Two loooooong weeks without my girl...

***warning...loong post.  wanted to remember my thoughts about this trip, so this is really for me, but if you want to read it, that works, too!  :-)

Kendra is in Utah visiting her dad for two weeks.  While I know this is common for kids of divorce to have to do, it was the first time she's ever gone.  The longest she's ever been away from home has been three days prior to this trip, so it's been a big deal for her AND me.

I'll start with the prep.  Kirk wanted her to come last year, but she just didn't feel ready to fly on a plane alone.  While it didn't make him happy, he agreed to delay the trip to this summer with the understanding that she didn't get a choice this time around.  She had to go, whether she was nervous about flying or not.  We both did a lot of praying and Kendra even fasted so that she would feel safe and comfortable on the plane, and we were both pretty calm about the whole thing.  We thought about getting Kendra one of those little "Go" phones so she could have access to a phone whenever she wanted to call me instead of having to ask her dad to use his.  We ended up deciding on not getting one as it would have been about $100 and she has a iPad with a texting app.  We decided she could text me when at the house and use her dad's phone if she wanted to call.  It is a good thing we didn't make that investment---that comes later in the story.

So the day arrived and we got to the airport with plenty of time to spare.  When you have a minor traveling alone the person bringing them to the airport gets a gate pass to walk them back, and you have to stay until the plane is actually in the air.  They boarded Kendra very first.  It surprised us both---we weren't expecting or ready for her to get on the plane when they called her.  So I walked her over, gave her a quick hug, said "I love you!" and she headed down the boarding thingy.  Kendra is such a tender heart and she knew this was going to be hard for me, so she hurried away.  Unfortunately, the flight attendant looked at her and said, "Oh, honey, it will be ok." so then I knew she was crying.   :-(.  Ya'll, let me tell you.  That sucked.  BIG time sucked.  And then I had to sit in the gate, boo-hooing my eyes out.  And you know those people who look so pretty when they cry?  Not me.  So there I sat, ugly-crying for about 45 minutes while waiting for the dang plane to get up in the air.  Ugh.  I guess it was better than crying and driving, right?

So I used this way-cool app to track the plane---it even showed you exactly where the plane was on a map.  Thank you, Sherry!  Kendra got to Utah in a couple hours, and her dad texted to say she was there and all right.  Whew.  I was relieved.  Kendra had told me she would text right when she got there from her iPad, but I didn't hear from her so I was glad when Kirk let me know.

Fast forward a couple hours and I just had to talk to Kendra.  I really wanted to respect Kirk's time with Kendra and not be a bug, but I needed to hear her.  So I called, and she told me a tiny bit about the flight, was rather one-word answer-ish, etc.  I thought that was weird, but I knew it had been a long, emotional day so I just let it go.  The next day she texted me a little bit, but again, she didn't really elaborate at all about what she was doing.  By Wednesday I was a small basketcase because I wasn't hearing from her and when I was, it didn't sound like her at all.  Normally she is a chatty cathy with me.  So I called.  Again, the stilted conversation, so I lost it.  I tried not to lose it with her on the phone, but I think she heard some tears.  Finally, bells went off in my head and I figured it out (and here's the part where it was a good thing we didn't shell out 100 bucks on a "GO" phone!) .   Talking on the phone with me was making Kendra MORE sad and homesick.  Texting was ok, but hearing me was upsetting her.  I knew this about her...when we leave Michigan each summer she is in a funk missing her cousins, and when I suggest calling them she always says no because it makes it worse for her.  So this is what was happening with this trip, and while it is killing me (because I am NOT like her---talking to those I miss makes it easier for me, not harder), I do not want to make it harder on her so I have only texted with her.  Ugh.  Hard stuff for a momma!!!

The thing about texting is that you can't get very many details texting with a ten year old  with limited typing abilities.  :-)  And, another weird thing is that Kendra is being pretty elusive with the details--if I ask about something she did she gives a one or two word answer and then asks me a question about what I'm doing.  Very weird.  I'm going to have to get to the bottom of that when she gets back! I'm sure I'll have a post about her trip when she gets here and gives me details.  She also took her camera so I'll have pics, too.  Kirk has sent me a couple, and so has Kirk's sis in law, Larissa.  Here's what little I know so far....

