April: Ahhh, it never slowed down

What.A.Month

April 1-4:  STAAR EOC testing.  Obviously, my personal children were not directly affected with this testing.  However, it made life at work stressful.  Oh, and the fact that I failed to order mandatory tests for 2 students didn't really help my stress level.  In the end, it all worked out.  And yes, I do still have a job.

April 5:  Daddy had a stress test.  We've been so blessed with his health since his diagnosis of diabetes and his triple bypass years ago.  Annual stress tests have become a "non topic" because they've been uneventful.

April 6:  HGSA pictures and first games. Kennedy played well and the Thrillers won.

Kennedy playing second base.

April 7: Buy refrigerator and stove for the new house (to be delivered on Wednesday)

April 8: Telpas testing, appraisal on Henderson house, news that Dad's stress test was abnormal, 7:45 softball game

April 9:  Telpas testing day #2, appraisal on Minden house, tumbling, 6:00 softball game

April 10: Spend two hours on the phone with The Home Depot people trying to locate our new appliances.  They were supposed to be delivered to the Tyler store.  The people at the Tyler store assured us that they were not delivered there.  I called the Longview store (where we actually purchased them) and explained the situation.  The guy assured me that the computer said that the appliances were delivered.  I clearly explained to him that they were NOT at the Tyler store where they were supposed to be delivered.  His brilliant response..."Oh, that's not good".  Exactly.  Not Good, and I'm NOT P-A-T-I-E-N-T either.  Two managers and 18 hours later, the appliances were located.

April 11:  Dad's heart catheterization and stent placement.  Before the procedure, Dad was in an area of the hospital with several curtained areas around a nurse's station.  After the procedure they brought him back to the same "room".  As he was coming out of the anesthesia, he would ask, "Did the doctor come in and talk to us yet?"  We kept telling him that the nurse talked to us, but that the doctor had to leave the hospital and would be back to talk with him.  After about 30 times of asking, he surprised us when he asked"Am I back in the same stall?"  I giggled and assured him he was in the same "stall".  He said, "So when I put those clothes on, they should be mine and fit, right?"  "Yes Daddy, they are yours and should fit, but I don't think you'll be needing them in the next few hours.  You're going to spend the night tonight."  Naturally, his next question was, "Did the doctor come in and talk to us yet?"  Ahh...I love that man.

"Enjoying" his meatloaf

April 12:  Blake Alayne turns three!  We had the traditional doughnut and candle for breakfast. Click here to see her early years and here to see her one year ago.  April 12 was also the last night we spent in our home in Henderson.

 

No, she did not get to eat "free doughnuts" even on her bday.

Pinky finger needs a little help sometimes

April 13:  The big move.  Although we had been moving things for a month, this was "the moving day".  Kennedy ended up staying in town with the former neighbors.  Taylor called to come home.  Naturally, we were full of energy and everything was put away at the end of the day so when Taylor began to puke it was no big deal.  Yeah.  Stomach virus on night #1 in the new house.  She was pretty pathetic when I found her literally snoring in the bathtub after several episodes of being sick.

Thankful she propped her head up before going to sleep

April 14-19:  Appointments out of town, dog groomer, softball games, gymnastics, life in the new house, close on Henderson house

April 19:  Bad weather day for me, but not the girls.  I was able to eat lunch with Taylor for the first time all year.  Secretly made homemade icing for cupcakes for birthday party.  Taylor ate a cupcake and said, "The cupcake is good, but that icing is naaasty!"  Awesome.

April 20:  Blake's birthday party.  Who really plans a party at home exactly one week after moving?  I did, and it was a terrible idea.  However, we had a good time and no one died from looking at the unpacked boxes and stacks of things to put away.  This was truly one of the best birthday parties ever.  Miss Susan and Mr.Jackie brought their team of mules and wagon for the kids and adults to ride.  Blake sat up front and rode and rode and rode.  We had to bribe her away from the "horses" with cupcakes and gifts.  After about 45 minutes, she was back to the wagon rides. 

Mr.Jackie, Blake and Sophi leading the ride

As if bringing mules and a wagon wasn't awesome enough, Mr.Jackie and Mrs.Susan also brought Blake a rabbit for her birthday. As you mothers out there gasp with shock, consider this fact--she actually brought EACH of my girls a rabbit for Blake's birthday!!  For the last 9 years, I thought we were friends.  Seriously, I adore animals and had considered buying ONE myself so I agreed to her gift ahead of time.  After all, remember why we moved to the country?  Each of the 3 rabbits has a distinct personality.  Kennedy named her rabbit Spotty.  He/she is quite fast and not thrilled to be handled.  Blake named her rabbit Honey Bunny, and she is...well, you can see for yourself.

Honey Bunny, the "baby"

 Taylor's rabbit is a lionhead rabbit, and he/she is super cute.  Taylor calls him/her Swirls.  However, I call him/her Benadryl.  Can you guess why?

Sorry, I couldn't get this one to rotate but isn't she cute with hives and swollen eyes?

April 24: First day to come home right after school.  As an attempt to reinstate "normal" I planned to serve grilled burgers and bacon wrapped jalapenos for dinner.  After just a few moments, I smelled smoke and realized that my meal had been transformed into charcoal briquettes.  Since the goal was "normal" I decided quick and easy fish sticks were appropriate.  For the record, I do not serve my family fish sticks often. 

April 22-25: TAKS and STAAR testing.  This time is affected my job and my child.  Kennedy was so excited that she could wear clothes other than uniforms to school.  The weather was beautiful.  She headed for the car with a jacket.  I asked her why she needed a jacket.  Clearly irritated with my questioning, she said, "Because those teachers are so stressed out on testing days that they keep is freezing cold and walk around doing this (fanning her face with her hands) while we are cold."  And, that's another post all together.

April 26: Close on house in Minden (that we've been living in for 2 weeks).

April 27: TAAF State Gymnastics Competition in Denton.

Taylor's Split Jump

April 29: make up softball game
April 30:  G/T field trip to Art Museum in Tyler and softball game


You know that saying "April showers bring May flowers"?  Well, April showers brought us Miracle Whip!  Stay tuned for the details!