tales from a far-land

The kids love it when their school celebrates Spirit Week.  It is a fun time for the kids to express themselves by dressing up while boosting excitement and creating unity among the students and teachers.  BASIS Phoenix Primary celebrated the last full week of school with their final Spirit Week of the year.  The Landers kids enjoyed dressing up each and every day! Monday ~ Character Day   Tuesday ~ Decades Day Wednesday ~ Wacky Day   Thursday ~ Sports Day  Friday ~ Spirit Day

This year we celebrated Mother's Day with our Moms.  It was a wonderful way to commemorate such a special day.  To start the day, the kids delivered to me a cart full of cards and homemade gifts.  They were so excited to watch me read and open every little gift.  So sweet.  Then, we drove to Josh's mother's house for brunch.  The kids loved seeing their cousin, Finnley, and swimming in NaiNai and YeYe's pool.  Our day concluded with dinner at Valle Luna with Grandma and Papa.  The highlight of our meal was when we taught Grandma how to use all of the different photo filters in Snapchat.  What a great day! The kiddos delivering my cards and gifts Homemade hats! Cards.... Time with Finnley Dinner at Valle Luna Snapchat Fun!

We spent the entire day celebrating Josh's birthday.  His special day included dropping of the kids at school, breakfast at Breakfast Kitchen Bar, Shabbat surrounded by family and friends and eating a homemade pazookie.  It was a fun birthday all around! Dropping off the kids at school Breakfast at BKB Shabbat! Josh with all of the kids Pazookie Time

To highlight what the kids have been learning in music and drama, BASIS Phoenix Primary had a Spring Showcase at the beginning of May.  Madilyn performed on Thursday night and Aiden performed on Friday night.  Both of our kids did great!  Madilyn had a one-liner to introduce one of the songs and Aiden seemed super focused demonstrating sign language while singing one of his songs.  Too fun! Madilyn before her concert Madilyn with her friends (Noor, Noel, and Calista) Madi performing Madilyn's little one-liner Singing "Let the Games Begin" Aiden before his concert Aiden performing Aiden singing "The Bare Necessities" Aiden signing "Circle of Life"

This spring, we had plenty of opportunities to spend some extra special times with our friends we consider family.  We were able to enjoy time together at spring training baseball games, the Billy Joel concert, saying goodbye to one of the Valley's iconic restaurants - Don & Charlie's, a girls' night out to see a play, Sisters in Law, at The Phoenix Theatre Company, and a morning learning Mahjong with my yentas.  I am so blessed to have such amazing people in my life to share of all of life's fun moments. Toni and I at a Dodgers Spring Training Game With my peeps at the Billy Joel Concert Saying Good-bye to Don & Charlie's Girls' Night Out to see Sisters In Law Winning my first game of Mahjong

This year, our Easter weekend was spent like many in years past.  Saturday morning was spent dying eggs.  The kids are getting pretty good at it, although we did have a couple of spills and cracked egg shells.  This year, they added drawing on the egg shells with Sharpies (and themselves).  At least, they enjoyed themselves. Sunday morning was spent with family and friends enjoying brunch after watching the kids hunt for eggs.  As always, the food was delicious.  There weren't too many leftovers, so I am guessing everyone left with full stomachs.  While the kids swam in the pool, the adults enjoyed catching up with one another.  We also enjoyed snuggling and cuddling with Baby Finnley on his first Easter.  It was a beautiful day to enjoy with those we hold dear in our hearts. The kids with their baskets  My little bunnies  Egg Hunt!      The kids with Finnley