They went on a church campout.  Kendra made several friends who live in her dad's neighborhood and attend the same church service as he does.  Fun!

They went to Olympic Park in Park City where they got to ride the ski lift up and take this little chute down the mountain.

 They took a trip up to Idaho to see Spencer (Kirk's brother), Larissa and the kids.  Kendra has four boy cousins in that family, and she had only met two back when they were all much tinier!

They've also been to Thanksgiving Point, and Kirk is also taking her to Lagoon, a amusement park, and to the zoo and aquarium this week.   She's getting to enjoy lots of fun activities that I can't wait to hear more about!  After a few days of low-detail texts I finally asked her to jot down a few things about each day in a journal she took with her so she would remember things to tell me.  She liked that idea...I just hope she is doing it!  :-)

Now, for what I've been doing.  Trying to keep busy has been the plan.  I've spent time with friends at my pool, volunteered for my friend's foundation for a morning, gotten a facial (birthday gift from my friends), gotten my hair done, and went to a movie all by myself for the first time!  I also made a to-do list for things to get done around the house.

Almost all checked!

I've had this shelf for Kendra's room for over a year...finally got it hung up!

Organized the linen closet toiletry area...it was a mess!

 And this is the job I am most proud of...I went online and watched a video tutorial to learn how to do a tune up/oil change on my lawnmower.  Sadly, I had neglected maintenance on the thing since I bought it four years ago.  Turns out it really isn't hard at all---I just needed to learn HOW to do it!  And I did!  Yay me!

Kendra comes home in five days.  Five more days of keeping busy and five more days of wishing I could talk to her.  I have several more things on the docket in addition to finishing the list---getting my nails done with a friend tomorrow (using a gift certificate that very friend gave me), playing volleyball with my coworker friends tonight (yes, me, volleyball--shocking), going to a farewell party for friends moving away, and seeing Brave with some more friends on Friday afternoon.   It's all good.

I found this free printable on Pinterest (sorry, deleted the link so can't give proper credit).  I printed it and put it in a frame for Kendra's room.  I thought it was perfect, because even though this trip wasn't cancer or a car accident or job loss or any number of other hard things that many people face, this trip was hard for Kendra and me.  And we CAN do hard things. 

Graduation and last elementary party

Kendra graduated from elementary school this year.  Hard to believe she will be in middle school next year.  Sigh.

At fifth grade graduation the kids all dress up and look cute so they can receive awards and watch a slideshow of pictures the teachers have taken throughout the year.  There are three "special" awards--PE, music and the Principal's award, and then the teachers choose some sort of award for all the kids. 

 

Kendra's award given by her teacher was "Outstanding Character--For Always Doing The Right Thing".   Kendra was a little sad because she knew she wouldn't receive the PE or Principal's awards but she sort of thought she might get a music award--after all, she was the lead in the school musical and sang solos, etc.  But I told her that the award she received is WAY more important than any music award--when someone recognizes you as a person of exemplary character, you can't ask for better!  Later that day I stopped to speak with her teacher, and she was in tears as she told me how she chose that award from her heart for Kendra.  I couldn't be prouder.

The last day of fifth grade is pretty fun at our school---our principals cook hot dogs for the kids and they get to hang out on the playground and have a fun lunch.  It was lucky for me that my class was at lunch for part of the party time and I could go outside to take some pictures of friends and adults that were instrumental in Kendra's time at our school.

This is D, who has been in class with Kendra since 2nd grade and has designated herself as Kendra's bodyguard.  :-)

One of Kendra's besties...K.  Her family is moving this summer.  :-(

The first friend Kendra had in Texas and the daughter of one of my closest friends.  They are also moving this summer.  Waaaa!

Mrs. Hill, Kendra's homeroom teacher this year (taught ELA and social studies to her, and the one who gave her the award)

Kendra and S became friends in 2nd grade.  She is a total sweetie.

M and Kendra were together in class the last two years.

The awesome Mrs. Meier (our Teacher of the Year, by the way) who taught Kendra math and science this year.

