Zara synchro championship

This is Zara's third year doing  synchronized swimming and she just keeps getting better every year!  She was on Mesa High's team this year because Kino filled up too fast.  Even though it was inconvenient taking her to Mesa high every day it was worth it to see her keep improving and doing something she enjoys.

She got 2nd place in duos and trios two weeks ago and 2nd place again in team last night.  She was a leader with this group and worked hard to help her group do their best even when some of her team was in and out of town.  She never missed a practice and it showed.

Their synchro coach is in the blue.

They had a cool Pirates of the Caribbean song mix up that was well done and choreography to with it.

Watch the video here!  Zara is on the left in the front at the start.  

They packed a lot into their routine and even though it wasn't executed perfectly they had some fun moments and the choreography went well with the music, which is important to me.  We hope to get Zara signed up at Kino again next summer.  I wish Avery kept going with it.  They're both so good at moving their bodies confidently.  Lots of natural talent.

Zara turned 9!

 

Still playing catch up from the last month or so.  On February 24 Zara turned 9!  It's crazy to think it's been a whole year since her baptism.

My parents helped watch kids so I could take Zara on a date.  Joe's Real BBQ is one of our favorite places to visit on our birthdays since you get a meal for free.  I was amazed by how much Zara could eat for a cute little girl.  The root beer floats are amazing with their homemade root beer.  

We doubled up on cookies.  One from Joe's and a pazookie from Oreganos.  It was a bit much but so good.

Downtown Gilbert is full of life with so many good restaurants.  These murals were part of a series and new to us.  Zara's imitation on the flamingo on one leg is my favorite.

Zara has the most thoughtful primary teachers who dropped off a treat and these cute balloons.

She asked for a skateboard as well as this white cake with strawberry frosting and real strawberries on top.  Every year she wants some variation on strawberry cake.  I've learned Zara isn't really into chocolate cake.

As per tradition, Andrew took Zara to pick out her first pocket knife.  We follow scouting guidelines and wait until each kid turns 9 and passes their totin chip which is basic knife safety.  

Zara had a great birthday and we really love her so much.  She's so loyal and helpful, has the biggest heart and is just so fun to be around,

Sunday Makeovers!

 Here are those photos I mentioned from the girl's Sunday makeover we did 2 weeks ago.  I even broke out my good camera to capture these pictures. :)  Ever since having an iPhone I just don't break it out often enough and have to be reminded how much better the quality is.

 The only makeup the girls are wearing is sparkly eye liner I got for cheap at Primark in England, my favorite pink lipstick, and some blush.  They felt sooo pretty!

 Love these girlies!!!

 These apple glasses had to make an appearance!  The girls got them the day before for free at the Phoenix Zoo.  We went with our Pogo Pass on the day they had a Zoo race event so there were a lot of fun booths with freebies and activities.  Apparently Andrew took the kids on the same day last year when I was running the Ragnar Del Sol as team captain.  Can't believe that was a year ago!

 Zara's expression just cracks me up here! ;)  She's all business and Avery's all smiles.

 This black and white one I edited with the Afterlight app.  I love how warm and moody it is.  The ones below Avery and Zara edited and they had so much fun!

This might become a monthly Sunday activity!  With 8:30am church this year the afternoons can get a little long.

Zara turned THREE!

Zara is turned three on Tuesday!  We had her birthday party today at the park along with our friends the Weber's son Sterling's 6th birthday party. The double party wasn't intentional at first and then we thought it'd be fun and we all had a good time.  Zara has always been a ray of sunshine.  She was such a comfort to me when she was born and I'll always be proud of her natural delivery.  She is quick to smile, always talks in a loud voice, and knows what she wants.  I just don't always understand what she's saying.

Top left \\ I made her two lamb cakes.  For her birthday it was a white cake with butter cream frosting and for the party it was lemon cake with a homemade lemon meringue and lemon cream cheese frosting.  Yum!  Her favorite part was blowing out the candles.

Top right \\ Our surprise gender baby!  I really can't imagine life without our Zara girl!

Bottom left \\ Four generations!!  Lita passed away the year before Rupert was born so Zara was the last of my babies Lita got to hold.  I'm not sure I even have four generation pictures with Elliot and Avery either so I really cherish this picture.

Bottom right \\ Took the girls and Rupert out to Oreganos for Zara's birthday lunch and had pizza and pazookie.  Zara liked the pizza best and Avery and I preferred the dessert.  No surprise there!

Zara turned one

It's hard to believe a year has come and gone just like that.  My baby is one already!  She has been such a joy this past year and I can only imagine how fun her next year will be.

Zara is so full of spirit.  I love her with all my heart!

She doesn't really talk yet but she has a lot to say.

She's been walking for a month already - much faster than her siblings.

She gave herself her 4th tooth for her birthday (hence the fussing below).

 I made her a cake and a dress ^ ^ ^.  I think she liked them.  That's what's great about turning one, no needs or expectations.  This was the first layered cake I made.  It was supposed to look something like this.  Ha!  Maybe I'll get it right next time.

an October afternoon

Every week is noticeably cooler than the previous but apparently not too cold for swimsuits.

