Cavalcade of Rhythm

After months of preparation and HARD WORK, the big night was last night. The 2009 Cavalcade of Rhythm sponsored by the Desert Valley Music Teachers' Association (of which I am a member) was last night. Oh my, what a show! Spencer and Noah both performed as well as another of my students, Sarah. Basically, the Cavalcade is twenty-five pianos on stage, with fifty pianists playing duets at the same time! Amazing! We have rehearsed for weeks and it all came together in a phenomenal way. Spencer and his friend Jacob played "Super Mario Brothers" and "Legend of Zelda" with their group, and Noah and Sarah played "Star Wars" and "Batman." The whole performance was staged as a skit involving the evil "Madame Treble," with Batman and Robin showing up to save the day. (I am SO sad that the videos we took are too huge to send, but trust me, it was awe-inspiring!)

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

March, hands down, is my most favorite time of the year in Arizona. Beautiful weather, great temperatures, everything blooming (thank goodness I'm not one with bad allergies). I just savor every breath of cool air because I know what's lurking around the corner. I've been gardening and loving watching what re-seeded from last year. It's so fun to peek every day at what is coming up and trying to guess what it is! (You never know, we ended up with a HUGE mulberry tree in our backyard just by waiting to see what grew.) So, in the flower garden I've planted big multi-colored pansies and "little purple pansies", but also have lots of sunflowers and snapdragons coming back from last year, as well as hyacinth bulbs that my dad planted when we first moved in. And a bunch of seeds that I can't remember what they were but I scattered them about a month ago. In the vegetable garden, the chard is still holding strong, as is the broccoli. I finally pulled all the different lettuces. We're still getting a few peas every day but they will soon be gone. The artichoke plant has gone crazy again and we even have a few starts from last year when we let it go to seed. I'm loving the carrots, they've never done so well, but the radishes are gone. I planted onions and cilantro about a month ago and tomatoes, tomatillos, squash, watermelon (Jacob's idea), and beans last week. And some seed I didn't recognize that my dad left for me. We'll be surprised with whatever comes up! Also, the heavenly blossoms on the orange tree are in bloom. You've never experienced such an intoxicating smell. I savor it every year. We've got to get eating the oranges and grapefruits before it gets hot. So, sorry for the ramblings, it's just been so fun and relaxing for me this year to be outside. Thanks, honey, for fixing the sprinklers because our lawn is gorgeous, too. Just loving life...

Happy Birthday to Me!

I guess a birthday is just another day for a mom, but there were some sweet moments yesterday! While Isaac was at playgroup, I went to help my friend Melissa pack to move and she reminded me to go to Joe's BBQ for my free birthday lunch. So, Isaac and I had a mouth-watering yummy pulled pork sandwich, mac & cheese (homemade!), BBQ beans and rootbeer cake at Joe's, followed by a free dozen doughnuts at Krispy Kreme. Yum! Couldn't ask for better treats. When Isaac fell asleep for his nap, I snuggled up and watched "Life is Beautiful" and cried. What a touching movie...I can't believe I had never seen it before. My adorable husband brought home Panda Express for dinner, beautiful white tulips, and an ice cream cake to celebrate before we hustled out the door for our last Parenting Class. Oh, and I loved all my gifts! Thank you to my mom and dad for Wii Music and for dinner at Rumbi. Thanks to Jerry and Olivia for the clothes. Thanks to Emily for the shirt and notebook and Deseret Book gift card (the best!). Thank you to Wendi and Kami, who both knew I love to make cards, for the paper supplies. To everyone else for the cards and phone calls that made my day. And especially to Jeremy for catering to my whims and gutting and painting the office and for the gorgeous new computer desk and shelving. I am so spoiled! Love you guys!

Happy Birthday Sweet Isaac!

Dear Isaac,

We love you so much and are glad you are our baby. You turned three last week. I can't believe it! What a big boy you are. Thanks for bringing such joy into our lives. You make us all laugh. We love how you go through phases carrying your treasures around with you, sleeping with them, playing with them, etc. Like the sWord you have tucked into your waistband at all times, the cars in your backpack, and the swashwight (flashlight) you sleep with. We love how you are trying to be a big boy by going potty (gimme a sticker), how you drop-kick the soccer ball and the football, how you like to set the table and put away dishes, and how you argue with Jacob about whose daddy your dad is (My daddy!). We know you love Jesus, too, and love to hear you pray and sing your nursery songs. Thanks for being such a sweetheart. We love you, Ike!

Love, Mom, Dad, Spencer, Noah and Jacob

Happy Valentine's Day!

With Isaac's birthday being on Valentine's Day, we celebrate Valentines in a little smaller way. We had heart-shaped puffy pancakes and strawberries for breakfast and I gave the boys BIG Hershey kisses. They love me. Jeremy went and bought my favorite french toast at Mimi's cafe to pamper me a bit. Then it was off for Chihuly and the celebration of our baby turning THREE! More later...