Turtle Bob and Springtime

We got together with the Smart's & Johnson's for Easter Dinner and I was so glad, because the day wasn't feeling complete without some sort of "family" party.  I am so grateful for my Mesa "family"!  We had an Easter Egg Hunt and ate ham and potatoes - all the usual.  Except that the Johnson's found their outdoor desert turtle (an Easter Miracle!), Turtle Bob, after he had been lost/hiding in their backyard for 3+ months and they had not seen him.  (They have no idea where he's been, maybe hibernating?  Do turtles hibernate?)

Rachel LOVES creepy, crawly animals - especially lizards, snakes, bugs, all the gross stuff, all thanks to my mother!  She was enthralled with Turtle Bob and they became fast friends.  While we finished eating, Rachel asked us if she could go outside with Turtle Bob and Brandon's instructions were, "Yes, but please don't touch the turtle."  You know where this is going, right?  A few minutes later, Rachel screamed and was crying and came to the sliding glass door and this is what I saw:  Rachel in her cute little Easter Dress with her finger held up and Turtle Bob hanging on to her finger for dear life.  Brandon saved the day and yanked him off and LUCKLY he didn't break the skin - not one mark - I am so so so grateful.  It quickly became funny (since she wasn't hurt) and I think she learned a good lesson and she even still likes turtles.  

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Springtime in Arizona this year and I feel like we've really enjoyed being outside.  Since I'm training for Ragnar, I try to run with the kids in my double jogger about 3-4 times during the week.  Our typical run is about 3 miles - sometimes a little more.  We go first thing in the morning and they are really good.  During some afternoons, we'll meet our friends at the park or we've even gone swimming a few times.  Many evenings, we end up hanging out in the backyard with daddy before the kids go to bed.  My front yard flowers are now small bushes and I am so proud that I didn't kill the flowers my mom planted last fall (I'm sorry to make a big deal about flowers, but for Arizona, these flowers are impressive and I've got lots of compliments from the neighbors). 

Other tidbits that I don't want to forget:

- Andrew weighs over 23 pounds at 7 months and has the chubbiest, sweetest smile ever!  He brightens my day!  He now has four teeth and still loves to eat, jump in his bouncer, but mostly he loves to watch his big sister and he belly laughs at almost anything silly she does.  On Easter, he had a small tumble and I felt like the worst mom ever.  Of course he's fine, I cried longer than he did about it.  I'm just thinking, how am I ever going to be able to make it through him playing sports?  I'll probably be a basket case.

- Rachel is into any and everything lately.  She has multiple outfit changes a day (per her request) and loves wearing all types of shoes - particularly her pink rainboots, cowgirl (Jesse) boots, princess dress-up high heels, flip flops, etc.  She's loves watching movies, playing with her little figurines and pet shop guys, and she really enjoys flipping through books and making up stories to go along with the pictures.  She still loves to dance and sing and talk - she is quite the conversationalist.  

- I've been thinking a lot lately about the PHASES that my kids go through.  They come and they go, and I seem to have no control over them as hard as I try.  I drive myself crazy coming up with tactics to help change whatever phase we're in, but to no avail - it must just be a test of my patience.  Some phases seem to last for just a few days and others tend to last weeks on end.  It's bizarre, but I'm trying to be consistent and patient.  For example, remember when I complained about Rachel biting her nails?  I was sure, she was going to be doing that forever - nope, just a really long phase.  She doesn't do it much anymore (knock on wood).  Now she just picks her nose - not sure which is worse, but hoping that's just a phase too.  And remember the time I thought that I could get Rachel to sleep in if I turned off her nightlight - nope that only lasted a few nights.  Anyhow, the girl is in some interesting phases right now (please be just a phase, oh pretty please).  After a few months of very few potty accidents, we now celebrate a full day of her keeping her panties dry.  She only gets them a little wet, but it drives me absolutely crazy because I feel like nothing I'm doing is working well.  I think she just gets too busy and the newness/excitement of going potty has really worn off.  Another phase she's in has to do with her sleep habits.  She wakes up early - even if we let her stay up late, she wakes up at the same time every morning.  Ugh!  If it's bad, I try to compensate with a nap, which she only takes about 2 per week.  It's all very unpredictable and I find myself getting frustrated with her since I have no control over when she wakes up or what days she'll take a nap.  Since her and I both need a break in the afternoon, she usually has quiet time in her room for about 45 minutes where she quietly reads books by herself.  And if she stays in her room until the timer rings, then she can watch a movie.   

Not a great picture, but it's the crew all sugared up after the hunt:  Macie, Rachel, Asher, Rex, Dalan & Jett

 

My cute kiddos dressed up for Easter Sunday

Sunday Nap with Dad

My springtime flowers!  Look, mom, I'm so proud I haven't killed them yet!!