Alone Again, Naturally

Due to illness and other issues, we've spent most of the week companion-less. That's okay though because when all our friends have moved and we've left state (Crossing fingers) that'll be how it is for a while. Probably need to get used to it now. Had a good week anyhow.

Went to the science center to check out the new water exhibit. The kids loved it until Rhyla slipped on a puddle and got a big bonk on her forehead. We played a little longer in another area of the center though so I don't think she was feeling too awful. Following that we ate yummy lunch at my grandma's. I'm begging her to help me make a recipe book, but apparently it's a "been there, done that" with one of my cousins so it might take some persuasion. 

Another day we played at the Chandler mall. I'm pretty sure it's my favorite indoor play area.

Yes, Rhyla's crying because Vash wont let her have a turn at the wheel. Any suggestions on how I get him to be a better sharer?

Thursday night we ate dinner with Jen and this is the fabulous dessert she prepared for us! I'm addicted to the idea of chocolate mousse and obsess about spreading it on cupcakes. So delicious.

Rhyla's loving toy balls nowadays. She cried and cried until we took this one home from wal-mart. I couldn't really say no because so few toys in the house are hers right now.

And this is Rhyla looking adorable in piggy tails. Before I forget! Rhyla graduated from level 1 at the swim school and will be starting in level 2 this Saturday. They gave her a special certificate and took her picture. Also, Vash did super well in Karate last Friday. The Master even came over and commented on how great it was that he was using the right body parts to hit the blocks at the right time. Oh, my little fish and my little ninja. Hopefully, some scheduled aggression will help him be calmer on other days of the week. (You know, there's a time and a place for that sort of thing and play dates are not that time?) 

Probably wondering where Craig is during all this, huh? Working. Networking. Applying. Interviewing.  Brought me flowers today, the sweet thing. 

Father's Day and Other Fun Stuff

Can I just start by saying that Craig is the best and most wonderful thing that ever happened to me? An d because of him my life is filled with joy, fun, and the cutest darn babies that were ever born? I love Father's day because it gives me another reason to celebrate and dote on the man I adore with my entire being. So today, we had a delicious meal, provided by Jen, Kate, and Nana, and an equally delicious dessert provided by me. (I made Pavlova from my Grandma's recipe. YUM!) Craig got some nice gifts from his family and some treats from the ward, but I like to think my gift was his favorite. I gave him a mug with "Dunna Dad" written on a plaque on the front of it, and the kids names engraved on the back. We left room to add lots more names of course :) If for no other reason, Craig did like this gift because he collects mugs. 

Other than Father's day, we've had a busy week filled with some fun stories to share. First, I'd like to say (before I forget) that Vash likes to threaten us with wet willies if he's not getting his way. EX: We start to sing a song and he's not interested in the song we're singing. He sticks his finger in his mouth and glares at us, as if saying "Don't make me use this."

This is story time at the library. The kids were excited to stomp and go under the parachute. We went with our friends Chelsea and her kids. Then Craig and I went on a double date with Chelsea and her husband later in the week to Tempe Town Market Place.

On Saturday, we went to the mall and got Vash's birthday pictures taken. He was all hamming it up and being so cute, you would never guess this was the boy who was screaming his head off at the exact same studio a year ago. Rhyla was wanting to get it on it too, and was all smiles whenever the lights flashed (even though she wasn't in the pictures). Because they were so well behaved we took them for rides on the merry go round afterwards.

Rhyla picked a pink pony while Vash chose an elephant.

This is the kids new favorite play area. It's great because it's covered and huge, (this is only half of it pictured here) but it's a long drive to where it is, so we only go out there every now and then. Rhyla just runs back and forth over the "scary bridge" but Vash has been making friends and usually plays tag or races down the slides. He tried to make friends with some big kids that were playing freeze tag but they just brought him to me and said he was too little to play. :( I promised him he'd be big enough some day, and not to be sad.

Our best story of the week, comes from our day at the splash pads in San Tan Mall.

Rhyla enjoying an ice cream cone. She wouldn't keep the napkin tucked in her shirt though because she knew it hid the pretty watermelon design on her front.

