April Happenings

Rachel loses her second tooth.  The toothfairy brought her 4 quarters (one had sparkles on it), and she shared two of them with Andrew, so that they could both go to the Dollar Store to pick out a prize.  Nice gesture ... not sure the math works there, but Andrew got to tap into the tooth fairy excitement.

Rachel won March Madness bracket and mom won 2nd place.  Rachel's $10 winnings in the mail meant for a special piggy bank from Deseret Book and a lesson on saving vs. spending.  We broke the $10 down to dollar bills, and she immediately gave half of them to Andrew.

Swim Lessons start (3 times a week for 4 weeks).  Andrew cried for one week, but then earned an ice cream for not crying by the 3rd or 4th lesson.  Rachel was extra supportive that first week because if he didn't cry, she got an ice cream too.  Now Andrew has a crush on Miss Allison and loves to go under the water.  Rachel is a fish and swims better than I ever have - really, she does.  Andrew is much more comfortable in the water.  His favorite parts were diving for rings and jumping off the diving board.  Kendall enjoyed watching big brother and sister poolside.

Andrew's first trip to the dentist was a success!  The dentist said he had perfect teeth - let's hope we can keep that up.  Hopefully he got his daddy's teeth and not his mommy's!

One Saturday, Brandon took the kids on a hike to Wind Cave (ward activity), and I stayed home with Kendall while she slept.  I got a little bit of packing done.  All month, we packed and organized.  And it still wasn't as organized as I would have liked for the actual move.

Easter came and went and I can't remember a darn thing about it.  In fact, now that I think about it, that was March anyway.  I know we did a couple Easter egg hunts and other Easter-ish activities.  One of the hunts was with Mandy's family near the Salt River on the night that we put our house on the market.  We got the call about the full-price offer when we were there with them - it was a memorable moment.  On Easter Sunday, I do remember that Brandon taught the combined RS/EQ lesson on the Atonement and did amazing!!  I skipped out on nursery to go hear - I just love hearing him teach.  I remembered another Easter activity we did ... we had an Easter Egg Hunt & Potluck with a group of Brandon's co-workers and their families.  I was kind of nervous about it, but it was really fun and I enjoy hanging out with them.

Andrew's sleeping issues are still challenging.  We set some nighttime rules and review them EVERY night:  1.  Stay in bed  2.  Only one diaper  3.  Fall back asleep by yourself  4.  Stay in room until the owl turns green.  He does good now at only one diaper and staying in bed and not calling for us to come lay by him, so he must be doing a better job falling back asleep when he wakes up in the middle of the night.  We have an owl that turns green at 6am, indicating that it's ok for him to wake up.  Most mornings, he comes in our room before 6am asking if he can be awake.  Lately, I've been putting him back in his bed and he'll stay there until 6:10a or so - not sure if he has fallen back asleep or not.  His internal alarm clock is crazy - it doesn't matter what time he goes to bed, he always wakes up by 6a.  Waking up early, means that he needs a nap, BUT if he does fall asleep during the day, if he sleeps for longer than 30 minutes then he can't fall asleep until 9p, then up by 6a again ... grumpy ... it's a vicious, miserable cycle.  We do better if he doesn't have a nap (if I can stand it and if he doesn't fall asleep in some random place), and then try to put him in bed by 7:30p and then he wakes up about 5:45a.  Sometimes I wish these small children would have the teenager sleeping-in talent!  And I never understood the parents who had pictures of their children sleeping on the floor and in random places - now I do.  If I've learned anything as a parent, it is to never say never.

Free for all parenting this month!!  Beenies and boots in 90 degree weather - no problem!  Just let me get some packing and cleaning done.  :)

Thank you, Brandon, for capturing a rare moment!  (All three kids listening to the same story)

Making the bed has never been so fun - she's my little helper.  

Andrew falling asleep one afternoon on the couch.

Cute easter picture - failed!

Best attempt - new Easter clothes

We met our new cousin Colson!  Chris & Kacie were in Arizona on vacation with her family (adults only, but Cole was an exception since he was so young).  It was fun to get with them on Chris' birthday for a BBQ.  Kendall - 6 months & Cole - 4 months.  

So fresh & so clean!

Swimming at Jim's pool (lives across the street)

I think Katherine told me not to post this anywhere.  :)  Katherine, this is a private blog, so no worries!  We met up with the Shumway's one morning while they were in Phoenix for a conference.  They now live in Show Low, AZ.  We knew them from law school and lived in the same building.  During our 3rd year of law school, when Rachel was a baby, I could run to Katherine's apartment for a visit without even going outside!

Andrew & Sam

Ella & Rachel

THROWBACK - here's Ella & Rachel back in 2009  :)