Christian's First Concert

Tonight Christian's school had their first-ever "Spring Concert."  Each class sang a song or two.

We weren't sure how Christian would do when he walked out with his class to find an entire lawn full of people eagerly waiting.  Thankfully, the school's owner stayed with Christian.  They all know him so well there, and do everthing they can to help ease his anxiety - and I'm always grateful to them for that.

 

As you'll see in the video, Christian didn't sing a whole lot.   And when he was able to come find us in the crowd, he climbed into my lap, put his head into my shirt and cried for a few moments. My poor, sweet little guy ... he was a bit overwhelmed!

Christian's frame of reference for a "concert" comes from a DVD called "Mater's Tall Tales." One of the segments is called, "Heavy Metal Mater," and Mater is the lead singer in a band, and during his song, he gets lifted high above the crowd at a concert. So, Papa obliged Christian's expectations and lifted him high in the sky.



 

A Tired Lil' Family

Our Fun Weekend

The summer heat is on its way, so we're out and about trying to have as much fun as possible before even walking outside becomes miserable.

Saturday, we went to the grand opening of a new fire station in our community.  We've been watching it go up for months, so it was excited to check it out.  Christian's biggest thrill was getting a hug from the Chick-fil-A cow! :)

Saturday evening was our neighborhood's annual Block Party at the park across the street, and Auntie Liz joined us.  It was the first time many of our neighbors had seen Scarlett since her early days, so several of them held her and she handled it like a trooper.

Christian was off playing with other kids - some he knew, some he didn't.   He's really come out of his shell - we love to see him play and not be so shy!

Sunday morning, we went to church ... and to the annual church picnic that afternoon.  Though, that wasn't the best time.  It was a hot day and we didn't know there wasn't shade.  Despite being a potluck, there wasn't enough food.  By the time Jonathan and Christian returned from playing, only desert items were left.  We dedided it was best to get the kiddos out of the heat, so we packed it up after just a few mintes and headed home.

But not before I got some cute pics of our little Princessa:

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!