Spring Break

Let's talk about Spring Break... for three of our kids. Last week was Spring Break... for three of our kids. Here are some of the holidays we celebrated (besides what I already mentioned in my April 9, 2026 post).

April 7 was National No Housework Day. I didn't tell the kids that was the holiday and asked them to clean. Bwah ha ha ha. But I celebrated.

 

April 8 was Draw a Picture of a Bird Day. This is what Nichole created.

She's awesome. I love that I could immediately tell it was a red-tailed hawk. Gorgeous.

 

April 10 was National Siblings Day. I encouraged a couple of my kids to wish each other a Happy that holiday but forgot to wish it to any of my own siblings even though I planned to.

It was also National Farm Animals Day. For dinner the night before, I made red beans and rice and hush puppies and garlic parmesan asparagus. On April 10, we had leftovers (including the beans and rice that had Polish sausage made out of what? Farm animals!) and I made more hush puppies.

This exchange happened while I was making them.

 

Jet: What are the dog things you are making called?

Mom: Hush puppies. 

 

He's so adorable.

 

Catching Up April 2025 part 1

April 6 was National Carbonara Day but because we were having our Conference nachos that day, we celebrated "observed" on Monday, the 7th. 

 

Since April 7 was National Coffee Cake Day, I did make carrot cake coffee cake from a recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe. I really liked it. Thanks again, Mel.

This was Jeremy's thought about it. "It has that texture of coffee cake but it has that carrot cake flavor in it and it's just a really nice combination. You can quote me on that." 

 

April 8 is Draw a Picture of a Bird Day. Nichole celebrated this of course.

Purple throated mountain gem

 

It was also Library Worker's Day. This is what I said on Instagram and Facebook about the holiday:

I love the library workers at Orem Public Library (both past and present workers because I have many years of interacting with workers at that library and have seen people come and go). From those that are right there when there when you walk in the door to those that help you fin a book to those that invite you to join in on programs to those that feed the tarantula and so many other jobs, I appreciate them.

This is Molly, on of my favorite children's librarians. She always has a bright smile and a friendly "Hello." She's always willing to help whether it's pointing out a book or getting my child started on an activity. Ad I appreciate that she's willing to bend down for a picture with me because I'm so short.

I encourage you to celebrate with me and thank a library worker today. 

Of course right after my picture with Molly, I went up and chatted with another librarian who was able to help me find some books for Lucky for reading challenges at school.

 

April 9 was National Unicorn Day and Name Yourself Day. Jet had a little wand with a unicorn on it. He would wave it and call out, "Magical Unicorn!" then you had to neigh like a unicorn. I got to the point during the day when I was saying, "And I shall call name myself Magical Unicorn."

We also went to the library (said Hi to Molly and thank you to the librarian who suggested books for Lucky who liked what I brought home) and picked up a unicorn book.

 

April 10 was National Siblings Day. I wished Happy Siblings Day to most of my siblings (my mom passed on my wishes to one) and wished my soon to be new sister-in-law Happy Siblings Day. More on that later.

That evening, I took two of my children for a bird walk with Utah County Birders on the West side of the lake. 

Remember what I said about Lucky making silly faces?

 

There weren't as many birds as there could have been because of humans recreating. Oh, well.

Gorgeous evening, though.

 

April 10 was also Encourage a Young Writer Day. You know I do.

 

April 11 was National Submarine Day. I went for a walk along the lake and had this thought: What do you think it would be like to be in a small submarine in a lake?

That afternoon, I helped Jeremy set up Cosmo Cougar that he made out of balloons for BYU's Grad Bash.

We work well together.

 

That night, Nichole and I went to a girls' night. We went to our friend's home theater to watch Sense and Sensibility. Since I read the book this year, I wanted to watch the movie again so we got together with several ladies to watch it. I love the Emma Thompson version. 

Wow. April 11 was busy.

Action Packed Day

April 10 was National Siblings Day. Each of our children did something "pop" related. It started with Jr. wanting popcorn. Nichole mentioned that she had already had a pop tart so... Jr. got popcorn. Later, Jr. had a pop, Lucky had a popsicle, and Jet fell asleep before he could have his lollipop so he had that the next day. So each sibling had a "pop" something and Mom didn't say anything to discourage them. "Mum's the word."

Other things that happened that day. A friend of ours was sick so we made her chicken soup, rolls, and brought them to her along with some Gatorade. She's feeling better now. 

Jet came with us to do this for our friend.

Jet also came with me for a walk to pick up Jr. Jr. from the bus.

While I was making dinner, a big wasp showed up in our house. I geared up to try to deal with it but it disappeared until the next morning when I dealt with it.

So we had a late dinner but the good news is we started on A Season of Family Meal Plans volume 2.

Tortellini Casserole and Easiest Italian Salad (with homemade croutons) and rolls (since I made some for our friend anyway). 

It was a busy day.

Farm Writer Siblings

Saturday, April 10, the kids and I went for a drive around West Mountain. 

It was National Farm Animals Day so besides birds, I told the kids to be on the lookout for farm animals. We saw chickens, sheep, horses, and the cows were very obliging walking on the road and being right next to the road.

When we got home I told the kids they could do some writing as it was Encourage a Young Writer Day.

They enjoyed their time together, those siblings. April 10 was also National Siblings Day.

Siblings Day 2017

April 10 is National Siblings Day.  I took Jr. Jr. and Lucky to the library today.  I picked up a little calendar of reading ideas for April there.  For April 10 it suggested celebrating Sibling Day by reading the book Ish by Peter H. Reynolds and discussing what the little sister did to help her brother feel better.
Since we were at the library anyway, we checked out that book so I could read it to the kids at bedtime tonight.

Thank you library for helping us celebrate.