March wrap-up

March always feels to be in like a lamb, out like a lion. We had some incredible days in the upper 60s, low 70s and then bam - a random snow. Then it got freezing for a week, and then we lost another school day (9th this year!) to weather - this one due to extreme winds and potential tornadoes. What a wild month. 

In between we went to Busch Gardens...

Planted some peas and tomatoes...

Snowflakes that fall on my nose and eyelashes...

We mulched...a lot!

Playdates with friends...

Jane went to a friend's birthday party:

I got to chaperone Ben and Rosie's field trip to the American Revolution Museum (one of my favorites!)

The kids' faces when the surround on the Yorktown siege video started were awesome.

I took a weekend trip with my small group girlfriends to the bay. It was so relaxing - we spent a lot of time on the dock reading, took a walk, went out to dinner and brunch, and just generally enjoyed being away.

March was very busy with the crossover between winter and spring activities, Eleanor's play, Battle of the Books, school dances, and a renovation that seems like it may never end. We are very much looking forward to consistent weather and time outside coming up!

Basketball

Basketball season was the easiest it's ever been this year! Rosie and Jane were stacked on teams with the same coach (so back to back practices and games), and Ben and Eleanor were also stacked with the same coach. (same deal). This made our lives sooooo much easier this year.

Jane's team ended undefeated:

Rosie's team did very well moving up into the 8U division and won most of their games. Rosie was their high scorer.

Ben's team also ended undefeated:

And Eleanor's team also did great, winning several games, and also having several girls completely new to the sport!

Science Fair

The fifth grade had to participate in science fair this year. Eleanor didn't have to do this when she was in fifth grade so this was a new thing for us. Jane did a great job! She worked on her project diligently for months and was always on top of her deadlines. The fair actually turned out very interested! I even learned the best way to wash my strawberries to prevent mold. Jane did a project on water freezing. She tested mixtures with sugar, salt, and dish soap to see what slowed down freezing the most (salt by a long shot). 

Battle of the Books

Jane made her school's Battle of the Books team again this year!

They worked very hard and came in 1st place in the 1st round this year! (I think they finished bottom 3 last year.) Unfortunately they came in 3rd in the finals, much to Jane's chagrin. Still, I was very proud of them!

Way to go to this crew!

SM Winter Retreat and Spring Dance

Eleanor got to go to the Middle School Winter Retreat with Student Ministries again this year. We were unsure if she would be able to go the whole time because it falls during blackout week of the play, but thankfully the director let her go. She WAY overpacked. Giant duffle bag, full backpack (and not pictured, Rosie carrying her sleeping bag and pillow. And I had to convince her to leave a pillow at home because initially she was bringing two).

Girls hanging out while waiting for the busses:

7th grade girls!

Rosie saying bye!

Eleanor enlisting friends to help her carry her stuff.

The whole group:

The 7th grade girls won the skit competition, too! They won last year, as well:

Then Eleanor went to the spring dance at her middle school. She invited a couple friends over to get ready before - they did hair and got dressed, ate some pizza, and were off!