Return to real life

So the kids returned last Sunday after their 6 hour ride on the St. George express.  Then we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's house for waffles to welcome them home.  Zac and I passed the time waiting by visiting the St. George temple visitor's center.  We watched one of the missionary videos and then learned a little more about how the Book of Mormon is used to teach the gospel.

Mom duties returned this week.  Colten had his karate.  I don't think he practiced while at his dad's but he seemed to remember it pretty well.  He is advancing pretty well and will start bo staff fighting next week.  He also started soccer practice this past week.  He is excited to return to his first sport.  It will be a quick season (only 6 games - a double header one Saturday).  He played his first game this past Saturday.  He was excited to be the goalie for the first half.  His team did a pretty good job of making it a boring half for him.  He saw the ball maybe two times lol.  The second half he got to play on the offense and did a great job.  He was following the ball and being really aggressive towards it.  I am excited to watch him continue to grow this season. 

Aspen's time in gymnastics is coming to a close as she will no longer be in it after 6.5 years.  She is loving her art class a lot and may do something else with a class or two more of that but it will be a sad day this week when she doesn't have gymnastics.   Well a sad day for me, she is pretty excited.  She has loved gymnastics but is excited to be done with it.  Aspen also was able to have a sleep over with Audra (finally) this past weekend.  I dropped her off at 6 on Friday and she returned home Saturday around 8 lol.  Good thing she did all of her chores before she went so she could stay as long as she wanted (within reason).

The kids and I did take advantage of Dairy Queen's celebration of the start of spring with a free cone :)

Friday was the start of my spring break and man am I ready for it.  This past weekend, Zac and I celebrated with the singles by celebrating Naylise's birthday at Viva Chicken.  It was my first time there and it was pretty good.  Saturday we took in Colten's game and just relaxed.  Saturday night I had the single adult ward relief society dinner.  That ward sure does know how to take care of the women in their charge. 

Sunday was normal for the most part.  Colten was being a little stinker and wasn't doing a great job of listening and following direction.  So Aspen and I went to my parents house while Zac and Colten stayed at the apartment (without access to electronic devices).  Darcee and Hollee were able to join this Sunday.  Aspen loved playing with Oaklee.  Aunt Terri's time with us has come to a close and she will be heading back to Indiana this week.  I've sure loved having her around and her help with grandpa.  She will be missed.

Spring is trying to come

At least Spring break made it here...the weather isn't quite caught up yet.  But these past two weeks have been great.  The kids have been keeping me busy with all their activities.  Aspen is still loving her art class with Caroll.  I am impressed with her artistic abilities every time she comes home with a new drawing/painting.  Finally, she is in art class at school and she absolutely loves it.  She brought home a couple of tiles she painted.  They looked amazing.  I forget to take pictures of everything.  Colten is excited to return to the soccer field this spring.  He decided soccer would help him prepare for football this fall with running and what not.  He is still really enjoying karate with Josh.  He is learning how to spar with other kids, some bigger than him and some smaller.  Josh doesn't let up with him and pushes him to learn and grow.  I love it.

Last Friday the kids got checked out early and got to hop on the St. George Express for the long ride up to their dad's for Spring Break.  They are going to be traveling champions by the time one of them turns 16 lol.  I have talked with them once and got sent a picture of them at the Real game (looked cold).  The weather up north is not ideal for spring break but the kids are enjoying their time up there.  Colten has finally been able to play the PS4 he got for Christmas.

I have enjoyed the break.  It's not my spring break so I still worked but not having mommy duties has been nice this week.  I spent last weekend with Zac.  We did a little price shopping for his house project and watched movies.  On Sunday, we went over to my parents where he met the rest of my family and Terri.  We played a few games (which I haven't done in awhile).  All in all it was a great weekend.  The kids come back on Sunday afternoon so I am going to make sure to utilize every moment I can until then.  I miss them but the break has been nice.  Hectic life to resume on Monday lol.

What a way to end February

Well February flew by a little faster than January.  We ended it on a good note though.  Colten has been loving karate and learning that even though he is fast he still has a lot to learn when it comes to sparring.  He was actually on early out all week so he played outside most of the time.  It was super nice that the weather improved this week so that the kids could play outside.  Aspen finished her second trimester and successfully passed her gym classes and keyboarding.  She is in an art class now and is in heaven.  Mom is just trying to keep up with them and their activities and her own lol

Colten hasn't been able to be active as much as he would like to but he still participates when he can.  This past week he had his Pinewood Derby.  Zac helped Colten finish his car (and by finish I mean put on the wheels and weights) and Aspen painted it.  Apparently Colten wanted to win most patriotic car and he did.  His car was not the fastest...he placed 10th out of 12 but he still had fun.

Friday night we (Aspen, Zac and I) attended Dixie State's last mens basketball game of regular season.  They were playing Westminister so an in-state game.  We got free t-shirts (which is always nice) and they won their 13th straight game.  It was pretty much a blow out, although it didn't start that way though.  These games have been fun to go to.  I am grateful that a friend gave some free passes and that the kids are free so I could go to more and bring a friend :)

I took the kids to Home Depot Saturday morning.  They are close to getting their 25 projects pin either one or two more months.  It is nice that I don't have to help them too much either.  They have graduated into knowing how to read and follow directions and use a hammer and screwdriver lol.

Saturday brought the rain pretty much the whole day.  The kids and I got asked by Zac to go swimming at his brother's hotel.  Aspen had a blast, Zac and I sat in the hot tub for a little bit and Colten chose to stay home.  We went to Golden Corral for lunch.  It was good food and great company.  Great way to end the week :)