Month: April 2021

Tonight, Lily and I played games with the kids. We did Zingo with everyone, and then I played Otrio with the older girls.

Today was one of the most crazy work days I have had in a while. I was working by about 7:30 and I had 13 or so straight meetings (with no breaks except the occasional bathroom or food run that made me late for my next meeting). I barely pulled away in time for Alexander’s Birthday party (leaving around 5PM), but even then I took a meeting or two in the car on my drive down. Lily stayed home because she was feeling strained and needed to recover for a bit.

Once I arrived, the party was so much fun. It was so fun to see Andrea, my dad, Suzanne, Christian and his daughter, Isabella and Ali, Ed, and especially Alexander, the birthday boy. It had been a while since I had connected with him and we had a great time catching up. I learned that he is pretty plugged into the rap community and even had a renowned rap writer (Kocaine) write a song about him. But the most fun part for me was playing basketball with Alexander, my dad and Christian. We played horse and pig. For the most part, my dad and I got whipped by Alexander and Christian who are by far the best shots of the bunch. But one game, I was shooting really well and had a chance to win everything. I made it to the point of being just me against Alexander, and I was ahead! I did a trick shot where I was sitting on a cement wall, from three-point range or close to it, and I shot the ball while remaining sitting. The ball went in and I was sure I won the game. But I couldn’t believe it when Alexander matched my shot and then proceeded to hit an even harder trick shot over power-lines from very far away and I couldn’t match it, so I lost. It was very, very fun.

I also at 6 or so slices of pizza. The kids had an amazing time too. Isabella chased Ammon around and showed Lydia and Mary her guinea pigs. Clarissa liked playing in all the plants in the garden area. It was very fun to connect with everyone. I wish I would have got a picture of the birthday boy, but I did manage to take this picture before leaving:

Andrea drove home with us and it was very fun talking with her.

At home, I collapsed on the couch and woke up around 11PM, a couple of hours later, and then transferred myself to the bed. I was very, very, very tired.

Today I: 1. worked out on the bike for 38 minutes 2. showered 3. dropped Lydia off at school 4. picked up glasses from my mom 5. dropped off my mom’s glasses at the eyeglass store 6. shopped at Trader Joe’s 7. helped Mary practice her piano for an hour 8. helped Ammon practice his piano for 45 minutes 9. fed the three kids at home fish and salad for lunch 10. brushed and braided Mary and Clarissa’s hair 11. did 40 minutes of reading practice with Ammon 12. cleaned up lunch 13. picked up Lydia 14. went to Starbucks twice 15. made pizza with all of the kids (caramelized onions, cut a pineapple, rolled dough, and cleaned up after them) 16. helped Lydia with her harp for 70 minutes 17. read books with Mary 18. read books with Clarissa 19. read books with Ammon 20. washed two loads of laundry 21. changed Mary’s sheets 22. folded a load of laundry 23. walked Basil 24. texted with my friend Jean about her summer trip to visit me 25. cajoled Lydia approximately 20 million times to do her homework before bed time 26. gave in and ordered Chip cookies to eat after the kids went down

On Saturday Abe was still not feeling well. That second Covid shot is a beast.

He did watch Kung Fu Panda with the kids while I went for a swim. Then I came home, showered, and did three hours of music practice with the girls. Oh, and I took Mary and Clarissa for haircuts!

They are both so beautiful and sweet.

On Friday Jen was going to come give me some oils I had ordered and so I figured why not invite the Tiemanns and Heidi too? And then Lydia had a surprise play date with her friend Katelyn (who was darling beyond belief)–making a total of twelve kids and 7 grown ups.

Abe was literally flat on hi back from the Covid shot all day, and I told him he did not need to come up. He managed to come up a little after six and was a total trooper.

We had a huge taco bar with rockfish, smoked brisket, grilled steak and chicken, vegan chorizo, crumbled cotija, cilantro, radishes, pickled onions, tomatoes, spiralized cucumber, and all different tortillas–including our favorite jicama wraps. It was a feast.

The kids ran around in a pack and we didn’t even need to feed Basil dinner because the little kids gave him so many treats! He was a star.

On Thursday I literally could not do anything almost the entire day. I got my second shot on Wednesday and by Thursday I was completely incapacitated. My whole body hurt and I realized after dropping Lydia off at school that I would not be able to do more during the day.

Abe has been very slammed at work and was unable to take the day off, so our kids watched tv all day while I lay in bed and he did his best to manage the rest of the day’s pick ups and drop offs.

By dinner I started to feel a little better and moved to the couch, where I witnessed a fun dance party with Abe, the kids, and Basil.

Early in the day, Ammon reported his dream from the night before.

On Wednesday I tried three times to get my second shot, and I kept forgetting various things and having to go back home for my ID and wallet. Finally I made it, and I was one of two people in the clinic getting a shot. When Abe went a day later, he was the only one. Utah Valley folk appear not to be really interested in this vaccine. Regardless, I was very happy to get mine, and on the first day felt very few side effects.

The kids had fun while I was running back and forth to the clinic. They did a lot of puzzles today.

We also loved watching Ammon and Clarissa dance.

We had my mom over for dinner too, and everyone loves it when she comes over!

Today, Lydia recommended that we go to Orem’s dog park at Mt. Timpanogos Park at the base of Provo Canyon. It was such a discovery! Not only did Basil play with some other dogs, but we got to ride our bikes on the Provo River trail that connects with the park. Lydia, Mary and Ammon all road with me and did an awesome job!

After the park, we had dinner and then went to Menchies to celebrate Mary getting into the A.L.L. program at Foothill elementary. As part of the celebration, we allowed her to buy the kiwi head stuffed animal you see up high in the background.

Today was an incredible Saturday. Lily walked Basil in the morning so I could get some extra rest and then I took care of the kids and cleaned, and made lunch before leaving for a bike-ride at noon. I had an amazing ride up South Fork canyon with Daniel Olsen.

When I got home, Lily and I left to Salt Lake and had an amazing time doing an escape room at get-out-games with our friends Matt, Courtney, Chris and Jen. We went to Barrios for dinner and Normal for ice-cream afterwards.

My dad and Suzanne babysat which made the whole thing possible. We had such a good time, as did our children with Baps and Bapa.

Also, here is a picture I took of a poster Mary recently made.

Today Ammon had a playdate with is friend/neighbor Casey