The little things in life

This week marks the two week anniversary of Zadyn wearing big girl underpants. She loves to show off her Tinker Bell underwear to anyone who will look at them. She thinks she is such a big girl!! We are so proud of her being able to pull her own pants down, something her PT didn't know if she would be able to do very well. We are still working on pulling them up, but that will take some time. Her upward movement in the shoulder is really lacking. But, I don't mind helping her if it means no more diapers! (at least for three more months!)

The kids and I were enjoying a nice day outside on the swing set when the boys got to talking about the resident frog we had living in our yard last year. They asked where it was and I told them that I thought it was dead. Kyler asked if Dad shot it. I had to laugh. They think Grant shoots everything that is dead. Guess they are reliving the day they saw his deer hanging in Lance's garage.

I am getting ready to order school books for next year. Yes, I'm ahead of the game, but want to be prepared before the baby comes. I am sad to think that Avery will be in 2nd grade and Kyler will be continuing with Kindergarten work. They are growing so fast. I'm taking a little extra help this next year and ordering a whole set of books for each of them through a Christian-based homeschool supplier. I am hoping that it will help eliminate a lot of the work I do now in preparing their unit studies. With a new baby, we are trying a new approach. I probably won't like it, because I like to be hands on with their learning, but can adjust what we do get to meet our needs.

The kids went to a story time playgroup at the church last week and learned about growing. They got to plant some pre-start Marigolds (yes, Mom, I'll stay away from them and NOT eat them) and a bean. They are way excited because the beans have started to sprout. Avery wants to plant them in the garden this year, but I don't think we will. We'll see though. Their Marigolds are doing well despite Kyler and Zadyn both dumping them in the garage when we got home. Will post some pictures once they have started blooming. Avery keeps reminding me that since we live in Montana, we can't plant anything outside until June (that is what the lady that helped them plant said). Sadly, she is right.

We took the kids to an indoor swim park in Missoula last Saturday. They loved it! They have a zero depth pool, starts at ground level and progressively gets deeper. There was about 15 feet that Zadyn could walk around in with the water up to her chest or lower. She had a blast. Kyler loves the bear shaped slide that lands in two-inches of water. Avery loved having the noodle tied around his waist and "swimming" in the deep parts with Dad. I just enjoyed relaxing in the water that was surprisingly warm. The baby liked it too, since it kept kicking and swimming around in me!!