April 2022

 APRIL = SPRING!

I planted flowers in the fall because I was tired of this blank weed-covered area in the front yard. There used to be a bush here, but it died due to it being frozen in deep snow during one of our winters. 

I dug up the whole area a few inches deep and then threw the bulbs in. I was wondering if they would actually grow.

THEY DID!

Yay me.

The first week of Spring also brought ducklings.

Ducklings of the human sort.

For the first time in 2+ years, the middle school advanced drama class was able to perform

a production on stage!

And wouldn't you know it....Mikey got sick.

It wasn't COVID, but it was a nasty cold that kept him out of school for an entire week at the end of March.

He was still coughing as the musical debuted, so he had to miss the first few performances.

But he was ready and raring to go by the third performance of the week.

Only during the first performance did he play a duckling.

He's the farthest duckling on the left.

His other part was an annoying T.V. journalist named Jay Bird.

And his other part was Bullfrog.

I'll save a picture of that one until later.

With his first performance under his belt, he couldn't wait for the next one. 

There is a tradition that all the 8th grade drama kids that are "graduating" can 

add their handprint to the wall of the prop closet.

Because Katie's 8th grade year was unceremoniously cut short due to COVID, she never got to add her handprint.

That ended this night.

After the performance, the kids went to hang out at Baskin Robbins...even though they can't eat anything there.

And, gulp, they were driven there by S who had had her license long enough to be cleared to drive other people around in her car.

(For the first 6 months after getting their licenses, teenage drivers here can't have anyone under 21 that is not family in the car with them).

I tell ya, it was REALLY WEIRD to watch them drive away.

The next night, Mikey had another performance.

We were all super busy and couldn't attend.

Katie had an IV infusion that day and I had to teach a PTA class.

The next day, Mikey went off to perform AGAIN while we walked Katie over so that she could leave for Costa Rica! A trip 2+ years in the making!!!

Back in April 2020, Katie was supposed to go to Costa Rica with two of her middle school science teachers. Darn COVID trashed that trip and kept it in limbo for the next two years. The company allowed the trip to be put "on pause" and Spring 2022 it was finally time to go!

These kids waited a LONG time to take this trip.

Off she went for a weeklong Costa Rica extravaganza.

I'll share some pics a little later on in the post.

Typically, the middle school has a few spirit weeks throughout the year.

This happened to be "Fancy Friday."

Believe it or not, the drama kids had three more performances that week!

One on Friday evening and then two on Saturday.

Of course, I went to see them all.

If COVID taught me anything it was to make sure that I take

every opportunity to see my kiddos shine.

COVID cancelled Katie's last middle school musical.

I really loved watching her on stage.

She was so in the moment and comfortable.

Something that I could never be.

It was amazing.

She was going to play Winthrop in The Music Man in the spring musical that was cancelled by COVID.

After drama went virtual, it just wasn't as fun and she lost her love of it.

She hasn't performed since.

Sigh.

So, I was determined to see as many performances as I could.

Say hello to Bullfrog.

This character was CREATED for Mikey.

Seriously.

Mikey did some character study by watching Rodney Dangerfield.

Yep.

Bullfrog is a confident, kind-hearted frog that helps Ugly (the main character, the Ugly Duckling) see that there is someone out there for just about anyone.

I mean, it may be just because I am his mom, but he brought down the house every single night with his song "Warts & All".

At the end of Friday night's show, some kids asked their mom (a teacher at the school) if

they could have their picture taken with "The frog".

I'm pretty sure you've seen these three before.

We've got B in red as a turkey, S as a goose and Mikey.

Saturday night's final performance featured these three kiddos in three spotlight parts in the musical.

B was the evil Cat.

S was Ugly.

Mikey played his two parts. 

Jay Bird......

"This is Jay Bird from America's Most Feathered saying if you see anything suspicious from thieving magpies to lost little ducklings, the chicks on the switchboard are waiting to take your call."

And....Bullfrog.

But this one was extra special.

He got to play it alongside his bestie as Ugly.

Finally, both of them onstage doing what they've been doing for YEARS at home...but this time getting applause for it.

"I mean, have a word with yourself, Feathers. Who am I to call you ugly? Look at me...

....There, see? I mean connect the dots. If we're talking "ugly" they don't come much more aesthetically-challenged than me"

"I say to myself, "I'm just a handsome prince in frog's clothing and one day someone's going to come along and kiss me and release my inner beauty.....and then I say to myself, 'Nah, get real, who wants to snog a frog!'"

Time to sing....and dance.

Here's part of the song....

"If you just sit tight on your lily pad

Each silly fad will pass

Then those who sport this seasons look

Will fall flat on their asssssssk your mother what it's called...

For fashion is a fickle thing but just you wait and see.

The day will come when we're in style and then I guaranteeeeeee.

Out there someone's gonna love ya.

Someone's gonna love ya.

Warts and All.

Out there just around the corner, in amongst the fauna

Someone's gonna fall for you.

Though we may look a bit Jurassic

Trust us we're a classic, in our pond.

If this old frog can go awooin, time ya had a wake up calllllll.

Cos' out there somewhere someone's gonna love ya.