A is another "teacher kid" and she and Kendra have spent many after school hours together

Ms. Karina was in charge of the kindergarten bus-rider team, of which Kendra was a part.  She picked up a line of kindergarteners every day at dismissal and took them to the bus.  Ms. Karina loves Kendra so much!

To K's right is M, who is just a doll and has been friends with Kendra since 1st grade. 

I'm so glad for PACK so Kendra could get to know this cutie, T.  She is an amazing actress and such a NICE kid!

M & Kendra were co-anchors on our morning announcements for two years.  They had an awesome chemistry and worked together really well!  The kids just loved watching these two in the mornings!

 Summer is here---wahoo!  And then it is on to 6th grade....

So You Wanna Be a Pirate?

Warning:  This post is going to have a lot of Momma-Pride.  :-)

My friend and teammate teacher (Crys) and I formed an after school club last year called Performing Arts Club for Kids (PACK).  This year, we produced a musical for our school called Pirates! The Musical. 

A little summary of the story line:  Set on a pirate ship, a band of pirates are on their way to a big pirate gathering for...wait for it...a singing contest!  :-)  A stowaway comes on board--she's wanted to be a pirate her whole life.  Well, the pirates want nothing to do with her, until....their "King of the High C's" leader comes down with laryngitis and can't lead them to victory in the singing contest.  They realize the Stowaway has a beautiful voice, and they make her a full blown pirate.  (Stinkin' cute story with some very clever lines and fun music).

We held tryouts for the musical in September, and Kendra earned the lead part of the Stowaway.  Just so you know, I stayed out of that decision because I am her mom and didn't want anyone to think we played favorites.  Crys chose, but I can be honestly un-biased in saying that her audition really was the best.   The parts were set, and we met with the kids for about an hour after school once per week until December, and then in January we pumped it up to 2 hours.  We presented our performance to parents and PTA members in April, and we brought down the house!!!!  Our kids are absolutely some of the most talented 10 and 11 year olds we know and we had an absolute blast working with them.

Here's the momma-pride:  Ya'll, Kendra blew me out of the water.  You know how your kids have to find their thing?  Kendra has tried ballet, soccer, baseball, gymnastics, piano.  Nothing was grabbing her.  Well, she found her thing in theater.  Oh my.  She's a natural.  It has been SO fun to watch her do this.  I'm very, very blessed that I got to be one of her "directors" this year with the musical. 

Here are some fun pictures, and a video of her solo in the musical so you can hear her sing.  Try to ignore the camera-work---the grandpa who took it happened to be sitting where the monitor speaker blocked most of the shot but it got great audio and you can hear her really well.

Easter Weekend

We were invited to an Eggstravaganza at my friend Crys' house--a barbecue and egg hunt on Easter weekend.  The weather could not have been more pleasant---sunny, light breeze, upper 70 degrees.  DE. LIGHT. FUL.  We had yummy pulled pork sliders, tons of munchies, great conversation and a great time!  Crys wouldn't let us bring ANYTHING---they provided all the food, drinks, AND the filled eggs for the hunt.  They also had a bounce house for the kids, water balloon toss, and silly string!

Kendra with her pal, H, and H's tiny cousin (oh so adorable)

Silly String!!!

Oh, the stringy messes!

Foam craft + markers = a hit!

The hunt is on...

Checking out their loot

The Easter Bunny brought some needed things for Kendra---two new pairs of flip flops, a new tube for the pool, and a pair of sunglasses since her others have gone AWOL.  She also got a bunch of Nerds Ropes because the Bunny got a killer deal on them ($.39 each), some gum, chocolate, and Sour Patch jelly beans (our new favorite!).  The Easter Bunny's sidekick and amazing helper got ME a basket this year.  Kendra really wanted to use some of her allowance so I would have a basket.  What a doll she is.  I got some nice smelling bar soaps, a handy purse-sized sunscreen, and two facial masks.

My basket!  :-)

Easter Sunday was low-key around here.  We purchased a few thick slices of deli ham because I didn't want to spend $30 on a ham for two people and I made au gratin potatoes, green beans, ham and rolls right after church.  We had a lovely church service in which the older primary sang Easter Hosanna--a rather hard one, I might say!  I taught them the song before I was released from my calling as chorister, so the presidency asked me if I would direct it in sacrament meeting (since the kids were used to my direction).  They sounded fantastic!  It was a very nice service and a reminder of the amazing sacrifice of our Savior.  GREAT day, GREAT weekend!

