Spring Cleaning

Hello! Are you still out there? Well, we have been lurking on everyone's blogs for the past few months, and seeing that its been quite some time since we checked in, and because my cabin fever was briefly lifted by a vacation and some very welcome warm weather, I am ready to begin Spring Cleaning. My abundant list includes backing up all the photos from the winter and getting all of you caught up with what we did to whittle away the cold months mother nature dealt us this year. Grab some popcorn, this one is gonna be long, but hopefully I will stay on top, and won't have to do it again.

SINCE NOVEMBER

As you can imagine, the month of December is a busy time in our house, and that is the last visit I paid to the posting section of Blogger. Every year I commit (and fail) to purchase all Christmas presents BEFORE the madness of the birthday begins. This year was no different, and was likely compounded by some scrambling to keep the birthday party on track as the location nearly fell through.

ZACH IS 5!!

How fun it was to watch my little man celebrate this year. He is such a social kid and loves all his classmates and friends as though they were siblings. He asked for a Hot Wheels party, which came as no surprise considering the car collection in our house and cars has grown more impressive than the aisles of Toys R Us. The kids exhausted themselves at Jump Zone, and Z blushed with joy as they all sang "happy birthday" to him. His moment in the spotlight was just as he imagined, surrounded by so many people he loves. After 5 years, the "time passes so quickly" feeling has not left me, but it has evolved into an overwhelming sense of pride in his many achievements, his beautiful soul, and a warmth in my heart from seeing his face light up on his special day. Though I know the many birthdays ahead will come sooner than I wish, the reward of watching this boy grow is one of the greatest gifts I will ever receive.

He is fun, curious, humorous and outgoing. Though not always patient, or perfectly behaved, he is kind and ambitious and brave. His rambunctious personality is balanced, and forgiven, by a sweetness that radiates from his enormous heart. He doesn't LOVE to read, but he CAN read very well with a little motivation. Every night, we read chapter books together, most of which I read in the middle of my elementary years. He is fascinated with building things, and constructs buildings, cities and vehicles which amaze me, with blocks and Legos and any other things he can utilize. He befriends everyone and even has a few crushes already. He is the most adoring and protective big brother who never passes an opportunity to help Reece or make him happy. He certainly makes me smile ...and laugh...every day. The best decision I made last year, was to put Reece in school on one of Zach's off days. We do whatever he wants that day (which usually involves a movie or the bookstore) and I will always be grateful for that uninterrupted time together.

CHRISTMAS

Always my personal favorite holiday, Christmas this year was exciting and memorable. Reece was able to join the fun and Zach found it as magical as ever. I upgraded some of our decorations and minimized a bit of the others. Though I wished to have had the shopping done earlier, I was able to complete the work BEFORE Christmas Eve. I recommitted to doing better next year (as I always do) especially given that it is getting exponentially more difficult to find the "perfect" gift for all our loved ones with every passing year. We were fortunate enough to share the holiday with BOTH sides of our families this year, which I know will also become less likely as THIS summer, my sister is expecting her own family to begin. Yep, I am gonna be an aunt! How great is that? AND its another boy for the family. Though they are far away, I will enjoy watching their family unfold and I look forward to the memories to come. Heck, we even had a white Christmas this year...what more could a Utah gal ask for?

LET IT SNOW

Ok, so it WAS me who said that Arkansas winters depress me because there is little to no snow. It always seems so strange to me that a little dusting, barely enough to whiten the grass but leave the blades exposed, closes the town and sends people dashing to the store for weeks worth of supplies. Now after our ice storm last January, I understand people are a bit timid, but this year, we had snow for most of the month and that translated to many many days of canceled school for the boys. Though the time together is great, the house became a catastrophe. The hours solace each week, allow me the opportunity to regroup and moreover, to clean. Suffice to say, there were plenty of toys to trip over those weeks and many days regretting my wish for more white powder.
Zach indulged in cold noses and toes and sledding the hill out back when I was patient enough to devote the necessary 45 min to dressing him properly, and when I could get Reece down to sleep long enough to make the excursion. Reece, on the other hand, did nothing but weep from the moment I wielded the snow-pants. I am uncertain what was most unpleasant, the stiffness of the puffy down-filled attire, the uncertain footing of the soft snow, or the brisk prickle of the cold on his cheeks. But, despite my best laid attempt to show him the pleasure of a winter storm, Reece never developed an adoration for snow time.

BIRTHDAYS GALORE

I lost count of the parties we attended after Zach's passed, but the cake was certainly bountiful thru January and February. Zach was able to bowl, play endless video games and skiball, mini golf and, though not at all skillfully, roller skate.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Just as I was reaching my limits for snow and days of bone chilling cold, I managed to get enough shopping and cleaning accomplished to skip away to Cabo San Lucas for 5 days. Believe it or not, Trent and I have not taken an ADULT trip since we went diving in 2006! Mom was kind enough (or insane enough) to come watch the boys for the week while we soaked in the dry deserty beach air. The sun and rest were welcome gifts in their own right, but were made even sweeter in the opulence of the resort Trent chose.
One and Only Palmilla, resort of the stars, often seen in paparrazzi photos, is worth EVERY penny. The grounds are a meticulously manicured oasis in the desert shoreline. The service, personal butler included, is beyond anything I have ever experienced. They are ready to leap at any request and provide every possible luxury you could desire. Including, in-room fresh snacks three times a day, unpacking and packing of your luggage, laundry cleaned and delivered wrapped in tissue, flower art and aromatherapy on your pillow, cool water misting and poolside foot massages by attendants at the pool, the list is endless. The food...oh the food...someone had told me before we left that the food was pricey and portions were scant, however, I finished not ONE plate by myself the entire trip and tasted not a single meal short of 5 star delicacy. The whale watching season was active and each room equipped with its own telescope. The weather...breezy and 83* EVERY DAY. I see a return somewhere in my future.

LITTLE BIT
Reece is still our teensy bit. Just 15th percentile for height and weight, but he is proud and strong in both stature and personality, so you would never know it. He is now 19 months old and into EVERYTHING. He dismantles things as a hobby. If you have a good ear, he also talks quite a lot. Even when he means nothing, there are words and things that sound like words gibber-jabbering. Poor Mom was ready for silence, I am certain, after 7 days. He is quite impressed with himself though, and certainly seeking independence. He demands to feed himself and brush his own teeth, and gleams at any mention he is a "big boy."

So here I sit, just a few days returned from the refreshing days in the sun, watching my sweet boy sleep on the couch and updating my friends and family. Though these months have been hectic, the memories I bring with me have been well worth the extra work.

Now we move into March and begin many projects updating things in the house. The stairs have been stripped of carpet and a fresh coat of stain is drying on the wood. The master closets are readying to be remodeled next week, and infinite other updates beckon.

Until the next free moment comes....