Gymnast

Adelaide has been taking gymnastics. She has loved it. And she really has learned a lot.

The one day she didn't wear her leotard to class happens to be the day I take pictures. She looks so cute in her leotard. That's what I get for having procrastinated laundry day.

This kid kills me.

She calls her skin apricot. In the tub she says, "Mom, let me wash my apricot." I haven't corrected her yet. I don't want her to stop saying those little-girl things that make me laugh.

She is starting to love shoes. She tells me she wishes she could wear shoes as pretty as mine.

She secretly loves it when her dad kisses her. I mean loves it. I think she has a crush on him.

I sure love her, sass and all. I'm proud of her effort in gymnastics. She tries so hard. I think we'll continue again in the fall.

Calling for Prayers

I like animals. I do.

But I don't like pets.

I know. I'm a jerk.

Despite that we have a new member of our family. A yellow spotted salamander found in our backyard. He was so instantly loved, I couldn't help but pile in the car with Randal and the kids and head to the pet store to buy him a cage and crickets.

Really, this is a blessing. The school holds a pet parade at the end of each year. Last year Ethan was devastated the morning of the parade realizing he could only be a spectator.

Randal and I were not sure if this little guy (recently named Starcatcher for the star-like spots on his back) would take to his new environment. We warned the kids that if it appeared he was not eating we would need to mercifully set him free. Now Ethan's prayers faithfully include a plea for the well-being of his new little pet.

After another trip to the pet store for more crickets I am happy to report he is eating well. But any additional prayers that he will make it to the June 15th parade would always be welcome.

Truthfully, I hope he thrives with us. I kinda like having him around. I catch myself checking on him everyday myself. He's so cute.

Fulfilling a Dream

For two years Ethan begged to have a lemonade stand. And I put him off every time. Partly because I knew he would be disappointed with the dismal amount of money earned from the, maybe, five neighbors who might drive by. And partly because I'm lazy.

With the weather turning toward summer, we found Ethan in the garage trying to build a makeshift lemonade stand out of wood scraps. I decided I couldn't put him off any longer.

Luckily the scouts were having a garage sale fundraiser. Because we were participating we told Ethan he could set up a lemonade stand in front of our rummage table.

For two weeks he talked of little else. He expanded business to include banana bread and artwork. One night he calculated his profits would sky rocket if he charged $10.39 for lemonade and $15.99 for said artwork.

(You may recognize his rendition.)

We then explained price gouging. He changed his retail price to 25 cents.

He made a killing. $38.00. After paying his employees, tithing and savings he blew the rest at Toys R Us later that evening.

He said it was the best day ever.

Details

Adelaide's room has technically been finished for several months now. However many of the details were left unfinished while I was sick. Aside from a few nit-picky projects, her room is now truly complete.

This is how her room started. Not bad. Just not girly. And the picture does not show that the walls are heavily, and unevenly, textured from many different coats of paint over the years. There was even painted-over wallpaper in the layers.

I should mention the room originally had no over-head lighting. Randal added that first of all.

And this is how it has ended up.

The project was a bit more than giving the room a fresh coat of paint. The two pictures are taken at the same angle. In the first you can see there is no closet and desk. We took her closet (from the unpictured side wall) to help expand the bathroom in our master bedroom. Randal built a new closet along the far wall. To make it look like it belonged there, he and my dad built in a desk and bookshelves to finish the wall. Then he skimmed the room with wall compound to smooth out the texture. And believe me they look brand new! He did such a good job!

As for the details...

The baby-doll cradle was mine. My Grandpa R. made it for me when I was a little girl. After a fresh coat of paint we gave it to Addie for Christmas. I think she will love it as much as I did.

(I love you and miss you, Grandpa and Grandma R.)

The quilt is my first attempt at quilting. I'm really happy with how it turned out even though is took me forever and was probably nearly three times the cost of one from the store.


The headboard I did on the cheap. It was next to free. And started out like this:


Her flowers and name blocks came from one of my favorite stores in Utah.


And Adelaide's favorite part of the room?

Here.

She calls it her secret hiding spot. This is now where we find her every morning.

She is happy with her room. And so are we.

Ethan is so anxious for us to move on to his. Sigh.

Misc.

April was a busy month for Ethan and Adelaide.

The month started with Randal letting them up on the roof. My two chicken-hearted children were liberated by the experience. I, on the other hand, was freaked out of my mind. That is why there is no picture. I was too busy praying they'd be safe to take a photo.

Later, while Randal was again on the roof working, Addie popped up to join him having climbed up the ladder all on her own. Although I am proud of her bravery, I think we are mighty lucky nothing terrible happened. Or that we still have custody of our children.

And for my sanity (as well as for my mother's who will read this), the ladder is now safely put away.

The kids are learning to use chopsticks. It's hard to see in the photo but Ethan has a single kernel of corn between his chopsticks. One kernel at a time, that is how he ate it. I lack that kind of patience.

Adelaide's method of using her chopsticks is a little less than conventional, but she is still proud of herself nonetheless.

We attempted kite flying again this year with much better success, so much so Adelaide was able to resist picking the billions of dandelions in the field.

Same dollar store kite quality as last year's.

Better wind.

Smell something??

What a cute, harmless, little animal. Don't you think?


Now picture it laying in a bucket, on its back with four sooty, lifeless paws pointed stiffly heavenward.

That's what the chimney guy pulled out of our fireplace today.

I gladly paid him $162 to get the stinking, rotting thing as far away from here as possible.

Living near the woods comes at a high price--although you could argue it was squirrel who ultimately got the raw end of the deal.

Arrival

It's never officially spring until...


PS--I think Ethan needs a new bike.