Here's what you've missed

So, April's almost halfway through already, eh? Wow, where'd March go? Here's some of the fun things going on in our lives this month: Gwen's dance class. When Gwen was just barely three, we signed her up for dance classes through the local community education program. They're fairly cheap classes and I felt it would be good for Gwen to get some structured lessons at that time in her life. During the classes she'd be good for the first half then lose interest and begin distracting the other children. At the end of the six weeks of class there was a performance in the auditorium where we got to see all the kids do their special dances. Gwen promptly ran behind the curtains then grabbed all the other kids and got them to play in the curtains with her. It was a disaster, but it was funny. We didn't sign her up for classes again after that. Then a few weeks ago we were driving past my old high school where her dancing classes were at and she started sobbing. I finally got her to talk about why she was crying and she said that she missed her dance class. I really had no idea that she even remembered dance class. I felt so bad for her that we signed her up for the classes again, and let me tell you, what a difference a year and a half makes. This time around, she dances and pays attention for the entire hour. She practices at home and really looks forward to going to class. During the performance she worked really hard to do all the steps and didn't just goof off. The hardest part was keeping Emily in her seat as she wanted to run up on stage and do the dance too. Lagoon. So begins our summer of absolute joy and fun at Lagoon. It opened last weekend and we went on Saturday. It was a perfect day to be there - 70's and overcast and not many people around. For the last two years my parents have given me and all my sisters and all our kids season passes to Lagoon. Last year, after losing my job, it was one of the only things that kept me from losing my mind. I needed a place to take the kids for free and escape the horror of having no job or income and trying to figure out what to do. I can't tell you how lucky I was to have a place like Lagoon where I could go and be with my family and have the distraction and fun that I desperately needed at that time. As we walked through the gates last week I felt some of all those emotions of last summer return, but I felt like a part of me was home. Lagoon will always be linked with those terrible days as being my sanctuary and now it's a special place for me. I am looking forward to spending as much of my time as I can there this summer. I'm betting even sleep will lose out to a fun day at Lagoon. Home Improvement. We got back more from taxes this year than I was expecting. We're going to put that money into our home and fix some things that have needed fixing since we moved in almost 6 years ago. We have the crummiest windows ever. They let in so much cold in the winter and heat in the summer. They let in all sorts of creepy crawlies and most of the screens are broken. Our bedroom window cracked the entire length for no known reason a couple weeks ago - only the inside pane - so it's not like a bird hit it or anything. We decided to replace our windows. It's been an interesting learning experience for me. I've never taken on anything like this before. I did some online research and found some companies I liked and set up times for them to come out and do a "Free In Home Estimate". We also asked people on Facebook who they would recommend and then contacted those people. By the way - the latter is definately the way to go. After sitting through 5 "Free In Home Estimates" we learned that all window companies tell you exactly the same things and then bash the other companies who in turn bash them for exactly the same reasons. Up front I had told all the companies that I didn't want any high pressure sales tactics and that I had multiple companies I was comparing for bids. Four of the five companies still tried to get me to buy their windows "right now and we'll give you an additional _____ off your price." Then I'd reply that they could give us that deal when and if we accepted their bid if they really wanted our business, but that I didn't appreciate their high pressure tactics. I'd explain that it was a big decision involving spending a large chunk of money and I would need to hear all the bids before deciding. They'd expain that the "such-and-such" bonus deal was only good for today because of blah blah blah. I'd just smile and tell them that was fine but then I felt that they were purposely marking up their windows if they had the means to offer them at a lower price today and then they'd be more money if I waited until tomorrow. Then they'd "hmmm" and "hawww" and look at each other. I'd thank them for their time and they'd leave. In the end we went with the one company that didn't do that to us. The guy we went with said "here's our price. We really hope you pick us. They're not the best windows on the market, but they're worlds better than what you have and they'll fit all you needs." Not only were his windows half as expensive as all the other companies, he goes to our church so I don't think he'd lie to us. Shoud have just gone with him and avoided all the other hoopla. So, why all the sudden interest in home inprovement? We REALLY want to sell our home and buy a bigger house. We have long since outgrown our little townhouse. You know it's bad when you buy birthday and Christmas presents with size in mind. We really can't fit another single item in our home. Some days I feel like all the clutter and toys are crashing in on me. It's not like we have a lot of stuff either - just very little room. 900 square feet and no garage or anything for storage is pretty darn small for a family of 4 and a dog. I'm making more money at my new job, so we've managed to save up some money for a down payment and can afford slightly higher mortgage payments. We just want to make sure that we get the most out of our townhouse as we can with this buyers market. Why do we want to get a bigger home? We want to add to our family. I don't know if it's the fact that my older sister is "adoption pregnant" or that my little baby, Emily, can now put together sentences and is almost as old as Gwen was when she was born, but I'm getting baby hungry again. Gwen must be sensing something as well because out of the blue the other day when we were driving to preschool we had the following conversation: Gwen: "Do you remember when you had a baby growing in your tummy?" Me: "Yes, I do. I had two babies grow in my tummy. One was you and one was Emily." Gwen : "I want another little baby sister." Me: "That's nice. What would her name be?" Gwen: "It would be beautiful. . . . Rapunzel." Me: "Rapunzel? Honey, that's not really a name that's used anymore." Gwen:"Well, I think it's beautiful. She would have two names. Rapunzel Tangled." Me: trying not to laugh "You'll have to wait until you have a baby and then you can name her that." Gwen: "It's my turn to have a baby grow in my tummy. You and Daddy already had your turns." Me: thinking Is 4 too young to have the Birds and the Bees talk? "You have to get bigger and bigger and then go to college, then meet your prince and get married in the temple. Then you can have a baby grow in your tummy. That's how it works." Gwen: starts to cry "But I want a baby now." Me: "Sorry those are Heavenly Father's rules." Well, with some of Mommy's own rules tossed in there. Trying to distract her now "What if Mommy's next baby is a boy baby? What could we name him?" Gwen: Sobs even louder "I don't want a boy baby! We would give him back or find someone else to have him. I want a girl baby." Me: "But think about how much fun your boy cousins are. Wouldn't you love a little brother who's as fun as Noah?" Gwen: "No!" Me: "We could name him Rapunzel." Gwen: finally starts giggling.