Gentry Park Easter Egg Hunt

Took the boys to Gentry Park in El Mirage, AZ for an Easter Egg Hunt while Jared was gone. It was hot, sweaty, busy, and crowded! We had good intentions of FUN, but in reality, it was just OK. The boys didn't get a lot of fun treats or candy, so that made them in a bad mood. They had to do their egg hunts by age category, waiting for 30 mi per group, add the 90 degree weather...and it was kind of a mess. The free rides were fun, Ruby sucked on dirty plastic eggs, Levi liked the pet farm, and I was grateful for an activity to break up the monotony of being a single mom all week. We then went home to go on a sweaty jog together, do chores and get ready for pizza/movie at home.

 

 

Rosser

Mr Rosser continues to be an independent (except for when he is getting dressed and insists that I do it for him), and happy boy. He is always begging for sour gum at the baseball game, and constantly looking for extra coins or dollars around the house so he can buy some! Finally Austin made him some "dollars" and he actually took this to the game, where the sweet snack stand girl said "I can't break a $100, I don't have enough change." Cute. He slept with me for a few nights b/c Jared was in Reno doing some sales training, that messed him up for a few nights b/c I had to re-train his sleeping habits! He LOVES to sleep with me and spend time with me (my magnet boy). Every morning we cuddle and he asks to play on my phone (or to "Put it down" if I am reading scriptures). Of course he still has meltdowns, especially if he is in need of a nap...and that happened at the grocery store several times. When he does nap, he then stays up until 10pm asking for goldfish telling me he's hungry! He asks nightly if it's FHE, and we can wrestle (his favorite!), he loves to snack on yogurt, to make forts with the cushions and blankets, is beginning to enjoy books more, and swam with Grandpa Larry Kaivo.

 

 

 

Hassayampa River

I didn't know that GREEN existed in the Valley of the Sun! Just 35 min North of here, we found the Hassayampa Water Reserve, with an underground river, near Wickenburg, AZ. My friend Brittney Cartrette and I loaded up our kids during Spring Break and took them on a picnic in this lush palm tree desert oasis. The cactus were so beautiful, the mossy weeds where deer sleep at night were cool and green, and the overhanging palm leaves kept us cool. I loved the PLEASE TOUCH sign at the museum where the kids could see different animal skulls and skins.  Walking sticks, heart leaves and throwing rocks into the muddy swamps were the favorites. Ruby did great on my back and took a well needed nap afterwards (I loved the cuddle! Something that doesn't happen often). So glad we did the adventure, to get outside and make an effort to enjoy nature. Sometimes I hold back b/c it is a lot of work with 5 small children in tow alone, but I am always happy when I do and feel like I have made a memory! The Wilson motto: I can do hard things with patience, love, respect and a smile.