A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

I love reading the newspaper.  I get the Arizona Republic every day of the week, and a local newspaper twice a week.  Before becoming a mother again in January, I took time every morning to read my newspaper.  I took time to read the multiple magazines and catalogs I get in the mail.   I read an occasional book (couldn't put down the Twilight series!).

Now ... 

The paper stacks up for days, until I get a moment to go through them.  By then, the news is old and I pick a couple of my favorite sections in the paper and read them, and recycle the rest.

This scene plays over again all over the place:

• Laundry - clean laundry piled high on the washer/dryer (or still in the dryer - wrinkling).  Dirty laundry piled high in hampers.  I actually love doing laundry ... I just don't have time to keep up.  But I can assure you, nobody is walking around naked or in dirty clothes.
• Dishes - piled high in the sink
• Magazines - piled high on the kitchen counter
• Mail - sits unopened.
• Coupons - sitting in a few messy piles - either cut or uncut.  But certainly not nicely organized into my coupon binder like they used to be.
• The bed - unmade much of the time (I used to make the bed nearly every morning - a nicely made bed makes the whole bedrroom look nice.
• Netflix - I got my most recent movie a couple of months ago.  And it's just been sitting on the counter, with all the above-mentioned stuff piling on top of it.  

I have realized I really enjoy cleaning, now that I don't have the time to do it - ha ha!   The only time our house gets a decent cleaning these days is if somebody is coming over.   Even if its just my sister, or the air conditioner technician, our house gets a good cleaning.   I keep thinking we need to have somebody come over once a week, just so I can be forced to clean the house.

And yet while I crave a clean house, I'm not going to sacrifice family time to get it.   A long, hot summer is just around the corner and I'd rather get all of us out and about.  There are lots of things to do in the Phoenix area this time of year, and we're out doing it while we can.

If you're reading this post and would ever like to visit us ... just give us a week's advanced notice so we have time to clean. :)

Sea Life Arizona Aquarium

We don't leave the West Valley too often, which is too bad because there's a lot to do in East Valley.

Today we ventured out to Sea Life Arizona in Tempe for the first time.  What a treat!  It's so cute and Christian was absolutely THRILLED to be there.   We got such a kick out of watching him get excited around every corner.

Christian's shark obsession is more than just an obsession - it is now a lifestyle.  We assumed his interest would wane ... but he's only become more interested as time goes by.  Not a day passes that he doesn't ask to see sharks on TV.  Not a day passes when he doesn't drag his big stuffed shark around the house ... just like other kiddos might carry a blanket or teddy everywhere they go.    We really would not be surprised if Christian becomes a marine biologist or a shark expert when he grows up.  Sure, it is a bit early to make that prediction ... but seriously, this kiddo loves sharks and the ocean.

I love this pic above.  He was SOOOOOO excited to see a shark in the tank

Somehow he appears to be half inside the tank.

Afterwards, we walked around the mall for a while and discovered a carousel! 

Christian loves carousels!

Enjoy a video ... and Christian's enthusiasm!

The Stillman and McCormack Railroad Park

Today Jonathan joked that I should take the day off from work and we could go out and do something fun as a family.  I dismissed his suggestion at first, because I had work to do.

But then it occured to met hat I work half-time these days ... and I should stop focusing on how much work I can get done, and instead focus on how much fun a part-time schedule can allow me to have.

So we loaded into the car and headed out to Scottsdale.  It's quite a drive, but well-worth it to see how excited Christian got about being there (his first passion?  Sharks. His second passion?  Trains!).

It's a really cute little park and nicely done.  Almost feels like we're not in the Phoenix area, but rather in a little nook of Disneyland (I suppose it seems that way, in part, because the carousel there plays songs from Disney movies).

Of course, the biggest thrill for Christian is getting to ride on the little train

And a good ol' model train room always puts a smile on his face!

Sibling "Loverly"

Sibling rivalry?  We have sibling "loverly." ;)

We are so incredibly fortunate that Christian completely adores his baby sister!  He's always happy to see her, enjoys kissing and hugging her, and talks sweetly to her.

I love it when he comes up to her and in the most adorable voice says, "You're my best friend."  Awwwwwww!!!

The other day, I heard a story of a kiddo who is about Christian's age - and he, too, has a new baby in the family.  He's so terrible with his baby brother, that the family is looking into getting a psychologist involved.

So we are, indeed, blessed that Christian loves Scarlett so much!

Easter weekend was pretty exciting around here this year. We had numerous events going on:

Saturday Egg Hunt in Verrado

Jonathan had to work Saturday, so I took the kiddos to an egg hunt and fun activites sponsored by our community's health club early Saturday morning. Christian made me laugh when the hunt began, because with the first egg he found, he sat down to check out the goods inside while the kids around him snatched up all the eggs (man, kids are CRAZY at egg hunts!). I even grabbed a nearby egg and put it really close to Christian so he could get it, and some bigger kiddo came in and swiped it. His mom was right there and laughed as she said to her son, "That was his ..." and I just looked at her son, then looked at her and said, "Wow ..." (as it, "Wow, lady ... is that really all you're going to do?").

Most surprising of all was that Christian was agreeable - and excited - to sit with the Easter Bunny.   He walked right up to him (her?) without hesitation.   Doing so was very unlike Christian, and I was absolutely thrilled ... and so was he! :)   

Saturday Afternoon Picnic and Egg Hunt

We finally got out for an afternoon with a local playgroup we belong to.  Christian was so excited to do a second egg hunt that day!

