Go, Go, Go

For the first time, Cooper ran in two events at one track meet. He ran the third leg of the 4x800 meter relay and he ran the 3200. Thankfully one event was at the beginning and the other event was at the end of the meet. They won the relay and Cooper placed fourth in the 3200. I think it's the fastest I've ever seen him run!

The Happiest Instrument

Sophie and I joined some of our ukulele orchestra mates and watched The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain perform on Friday night. They were amazing! They were hilarious and their playing was insanely good. The concert felt way too short, even when they came back onstage and played three more songs for an encore.

Same First Name

Topher's class has been working on their wax museum projects for several weeks. Topher saw the list of options and decided on Christopher Columbus since they share the same first name. There was also a boy named Marco in his class that picked Marco Polo, so Topher was not alone in his first-name choice.

He researched, wrote, and practiced. The costume and props were my job. Thanks to a healthy backstock of costume items, we were able to put this together without buying anything.

That's why I felt okay buying a wig to add to his look. He didn't love the idea.

But seriously, the wig made the costume.

Topher did a great job on his presentation! He had it mostly memorized and spoke clearly. They each picked a pose and stayed frozen until one of the many parents stopped at their station and tapped the Push button. Then they would begin talking.

As soon as he finished his speech he returned to his wax museum pose, which is what they'd been told to do. One of the moms told me she was impressed that he didn't unfreeze when she tried to talk to him. 

Great work , Topher!

The Best Day

Monday was the last day of our spring break. It was actually a four-day weekend, but it's all we got. To celebrate, we took the kids to see The Super Mario Galaxy Movie in the afternoon. Before that, Bryan took Topher to the park to play. On the way home from the movie, Topher announced that it was the best day of his life.

Where Can I Turn for Peace?

I always look forward to General Conference weekend. This year, in preparation for the Solemn Assembly we were having to sustain our new prophet, President Dallin H. Oaks, I listened to the talks he's given for the last six years. I also listened to his biography. Well, most of it, I finished it yesterday. I feel like that extra time and attention beforehand helped me get more out of the talks.

Here are the messages that spoke to my soul:

About His Business by Elder Patrick Kearon

Ministering—“That Ye Love One Another; as I Have Loved You” by Sister Kristin M. Yee

Come Home by Elder Clark G. Gilbert

All Who Have Endured Valiantly by Elder David A. Bednar

Love All; Love Each by Elder Gérald Caussé

He Knows You by Name by Elder Clement M. Matswagothata

Best Days and Worst Days by President Emily Belle Freeman

The Joy of a Covenant Relationship with God by Elder Thierry K. Mutombo

Alive in Christ by President Dallin H. Oaks

Come unto Christ—Together by Elder Taniela B. Wakolo

’Tis Eastertide: No One Walks Alone by Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Easter Fun for All

Sweet Topher thought it wasn't quite fair that Bryan and I didn't get to participate in the Easter egg hunt on Sunday. On Monday he set up a hunt for me. It included my own Easter basket full of fruit.

Rumor has it he's planning a hunt for Bryan as well.

Easter Conference Sunday

We enjoyed General Conference this weekend. Sophie documented me making our traditional Conference breakfast of waffles.

Our cold and rainy Easter Sunday started with Resurrection Rolls, then we had a quick, indoor Easter egg hunt. 

The kids munched on candy during the Sunday sessions of Conference. We joined some friends for a short potluck in between sessions and got home just in time to watch the closing session. Bryan and I cooked while we listened and we sat down to eat our Easter dinner around 6:30.

I love that so many of the talks we listened to this weekend were about following the example of the Savior. Those messages helped focus my thoughts on Jesus this Easter.

Greater Love

This weekend is both General Conference and Easter. What a wonderful way to focus on the Savior!

Because He Lives

Happy early Easter! I'm so thankful for the Savior, for His love for us, and His willingness to make it possible, through the Atonement, for us to return to live with Heavenly Father.

Here, But Not Here

I had my annual check-up with my doctor last week. After discussing some symptoms I've been experiencing, she suggested that I might have seasonal allergies. She recommended I try allergy medicine, Zyrtec specifically, and see if it helps.

Last night I took Zyrtec for the first time.

Today I learned that not everyone should take Zyrtec.

I've had serious brain fog for most of the day and kind of felt detached from everything. And I've been so tired. A quick internet search told me that these are Zyrtec side effects for some people.

It did help with the allergy symptoms, but I don't think it was worth being a zombie all day.