Mini-Staycation

Last Friday we enjoyed a mini-staycation, and by staycation, I mean we hardly left the house!
The decent weather continued so we were able to get outside and enjoy some sunshine.  DM finally got her birthday present - a new swing set.  She is doing really well on her big girl swing, and Tahoe LOVES having us outside.  The entire backyard needs to be landscaped so we've pretty much avoided it since we've moved here.  It was always just poor Tahoe out there by himself.   Every time we go out now, he gets crazy "golden retriever" excited!

 

 

 

We wrapped up the day with a picnic / movie night in the family room and watched The Lion King, which everyone enjoyed! 

School Easter Party Fun!

DM's class had the best Easter Party complete with a sac race, egg relay and egg hunt!  It was so nice to get outside after so much nasty weather!

Hopping along!

 

 

Oops, fell down!  But she got right back up!

 

After collecting TONS of eggs, DM sat down and started putting them back in the grass.  Crazy girl!





 

David plays with DM's Easter crafts.

 

March Joys

By far the highlight of the month for the Patterson crew was the arrival of

Baby Isla early in the month!  We haven't met her but from what we hear, she is beautiful perfect!

  DM already talks about Cousin Isla a lot!

 

 Later in the month, DM worked hard to plan Mimi's bday party! 
She picked out the plates, napkins and hats, and set the table!

 

 

And had to wait a REALLY long time for Daddy to get home for us to start the party!
It was killing her to look at cupcakes without eating.

 

Of course she helped Mimi blow out her candle!



 

 

Happy Birthday, Mimi!

Running the River

Me being a fairly intense, serious person can sometimes be more for me, much less my family, to take.  When that happens, David graciously offers to watch DM or do whatever it is that I need done so I can run.  (IE:  Refocus!)  I am not a very good runner.  Running no longer keeps extra weight at bay for me.  My running doesn't use my long legs to my benefit. (My stride is laughable!)  I could really use to go to running school.  

But none of this matters.  I am able to take time for me, talk to God (when I know I should be listening) and watch the beautiful world go by! 

Running is made all the better when I can find a new path, and a few weeks ago, I did just that!

This is my latest running path:

In all the beauty and peace, I can't overlook this new construction coming up on the river.  I am in awe of it.  You don't "just" build on the river anymore.  There is a lot of red tape, etc.  The house looks just my size, too, as I am not one for anything too big.  The same contractors have been working on it the past few times I've run by.  Thinking about stopping in for a tour (and to see if it is for sale for a hearty bargain)!



Happy Birthday, Tahoe!

 

Because Tahoe is a leap year baby, he didn't technically have a birthday, but I couldn't pass up a chance to make yet another attempt to get him to look happy in a birthday hat!

 

 Once the Pawty was over and he got his ice cream and present (and hat off), he was much, much happier!

Happy #9 to our faithful bug!

Avoiding A Big Girl Room!

What do you do when you refuse to acknowledge how big your little angel is getting?  You buy her a thrifty little twin bed, thereby putting off a "big girl" room for another year! 

If you know me, you know that I think twin beds should be reserved solely for criminals, which little DM is of course, not!  However, I just couldn't stomach transitioning her nursery  to something more mature so here is our band aid for the situation until she turns 4!

 

Dentist!

Big girl went to the dentist today!  She had the full exam, including x-rays, and was AMAZING the entire time!  Let's just say the pediatric dentist's office has changed since I was young, or maybe we visited a really swanky one today?  She picked up so much swag - stuffed monkey, stickers, all kinds of teeth cleaning loot! 

The waiting room was full of entertainment - fish in an aquarium, toys and a mini-movie theater!  Her chair had its own tv monitor, and there was so much to watch during the exam!  Now this is our first experience with pediatric dentistry in modern times, but wow!  Not usually a fan of so many distractions but there are some times (like going to the dentist) when the distractions make the whole situation more tolerable! 

So proud!