Saturday Night Egg Dying

Our egg dying adventure started out pure:  one color per egg, and using the little wire dipper to place the egg in the cup.

How quickly things changed (as evidenced by Christian's green hands)! 

Sunday:  The Big Day

We tried a new church today (our newest attempt at finding a church that works for our family) and when we got home, we found the Easter Bunny (and Easter Granny) left some goods on the porch and some eggs to be found. Christian was SOOOOO excited!

(A big thank you to the Easter Granny (and Grandpa) for all the goodies, which arrived just in time!)

Papa is teaching Scarlett how to text! :)

And some more videos!

Auntie Liz joined us for Easter dinner!

"Constant Questions"

Today I had to teach Christian what the word "consequences" means, after he was having naughty behavior much of the morning and then wanted a story before his nap. I explained that a consequence of his behavior was that I would not be reading him a story.

So at dinner, I asked him, "Do you remember what word Mommy taught you today before your nap?"

He replied, "Yes, 'constant questions.'" LOL! Good enough for me! :)

The Setup

I put Christian to the test today.  Okay ... I set him up.  I'm not going to "candy coat it" - pun intended!

Today Christian came home from school with some plastic eggs filled with jellybeans.  We don't give him candy at home, so jellybeans are a real treat.

He wanted the bag in his room for naptime, and I declined.  He asked again, I declined.  He insisted ... and I caved in.   Getting little sleep for the past three months is somehow all catching up with me today and I just didn't have the energy to fight him on this one.  Pick your battles, they say.

So I decided to make it a learning experience.

I sat him down and explained that his bag was to stay on his beadside table.  He wasn't to touch it, wasn't to open any eggs.

"Do you understand, Christian?"
"I understand, Mommy."

Let the test begin.

As he often is these days, he was full of energy at naptime and simply wasn't sleeping.  But he's still really good about staying in his bed until I tell him it is time to get up.

So time passed and I heard his door shut ... and I wondered ...

But I'm just to tired too tired get up and investigate (weekend, come quickly!).

A bit later, I heard some paper crinkling.  And it kept crinkling ... and kept crinkling.

I walked in to find he'd taken off his shirt, and in the darkness I could see the sticky, colorful remnants of jellybean "juice" (read "spit") all over his face, chest, belly and hands.

"Christian, did you eat your jellybeans?"

"No."

"Christian, tell Mommy the truth. Did you eat your jellybeans?"

"No, Mommy.  I didn't eat my jellybeans."

I explained to him that I knew he ate them because he was all covered in stickiness - and becuase his breath smelled like candy.  I looked in his hand and saw a small bag of candy that he'd been unable to open.   Crinkly noise explained. :)

I explained that he must always tell Mommy the truth and I said, "Christian, did you eat jellybeans?"

"No, I ..."

"Christian, tell Mommy, 'Yes, Mommy, I ate the jellybeans."

"Yes, Mommy, I ate the jellybeans."

"Thank you for telling me the truth (big smile).  I feel very happy when you tell me the truth."  (Christian definitely understands the concepts happy and sad nad he knows that Mommy and Papa "feel happy" when he listens ... and "feel sad" when he doesn't).

A made sure my response was very pleasant and with a smile so that he knows I won't flip out when he tells me the truth (ask me again in about 10 years after he's come to me with some terrible, gut-wrenching truth ... I might not be so cordial in my reaction).

As I got up to leave and take the bag with me, he said, "Mommy, can I have jellybeans after my nap?"

*sigh*

He asked me to leave the bag in there, and I obliged again.  We'll see if #1, he can resist the candy and #2, if he can't, if he owns up to eating them.

So yep ... I set my four-year old up twice. :)

By some miracle, he's asleep right now - even with all that candy in his bella.  And I'm willing to bet that when he wakes up, he's not feeling so good.  That happeend in Valentine's day when he ate way too much candy, cookies, etc.

Sometimes lessons learned are painful ... and come with a bit of vomit.  (eeew!)

First Official Portrait Together

I had a dream.  My dream was that my children - dressed in carefully selected matching outfits - would take an amazing "first portrait."  I wanted a baby blue dress for Scarlett, and a Polo shirt for Christian that had some blue.   I found his shirt first, and when I couldn't find a blue dress for Scarlett, I bought a fluffy white dress with blue flowers across the waste.

The first thing Christian said to me that day, "I don't WANT my picture taken."  And he wasn't kidding.  He was truly upset at the idea.

Fortunately, somebody at school was able to get his picture taken care of while I got Scarlett ready.  And that picture turned out great (see post below).

But when it came to posing with Scarlett, Christian somehow got stage fright.  And the more the photographer tried to cajole Christian into posing with Scarlett, the more upset Christian got.  We were begging, pleading - BRIBING - Christian to just hold her for a moment.

But when his eyes filled with tears, and his voice cracked with a bit of panic, I knew we just need to leave him alone.

But one more attempt got us the picture above.   I didn't care for Scarlett's dress being fanned out that way, and I was irritated that Christian's face wasn't visible.

But when I step way from my "Type A" desires and see the picture in print, I think the picture is really charming.  Don't you? :)