Wow! This March was really packed full!
Jake and I started the month with a date to the Mesa Arts Center to see Dear Evan Hansen.
Right after the play, we came home and Jake started packing for a week long sales meeting trip in Tennessee. I was able to take short days while he was gone so I could pick up the kids from school and day care. I was really thankful for my work being able to modify my schedule to make life work.
Jake got home from his conference and we loaded the car to drive to Pinedale. We went up for the weekend to spend time with his family and to attend Buni Denham's funeral. She was so loved and we miss her. It was fun to get together with family, despite the sad occasion. Jake's birthday fell on the day the funeral was scheduled, so I decided we would do a birthday date when we were home.
Right after the funeral, the girls went on spring break! They swam in the pool (WAY TOO COLD!!) and had so much fun with Isabel and Jake. I took off the Friday of their spring break and we went to Disneyland!!!! Girl's trip! No boys allowed.
Our Disney trip was incredible. We got to our hotel early Friday evening and went to shop and eat in the downtown area. We went back to the hotel after our meal and ran out in the rain to the hot tub! We didn't stay long because Gwen and Em were annoyed that another family kept splashing them (I will use this in the future when they splash me hahah!) so we went back and showered and got ready for the next day.
We spent Saturday at California Adventure. Normally we do Disneyland first, and I think this modification was the best thing we've ever done. Emily was so excited to do the Incredicoaster and she looked forward to it all morning. After each ride she'd ask, is it time to do the coaster?! We went on every ride we wanted and when it came time for the coaster, it was broken down still--it had been down all morning. We decided to get in the line on a whim, and imagine our surprise when 5 minutes later the ride was open and we were able to get on the coaster with no wait. I truly can't believe it now, just rethinking about this trip and those lines and our luck! After the coaster I was headachey. Emily really wanted me to ride with her, and I didn't want her first time to be without me so I consented hahah! We got off and Gwen wanted to go again. I said they could but I would need to sit it out. When I told that to G, she said she was good with one time after all. I couldn't get over the headache, so we went back to our hotel. THAT was a long walk. Oops. We were trying to wait for a bus, but it would've been 45 minutes, so we walked. The girls complained the entire time and I apologized the entire time and then made everyone stop talking. I took a nap, the girls had tablet time, and we were ready for part two! We went back and did several more rides and pin traded our hearts out. We ate churros and turkey legs, and barrio tacos all day. My favorite part was watching Gwen pin trade and holding Emily's hand and listening to her voice during the Incredicoaster. We went home before closing, maybe around 8. The girls fell asleep right after having baths, and I fell asleep listening to the fireworks.
We woke up bright and early on Sunday for the best day, Disneyland! We ate breakfast at the hotel, and Emily was too excited to ride the bus, so we walked to downtown Disney and got into the line. We found a good short one (IYKYK) and within minutes we were holding hands and giggling while walking into the park. We went to the city hall to get Gwen a birthday button. Emily and I also got buttons and we were told congratulations and happy birthday all day long. We went on Indiana Jones first thing, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tiana's Bayou, and so many more.We told Hannah and Jordan we would be there, and they came to join us. It was such a nice relief because Jordan would do rides I didn't want to do hahaha! He did the Star Wars ones with Gwen and Emily and they just loved him. We spent a good chunk of time together, and it was so good. After they left we watched fireworks and did more matterhorn. They both loved the new Mickey's Runaway Railway ride, Emily loved Thunder Mountain, and Gwen wanted to go on Tiana's 10 more times. The girls did so many rides together while I watched on and it was so much fun. I'm already ready to go back.
Gwen and Emily earned the money for their Disney tickets. We had planned a birthday party for Gwen, but she's been having a lot of friend drama, so I cancelled birthday parties and said let's do this instead. It was the best decision. We got quality time with the best people. To earn money, the girls sold eggs, bracelets, bread, and worked for our neighbors. They babysat, picked up dog poops, cleaned up yards, and did laundry all for others. We loved seeing them work toward a goal, and they worked fiercely!
After Disneyland, we willed life to slow down, but then Emily's soccer team started practicing two times a week, so all calm went out the window. She's been loving her team, and Jake turned into a coach because the assigned coach never showed and didn't communicate.
