Parks and more

You know, it’s funny.  I’ve come to think about my weeks from a standpoint of what did we do this week that has been memory worthy?  I know not everyone thinks we need to do something special every single week and I agree.  I think some of the greatest memories come from the everyday activities and that it is important to capture those memories when appropriate and when we can.  This will help our little Nutt’s one day if they inherit my memory – this journal/blog will give them something to look back on and jog their minds as to what their childhood was like and that it was fun, active, full of family, friends and love. That said, I found myself reflecting yesterday on this past week thinking what have we done this week?  Did we do anything at all?  Those questions right there are why I am glad we have phones that take pictures for us so I could go back, look, and see that yes, we did do a lot this week and we did have fun!

As the weather has creeped it’s way up to 100 degrees this week we at the Nutt House hardly noticed as we continued to enjoy the great outdoors that Phoenix has to offer by way of plenty of park time.  Early on in the week we went with some friends to check out a new neighborhood park not too far away.  This was not our average park full of swings and little kid playing equipment.  This park was full of climbing toys that brought new fun.  Kara quickly caught on maneuvering her way through the nets, up the curving ladders, and rungs for the high up there slide.  While her Nutt-y mom anxiously watched waiting for the fall that never happened that would be taking us to the hospital. I scrutinized her every movement in awe as any fears she had dissipated and she analyzed each new climbing apparatus to determine the best way to get from point A to wherever point B might have been.  The park was a little old for Kaden but definitely a new and welcomed experience for Kara.

Later on in the week we journeyed over to a familiar park for some traditional park play time complete with swings.  Kara would swing for a bit then lay down in the swing and take off as if flying through the air.  Kaden, who wasn’t having as much fun swinging regularly was quick to adopt his sisters flying method for utilizing the swing and found he enjoyed himself much more. 

Kaden and I found ourselves exploring a new park – just the two of us.  This sort of occasion does not happen often and I try hard to make each individual child moment last as long as possible.  Though it was getting hot and we didn’t stay for too long we had fun.  Kaden running across the swinging bridge, climbing the chain ladder and of course getting down via the slide.  Me, I enjoyed chasing Kaden, tickling him when I caught him and watching the happiness that beamed from his face.

Park time wasn’t the only outdoor activity that the Nutt House engaged in this past week.  Kara completed her current round of swim lessons.  I was impressed to hear one teacher explain he thought she was ready for the next class up and her regular teacher to say she was so very close to graduating out of the Eel class and moving on to the Ray class.  Her proudest moment this week came when she was able to float on her back, by herself, without starting to sink.  She and her brother love the water so much, in fact, Brent took them swimming Saturday evening and they were having such a good time that they stayed until the pool closed.

As fun as swimming is, it isn’t the only way for a Nutt to stay cool.  Water fights work just as well, still produce wet kiddos, and smiles on faces.  Kara and Kaden had a water fight this week, filling up every bucket they could find with water then splashing each other until they were soaked to the bones.  Kaden, the goofball that he is asked my why he was so cold at one point, it was all too easy to point out that when you sit in a bucket of cold water, you will get cold.  Silly goof!

Our adventures did not end there, no, not at all!  This happening Nutt House knows how to party and to prove just that, the next adventure of our week was a trip to the car wash.  While some may roll their eyes and say boring! At the Nutt House we say PAAARRRRRTTTTY!  The car wash means free popcorn and the soap shooting gun where the kiddos can shoot soap at the cars as they pass by while getting cleaned.  While we were at the car wash awaiting our newly cleaned car (three days later and the inside is still free of clutter and minimal shoe prints on the backs of chairs.  Woot!  Woot!) my moment of the week happened when Kaden who had been eating a treat said “take my picture mom”.  I feel in that one simple click I captured the essence of Kaden permanently – with the slightly messy face and mischievous look in his eyes – this is my littlest Nutt, the boy that has stolen my heart, tries me more than anyone else on this earth, gives the best of hugs, happily sings “thank you for everything you do..” (thank you Daniel Tiger for teaching him these tender lyrics) and loves me unconditionally.

Love this, love him!!

While on a day of errands yesterday Brent relished some one on one time of his own with Kaden where they shared a pizza at Costco.  Though he hardly ever uses them, I promise, Kaden has been taught how to use silverware!

The Nutt House has also enjoyed some quieter at home moments.  On one occasion this past week our imaginations were put into full gear as we had playdoh time where everything from igloos to unicorn horns, to snakes, to cupcakes and everything in between were made.  I am convinced that if we could capture the imaginative juices that flow through children this world would be an amazing place where crime, disease, famine, and all the other disasters that plague us would not exist, we’d be happier and we’d enjoy the little things a bit more.

Speaking of the little things; Kara, Kaden and I went on a mini hike this week.  *A mini hike is where we start to go on a hike but little legs get tired too quickly to even call it a small hike.*  All along the way Kara kept stopping to take pictures to share our journey with Brent who wasn’t able to join us.  Kaden preferred to run up ahead of us, then look back asking if I could see him.   When I’d answer yes, he’d smile and run up ahead some more, repeating this process time and time again.

Camera toting Kara

"Can you see me mom?"

Lastly, for any that may think the Nutt House is just for and about Kara and Kaden – (though it mostly is as they are the more active and exciting Nutts).  Yesterday evening I attended an end of year party for the mom’s group I’ve been president of this past year, Mommatukee.  The party was so much fun!  We had an 80’s themed murder-mystery for the entertainment of our night and what fun it was!  Not only was it fun but I also walked away with the Ace Detective Award for correctly guessing who the murderer was!  I cannot say it enough, what fun the party was!  And what a great group of women and friends Mommatukee has been to/for me!  I cannot wait for our next year and all it will entail!  And I hope to do another murder-mystery activity sooner rather than later!

Today for church we had Stake Conference.  What a trying time this can be with two younger kiddos.  As challenging as it is, I feel good that we go.  In going we set good examples for our little Nutts and even though we may not be able to hear the full talks we are able to pick out key messages.  The key items talked about that I heard were the importance of scriptures and pondering over them daily and spending time with family members.  The Nutt House works hard at both, particularly at spending time as a family.  Though I read my scriptures, well, pondering doesn’t happen every day and that’s my take away – the gentle reminder to do better with my own personal scripture reading. 

After church we ventured over to a cousin of Brent’s house where we spent our evening with dear family members.  We enjoyed good food and fun games all the while Kaden picked up tips from two older boys on how to be a boys boy full of swords, legos, remote control cars, nerf guns, and so much more.  Heaven help us now!!!

With that, that’s our week and a fun one at that.  This next week will be even more eventful as Kaden turns 3 this week (CRY!!!), Mother’s Day is Sunday, and my sister Allison comes to town to spend the weekend with us!  I’m looking forward to this great new week!