This is classic Elliot and Avery.  Elliot makes up all the rules and tells Avery what to do and Avery does whatever she wants anyway.  Zara is the silent observer for now.

Elliot is always a good big brother to Zara. 

 It'll be hard to see this perfect weather go but there are so many great holidays to look forward to!

a date, a date!

Tonight Andrew and I went on a date with our little third wheel.  It seems the longer we're married the more we need these dates!  Zara is looking laid back in the high chair.  This is a new thing for her.

We started out at Paradise Bakery, went to Walmart to purchase a helmet and sport sunglasses for our triathlon, finished off The Great Wall of Chocolate from PF Changs that Andrew left at his office from lunch today, and stopped by one of our favorite stores: Barnes and Noble.

So Andrew to a peak at J K Rowling's new mystery novel and it turns out the main character's name is Barry.  Ha ha!  We thought it funny because of her epic Harry Potter books.  Also, the illustrations in the Rapunzel and Snow White books are amazing!  Children's books are all about the pictures but I also liked the way the stories were written.

Zara faces

This little ham is close to 7 months old and we have been having a lot of fun together while Elliot and Avery are at school.  As much as I love nursing Zara we have both been enjoying baby food adventures.  Well, maybe she's not enjoying everything but I sure laugh a lot!

Gotta love those faces.  Food torture.  Her very favorite is sweet potato but she'll settle for mango . . nothing else.  Also, her knew thing is crawling everywhere and sitting up.  She'll do anything to reach the toy she wants.  Unfortunately it has often resulted in a bruise or two.

sleepies

My favorite time of day is sneaking a peak at my sleeping kids right before I go to bed.  I usually give them a kiss and a quick snuggle and tell them I love them.  I do this before they go to bed as well but it's different this time.  There will come a time that they will feel too grown up kisses and snuggle and I already lament it.  I love that my kids let me snuggle them when they're tired.

The other day I helped out in Elliot's class and he was so proud of me and happy to see me.  As hard as it is to coordinate my morning to make it happen it's good for my heart to see Elliot so happy.  I'm so proud to be his mom!

I'm a little sad that Elliot doesn't take daily naps anymore.  Today is an exception (Oh . . Sunday naps!).

Do you watch your kids sleep?

someone is growing up

Time seems to have escaped me. I don't like going too long between posts because I feel like I have to catch up.  But I won't.  At least, not everything.

Yesterday Zara had her four month check up.  FOUR MONTH!  She's been such a darling to me I just can't stand watching her grow so fast.  Because I want a record of her facts, here they are before I forget.

:: weight - 12 lbs 10oz., 25 percentile

:: length - 26 inches, 97th percentile

Yep, she sure lengthened out the last two months.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  To be perfectly honest, no matter how short/long, chubby/lean, tanned/fair (etc) Zara is I will always think she's perfect, because she's my baby.  Oh yes, all mine!  And I'm enjoying every minute of the sunshine she brings to me!

heart of a mother

Yesterday I took the kids to the store and when we were there Zara's car seat tipped off the shopping cart and landed flat on the ground.  It shook me up.  I nearly cried on the spot but there were other people around - women -  and I didn't want to be embarrassed.  One lady helped me by getting a damp paper towel to put on Zara's red forehead.  Another lady told me the same thing happened to with her son and he was ok.  I was grateful for the encouragement but still worried.

Half an hour after the fall Zara smiled at me.  I knew she was ok and it was just what I needed to breath easy again.  Something about being a mom brings the worst scenarios to mind in those situations.  The other day my dad told me he had to fill out a fun survey for everyone going to girl's camp.  He's the bishop.  One of the questions on it was "What's your greatest fear?".  He said it's not something he ever contemplated but he wrote "being alone".  My dad is one of 10 kids and he has 8 children so I can totally understand.

The incident with Zara reminded me how terrible it is as a mom and see my kids go through pain without being able to do something about it.  I would rather it be mine than see them suffer.  That is one of my greatest fears - not being to help my kids in physical, mental, or emotional pain.

I feel so blessed that Zara is fine.  She smiled a lot the rest of the day yesterday and today too.  For my heart I wanted to be with her every minute to reassure myself everything was ok.

I've been reading Stephanie Nielson's book and it has been a great reminder of how special being a mother really is.  I love my children so much and I love my life.

What are some scary parenting experiences you've had?

Denver Zoo

I was excited to go to the Denver Zoo because I thought it would have a lot of different animals and birds the Phoenix Zoo and I was right.  There were some animals I didn't recognize altogether.  Somehow Andrew has never been to the Phoenix Zoo so he had nothing to compare it to but we both had an enjoyable time.  Andrew saw a Rhino for the first time!

There were so many amazing exhotic birds.  I love the feathers on the birds on the bottom right.  So fluffy!

Does anyone know what that animal is on the bottom right?  It has little horns.

The big primates were Andrew's favorites.

He also loved the big bears.  My favorite were the flamingos.  Such pretty colors!

Wish we could have stayed there longer but we seemed to have come during an off-season because many of the animals weren't even in their homes.  It also kept raining and was a little too cold for Zara.  Going to the Denver Zoo made me want to visit the Phoenix Zoo again.  What are your favorite animals?