FHE, Park Style

Tonight's FHE was fun. A quick five-minute lesson about feeling the spirit and then off to the park we went!

(As an aside, I realize that I live life through my iPhone and pictures. One of these days I'm going to challenge myself and not take it so I'm having fun with Adi, not taking pictures of her! That is definitely worth: #firstworldproblems.)

Adi is such a cute park-going little girl. She really loves it. We're thinking a mini playground in our backyard would be something she might enjoy. Perhaps the Easter Bunny will being her a surprise...

The End of the Rainbow

Maleen and I have been looking for some good, fun races in the area and yesterday we did one!

Vineyard Elementary has an annual St. Patrick's Day 5K, so we decided to dawn our green and run our little hearts out. 

Ryan was teaching for the Red Cross, so I pushed Adi in the stroller. 

Ready? Set? Go! 

We were off. I was trying to keep a 10 minute pace, but about five minutes into it, I came across Maggie and Daisy... or so I had called them who were out of breath and a little discouraged. It turns out it was Jane and Ivory (wrong sibling names) and for the rest of the race we ran together! 

While it was slower than I would have run otherwise (a lot slower) it was so. much. fun. I really, really enjoy cheering others on. It's probably one of my favorite things. (If I could go back and re-live my education I might consider life coaching...) 

Those little seven-year-olds were troopers. And we rocked it! 

Adi even joined in the fun for a little while, but her princess dress (that she insisted on wearing) was a little long for running, so she rode most of the time. 

When we reached the end of the rainbow  race there were yummy treats and a park! 

Adi could seriously not get enough of it. 

We are so ready for spring! 

Baby Ducks

Work is crazy with the upcoming Career Fair and Thursday was the STEM Fair. Because of the shear number of interviews on Friday, I was kicked out of my office. So, I headed home a little early to get some things done and to meet Adi, my mother-in-law, Jennifer, and Grandpa Davies late that afternoon at the park. 

Super fun. 

I wonder if this is what it's like to be a stay-at-home mom. Time to organize, clean my house, and go to the park with my best buddy all on the same day. 

Priceless. 

 

Adi chasing the baby ducks. 

Adi running around in the fields and picking flowers. 

Adi splashing around the fountain! 

Friday Letters + Pictures!

Dear Adrielle, 

You are so. Much. Fun. 

You wanted me to curl your hair this week and I loved it. You're such a girly-girl.

You met Miss Madison this past weekend. You loved her and almost cried when she went through security at the airport. Maybe someday she'll babysit you. 

You held a baby for the first time yesterday and said "I want a baby sis." So cute, but oi!

I can't get over your fascination with bugs, cars, flowers, ducks, and life around you. 

You are so darling, precocious, and perfect for our family. 

I love you!

Love, your bestest buddy.

Dear Ryan, 

Today you noticed the flat tire, seriously five minutes after I started putting stuff in the car! You got right to work changing the tire and of course I snapped a picture.

Shelly said today that "most men don't change tires in loafers" and it's true. 

You are my amazing, smart, stylish, and oh-so-hot hubby and I'm grateful for you. 

Thank you for working so hard at the Red Cross--I know your contribution makes a difference and you're setting such a good example for Adrielle and I. 

Plus, you're going to make one awesome, amazing doctor.  

I love you so much. 

Love, your wifey.

Dear self, 

What a great week. Seriously. You voted and exercised your Constitutional Rights! 

Don't forget what you learned today; changing a tire is seriously no. big. deal. 

Independence Day is this week! Yay! Don't forget to see the balloons, have breakfast, watch the parade, go to Seven Peaks or something fun, watch "Independence Day", and watch the fireworks. What a great way to celebrate our freedom. 

Also, keep running... only 62.5 more miles to run before August 5th. You can do it! 

Love, your I-need-to-actually-wake-up-to-my-alarm self.

A week in the life of us...

1) Adi showing off her "curl my hair mama" up-do
2) and 3) Adi smiling with her cute hair
4) Going down the "big" slide for the first time by herself
5) Exploring around the rocks at the pond
6) Going down the slide with Aunt Bri
7) More sliding 
8) Adi's obsession with garbage trucks
9) Adi holding a baby for the first tiem
10) When we spotting the Google Maps "Street View" car getting gas... what a job. 
11) A Costco treat for Ryan when he came home from working as Public Information Offficer (PIO) for the Red Cross during the wildfires 
12) Ryan changing our Friday Flat in loafers

Tumbled Heap of Child

The littlest Binx was sick the night before last. We woke up to a pitiful, distressed cry at about 2:00 am and found she had thrown up. She threw up two more times between 3:00 and 4:00 am. Throw in a couple of baths and a 3 am trip to Walmart for saltines and Pedialyte, and you get about 3 hours total of sleep.

Kenz and I were wasted but Binx woke up at 7:00 am bright eyed and bushy tailed. (How does that work?) Not knowing if Binx would still be sick during the day, Kenz took the day off and I went to my 8 am class. I came home a little earlier from campus (hoping that Binx would take a nap so I could take a nap), but it turned out that all Binx wanted to do was play outside - all day.

Out of sheer exhaustion, we complied and took her to the park (where she had already been earlier in the day). She wanted to show me that she was no longer afraid of going down the big twisty slide all by herself.

I think the fact that the platform to get to the slide is 4 ft. tall and has no stairs leading to it implies that kids this size should not be going down the slide. Yet she seemed unfazed by the obstacle. Kenz said Binx had already been down a couple of times by herself, but as I helped Binx up to the platform I had visions of her jumping off the slide, or her shoe catching on a turn sending the little girl rolling down the twists and turns and expelling her from the end in a tumbled heap.

It turned out the little girl was quite skilled at using the shoes as brakes. I lost all fear when I saw her coming down the slide at about .2 miles per hour.

Definitely no tumbled heap of child at the bottom of this slide.

Swinging

Last week, Adi had a playdate with her friend Canyon.

They had fun swinging! (While Bailee--Canyon's mom--and I got to chat!)

Smiling... (talking...)

And just being cute!

I love getting to spend time with Adi on the weekends! It makes being away from her during the week that much more bearable! Here's to long weekends...

Sunday Afternoon Picnic

Sunday, Ryan, Adrielle, and I took a picnic to the park. We also had ulterior motives: photo shoot.

In August, I went to Eastern Market looking for a boutique that sold vintage hairpieces (with old feathers, hats, and toile). And, I found them! So, I bought a few excellent pieces. One of which was for Adrielle. (The neat thing about it is that the artist took of a butterfly and I chose the vintage crab pin that she whipped together right in front of me! It was neat and I think Adi wears it well!)

Personally, I don't think this looks anything like her (the hat maybe), but still, she's so cute!

Here she is, modeling her vintage style!

Getting out of the sun...

Cooling off...

Just imagine you're in France...

Backyard Parking

Since Adi likes the outdoors, we thought we'd give the little park in the backyard of our condo a try.

There was sliding...

Exploring...

And a new favorite...
Swinging!

This lucky girl got to go twice today. Isn't it great to be a kid?