Spring has sprung . . . well, maybe not outside, but it certainly has in my kitchen!!! The girls have been ogling over the flowers that are for sale at the entrance to the grocery store. So, being the SuperMom I am, I picked up a few -- in purple & pink, of course -- & promised the girls that we could "plant" them. Now, you're not allowed to actually plant anything at the seminary, so we settled for the next best thing . . . nifty new pots! As an added bonus, Caleigh got to plant marigold seeds that we will get to watch grow (hopefully).
So here are a few (if you can call 25 a few) pictures from our gardening experience.
Peyton is eager to get her hands on some dirt -- Mom is not so sure.
Our first spill
"Mom, quit playing with my dirt!"
Nanoseconds before our second spill
"When can I put in the seeds??"
Pat, pat, pat
Patting down in the dirt in preparation for seed-planting
More dirt
Peyton had a great time -- can you tell??
Mommy offers some assistance
"Look, Dad . . . DIRT!!"
Mom's planting the flowers, but PeyPey's still fascinated by the dirt.
Peyton doesn't quite have the concept of "sniffing" down yet.
Caleigh thought the flowers smelled "yuck."
What a big helper!!
"Are we done yet?"
We are so proud of ourselves!!
This is Caleigh's "thrilled" look.
I don't know -- I can't explain it -- I'm not even going to try.
Caleigh watering her half of the flowers.
Peyton (with assistance from Mommy) watering her half of the flowers
Our finished product!!
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then this picture says it all!!!
So . . . Peyton is going to be 2 years old in May. It's getting to be that time. But to be quite honest, I have been in no hurry to potty-train.
When Caleigh was younger than Peyton, I couldn't wait to get her potty-trained. I tried every reward system (read "bribe") in the book! I remember (not so fondly, I might add) going through 15 pairs of panties in one afternoon, only to wash them & go through ALL of them again that evening. When I had finally conquered potty-training (and let's face it -- it's training for mom & dad as much as for the child), I quickly realized that it was not all that it was cracked up to be. There was no longer such a thing as a quick trip to the store. What is it about kids that makes them have to potty once your grocery cart is full or when you are standing in the world's longest line at Walmart? If we were planning to go out, there had to be a visit to the potty right before leaving. And if we should happen to forget that little visit . . . uh oh! I remember holding Caleigh on the side of the road on the way home from church because she just couldn't wait & there wasn't a potty around for miles. Her aim could have used some improvement as she ended up peeing on her panties, her pants, & my shoes!!
I thought it would be a good idea to wait until Jason was finished this semester of seminary & had a break before summer language courses started. Things would be a little less hectic around here & I would have some sanity support in this venture. However, Peyton has other plans. She has been asking to use the potty & to wear panties. I have been reluctant to indulge her, but I do realize that when they're ready, they're ready & you better take advantage of it.
So last night, there she sat, trumpet in hand, & sprinkled on the potty. What a big girl!!! I guess I'd better go pick up some Pull-Ups (which will undoubtedly include a visit to the public potty right as we're ready to checkout).
It seems as though every time I post an update, I mention how busy life is. Well, this year's Easter season was no different. But despite all the busyness, we had a wonderful Easter season.
Jason's last class before "break" was on Wednesday. The seminary began "Reading Week" which we have re-named "Research Week." Jason will be spending a lot of time with his other girlfriend, Rosie (our affectionate nickname for the Rostad Library). He will be back in class on April 1st. He had the wonderful opportunity to preach his first sermon at our church on Maundy Thursday. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Maundy Thursday, it is a service where we remember the events that took place in the Upper Room & includes a foot-washing service. Jason did a fabulous job delivering 2 messages: "The Beautiful Scandalous Night" & "The Last Lamb." It was truly a precious moment for me to see him up on the platform among the other pastors all dressed up in his suit. And then to see him completely in his element, delivering the Word of God -- it reminded me what we're here for. Thank you to Jason's family & Marcee & Nate for coming to support Jason.
The girls were very excited about this Easter season (mostly because it involved new dresses from Nana). But we did have several opportunities to share with Caleigh what makes Easter so important. It was precious for me to be in the nursery with her on Good Friday & hear her pray, thanking Jesus for dying on the cross. Jason & I got her a little pre-Easter gift -- a pink princess dress -- that she has barely taken off in the past 2 days.
Peyton wasn't quite as theologically minded this Easter season, but she has been keeping us in stitches!! She has recently developed a love affair with our vacuum cleaner. Although she has been afraid of the vacuum in the past, one day when we were leaving the house she said, "Bye-bye vacuum" over & over again. The next morning, she came down the stairs & said, "Morning, Vacuum. Vacuum hug? Vacuum kiss?" And proceeded to hug & kiss the vacuum. For her pre-Easter gift, there was only one logical choice -- a play vacuum cleaner. And it was a hit!!!!
As for me, Easter was wonderful as always. It was a good time of remembrance & spending some quality time with family & friends!!
