Sandbox

Chad had a 4 day weekend which was really nice before our crazy summer begins. He was even able to get off early from work Friday which rarely ever happens. So he has pretty much finished our water system in our backyard! He also has been working a bit more on our little pedal car. We have had fun shopping, swimming, and doing some projects.We were also able to go to the zoo with friends who we are so very sad are moving in like a week.

Awhile ago Chad's parents were nice enough to offer us their sandbox. We finally went over Saturday to get it. Sophie was so excited! Now there is actually something for her to do in our backyard....

Sophie had just flung sand in my eyes. Thats what I get for trying to provide shade.

Lydia was excited to. At first I had just put her feet in but she was trying so hard to get down. So we dug a little hole to help her sit and she went to town...

She really was excited...but that is Lyds face all the time. Playing in the sand is serious business.

As always Sophie hates me taking pictures of her so this is the best I got unless I wanted more sand in my eyes...

Thanks Mom and Dad!

Some Growth

We have lost half of our crop this year...Our lettuce never came up and a pot of zucchini shriveled up in the hot Arizona sun.

But after moving our garden to a more shadier spot our watermelon and other pot of zucchini seem pretty happy!

On another note I made my first English Trifle the other day!

It didn't quite taste like my mom's though. I learned that you can't skimp on the custard and use flan it just isn't the same. And next time I think I will just buy the pound cake because I think I cooked it too long. It wasn't as moist. But hey that means I just get to practice more right?

Am I Turtely Enough for the Turtle Club?

I have been thinking a lot lately about my schooling and how long its taken me. I remember my Senior year being so excited because I was accepted to the U of A and they gave me a $2,000 scholarship. But I had to pay for school on my own and that just wouldn't cover it. They had a deal in Arizona that if you excelled in the three subjects on the state AIMS tests (reading, writing , and math) you would get a full ride scholarship to any state university. I knocked out and excelled in math and reading my first try. But after retaking the writing twice I didn't get it. Apparently they don't like my essays.

I remember going home and just crying because I knew there was no way I could afford U of A. There was no way I was going to take out loans I have seen what they do to people. I had a teacher that was still trying to pay them off after 15 years. I knew it was going to take me forever to get through school since I would have to work until I had enough money. My dad gave me a big hug and told me that it doesn't matter how long it takes me as long as I finish. He reminded me of the turtle and the hare story.

After applying to several scholarships to no avail. I finally found a job that would reimburse me for my schooling. But then everyone in Tucson was laid off. Awesome. So Chad and I have ended up paying for all of my college expenses. And finally after 5 years I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Well uh the Associates tunnel. This fall I will officially have my AA in Business Administration and be ready to transfer to NAU online next year.

I still can't believe it took me THAT long. But Chad always tells me "yeah but you also got married and had two kids in that time" I know but I feel like I am a turtle trying to run through peanut butter!

At this rate it will be another 5 years until I am done. See you when I am 29 Bachelor's Degree....

Sacrament Meetings

So this picture describes our family's Sacrament Meeting experiences lately....

Sophie has always been so good. She waits until after the Sacrament is passed to ask for books and snacks, sits quietly, and sings songs with us. We have never had to take Sophie out EVER. Lydia is a totally different story. Apparently all my brother's wishes for a hard baby has come true.

She only lasts about 10 minutes before she gets wiggly and grumpy. Chad passes the Sacrament so I jiggle and distract as much as possible to keep her quiet. Oh how I wish she would take a pacifier. Sophie is usually great but lately she doesn't listen quite as well. By the time Chad sits with us Lydia is beyond done. I feed her right before church so she isn't hungry. But she is very content when we take her out to the hall.

This last Sunday I was singing in the choir and Chad had Lydia in the hallway and I had Sophie. I explained to Sophie that I was going to get up to sing and she needed to stay here and I would be back. She said ok. When I went up I looked back and Chad came in. So I thought oh good that worked. But in the middle of singing I looked down and he was gone and a nice lady in our ward was holding Sophie.

I guess Lydia started screaming and Chad got up to take her out. Sophie stood up on the bench and yelled "Daddy wait for me!" Then proceeded to do her pout that would turn into a total emotional breakdown at any moment.

So I think we are going to try some new tactics and pray that this is just a phase. Any suggestions would be great.

First Swim

Saturday Chad and I went to the temple and my parents watched the girls for us. We figured it would be a good day to go since it was the day the world was apparently supposed to end. Once we got back we decided to go swimming since we were all still alive.

So Sophie and I have gone swimming a couple times already but we have been waiting until Chad could be there for Lydia's first time.

I was curious to see her reaction to the pool since she loves baths so much and gets so excited to get in the bath and hates getting out. I thought she would be totally excited...

That is face she had for the first 10 minutes, no reaction. She did eventually get into it and started kicking and doing her little squeal. She had a lot of fun and probably would have stayed in there forever but she got cold.

Sophie has gotten braver in the pool. At first she wanted me to hold her all the time but now she goes all over the pool by herself with her floaty.

We finally had to force her out of the pool. She was shivering and had blue lips. We would tell her that it was time to get out because she was getting cold and she would say "no I'm not!" through chattering teeth.

It was a fun day and we are so grateful for our parents who are always so willing to watch our little monsters for us.

Once Upon a Time...

Sophie loves to read. She will empty her bookshelf everyday and read and do puzzles. She gets so excited to read to Lydia. She tells me "Mom I read Lydia a story it make her happy"

I love it too Sophie. She is so sweet with her baby sister (most of the time) and is always taking care of her and making sure she is ok. Many times Sophie will come to me while Lydia is crying and says "Mom Lydia is sad she needs you"

She will read stories over and over to Lydia and they go like this:

"Lydia once upon a time it was a beautiful day."

"Once upon a time there was a bus."

Then she will continue turning pages and saying Once upon a time there was a...whatever is on that page..

On the last page of course she says

"And they lived Happily Ever After! Was that a good story Lydia. You like that? You want to read another one? ok! Once upon a time it was a beautiful day...."

Even though Sophie has her emotional moments and believe me they happen a lot. She still makes me smile. The other day Chad gave me a hug and she says "aw happily ever after..."

Or last night I was clipping her fingernails and was going to paint them and she says "Wait not yet mom I need to pick my nose first!"

In the middle of the night last night she was crying and calling my name. When I went in there she told me that there were monsters. I asked her where and she informed me that they hid when I came in. I explained to her that monsters were not real they were just in the movies but they were nice like Mike and Sulley. She didn't seemed convinced. When I asked her what she thought we should do she said we needed magic wands. So we got our color pencils and said bibbity bibbity! And poof! They were gone and one happy two year old went back to sleep.

Swimsuits

Sugar Bee Crafts is doing a giveaway for a gift card to Hapari Swimwear. I have been wanting a new swimsuit but they are so expensive so I figure what the hay I will enter the giveaway. Wish me luck!

http://www.hapari.com/modest-tankinis/