Living my simple life

This is the face of boredom.

While waiting for his siblings’ concert to start, Oli got really bored and kind of whiney. To quiet him, John passed him my camera and gave him a quick lesson on how to work it. He amused himself by taking many photos of the seat backs in front of us (I’ll spare you those ones), extreme close-ups of his mother (I’ll spare me those), and lots and lots of self portraits. I kind of like the way some of them turned out.

Especially because you can see the emerging freckles on his nose.

After the show, Oli was scrutinizing everyone on stage, looking carefully at their instruments. “There’s the cellos,” he said. “And I see the violins. But where’s the ravioli?” I can only imagine what he thought the violas would look like.

Last night was the district string orchestra concert. Both of my big kids were in it. Mojo had the privilege of playing with the 5th grade crew.

They are pictured with their teacher, Mr. D. I can’t say enough good stuff about him — he made the many hours spent learning and practicing for this concert fun. On top of teaching a group of kids how to play music well together, he taught them some mean frisbee tosses. I’m hoping they all absorbed some of his amazing attitude, too.

And the best part about Mr. D.? DNA will have him again next year since he’s the sixth grade orchestra teacher. Another year to learn about the joy of music and, perhaps, to refine his frisbee skills.

A few days before Easter, Mojo asked what her new Easter dress would look like. Easter dress?!? I hadn’t even thought about one. I had no plans to make one and no desire to buy one. Guilt got the better of me. In the one and only hour of unscheduled time last week, I popped Mojo in the car and headed to the mall. Fate would decide whether she was getting an Easter dress. And fate decided. We immediately found a gorgeous pink silk dress on sale! With a matching hat! Also on sale. And shoes. On Sale! Within an hour we had all the trapping of a princess perfect dress for an unbelievably low price. I was a very happy momma and Mojo was a very happy girl.

On Easter day, she flitted about the family party all smiles and perfect behavior until her older cousin suggested some field hockey. Off came the fancy clothes and on went the play clothes and shoes. When it was time for the egg hunt, I realized I had no photos of my princess. I suggested a change back into the fancy wear. As you can see from these pictures, it was the wrong thing to ask.

And while the perfect princess looked gorgeous and behaved so well in her dress, the pouting princess is the girl I know and love. She’s a girl who’s more comfy in shorts and sneakers and who’d rather run and play. A girl full of attitude and sass with a big and loving heart! —- now that’s my princess!

Easter morning started really early — 6:30am. It was a doubly exciting day because it was also DNA’s birthday. Eleven years ago he was born on Easter and his birthday has not been on Easter again until this year. The morning started with an egg treasure hunt for the baskets — a favorite tradition that my kids talk about and look forward to.

I blow out the eggs and stuff hints in them. They must smash the egg to find the clue to where the next egg is hidden.

When my children were younger they were amazed at these eggs. They couldn’t figure out how the Easter Bunny got the clues inside of them. Magic was the only possible conclusion. Now that they are older, they can obviously figure out how this happens (hello! there is a visible hole in the egg!) but they still beam with excitement while hunting and smashing.

The last egg lead to where their baskets are hidden.

Much fun follows as each item is examined and much chocolate is consumed. All before the sun rises fully. Happy Easter to all!