The countdown

We are finally down to "three sleeps" before we go to Texas. The girls are so excited they can't stand it. I am feeling excited and like I have a month worth of things to do in three days to prepare. Today we are cleaning out the fridge, going through boxes of summer clothes (YEAH!), packing, cleaning the house, gathering library books to return, and the list goes on. I need to get my hair cut, pack up some things at the other house (we will be closing on that house while we're gone), and get this house ready for our furniture to be moved in. I have to sign a power of attorney so Zig can close without me here, get the tax materials together and mailed to the accountant so we won't have to file an extension like we have every year of our married life. This week feels like a mini marathon..I just can't wait to get on that plane and relax. Can't wait to lay low at the beach and collect shells and go fishing. Most of all, we can't wait to see all of the family! The crowd keeps growing which is just SO much fun.

April (almost) showers, snow, hail, and sun

One thing is for sure, you never know what the weather will be from day to day in the Spring. We had snow twice this week, hail on the way home from church, and sun in the afternoon!

Rally Days

Sela had her first horse show on Saturday. She was judged by a panel and met most of her marks and most importantly she really enjoyed the experience. From a spectator's point of view, it doesn't look like they do too much, but it's because they are focusing on posture, giving cues, and other things I am just learning about. The girls are so serious during all this and try so hard to get their ponies to follow their cues.




















It feels like I've had a lot of posts about Sela lately, but it's been a big month for her I guess. She entered a Trader Joe's coloring contest and spent a couple hours at home working on her entry. To her credit, she tried very hard and really thought she could win. When she was completely finished, Rollin drew a big mark across it. She freaked out, understandably. I tried to think of how to calm her and make the situation better. I suggested writing a little note explaining that her baby brother marked up her page and to please still consider it. About a week later, we were driving home in the car and I had a message on my phone from Trader Joes. They said Sela had won a grand prize. I passed the phone to Sela and let her hear..I should have waited to video her response, but you would have thought she won a trip to disneyland! She was so excited and very surprised. She started screaming "I won, I won!" Below is a picture of her with her prize (lots of treats).

Easter Party

This year the girls had a school holiday the Friday before Easter, and in continuing with our little tradition, we had an Easter party. Many of our friends didn't have the day off because they are in another school district, but there was literally only one day to choose from, and we took it! With Easter being so early, I had to scramble to pull it off, but knowing how the girls look forward to it made it worth it. I always enjoy it as well, I just needed another week this year! I love Easter...it is always my favorite holiday both because of the religious significance and the time of year. Spring always lifts my spirits with its signs of new life, new beginnings and the wonderful beauties ahead. Despite the fact that Easter has come and gone, we are still celebrating and enjoying this wonderful time of year.

For the party, we were so lucky with the weather. In the morning, it was overcast and drizzly and I began to prepare to have the party inside, but as we neared the noon hour and the beginning of the party, the sun was shining brightly and we were blessed with a lovely afternoon. The kids played outside the entire time, except for when they came inside to play Sela's "pin the egg in the basket" game. Each year she draws a new picture and makes a game around it. It's so cute to see what joy she takes in watching the kids play (and enjoy) her game. She actually planned another egg and spoon racing game this year, but I didn't see her carry it out. I heard it was a big success though (from sela ;)

After the kids played awhile, we had lunch (bunny sandwiches, deviled eggs, carrots, pears, cheese and crackers, and cucumbers). I made mango chutney chicken salad for the adults. We also decorated cookies, played wiffle ball (how the dynamics change when we have a boy in attendance!), and had an Easter egg hunt. The kids were so busy playing, we never even got to the egg decorating. I had 4 dozen hard boiled eggs that went home with a few families.

Ethel, Lucy & Doty

With the weather getting nicer each day, we've been taking more walks. Rollin practically ran a mile beside the stroller last week. We see all kinds of animals on our walks which makes it very exciting for the little folks. On this particular day, the highlight was feeding Ethel, Lucy and Doty. We always stop to see the sheep and because there are three polaroids posted on the fence with their names the kids know how to call them. They come running which is a pretty funny sight. They were so noisy with their Baaaaing that the owner came out and introduced himself. Rollin promptly took him by the hand and led him over to the fence. He was very kind to go inside and bring out some bread so Nina and Rollin could feed the sheep. He was such a nice man. He said the sheep were there for the neighborhood to enjoy. It's neighbors like this that make this area what it is and we really love it here.

Easter Sunday

We had a really nice Easter. We are all pretty worn out this evening but for good reason. We have late church so the girls were able to do a scavenger hunt for their easter baskets and an easter egg hunt outside. We had a nice little spring breakfast of eggs, asparagus, mangos and bread. It was all green and yellow, so that was fun, though not planned. I woke up at 4 am because I had crashed early Saturday night from exhaustion from Sela and Nina's Easter party and other events, but it was all for naught because I kept waking up in a panic thinking it was morning and I hadn't prepared. So from 4 to 5 I got the baskets together, stuffed the eggs, and made the pictures for the scavenger hunt. I went back to sleep until I was joined by all the kids in bed around 7. Once the third one arrives, it is no longer fun and Zig and I both just give up and get out of bed. We miss our king bed. Hopefully we will be getting it soon from the other house as it may have sold.

