April

The month started with Rooke's first AAU tournament of the season.  First, he and I went to his school choir concert.  I accompanied his choir, which was a treat, and Rooke sang with the Bass section.  We left from there and drove straight to Pittsburgh for the weekend.  The Lord was kind to answer several prayers for us: Rooke stayed healthy, we had fun together, he played well, and we made a good connection with a Christian coach!

He wasn't a very interesting travel buddy on the way home . . .

Meanwhile, Ryan was at a men's retreat with the guys from our church, and the girls were having fun with Aunt Vallerie!

Cute sisters in matching dresses for the Unitas dance!

Because Bridgette's birthday falls near spring break, we hosted a belated birthday party.  She decorated and planned it all out herself.  The movie room complete with "aesthetic snacks" =)

Another weekend . . . another basketball tournament.  Bridgette came with us this time for one night away in Virginia.  We even found time to make our way to the beach!

Happy Easter!  Christ is Risen!

Our church set up a photo booth and said they used Rooke as the measure for how tall the backdrop should be placed - ha!

Bridgette worked with the other Logic students at our co-op (7th and 8th graders) to write and perform an updated skit of A Midsummer Night's Dream for History Day.  They were hilarious (besides Bridgette playing a male role and painting on facial hair!)

Science Fair - whew!  She nailed it.  And she would want you to know that Spray-N-Wash is the most effective spray stain remover (according to her very scientific experiment!).

A friend from church passed on tickets to a local XFL game.  Gretchen, the least likely Payne to want to attend a sporting event, said she had more fun than she thought she would!

Bridgette performed with an ensemble in an adjudicated festival.  They received the highest marks for both of their songs!

Bridgette was treated to join friends for a performance of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe live at The Bible Museum

Tana and Finnick were in town for a school trip to DC and it worked out to get to see them!  Steve and Vallerie graciously hosted all of us last minute for dinner together.