April is 6

I'm beginning to think this little sweetheart is cursed for her birthdays. Last year she was really sick with some kind of stomach flu. All year since then she has asked constantly "Will I be sick on my birthday this year?" What are the odds of that happening two years in a row?!?! Well thank goodness I did her birthday party 5 days before her actual birthday because as luck would have it April got some kind of cold almost the entire week following her party and on her birthday. Sunday morning she had a fever, Monday and Tuesday mostly slept and hung out with me, Weds she started coughing so I kept her home Weds and Thursday as well. I had her tested for covid and was relived she did not have it so I did not have to stress about a potential spread. And thankfully this sickness wasn't as traumatizing for he as her 5th birthday. But still I can't believe she was sick two years in a row! 

She has the kindest biggest heart ever. She has magical hugs that immediately produce smiles all around. I love how her little brain works and I'm so thankful she joined our family to bring so much light and love. April has really impressed me this year in school she is reading now and working hard on math facts. Her goal is to read 100 books by the end of the school year so she can get a medal at from her teacher.

Some of her favorites:

color - blue (this is new... pink was always the winner. But she says it's because it's a mermaid color)

food - French Toast aka "Prench Toast" (gluten free of course)

game - Pretty Pretty Princess game (and she even talks her brothers into playing it with her frequently)

Place to go - Krazy Air (A trampoline park)

Thing to do - LOVES Picnics

She loves playing UNO. And even includes a lot of her toys in the game. 

And she can even convince her big brothers to play "Pretty Pretty Princess" with her

Lately she has been really into journaling. She was so proud of herself for earning a small spalding book with her "franklin firebird" tickets at school.

April will always say she's a "lover not a fighter" and she proves this almost every minute of the day. I got home from work the other day and she had prepped the front room pushing chairs together and setting up a "spa day for me" It's the sweetest thing ever. I sit down, put my feet up and she massages me, brushes my hair and covers me with a snuggly blanket and tells me to relax. She say when she grows up she wants to be a "Massager. Because you can give love to people."

Mason's Social Life

This kid is all go go go! Last Saturday he got up at 4:30am to go on a youth hike with our church. Then played in a water polo tournament from 10:45am-2pm. And at 6pm that night dressed up for a Swing Dance Activity with some of his school friends. I'm so grateful for these good friends that he has. Before COVID they had regular temple baptisms trips planned and I feel like all these kids are nice and polite and they encourage good choices. They are an answer to my worrisome mom prayers.

The next day he crashed after church and took a 2 hour nap. This NEVER happens. I guess it finally caught up to him.

Mason My Waterpolo Maniac

I was so excited this weekend! For the first time in over a year I got to go watch Mason play waterpolo. It feels like life is slowly returning to normal and that makes me really happy. I love watching him play he has really improved over the last year. He really loves this sport. I also LOVE that during the game I could hear pretty much every word out of his mouth all the way from the stands. (I wonder where he got his loud voice from. Haha) He is such a great leader and team player. I am so proud of him. Waterpolo has honestly saved us. It’s provided a safe place for Mason to exercise and socialize. I truly believe it has not only been physically beneficial for him but good for his mental health and well being  

April's Birthday Party

 Happy Birthday sweet little big hearted girl. I can't even believe she is 6. I feel like she has been talking about her birthday ALL year long. Not to mention asking if it was her birthday EVERY single day for the last 3-4 months. And very concerned that she would get sick on it. Poor girl is still traumatized from being sick on her 5th birthday. We celebrated with lots of friends with a Mermaid party. April helped me with all the decorations and planning. She was so excited and would randomly announce "this is going to be the BEST birthday party EVER!" 

I had lots of help getting ready for the party. My mom saved the day and came last minute to hang the Seaweed, Mason and Noah were "lifeguards" stationed at the slide to monitor for safety. Callie and her friend Sydney helped with the craft table. Maryann and Lindsey just helped me stay sane and take care of everything else.

Callie is 10 (going on 18) Haha

I can't believe this little spit fire is 10!!!! She amazes me constantly with her kindness, talented singing, her tenacity, and her animal loving sweetheart. She can be all sweet and cuddly one moment and then feisty or sassy the next. She has lots of friends and is loved by all who know her. Her birthday party was cancelled last year with COVID hitting right on her birthday. So of course we partied hard this year to make up for it. 

Jaxon is a sweet friend in our stake and at school. He has asked Callie to be his Valentine 3 years in a row and Callie wanted to invite him to her party so we made sure he wasn't the only boy attending. Aaron to the rescue.