Spring Break

Karissa and I started Spring Break off with a bang. About two weeks prior, we bought tickets to a David Archuleta concert. Jason had received some information about it and had this fantastic idea that I should take the girls, or some friends, to see one of my favorite singers of all time! It was in Cleveland, 2 1/2 hours away, so he was willing to put in some sacrifice to help with the boys. It turned out that Victoria wasn't interested in going, claiming she doesn't like concerts very much, so she got to babysit the boys the evening we left, before Jason returned from work, and the next morning, since we got a hotel so I wouldn't have to drive home that far late at night.

The nice thing was, even though we missed Victoria's company, was that Karissa, being the second child, doesn't get many opportunities to spend time like that with me. It was very special and so fun!

It turned out that the concert was at a club, so it was a very small and intimate crowd. Karissa was definitely the youngest one there, but people thought she was even younger than 12 by the way they spoke to her. Like, in the bathroom, one lady said to her while she was waiting for me, "Have you gone potty yet?" And many people said, "Oh, your cat ears are so cute!" She was a little annoyed, but I told her to get used to it. People will think she's a lot younger for the rest of her life!*

A lot of people there were drinking, but I learned that the other half who were not, were members of the Church who had gone to see David Archuleta and were just as big of fans as Karissa and I. Most of us were singing along with his songs and knew every word! Except for his new song, not yet released, and the song he sang in Spanish. There was an 18-year-old next to us that was positively swooning over him! Too bad for her, we were about 15 people back and she couldn't touch his hands during his song Touch My Hands. She also was a little envious that I got to meet him at Time Out For Women a year and a half ago.

He talked a lot about his mission to Chile, about the still small voice, and about living true to himself. Part of what is so endearing about him is that he's slightly awkward in his wording of things. You can tell he is shy in nature when he speaks, but not when he performs! Between each song he would drink some of his herb tea. At one point, because of a request that someone yelled out to him, he and his band started singing an impromptu Jump, by Van Halen, with his tea in his hand. When he jumped, a big splash of tea spilled out of his cup onto the stage. It was the funniest thing ever! I wish I were recording it! The keyboardist just started playing because of something this lady said and David just rolled with it. Someone else yelled out something about Chile, so he started singing a Chilean love song acappela. I tell you, having a small crowd was the best! I wish Karissa could have met him this time, but you only could if you paid extra for a VIP pass. We were pretty close to him, though, so that was good enough!

Road trip!

The club in Cleveland. His big 'ol bus was almost as long as the building!

When he first came out. 

That lady in front recorded the whole thing!

It looks like she can't see, but the crowds shifted and she could. 

Our kitchenette in our one night hotel that included breakfast! (We got a super good deal, btw)

We had a living room and even our own bedrooms!

When we returned, we painted her bedroom, as part of our plans. She wanted to paint clouds on her walls. The little circles on the walls are reflections from the sun from her disco balls. They remind me of stars.

Karissa didn't get all the attention this break. The boys and I went roller skating with some friends, met other friends at the park, and they both had some play dates.

We also enjoyed nice weather and could play outside!

Victoria spent time with friends as well, including going to the movies with a couple of friends. She consented to go to the pool with us, even though she didn't have a friend going and Karissa was at a party. Overall, Victoria enjoyed a laid back, less-busy week for herself. Pretty much the next two months for her will be full of school and dance, so it was a restful week in preparation for the craziness.

At the very end of our time at the pool, some kid's head bumped into Austin's face. I watched the whole thing and could tell he was hurting. He was holding his cheek and on the verge of tears. I brought him out of the water as a life guard approached us. She said we could get ice from the office, but that they would have to call the EMS to come because it was a head injury. I knew it wasn't that bad, all the lifeguards in the office knew it too, but they had to do it for liabilities. When the ambulance arrived, they brought a stretcher and everything! They took their job very seriously, which I was glad about, but it was a little comical. Here, now, is the reference to Karissa's getting used to getting comments about looking young the rest of her life. *After the paramedic talked to Austin a bit, he looked around and asked the head lifeguard, "Is Mom here?" I was standing three feet to the right of Austin. My hair was back and I was in my bathing suit with a jacket over it. I guess I look young in a bathing suit... I had to sign something, but he made sure to tell me there was no charge. They offered to bring him to the hospital, but I assured them there was no need.

Here's his little bruise. It actually looked worse before we iced it, but again, nothing compared to some of his other injuries!

We're closing the week off with General Conference, which is so nice! Saturday session was great and we're looking forward to hear what the Lord wants us to hear today.