Because Easter came so early this year, I was a bit unprepared in my easter bunny role. I had to make some last minute runs on Saturday evening, which I so don't love doing, but it's been a busy month! I tried hard to find little things for their baskets they actually needed or that are appropriate for the season. Each basket had a new beach towel, some gardening tools, seeds, one chocolate (egg hunt still to come) and a couple things unique to each child. We got Sela her own nice set of scriptures. They use them a lot in her sunday school class. I was planning to get her her own set for her birthday/baptism but figured Easter is also a very appropriate time. She loved them so much and was so happy and thankful. She especially loved that they were green (her favorite color) and had her name on the front. We also gave her a little book about birds. Nina has been wanting special "house shoes" so I kept putting it off knowing Easter was coming. She was thrilled. I also gave her Enchanted the movie, since she loves movies. Rollin got a tiny helicopter toy and a bigger shovel so he can redesign our flower beds. All in the name of fun :)

The weather, though close to perfect yesterday, was drizzly today. I was going to wait on on the Easter Egg hunt until it cleared up but then I figured it might be fun to put the rain coats on and get the job done. So we did! Rollin was very good and found plenty. Lots of places to hide at this house. I had fun!

The primary sang in sacrament meeting today and I was a bit nervous about that. I am just so not good at this calling and everything is new to me. But, the kids were darling and did very well.

We came home and roasted some asparagus and carrots and made a big salad to take to our friend's home for dinner. We ate at Kim and Tom Norris' home. Their daughters, Kate and Emma, are good friends with Sela and Nina and they go to church with us. We really enjoyed spending the afternoon with them.

There are some Easter photos on the bottom, most lacking our precious little Rollin. But, the one final photo will show you how he responded to us trying to get one picture out of him. Mom, it's all your fault (just kidding!), he ate half the white chocolate bunny, which we told the girls was supposed to last for a year, after breakfast :) I felt a little guilty leaving him at nursery today given his eating habits this morning, but apparently he did fine. Hmmm, I have to wonder how truthful those kind nursery ladies are!

Now, the house is quiet and all hte juiced up children have passed out in their warm beds, and I'm off to join them.

Tennie Davis' Baptism

Sela's almost lifelong friend, Tennie Davis, was baptized today. She is the first of Sela's close friends to be baptized. Sela, Nina, Tennie, Adele, and Ceci sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me." It was just the sweetest. We had been practicing all week...singing it at home, in the car, etc. The girls sounded like little angels as they sang today. Sela and Tennie held hands during the song. In the third verse, there is a line that says "He is always near me," and I noticed Sela's eyes just slightly teared up and she stopped singing for one quick second. I was sitting right in front of them on the floor kind of directing them a teeny bit, otherwise, I doubt I would have even noticed. As I mentioned, we've sung this song every day for the past week or so she was quite familiar. Later in the car on the way home, she said "Mom, I had happy tears today when we were singing." I knew exactly what she was talking about. We talked about how she felt the Spirit and that was Heavenly Father's way of letting her know He lives and loves her. What a special and memorable day it was.

Sela loves school!

Sela has had a partularly great month of March at school. She was awarded the "Confidence" Star Skill award for her first grade class and won first place at the science fair. She was so excited about both. She loves her friends and always has many great stories to tell about recess, her favorite hour of the day. We love our little school and unfortunately there are boundary changes coming soon that will change a lot. We've written our letters and are staying very involved in the process, as are many other parents. We'll see what happens.

Don't look, Zig!

It's Bella Dancerella Ballerina video time (thanks Maw Maw!) Rollin wanted to be like his sister and practice ballet. So, of course I let him get a bit more in touch with his feminine side! He did find the leotard too constricting and wanted it off pronto. He preferred the free bird ballerina style. I just had to take a picture. It's childhood at its very best! (try to ignore my messy desk) This photo alone may cause Zig to spend more time at home :)

Nina Style

Nina has really taken an interest lately in putting together outfits. She loves anything beautiful, soft, flowy, and colorful. She is very particular and will hold up several sweaters to an oufit before making a decision. She compliments everyone from Mom to Mrs. Judy to random people in the store on their outfit choices. She couldn't wait to tell my about Mrs. Judy's sparkly broach the other day. She loves for Mommy to "look beautiful." She often wants me to put more effort into what I wear to preschool drop-off and other places. It's hard to explain to her why wearing heels and a fancy dress to preschool might be a bit out of place (especially in the way too dressed down northwest!)I do try to spiff up to meet her standards as best I can in the three minutes I usually have to get ready in the morning! Lip gloss is always a winner and sure to garnish a "mommy, you look so gorgeous" comment as is jewelery. I have to say it is pretty sweet to be the recipient of her heartfelt commpliments as she stares at me, eyes full of love and adoration. At least someone things I look pretty today because I sure don't ;) She is very into jewels and especially loves for me to wear necklaces and dangle earrings.

She watches me get ready and is always there to offer suggestions. Not that sweater, how about this fancy one, etc. For the past week, I told Nina she could pick out exactly what she wanted to wear for the day. She usually chooses her clothing for the most part, but I help a bit and pick things like tights and help her match things. But, it was so much fun letting her have total freedom and to see what she came up with 100 percent by herself. She is often the most dressed up child at school, but it's her and she is her own little person with a very unique sense of style. There's one photo where she is wearing a flag hat. We had stopped by the other house on the way to preschool and Nina raided the dress-ups. She was SO excited to find this flag hat and said "mom, the kids are going to love this hat!" And that's Nina style. A little bit princess, a little bit funky, lots of layers, and always colorful.

the frilly
must accessorize
leggings with skirts are her new thing
lovely spring sweater with Christmas skirt and dot tights (kind of fits as we're teetering between winter and spring)
favorite skirt with Sela's shirt
church dress, vest and hat (you never know what the day might bring!)