Good/GREAT Friday!

A member of my fourth grade team got married on Good Friday, and all but one of my team attended the wedding.  We got all fancied up and had an absolute BLAST.  Definitely decided that we should all hang out socially more often!

Kristy and her new husband, Michael

Taylor, me and Crys

Weather and 'maturation' lesson

Oh, these two topics don't go together at all, but I have no pics for either and thought I'd lump them together into a short blurb.

1.  WEATHER--we had some pretty ucky storms blow through here earlier this week.  Thankfully, our immediate area (school and home) didn't take the brunt of it--we didn't even sustain any wind damage (which is pretty common in the flat plains of TX).   It came through at around 1:30 p.m., and our school put us in a weather lockdown mode.  The teacher across the hall has a window so her class comes to mine in these situations (most of our classrooms are windowless--I know, yuck).  So she and I had 42 fourth graders smooshed together closest to the inside wall of my room.  They were so great---stayed quiet and did what we told them to do.  The other teacher and I disagreed about whether to inform the students that this was in fact real and not a drill--disagreed pleasantly, I should say.  I just deferred to her at first, but soon it became evident it wasn't a drill because drills don't last more than a few minutes.  We just calmly told them we had severe weather warnings and that we were keeping them safe.  A nice perk to having your child in the school where you work is that I was able to go get Kendra from her class so she could be with me.  I did that because Kendra is extremely scared of storms.  I knew it would be better for her to be with me, so I grabbed her.  I love modern technology---I had WeatherBug radar up on my phone so I could tell what was going on, and was able to reassure the kids we were going to be fine.  Other places in our area were not as fortunate.  The latest news states that we had 15 tornado touch-downs that day.  One of them was on the ground for 30 minutes!  The norm is 5 minutes.  Lots of destruction, but gratefully not a single life was lost.

2.  "MATURATION" lesson:  In fifth grade, students are treated to a maturation lesson about puberty.  They look forward to it with great anticipation (sarcasm).  Let me say it is VERY "tip of the iceberg"--mostly about body changes that will happen to them.  NOT the full-out sex ed stuff at all.  Kendra lives with a single mom, and so she's been pretty educated about female anatomy and what happens at puberty for a while now.  So I told her that she'd probably know everything in the lesson (and I was right).  But here is the funny thing that happened....I'm outside with two of my teammates during dismissal the day of the lesson.  Kendra comes out and stands by us, which is not outside the norm, but I was wondering why she was wearing her little jean jacket because it was quite warm outside.  She just stands there for a time, not interrupting the adult conversation, but then there was a lull.  So she says, "Mom, I was told to give this to you right away."  She reaches into the inside pocket of her jean jacket and pulls out a little plastic pouch.  It was upside down, so at first I had no idea what it was...until I took it in my hand and felt it.  Yep.  It was a packet with a little feminine protection product inside.  I bent over laughing so hard, because not only did she hand it to me like it was a winning lottery ticket, but she did it standing right next to my partner teacher, who is a GUY!  Oh my gosh, we all died!  And luckily, Kendra saw the humor in it too, and was not embarrassed! Hard to believe my girl is getting old enough for this stuff...sheesh.  Where does the time go?????

Fruity Eggs!

"Even though I'm ten years old, I still love coloring Easter eggs!"  Kendra
"I'm 42 years old, and I still like it, too!"  Mom/Colleen

Between General Conference sessions we colored our Easter eggs--can you say "egg salad for lunch all week"?  :-)  We decided to try something new...I found it on Pinterest of course.  Here's the link.  Instead of the PAAS egg kit and vinegar, you use Kool Aid!  Well, it was an experiment, and our results were not as great as the pictures in the post, but it was still fun!  The house smelled fruity instead of vinegar-y (and I actually like the smell of vinegar so that isn't an issue!) 

The stuff

Looks promising

The first dunk

"Hmmm...not sure if I we like the results of this method."

"Oh well.  It was still fun!"