Birthday Weekend Leftovers

Dressing up like a princess at the Disney Store.

Visiting the Denver Temple grounds.

Just as we were leaving, Anna asked if she could go put her hand in the fountain water one more time. We said sure and the next thing we knew she had fallen all the way into the fountain. Drenched from head to toe! She was shocked and cold and didn't really have the presence of mind to cry about it. We stripped her, dried her off in Jeff's jacket and dressed her in mine for the 45 minute drive home. By the time we were back in the road, we were all laughing about it--including Anna. Which is a little bit of a miracle if you know our girl. She's usually quick to be embarrassed and angry at herself if she does something wrong. Jeff had the presence of mind to pull out his phone to document the moment.

Bonnie Brae's. We love this place, but lesson learned. No chocolate for the kids. It was a pain to get it out of their clothes.

Easter

Easter was pretty low-key at our house. We spent the morning listening to Conference with Grandma Marlene and eating pancakes. In between session the Easter Bunny made an appearance and hunting began. Isaac was not very interested in the eggs. But he enjoyed the general excitement.

Hopped up on sugar. (No pun intended.)

This has nothing to do with Easter, but I love it anyway. Washing dishes happens nearly everyday. I'm trying to savor it while it lasts. They are sure to realize it's a chore soon enough.

Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday, Anna. Your birthday is today, HEY!

(Stay tuned for details.)

Sunday Best

How to waste time when your husband is out of town.

And some random thoughts:

I cut Isaac's hair. This is usually Jeff's department, but the length and stick-uppiness was making me crazy. I stuck him in the high chair and buzzed away while Anna fed him at least two packets of fruit snacks. I was really proud of myself until we went outside the next day and the sun pointed out all the spots I had missed.

I ran a ten-minute mile this week. I haven't done that since the good ol' SUU soccer days. It felt good. Too bad my waist hasn't followed suit. BOO to slowing metabolism.

Wrangling two kids myself at church was...interesting. Thankfully, I have great friends who helped me out during all three blocks since I had to teach primary this week. (Thanks, guys!)Isaac will enter nursery in two weeks. I'd like to say that I can't believe he's already 18 months and my baby is growing up, blah blah blah. But honestly, I can't wait to throw him in there and shut the door behind me. I really miss going to Sunday School and Relief Society. I'll be glad to have a little spiritual nourishment from church meeting again.

It snowed twice in the last week. It's also been in the high 60's a couple of times. Crazy Colorado. I have, surprisingly, enjoyed the snow this go around. Maybe it's the promise that it won't stay long. It's been really beautiful, though. I love a super snowy day followed by a sunny warm day. Melty snow, blue skies, and crisp air make me happy.

Anna has been a little under the weather so the humidifier has been next to her bed the last few nights. She told me yesterday she just loves to have it on so she can keep her hands and feet warm. I asked her what she meant. She led me to her room and demonstrated how she first puts each hand over the steam and then lays back and puts each foot over the steam until they warm up. "I even wake up in the middle of the night and do it, Mom." Silly girl.

Thank You, Chick-Fil-A.

Balloons are the best. The kiddos were entertained by these most of the day. I tied Isaac's to his wrist. It bobbed along behind him wherever he went.

Swimming Lessons

(One of the many, many thumbs up Anna gave me during the session.)

Anna finished her first session of swimming lessons. Thankfully we ended on a really high note with Anna begging to take more lessons. I wasn't so sure she would want to because near the midpoint of the session she hit a major roadblock with putting her face in the water. She's still not a huge fan of it, but is willing to try.


Her favorite parts of lessons were doing small and big kicks during a game called Red Light, Green Light, floating on her back, and doing arm circles. I loved every minute of watching her in a new environment. After each skill she worked on she would turn to me and give me a big thumbs up, which I would return. She did this every time, every lesson. Loved, loved it!

Practicing kicks with teacher, Melissa.

The last day of lesson the kids got to go down the big water slides and play with water toys. They also received a report card with a message from their teacher. Anna carried hers around with her all the next day and asked me to read the message over and over until she pretty much had it memorized and could say it herself.