Alright, so Vash is a flirt and he has come to be very fond of our dear friend Sam. Well, Sam is almost a year older than Vash and is already potty trained. So she leaves for a potty break and leaves Vash on a play ground full of little girls. He wastes no time in finding a new girl friend. Before I can say "Vash you're too little to have a girl friend," he's holding hands and walking around with a dark haired beauty. After a while she sadly says she's leaving to go get ice cream and hugs Vash good bye. Right about then, Sam comes back. Vash looked mortified. He became solemn and so remorseful. It was freaking adorable. He climbed right up next to Sam and snuggled her in apology. He patted her back while they waited in line at the slides. You could tell he felt badly about "betraying" his first love. Kelly and I hope that if they get married, they'll use this picture, (along with a current photo of them in the same pose) on their wedding announcements.

Happy 3rd Birthday Vash!

I can't believe my first born turned 3 this week! He's so big and smart and so not a baby anymore. He's becoming more and more independent and becoming more fun everyday. Because we didn't know where we were going to be or when we would be leaving, if we were to leave, Vash got a very small get together, instead of a party. Last Saturday, we went to Freestone park and had cake, played with water balloons, and opened gifts. We wanted to play on the play ground but they weren't shaded and were burning to the touch. We also intended to ride the train and carousel, but it turns out they close for the entire summer. I was bummed but Vash didn't seem to mind. He just walked the track and "choo choo'd" his heart out, almost as if to say, If I can't ride the train, I will be the train. In attendance were Nana and Papa, aunt Katie, the Barney family, and of course our little family. I'm so grateful for my healthy little boy and look forward to many more birthdays of his and Rhyla's and any other children to join our family.

Pictures:

Last days in our old home.

Tongues are funny, aren't they?

I wear my sunglasses inside, 'cause I can, 'cause I can.

Sleeping with a nest of binkies beside him. On the kitchen floor, almost naked, too.

So pretty and helping to pack. She actually loves cleaning up and putting things into boxes. 

Watching the Bee Movie for quiet time. How magical are Ipads?

Vash loves being a big brother. He pulls Rhyla onto his lap and asks her if she wants to snuggle for a movie. He gives kisses and helps hold her hands to walk through the parking lots. 

Vash bending over is his way of posing for the camera. Rhyla looks super cute in her Perry swim suit, but wont stop for a picture.

Reading a princess book at Sam and Joshy's house.

Riding a bug mobile at Wiggle worms.

Trying to hold two balls that are too big at the same time.

Vash's cake. Albertson's bakery is actually pretty delicious I have to say.

The big boy on his big day. ( I think Craig looks super handsome here!)

Pirate Vash. He's wearing an eye patch but lifts it for pictures or to answer a question.

Rhyla and Papa walking to look at ducks during Vash's party. 

Our New Place

So it's not a permanent situation, but we have found 200 sq ft of paradise at Nana and Papa's home. The kids don't understand that this isn't a one or two day affair because the air conditioning has gone out again, but is a longer term home for us while we wait for Craig's job offers to come in. It's been nice so far. We have the pool in the back for extra hot days. My friend Kelly and I have found lots of things to do with the kids during the day (great parks, story times, museums, splash pads, etc.) , Craig has had lots of painting work and has already gotten a super dark tan. LOL. We take walks to Albertson's and buy chocolate milk. Vash gets to watch movies for quiet time while Rhyla takes her nap. Rhyla has a whole house full of people willing to read her books and talking about how she's the cutest thing ever. She wakes up in the morning and bobs around the house, bouncing up and down just as much as she moves forward or backward. Vash is speaking super well now and says the cutest things. He tells me how pretty I look when I get dressed for church on Sunday. He pulls Rhyla onto his lap and asks if she wants to watch a movie with him. He even understands the concept of "tag" now and will shout 'I'm coming to get you, Sam!" or whomever he's chasing. They get to run, play, and otherwise exhaust themselves some where new every day all day, making it probably the best summer ever. And now that they're are other people in the house, after the kids are in bed, Craig and I can even take walks by ourselves now and then, or go on a date at night instead of the early afternoon! The only thing we really seem to not be used to yet is not having to do our callings anymore. We devoted so much time to them that now it's like, "What? We have FREE TIME???" I know is enjoying not having so many meetings, but I'm sure missing my young women. Anyhow, in a lot of ways, this will be a great learning experience for us, and it other ways, it will make our future success that much sweeter when we, say, have our own place again. Craig and I have a really good feeling that something great is going to happen soon, too, which always brightens our spirits. Like Tony sang in West Side Story:
"Could it be? Yes, it could. 
Something's coming, something good, 
If I can wait! 
Something's coming, I don't know what it is, 
But it is 
Gonna be great!"