On Gwen's real birthday, she stayed home. We both went to drop off Emily and stayed in the parking lot to hear the birthday announcement, and then we went home. We got pedicures! When Emily came home, we went to Chandler for Benihana's and shopping. Wade loved Benihana's! We all did, but we always notice when Wade eats a lot, and he ate A LOOOOOT there. It was fun!
March ended as chaotically as it began with me going to a dental convention in Glendale. April had much calmed vibes but we all loved the entire month of March. We never did get a chance to celebrate Jake with a date night, but he secretly told me out of earshot from Gwen that he would consider Benihana's their dual celebration. Had Gwen heard that, she would've demanded (sweetly) another birthday dinner.
Now for legit birthday bragging. Here's the word on our big eleven year old!
Gwen is resilient. She has experienced such painful friend situations this year, and has pushed through and maintained loyalty. She doesn't speak poorly of people (except Mr. Steve, and that's understandable). Gwen is dependable. Gwen is very giving of her time and even her money. She always offers to pay for whatever is being purchased. She loves a cuddle and after a hard day is soothed most by snuggles. She is so funny. She reads well. She worked hard to know facts for battle of the books and several times knew the answers before others and helped her team win. Gwen is brave. So brave. She is loud. She loves to sing. She doesn't mind rewatching the same baking clip and shows over and over. She loves music. Benson Boone is her fave. Gwen has been wanting her hair styled more and more. Big news. She always has it done, but lately she's been wanting curls. Gwendolyn is easily one of the best people we've ever known. To know Gwen is to love her. Her creativity is non stop.
GWENNIE PIE FOREVER
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite friends: Farris, LaRee, Emily, Angela, Angie
Favorite color: Red, blue, and pink (she said that! Can you believe it!?)
Favorite sport: Basketball, Go Suns! And swimming
Favorite game: Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, Cover your Cookies, and Mantis
Favorite outfit: Brown Mickey t-shirt, and light baggy jeans
Favorite book: Babysitter's Club graphic novels
Favorite show: Baking shows, and Julie and the Phantoms
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| Wade and his kinetic sand |
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| Wade is getting used to sleeping at day care. |
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| Wade and magna tiles |
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| Gwen after activity days |
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| Jake and I at Dear Evan Hansen |
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| Wade asleep at GramE's. |
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| Buni's funeral |
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| Wade and Jake at nursery |
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| Bros. Twins. Buds |
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| Wade's bubble gun |
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| The birthday girl!!! |
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| Gwen and Wade on 3/28 |
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| Wade and his dinner. |
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| Benihana crew |
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| Wade and Jake makin'. |
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| Verity and Wade |
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| lololol!!! |
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| Gwen's last battle of the books competition! |
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Gwen, Ashlyn, and LaRee
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| Playing at Sam's Club |
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| Annie and Emily on twin day |
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| Verity and Jake at Ellsworth homestead |
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| Delaney, Emily, and Hunter |
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| Ridge and Gwen |
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| Wade |
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| Fred the model |
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| Gas station selfies on the way to California |
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| California Adventure time! |
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| Cars ride |
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| This cracks me up because Buzz is so small. |
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| Took this for Wade. He loves Mater. |
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| Emily took breakfast at the hotel very seriously. |
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| Tired Disneyland morning. |
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| Emily and Gwen! |
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| Girls' Trip! |
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| Anytime they wanted a picture, I obliged! |
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| Best girls forever. |
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| Getting ready to fall! |
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| G was screaming hahah! |
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| We got the most wet after the first drop. |
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| Emily's true favorite, Thunder Mountain |
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| Hannah and Jordan came!!!!! |
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| Gwen, the beautiful. |
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| Gwen, the smart! |
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| Gwen, the magical and wise. |
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| Hannah, Gwen, and Emily |
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| Best pin trading experiences ever on this trip. |
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| Why does the ride always have a line? |
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| Matterhorn, times 2! |
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| These gorgeous women! |
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| Emily did single rider on this and was so brave! She wanted to bail, but didn't have time. She said the person next to her was so nice and made sure she was safe. |
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| Too bad you can't see the tears in my eyes from the cold air. |
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| I love these pictures. |
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| Gwen as a single rider on space mountain! There was another birthday group on her coaster, and when they split up they shouted to her, "Happy birthday, Gwen!" Disney people are my favorite. |
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