grand adventure. Aaron and I purchased a plane ticket for a surprise (birthday/Christmas/graduation gift) spring break trip to China with G-ma and G-pa P just days before Tanner started researching humanitarian projects last fall.

Needless to say, this kid hasn't been sitting around since his high school graduation. In fact, he hasn't even been in the country for more than a few days in the past month. The rest of the family stayed close to home during the kids' spring break from school. They were simply thrilled about NOT going to school for a few days.

Aaron expanded his office space and is now leasing the entire "countrywide" building. With these changes, Aaron relocated his personal office to a different part of the building. And the two of us spent our April Fool's Day painting. Feeling ambitious, we took on the baseboards and mid-project began questioning that decision. In the end, Aaron was happy with the updated, fresh feel to his "home away from home" so it was a good call after all.

We were so focused on our painting project that Aaron entirely forgot to play any tricks on his employees which he often does.

Back at home, the kids were semi-successful in their attempts.

Orange juice, anyone?

(or how about powdered mac-n-cheese flavored water?)

General Conference weekend was dreamy.

No soccer games. No commitments. No interruptions.

Quinn constructed his own podium and kept busy as a speaker....

....and as the choir conductor.

It was an inspiring and rejuvenating conference and we felt so very blessed to be members of Christ's true church here on earth. We enjoyed getting together for Sunday dinner at Chris & Julia's place after the final session. The older children joined the adults and participated in an extended M. family follow-up e-mail chain where people shared favorite quotes and ideas from conference. It was touching to see what resonated with everyone.

Jantzen has been busy finding more family names to take to the temple. These three participated in doing baptisms on two different occasions during the spring break. The morning they returned to school (April 6th), Janene stopped by the house to pick up a few names to do some initiatories. I had plans to attend an endowment session at noon with a friend so we had a few happy ancestors get their work done on that special day. April 6th is about my favorite day of the year...for so many different reasons! And it marked the 20th anniversary of my wedding engagement to Aaron.

Last hurrah before returning to school - a much-needed haircut for Elsie. Spending time at Traci Parker's 'salon' inspired Elsie to set up her own version of it.