I had a great day today. I don’t know if the stars were aligned or what, but all 3 kids were really good. And I tested them mightily today–my mom and I took all 3 kids to the mall!

It has been raining the past few days here. We have mostly been in the house. Yesterday our outing was to Chick-fil-a to have lunch and play in the play place. We thought today might be a good day to go shopping. I kept wondering if it would be fun, or a total disaster, but it really turned out to be fun.

First of all, I have had a lot of shopping success lately. Which is great, because I really needed some summer clothes. It has been a long time since I have really bought anything. Last summer I was still not back to myself after having Nora, everything I bought at the beginning of last summer is too big now. The summer before that I was wearing maternity clothes. I have gone shopping a few times, but I haven’t found anything that I liked. I really needed some shirts, since I am finally back down from a DDD But, I really haven’t liked the styles lately. The baby-doll look just doesn’t suit me. It is great if you are pregnant or want to look like you are wearing maternity clothes, but I have had enough of that.

Last week my mom and I went shopping in Southern Pines, and today I hit the jackpot. I liked almost everything I tried on. Which was great for my wardrobe, but not so great for my wallet I think I should be all set for the summer now. And I can’t wait to wear some of my new outfits on our girls trip to Vegas!

Through all the dressing rooms and clothes browsing the kids were really good. Ian was really mellow. I had a talk with Emma about the proper way to act before we went. But, I could just tell when she got up this morning that she was going to have a good day. She didn’t even have one tantrum. Today I wondered if some of her problem is lack of sleep. I feel like she is getting enough sleep, but I am not really sure. She went to be about 7 pm last night, and she woke up in such a good mood. I’ll have to keep my eye on the sleep/mood relationship.

I felt really happy to be a mom today. I have been really feeling good about the kids, despite Emma’s little phase. Sometimes when I am here in North Carolina I feel like a caged bird and I just really need time away from the kids. This trip, I have had lots of patience despite Emma’s outbursts. I have really been enjoying the kids, instead of just surviving like I sometimes do when we are here. I think I have lost it, I even enjoyed taking 3 kids to the mall!

We were supposed to leave to head back home today. I kept going back and forth over the last few days about whether I should go home, or just stay for a while longer. I kept looking at the Dogwood trees here, and they were beckoning me to stay They are about to bloom any day now. That is the most beautiful time of the year here, and I think that the Dogwoods are my favorite blooming tree. The kids would have missed school today, and then gone to school Tuesday thru Friday. The next week is spring break, so they would have been off school all week. I decided it was worth it to just miss 4 more days and get to stay here for almost 2 weeks.

I think that Emma needs it too. I haven’t written much about it on my blog, but she has been struggling a bit lately. She is just going through normal 6 year old behavior, but it has been difficult for both her and me (and everyone else around her ). A few weeks ago I got a note from her teachers that said that she was having trouble in the classroom. They said that she was being disrespectful to both her teachers and her friends. I went and had a meeting with them to find out what that meant. They said that she has been loud, sassy, and rolls her eyes and shrugs her shoulders when they ask her to do things. Most of the things didn’t surprise me. I think that they are finally seeing the real Emma. Before this they always told me what a perfect student she was–how thrilled they were to have her in the class and what a great friend she was to all the other kids. I think now she just feels comfortable enough with them to let her true self come out–the self that I have seen for a long time.

I know that Emma is strong willed and emotional. She is smart and very opinionated. I have known that about Emma since she was born. She was asserting her will from the time she was 3 months old. She was such a small baby and I was always worried about her weight gain. But, if I tried to nurse her when she wasn’t hungry, look out! There was no way I was going to get her to nurse if she didn’t want to.

I think right now she is just trying to figure out who she is. She is six, and she is starting to assert more independence. She is trying to figure out who she is separate from me, and the rest of the family. She is testing and trying to figure out what is and what isn’t acceptable. Right now, I think the best thing for her is to spend more time with me. That is exactly what we are doing here. We have been playing games, reading, playing at the park, and just running around together. We have had a lot issues with being disrespectful, and a lot of opportunities to talk about it.

I know that things will be fine, and that this is just a phase. But, I am starting to get a glimpse of what it is going to be like to raise a teenager. I am definitely not ready for that yet!

Ahhhh….Spring!

Spring close up

Happy

Silly

Posing…all on his own

We spent the day at the North Carolina Zoological Park today. It was such a nice day here–it was close to 80 degrees. Scott came with us, and this was the first time he has ever been to this zoo. I don’t think he loved it as much as I do, but he still thought it was a great zoo.

I was looking forward to a day outside to get some good pictures. Before we left, I checked my battery, to make sure I had enough juice. It was about 3/4 full, so I figured I was OK. I was trying to cut down on the things I had to carry, so I didn’t bring the camera bag. Well, we got to the zoo, I took about 20 shots, and of course, my battery died. Ugh. When am I going to learn? The extra battery is so small, it would have been so easy to just bring it with me! I was so bummed.

This zoo has two entrances, because it is so big: North America and Africa. The last few times we have been there it was off season, and only the North America entrance was open. Today we went to Africa, so we could see some of the animals that we haven’t seen in a while. Of course, the kids were bummed, because there favorite part of the zoo is the bug playground, which is over by the North America entrance. We walked around and saw the African animals, then we made our way over to the park at the end of the day. I think that was the favorite stop at the zoo. Of course, my camera battery was dead then, so I couldn’t take any photos.

