We're getting there!

I'm making progress...
Complete: Taxes, Power of Attorney, library drop-offs, clean out fridge, last minute shopping for a few beach necessities, house mostly clean and even a little bit dusted, kids are packed, mine is laid out on the bed (half done), packed some snacks, made muffins for the plane, dinner prepped for tonight (we are cleaning out the fridge and are down to lots of kale and citrus. We are having Soba Noodles with peanut sauce, asparagus, edamame, and kale. Lots of yummy oranges straight from Zig's yard in CA for dessert(thanks Tina!)I still have my haircut tonight (which takes FOREVER so I'll probably be home at midnight), the kids and I are headed to the other house this afternoon to say a final goodbye and pack a bit. I have a load to drop off at Value Village and still need to get the kids plane activities together, but I think we're on track. It's sunny and Nina has been wearing her new beach cover-up for the past two days...mostly with tights and anklets on top of the tights, because people wear anklets at the beach, MOM!

I had to pick Sela up "sick" at school yesterday. The nurse called and said Sela felt like throwing up. Not good timing. I'm sure nurse Debbie questions my level of compassion when the first thing out of my mouth when I picked her up was "Oh no, we're going on a trip in two days, she can't be sick." But, fortunately, Sela was already looking better when I arrived and I think she just felt a little off that day. She is at school today and does not have the flu, thankfully.

I took this picture of Zig and Rollin last night...they were spending some quality time looking at chickens again. It's almost chick time...when we get back from Texas, the chicks will be coming!























Nina wanted the pink cover-up but it was a bit um...tacky. So she settled for white and decided to accessorize with a scarf. Only Nina.

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.