Staying Busy this Spring

This spring just flew by. I think it is because we stayed so busy. There were two weeks in particular that kind of floored me, they were so busy. One I already talked about: it was when there was General Conference, John's new calling, Daniel started staying with us, and my dad's big scare with his near heart attack and surgery. I don't think I mentioned before that John's brother-in-law Daniel started staying with us for a day or two every week. He is a pilot for Southwest and his 'home' airport got switched to Phoenix, but his family lives in Colorado. They thought this wouldn't be permanent so he just wanted to stay with us on his reserve days. I was pretty nervous about the situation starting it, but it hasn't been too bad. It has been nice to get to know him and his family better, and my kids have loved having the attention of another adult. We fixed up Miriam's room for him, and we don't really use that room at all. In return he pays us $100 a month.

We went to the zoo with the Davis's one day. They are such good friends.

 Spring is in the air--I love seeing all of the cactuses in bloom. I swear there were more saguaro blooms than I have ever seen before. It has been a really mild spring and summer. We feel lucky.

One day there was a fun little event at the Y. There was a bounce house, face painting, and wall climbing. Turns out little Eliza just scampers up that climbing wall.

 There was also a diaper dash that Holly "participated" in. She got scared and ran across with an adult. :)

The next overwhelming week was the week leading up to Mother's Day and Holly's birthday. That meant that we had to come up with nice, sweet cards for the girls to send to all the Grandmas. 

And we had a birthday to get ready for. It was also teacher appreciation week that week, which is always way more stressful than you'd think. These two "favorite things" pages from my kids teachers are really reflective of their personalities. Especially the "Gifts to receive."

It was also Pride in Learning night that week. Look how cool this pop art portrait of Eliza is! She also wrote a poem about herself. 

 Miriam's clay-d-bug, Jack and the Beanstalk, and fossils. Eliza's bowl and bio bottle (Vasco Nunez de Balboa).

As if that weren't enough for that one week. That Saturday was the Girl's Camp pie fundraiser that I was in charge of. It is always way more stressful than you'd think, and things never go without hiccups. But it all worked out, thank goodness.



AND it was my girls' dance recital that day! Yikes! They did awesome though, and the Daddy daughter dance was tremendously darling.

Let's just say after a week like that by the time Mother's day and Holly birthday came around, I just wanted to relax!

Miriam got invited to a birthday one weekend, and just to be nice Eliza was invited to. Urban Air was super fun although a little pricey--we didn't have to pay though. There was lots of fun climbing, exploring, jumping, and obstacle courses.

 At the end of April the teachers around the state went on strike for 7 school days, so we had a second Spring Break! This really didn't end up affecting when school got out for the summer, which seems weird to me, but whatever. We had so much fun that extra week. The weather was gorgeous, so we spent a lot of time outside, including moving the table outside for lunch everyday. We loved that extra time together, especially since John and I were gone during their actual Spring Break when we were in Hawaii.

We did another round of soccer during Spring. They are getting better and seem to enjoy it!

I have been working with Holland at home too. We do preschool time at home nearly everyday. We do Singing Time, Letter time (now Reading Lesson), Counting time, and Coloring time (where I am trying to start writing). See the "H's" Holland wrote? She was so proud of herself. She also really loves playing pretty independently including looking at books and playing with these reusable stickers that get strewn all over.  

 Then came the end of school, which meant end of year parties. Both kids' teachers retired this year, so we had to go above and beyond with gifts and thank you's. Eliza wrote the sweetest note to her teacher. They had a summer camp theme at their party.

 Mrs. Wendt was such a great teacher--we're sad Miriam won't have a chance to have her. She just has a very warm and loving demeanor.

Miriam had a great end of year party too. Lots of fun crafts!

 Our favorite craft was the canvas self-portrait. :) 

And just to throw a little extra crazy into the mix, Holland did a free week of swim lessons at the Y. She didn't love it. The first day was the best, and it digressed from there. It seemed a little silly, but it was free exposure to swim lessons. And the round of swim lessons we are taking at the normal pool this summer has been going a lot better, so maybe it helped??