Warts and All!"

Bullfrog called out his "froglets" to back him up.

All good songs end with a little kick line.

And a hug.

Mikey was sad that it was his last performance.

It was a joy to watch him and to listen to the reaction of the audience.

Yay for performing on a stage!!

And double yay for middle school drama teachers!

Mikey was officially on Spring Break.

Meanwhile........

Katie had made her way to Costa Rica!

Katie kept in touch with me via WhatsApp and sent pictures and updates from her trip.

We were worried, of course.

She had to pack everything in a carry-on and there was concern about some of her meds.

Especially the one that she has to take with honey.

We were able to find single serve honey packets to send in her liquids bag.

All that worry was for nothing as she made it into the country just fine.

From there on out she was super busy traveling all over the country and doing really cool things.

Here's a quick snap shot of some things she experienced.....

Zip-lining.

White water rafting.

Hiking to scenic views.

Not only were there monkeys everywhere....

....but there were also potato chips, Hershey bars and Skittles.

SNAP.

One evening Katie had an ant in her bathroom that was this big.

Hot springs located near Mt. Arenal.

A sample of one of her dinners.

They visited a cacao plantation.

I wish I was there right now.

You know what else they have in Costa Rica?

Sloths.

I think maybe she could do her own blog about her experiences.

You'll have to ask her about it.

She had a great, but exhausting time.

Meanwhile, in Washington....

Huzbend was busy lighting the grill on fire in the rain.

Now that is skill.

And adventure.

I hung out with Mikey all week.

First up on our exciting agenda....

Grocery shopping!

Mikey discovered that they had very danceable music at the grocery store.

We also hit the lanes and did some bowling.

Check out that post throw wiggle.

Yes.

I beat him.

Both times.

MUHAHAHAHAHAHA!

He still liked me even after I destroyed him.

After bowling we decided to get some froyo.

Although it was really not appropriate for the weather.

What is wrong with our state?

Mikey enjoyed an eclectic mix of non-dairy froyo flavors including gingersnap, Dole Whip and pink lemonade sorbet.

It really was pink.

He was also able to work in a little Spring Break swim date with some friends.

An impromptu Pokemon song. Performed by Mikey.

On the Friday of Spring Break, we headed to MoPop (Museum of Pop Culture) to check out

what was new.

Some of the displays were old...like this indie video game display.

And, the sci-fi room.

Mikey actually knew what this was this time around as we had watched Terminator.

And Terminator 2 and Terminator 3......and on and on.

We also stopped in the fantasy exhibit and checked out a touring

Disney costume exhibit they had.

Hi Space Needle!

That Saturday we just hung out and waited for Katie to get home.

Like Ralph.

I tried to make my own chocolate bunnies this year with some new nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free chocolate I found....

...but, sadly, did not have much success.

I also made a carrot cake.

That Saturday evening, we gave Korean food a try.

The beverage below is very dangerous.

It is Soju - the national drink of South Korea. 

Warning.

Gulp, gulp, gulp.

Huzbend and I had bibimbap - a hot bowl of rice, vegetables, kimchi and meat.

Mikey tried kalbi - Korean barbeque short ribs.

Mikey fell in love and declared that kalbi is "THE BEST."

Huzbend and Mikey went off to pick up Katie from the airport later that evening.

I stayed home and played Easter Bunny.

And, for the first time ever, Ralph decided to "find" one of the eggs.

So naughty.

HAPPY EASTER!

Time to search for eggs!

The Easter Bunny put this one here after Ralph decided to "investigate" it the night before.

Oh my gosh.

Sometimes, it's hard to watch.

IT'S RIGHT THERE!

Ralph enjoys everyone in the backyard.

It took a bit for them to find their last eggs.

SUCCESS!

Eggs found.

Next comes opening the eggs.

Candy, money and Lego guys.

Time to follow the clues.

For the first time ever, Mikey found the carrot egg with the

first clue of the basket hunt.

Sorry, kids, Ralph is not allowed to help.

SUCCESS. AGAIN!

Baskets were found.

Each inspected their basket and found video games and candy.

What a winning combination!

Katie brought me back some chocolate from Costa Rica!

It was a surprisingly warm and sunny day.

Especially for Easter.

Since Katie didn't get home until late the night before, we held off dyeing eggs until 

she was able to help.

We used this weird foam stuff.

This is what the eggs looked like when they were done.

We had to let the foam sit on them for a bit.

This is what they looked like when they were done.

Meh.

The kids spent the day playing their new games and eating way too much sugar.

We wrapped up the month with Ralph's 8th birthday.

Wow.

Even though he's pretty gray, he's still handsome.

We made sure his day was special.

He got to find treat eggs.

And, he got to play with his treat toy.

As I walked past these garbage cans in our backyard, I noticed a strange pile of leaves tucked in behind them.

I could've sworn I picked up all the leaves that were there.

I got a little closer, shifted some leaves and, sure enough, found a nice

cuddly warm layer of rabbit fur underneath.

It was another bunny nest.

I did my best to protect them by surrounding them with a big metal fence crossed my fingers (and toes) that a certain nosy dog didn't sniff them out.