April adventures

Declan turned 10! He requested a Captain America cake, which I made and Audrey decorated. This was her first time decorating a cake, and she did so well! Declan was very pleased.

He had a very happy birthday--French toast for breakfast, went to school (he started going back April 8th, four days a week with slightly shortened days), came home to relax with video games, had takeout Mexican for dinner, opened presents and had cake. He got a magnetic dartboard that he dropped an hour after opening and broke off the plastic piece that lets it hang up (sigh). So I ordered a new one, which came two days later. THEN, a little while after breaking that, he lost his other present, a boomerang, in our wild backyard, and we gave up looking after an hour. So far we have not ordered a replacement. He was maybe too young for it? But he loved opening his dresser to get dressed and finding a wrapped gift that said, "Open me now." It was the shirt he's wearing in the photos: Level 10 Unlocked: Awesome since 2011. And when he opened his bedroom door, a wall of balloons fell on top of him. He was delighted!

One Saturday, Audrey was at Youth Conference (church activity--she had a great time doing an Amazing Race activity, beach games, food, and testimony meeting), so Spencer and I took the boys to Point Lobos to explore. We went at low tide, and saw so many beautiful creatures. I love spending time there. We spontaneously got dinner on the way home (Subway for the boys, Nacho Bizness for the adults), and it turned out to be a super fun day.

Posing for their next album cover :)

Can you find Ian, soaking up the sun?

Over Spring Break, I took the kids up to the Santa Cruz boardwalk, where we met up with some friends to celebrate a birthday--Ian's buddy Ryan. It was a casual get together, and the kids enjoyed miniature golfing, bowling, and pizza. No rides were open, but we had so much fun doing the other activities--we hadn't done either in a couple years!

Finally, a picture of these two for the yearbook (this is in our backyard). They're both at middle school this year, which means they get to have a picture on the sibling page of the yearbook. Next year Audrey will be at high school! All my kids will be at different schools for a year--I just hope they actually go to school, all day, every day!

 

April hikes

 I got outside a lot this month, and it filled my soul. One day I walked down to where the purple carpet grows beautifully, and ended up walking 4.5 miles. Another day, Ian and I met up with our friends, Nancy and her son Ryan, and hiked Garland Regional together--I had also done that hike on my own a week earlier, spontaneously one morning when I didn't want to do my regular workout. I love getting out for long walks along the beach trails near my home, and try to go once a week.

Purple carpet that blooms every spring

Hike with Ryan and Nancy

Morning walk to the beach

Solo hike to Garland

Bonnie and the big 4-0

I had a fabulous 40th birthday. To be honest, I thought it was going to be disappointing because of the pandemic. But I made some good plans, and I had so much love from my family and friends. Here are some highlights:

I spent the afternoon with my massage therapist, getting a massage with hot stones, a foot treatment, and a facial. She made me this amazing cheese tray for me to munch on between services. So nice!

When I got home from my massage, the house was totally decorated for me! We had delicious takeout for dinner and Spencer and I watched So I Married An Axe Murderer after we put the kids to bed.

The first thing that happened on my birthday--I arrived to the exercise at the park class that I teach to see this amazing balloon display. It was from my best friend Beth (who ordered it from Abu Dhabi!!) and my friend Sarah, who is the balloon designer. She took it home and set it up on my porch afterward. It truly made my day!

Spencer made me a cake--first time! This is a raspberry trifle. He made an angel food cake, pudding, jello, and whipped cream, and layered them all together with tons of fresh raspberries. It was so good. We enjoyed cake as a family after dinner.

After I got cleaned up from my workout in the morning, my family and I went out to breakfast at First Awakenings--delicious, and the first time dining indoors as a family in over a year.

Two of my friends brought me pastries, which I couldn't eat until the next day (so much birthday food!). They were all so good.

Here we are, about to eat dinner! Blogspot made it challenging for me to put these pictures in order, so I gave up, but I'm grateful for the memories of this wonderful day. I also received many cards and gifts and flowers from friends, and felt so loved!