My favorite shot of the day was this one of the Meerkats. I love how you can see the teeth!

It was a fun day. I was even happier to be here when I heard that it is snowing at home!

Today Ian was getting ready to go outside to hit some golf balls with Scott. It was a little chilly today, so I told Ian to get his windbreaker. He picked it up and looked at me and said “Mom, it is called a wind breaker because it breaks wind”. I almost peed my pants trying not to laugh. He had no idea what he was saying, but later I explained it to him. He couldn’t stop laughing!

What’s in there?

Birds in flight

Sand

Joy

Dad and his girls

Ahhhh…Spring!! We are in North Carolina for Easter and the weather is so nice. I really needed it! I was so tired of the winter.

It was about 75 degrees today. We got lunch and went to the park. There is a little park here that is awesome. It has really nice clean bathrooms, and picnic tables under a canopy. The playground is fun, and there is never anyone there. Emma always calls it “her park”. We have taken so many cute photos there over the years. Unfortunately, today I forgot my camera.

Nora had a great time there today. I think this was the first time she really got to play at a park. She loved the slide. She kept trying to climb up it. It was a little too steep for her, and she was just a little bit too young. She kept going down and falling backwards and bumping her head. She would get up, rub it, and then say “again”. She is so tough. She hardly ever cries from getting hurt. When she cries, you know she is hurt.

Being outside was so amazing today. I just sat down and felt like I was inhaling the sun shine. All the trees are starting to bloom. The grass is green. It is just glorious. I am so glad that we decided to come here for Easter. I was so ready for some spring weather!

We finally got to the beach in North Carolina! Last week we flew to Raleigh and spent the night at my parents house in Forest Creek. The next morning we drove to the beach. The drive flew by–2 hours seemed like nothing compared with all the hours we spent in the car on the way to Montana.

The beach was wonderful. It was a big wide sandy beach. The sand was so fine and soft. There were very few waves, and the water stayed shallow for a long way out. It was a perfect beach for kids. The first night we got there we spent the evening on the beach. The kids got there bathing suits on and splashed around in the water. We dug a hold, and Ian found a sand crab. He loved holding it and watching it crawl up his arms. It was fun to see him with it. It reminded me of being a kid and finding them in Beach Haven. Catching sand crabs was one of my favorite things, besides digging huge deep holes.

Emma and Nana were experts at dribble castles by the end of the trip. Ian spent a lot of time running after birds. He chased one so far down the beach. He was swinging his arms with his elbows out and running after the bird. He had half of the beach in stitches.

My mom and dad and Nora and I took a 2 hour walk on the beach every day. I took Nora in the sling, and that was one of her nap times. It was a great workout for me! I can walk forever on the beach. I love looking at the sights, and just talking. The time flew by.

Nora got her first real taste of the beach. I sat her in the sand on the edge of the water and she loved it. She loved the feeling of the sand in her hands. She kept grabbing handfuls and squeezing it. Of course, then she tried to eat it too.

It was a great few days at the beach!

Mom and Dad bought a house in North Carolina! I am really excited about it. It has been nice that they have rented a house for the last few years, but it will be so nice to have a house of our own. It is brand new, and will be totally decorated and furnished to suit us! I can’t wait to have a king comfortable bed But, now the work begins. My dad put me in charge of all the decorating and projects. I spent the last week of my trip doing projects–I met with closet companies, blind people, and garage floor people. As soon as the house closes, we will be ready to move forward with the closet and blind installations. Before I left mom and I went to a wholesale rug store in North Carolina. We bought the most beautiful rugs for the new house! I think they are really going to make the place look spectacular.

On our trip home last week we got to fly on a private plane! The kids were so excited. Emma kept telling everyone we met “Tomorrow I am going to fly on Grandpa’s plane!” It was so cute, and my dad just swelled up with pride It was awesome! We left our house and were off the ground within 30 minutes. Leaving from the Pinehurst airport was so great. We made one stop in Kansas, and then on to SLC. We left Pinehurst at 8:30, and landed in SLC at 12:30. It was great. I better watch out or we are going to be spolied

Next week I am going to to NC for 3 days with Nora. Scott is going to watch the kids at home. My mom and I are planning a trip to Furniture Land South. It is the largest furniture store in the US–1 million square feet. It should be fantastic!

Well, we decided to stay in North Carolina. Scott got up early and left with my dad, and I stayed with my mom and the kids. Scott is coming back on Thursday afternoon. We decided to use miles after all, to get him a ticket I figured it would be more fun for the kids to stay here–the weather at home looks cold and snowy. Here it is in the 60′s. One day we are going to take the kids to the North Carolina Zoological Park, and another day we will go to the mall. I really love the zoo here–it is probably the best one I have ever been to. It is huge, and all the animals have huge outdoor areas. It makes it hard to see the animals sometimes, but it is so nice for the animals!

I had a great day yesterday–even after not getting much sleep the night before. I felt totally like myself and I am crossing my fingers that it lasts. We just hung around the house in the morning, and in the afternoon I played golf with Scott and my dad. It felt really good to spend some time alone with Scott. We had dinner at home, and then started to watch Xmen 3. I didn’t get very far…I fell asleep around 8:30 But, at least I had a good night sleep.