"Flagogos"

A few years ago, I was a much more ambitious mom. I remember dragging my two babies, at the time, all over the Las Vegas valley to go on an ABC adventure during my Spring Break. We traveled many places, and they remember none of it. Little stinkers.

One place we went to was the Flamingo Hotel for the letter F. I was crazy!

It's my kids spring break and sadly, it has not been quite as awesome as it was a few years ago. It has filled with doctors appointments, errands to take care of, and only a few adventures here and there. I just don't have the energy I once had. Hmmm, I wonder why?

Today, we revisited the Flamingo Hotel. The animals, the scenery, and the experience  was pretty much the same.

"Dista, look. Fishieeeeees!"

"Ooooooh turtos!"

However, there was an extra baby there as part of our family. That explains the lack of energy.  

She loved the "Flagogos."

All So Different

In this little activity, I saw my kids personalities and insecurities come out in full force - a simple Easter Egg activity with a wide range of emotions, expectations, and outcomes.

Afton had a plan from the beginning. She knew exactly what she wanted to do. She is quite the perfectionist and always gets frustrated with the slightest deviation from her original plan. If the paint was too thick, it was a catastrophe. If it is was too thin, there was a groan of disapproval. Actual phrases that came out of her mouth, "This is just the worst. Why do things have to be so hard for me? That's it. It is ruined." THIS is not typical of her behavior because she usually has confidence for days and knows that she can do anything she wants to.

Jack has very little confidence on most days. He is tender and sensitive and gets upset when something is new or challenging. I am very worried about this, as I want him to know of his true potential. He is a very smart and creative boy, but he doesn't always remember that. However, he approached this activity with a great attitude. He didn't have a plan, but he liked how his egg turned out in the end. "I got out of the lines a little bit and that is okay. I know I tried my best." I must say this about my Jack boy. He could tell that I was frustrated/shocked by Afton's defeated attitude. Since he is such a peacemaker, he was trying to help Afton by saying positive things. He also was trying to make me not want to pull my hair out. "My paint dried nicely, so now I'll paint a shark on it. Well, that doesn't look anything like a shark, so maybe it can be a whale. Or a lion. I don't care, it just looks like a nice design, huh Mom?"

Both of my big children had total role reversals during this Easter Egg activity. I was flabbergasted.

Then Jocelyn. She held true to her personality. She is a wild free spirit. I know she is only 2, and can't be expected to stay within the lines, but honestly, I doubt she ever will. She will be my creative, outside-of-the-box thinker, unconfined, independent, footloose and fancy-free child. She will do what she wants, when she wants, and could care less what anybody thinks of her.

I love them all so much. I am thankful to be their mom, but I just wish they came with an instruction manual. One that has a chapter of reading about how to raise the perfectionist child, a chapter on the meek and timid child, and a chapter on the eccentric radical child. I need to know how to mother them all the exact way that they need to be mothered so that they know they are special, just the way they are. So that they know they are loved no matter what, and that they can and will accomplish great things.

Great things like these Easter eggs that are all so different.

Her Love for Horses & My Love for Her

My girl has loved horses for a long time. Like forever. She's read a million books about them, watched every show on Netflix that could possibly have a horse in it, and asked to ride horses on a regular basis.

I knew once she was old enough, I wanted to take her on a special Mommy & Daughter ride. This birthday was finally the time.

She opened all the gifts from family and friends at her birthday party last week, the last one was from us. Inside it was her old horse that she snuggles at night in bed with a bow on it. She looked at it confused, until I explained what her gift was from her Daddy and me. She was so happy; I was so glad to have been the one to put that smile on her sweet face.

She asked everyday after her party if I had called to schedule her ride yet (Sunday & Monday). When I got it scheduled, she then asked everyday if today was the day for the horse riding (Tuesday & Wednesday).

Only 4 days passed and it felt like a lifetime for her.

Today, she woke up so excited. She couldn't wait. "Should I wear my cowboy hat? How about my boots? Do cowgirls wear makeup? Can I? Ugh, okay, but is it time to go yet? I will wear jeans but what shirt?" Only 8:15 am and our ride wasn't until 4 pm. "Do you think my horse will be white? I'll name him Marshmallow. If he's brown, and I hope he is I'll call him Broldie. You know, a mix between brown and gold, because I'm sure this horse will shine like gold." The whole ride there was filled with questions about horses and facts that she's learned. I loved every second of it.

Finally, we got to Laughlin, and the adventure began. We were a bit early so we went to the park for a few minutes.

The anticipation was killing her so we arrived early at the stables. Her love for those horses tripled in a manner of seconds and I just sat back and watched my girl beam. I could not have been happier.

Her horse was named Bubba. She looked just like her stuffed horse that she snuggles every night. When the nice man told her she'd be riding that horse she said, "How did that cowboy know that THAT horse is just the one I wanted?"

My horse was named Chunky Monkey. He would regularly stop to eat and rarely keep up with the other horses. I tried to keep him in check but I'm no cowgirl.

Davis Dam

She didn't complain about having to wear a helmet and the cowboy kept telling me how she was such a sweet, obedient child.

Along the River

"I miss Bubba already. He really loved me. Thanks for today mom. I loved it so much."

This day was so fun. When I became a mother I knew that I had never loved like that before, but I had no idea that that love would continue to exponentially grow at such a rapid rate.

Her loves for horses is minimal compared to my infinite love for her.

Leprechaun Shenanigans

Leprechauns.

Every year they attack our house early, early in the morning on March 17th.

Every year it's a fun surprise to wake up to.

This year was no different. 

               RAINBOW DOWN THE STAIRS 

RAINBOW ON THE COUNTER

GREEN PANCAKES and BANANAS with CLOUDS of WHIP CREAM and RAINBOW SPRINKLES

We're pretty lucky. 

"Dorseeeee"

I stress over every little detail of a party because I'm what my Sugar likes to call "batshit crazy." But this babe wanted an Elmo party for her 2nd birthday, so she gets what she wants.

Elmo's best friend, other than my baby girl of course, is his goldfish Dorothy. So naturally I would need to go and buy a goldfish just for the party.

Man, am I glad I did.

"Dorseeeee! DORSEEEEEEEEE! Yay Dorseeeee."

"Mine."

"Yay. Did it. Dorseeeee!"

"Jack, Jack. Jack. Dorseeee."

"Hi fishie. Dorseeeee kiss!"