Birthdays

Kaelyn's classroom b-day party

At the movies on her birthday with Darcie

Both kids recently had birthdays. Zack turned 4 and Kaelyn 7! I can't believe how quickly they change from babies, to toddlers, and then to little kids! On some days my heart aches for another baby, on other days I don't know what I was thinking:-)

Zack had a good birthday. We went to Peter Piper Pizza. He received lots and lots of gifts. So many that most of them are still unopened at the top of his closet. I give him a new toy every once in a while. I thought he would probably get more enjoyment getting one at a time than all at once. He was so cute on his birthday, he asked me ... "Mommy, can birthday boys get in trouble". I'm not sure what kind of schemes he had in mind but I assured him that if birthday boys make bad choices they can still get in trouble. He pondered what ever it was he was thinking about doing for a while before running off happily.

Kaelyn's birthday landed on Spring Break, so we postponed her party. We'll probably have it next week or something. We haven't pinned down a date yet. I wasn't able to bring in treats to her classroom (since I work now) so I asked my sister Darcie to do me a favor and bring in treats for Kaelyn. Well ... in true "Darcie form" she went all out. I had sent cookies to school with Kaelyn that morning and then Darcie showed up with a huge balloon bouquet, Krispy Kreme donuts, hats, a book to read, and a camera to take pictures. She read the book to the class and had them all into the book by reading along with her. Then she passed out the cookies and donuts (thank goodness it was at the end of the day or the teacher might have been in for a rough sugar crazy day). The kids all got to wear the hats and get their pictures taken. Darcie checked Kaelyn out of school early and took her shopping, to the movies, and then we all met for dinner. Darcie truly is a SUPER aunt to Kaelyn. She really made her day!!

I posted some of the pictures from Kaelyn's birthday. Darcie took lots at Zack's party but I don't have them yet. I will post them later.

Gardening

Today after church I decided to stop by one of the plant/tree nurseries to pick up some flowers to add to my yard. I have never done this before so I was being very brave. Going in the store, not knowing anything about gardening is a bit intimidating:-) Within the next few years, I plan to be a gardening expert ... so give me a call:-)

My goal was to add some color to the front and back yards. I picked up 4 trays of annual flowers (16 little pink, purple, and dark pink flowers), a large flower pot that was filled to the brim with assorted flowers, 2 Hibiscus (I LOVE the flowers on them!!), a few shrubs, some type of grassy bush, and this dark purplish/maroonish bush. Of course, I don't know all of the names, but I know that they look mighty colorful and mighty nice!! I am hoping and praying that all my little flowers make it.

I must say, it was a MUCH bigger job that I had anticipated! Digging, even small holes, is quite the chore in AZ!! I was looking forward to starting a new hobby, but the whole family had to get involved -- great fun was had by all!! Mike dug 3 huge holes for me pretty quickly .. I would have been digging all day! That's what you get when you have a powerhouse spouse! Hey that rhymes! My Big Strong PHS!

Unfortunately, I made a HUGE rookie mistake!! I guess I didn't realize what "Organic Soil" was ... because I was scooping huge handfuls with my bare hands. After I was all done I realized that what I had been working with all day smelled very similar to animal droppings! Help!! I have washed my hands about 25 times and they still smell like it! I have been slathering on the Victoria's Secret lotion so that it over powers the smell. I scrubbed, I showered, and still the smell remains ... what is a girl to do?? I tried to call my dad to ask for tips but he isn't answering. I will be picking up some gardening gloves for next time. (No wonder I saw so many gloves next to the "soil".)

Next time I will be a little more humble and ask for some advice from the nursery workers. What a fun job to work in a nursery!! I loved being there! You can't help but be happy surrounded by such beauty!!

I am on Spring Break this coming week! YES!! I am hoping that I have lots and lots of fun things to post this week! As of now, my only official plans are to SPRING CLEAN -- one room per day. That shouldn't be too bad, right??