A Great Week - Even With a Teenager

The first week of March was gorgeous and fun and busy. Spring came early and we are now experiencing summer weather. I wonder if that will mean a cool a foggy summer?

One morning I helped with Christian's 2nd grade Art Masters lesson, which means that Ashlyn was able to come along. When the lesson was over, it was time for recess and Christian really wanted us to stay and play.

I showed them some of my mad hula hooping skills and tried to teach Ashlyn.

Some 1st grade girls that she knows from her track team came by and asked what a kindergartner was doing on the big kid playground. Well, when you have a cool 2nd grade brother, you just get all the perks.

Walking to school on another lovely morning. She loves to wear dresses.

We've been avoiding this as long as we could, but unfortunately, the calendar presses on.

Madison turned 13.

We officially have a teenager.

When I picked her up from school the day before, Brooke quickly made up this little surprise after-school snack for her. She couldn't find the birthday candles, so stuck a tea light in the middle of the bread.

Fresh homemade bread and delicious strawberries. Yum.

Birthday breakfast was buttermilk pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, and OJ. It was her request, but it had to be quick since we had to get to school.

After school, homework, track practice, dinner, etc., we finally were able to get to her last present . . . but made her hunt for it by playing "hot" and "cold".

It's a ukulele! Just what she wished.

A quick dessert of lemon bars and it's time for bed. Having a birthday on a school day is a bummer. Except that her locker was decorated by her friends, we stopped by and put helium balloons on her locker, and daddy brought her a favorite lunch to school: Mama Mia pizza from The Natural Cafe.

The next night we went to the movies and had our friend Monroe come along. She was squished in the back with Ashlyn and Christian who were pretending to over-love her. She's a good sport.

The Lorax is a great flick. Good job Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul! Madison is lucky to work with Ken for the stake film festival (which is next week); I bet their film will be great!

Madison wanted to go to the mall with her friend from school, so I took them, and Brooke invited Rebecca Tarbet to come along, too. They had a great time being girly at the mall.

Such fun girls!

We ended the week by donating blood on Saturday at the Stake Emergency Preparedness Expo and taking Madison out on a birthday dinner date to a restaurant of her choosing, which was Saffron - and Indian restaurant that has the best curries and naan. Good choice Maddy!