My Point of View: 2021-04-18

*It's been fun talking to Ava on Mondays. I promise she enjoys it more than she looks like.

Binnie,

I jinxed the weather. I finally switched out the wreath on the front door and stored the snow shovel. Next day. Snow.

That didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying my spring break. On Wednesday evening, while waiting in line at Beto's drive-through, Grayson wondered, "Don't get me wrong, I like Beto's, but why aren't you making dinner?" I said, "I'm on spring break!" The kids kept forgetting, so I had to remind them.

I enjoyed a swim at the pool each day and errands. So many errands! After Grayson's ortho on Thursday morning, we did some Prom shopping. This was different than helping a daughter get ready for Prom, yet, I found that he still had ideas. I liked that. Remember how he liked that checked coat at Burlington when we were easter shopping? (Too big, not the right shade of blue). Well, this time Burlington was packed to the gills with suit coats. I held up a powder blue one for him to try on. He looked in the mirror, "I'm feeling it." I took advantage of the selection and bought Graham a new suit as well. We went across the street to Michael's for flowers so I could make a corsage (though he kept calling it boutonniere-I hate trying to spell that). I was glad I had him with me because he had opinions on which flowers to get. Though he was completely overwhelmed at Michaels, "What is all this stuff?"

I asked the cashier what aisle the corsage items are on. She said, "Aisle 39."

Gray marveled, "There is an aisle 39 here?" Then in the parking lot, as we waited for a lady to pass in front of us, with her full cart of crafts, Grayson noted, "Wait, am I wearing the same shirt as her?" as he looked down at his green v-neck.😂

He was dying for In and Out, so—though it was only 10 am —we each got a burger. We agreed that when you tell them you want onion, they give too much onion! Grayson is genuinely fun to hang out with. Since it was snowing, he suggested we play Wrapped in Red as we drove up the canyon. Hey, I had even thrown on a Christmas sweater that morning. Embrace it, right?

He had his final mission interview on Tuesday night! He also had a track meet in Payson that day. The night before, he came into my room wondering what to do since track meets go till 8 pm. I said, "I'll come to watch and then bring you home after your run."

He was surprised? "Really?" I reminded him that I am on spring break!

As he got ready for the meet the next day, his shoelace was in an unmanageable knot. I said, "Clip it and put in a lace from a different shoe." He then wondered, "What if the water in my water bottle isn't enough?" I reminded him that I keep a jug of water in the van. He said, "Well, those were the only two problems I had, and you solved them both." How's he gonna manage without me:/

When I arrived in Payson, he messed with me, "Mom I already ran, it's over."

I gave him a big hug, "I'm so sorry! The schedule said it starts at 3."

He laughed, "Kidding, it hasn't even started yet. I don't run for at least an hour. What are you going to do?" As I sat in the van, his friends wondered the same thing. He told them, "She's probably doing Duolingo." He was right! I also had an audiobook and homemade truffles. No complaints. I later called the girls for a chat.

While dad and I watched The Crown last week, Dad asked me what I'd think of all the attention and cameras everywhere I went (like royalty). I said, "I'd hate it. Eating a sandwich alone in my car is heaven to me."

Grayson is a lot like me. As he got in the van—after he ran—he pulled out a sandwich, plugged in his music, reached for a truffle, and nodded, "Oh yeeeeaaaaah. This is niiiiiiice."

On Friday, I enjoyed a salad—in the van—from Cubby's before going into Target in Provo. Later that night, while dad and I were recounting our day, we realized he was at Macey's at the same time; same parking lot. I said, "You could have joined me for lunch!" Then I remembered that I was at a good part in my audiobook, so that wouldn't have worked, see.

I did do something sort of fun last Friday. I went to Fantastic Sams for a cut and highlights. The guy that did my hair was a 24-year-old kid. He said everyone in his family lets them cut their hair...except his mom. That made me a little nervous, but he did a great job! Best cut I've had in a long time.

The other things I did that were just for me were Book Club on Thursday and a dental cleaning on Friday:/ The girl scrubbed my teeth for over an hour! Good thing I was on spring break.

For dessert, after our Sunday dinner yesterday, we had Sweet Tooth Fairy cupcakes. Grayson said, "I was thinking of these during church."

Again, everyone wondered what the special occasion was. I reminded them, "I finished PathwayConnect...I AM ON SPRING BREAK." Ahhh yes.

However, the star of the week was indeed Grayson (if you haven't noticed). It is a good thing that he promenaded his senior year instead of his junior year. I don't think he would have enjoyed it last year. He looked so good! He wanted a pocket square, but I didn't have any black fabric. He suggested that I cut up my pants!!!! At the last moment, I cut a square of black felt and tucked it into the pocket.

Only Dad and I were allowed to go watch. The requirement for everyone to have a wristband did away with the frenzy of seat saving and crazy crowds. Graham and Callie watched on StingTV. The students also needed wristbands for the dance, but Grayson's fell out of his pocket during pictures. He had to plead his case in the office. Everyone had to have a negative test result in order to attend so they feared that students might give their wristband away. He assured them that the wristbands were most likely on the ground at Jordanelle—where they had pictures. Weeks ago, as the group planned prom, everyone said that they knew a photographer, "My aunt takes pictures." "So does my aunt." "My aunt does too." But they all flaked out. Grayson suggested that they DON'T use an aunt. He found the photographer instead—the same one who took their HoCo pics. She's great, and a friend of mine.

After Grayson and Rachel danced, they came and sat with us in the crowd—we were sitting with the Heaths. It was unexpected when Rachel was named Prom Queen! Robin hurried and fumbled with her camera. It was a fun surprise. Grayson said, "I guess that makes me the Prom KING!" However, the fact that they only let her into the dance without a wristband says otherwise...

During the mother/son dance Gray asked me all kinds of questions like if this is what I pictured (did he forget that I've been to three already?) However, it was my first time on the dance floor. "Yes, even better."