Backyard Visitor Returns

Last May, the kids found this tortoise(?) in our backyard. They painted its shell with pink nail polish.

Yesterday they were playing outside and Crosby started yelling, "a turtle, a turtle!" It had the same orange markings and a few patches of chipped, metallic paint on its shell--maybe it's the same one?

Alexee ran inside for a fresh coat of nail polish. She asked me to write the name Aurora on the shell in pink. Hopefully "it" is a girl.

They gave her a nice sparkly, spring look.

Then they decided to gather some leaves and grass for her. I thought she probably wanted to get away as quickly as her little legs would carry her...
...but to our surprise, she wasn't shy at all.
C wanted to give her a ride in the green dump truck, but (lucky for her) they got busy trying to feed her and he forgot about the ride.
Alexee wanted to see if she'd eat a Ritz chip. I didn't think she would, but I was wrong--she loved it! The kids thought this was so funny. She got crumbs on her mouth, so Alexee went inside to get her a napkin. :)

Eating lunch outside--it was such a pretty day.

After school fun with friends

Lane was able to take R & A to their swim lessons. Alexee went to one lesson as a "Manta 1" and the instructor said she needed to move up to a "Manta 2". Rhett is doing a great job, too. He's just working on specific strokes now. While they were gone, Crosby watched a few episodes of his new favorite show, Fireman Sam, and I made the kids a homemade pizza for dinner.

Easter Parties & Dentist Appointments

This is a big week at R's school. They are having their annual standardized testing (Tu-Th). Here he is this morning--ready to go. I'm sure the kids (and teachers) will be so happy to be finished with the testing. The good thing is NO regular homework and NO spelling test this week!

Crosby and Alexee did not have the stress of testing today. Instead, they had their Easter parties at MDO! They were very excited to help fill the plastic eggs with candy last night and take them to their classes today. (No Easter baskets allowed :( For convenience, A's class was asked to bring a dozen eggs in an egg carton, and C's class was asked to use a Zip-loc bag.)

On the way to class

I took A's picture by the "All About Arkansas" wall that they've been working on recently. They've learned about the state flag, state flower, state tree, etc.

apple blossom

I noticed these for sale in front of the grocery store today--one of my (many) favorite flowers.

Bogart went to get a much-needed haircut today.

There happens to be a bakery next door to the groomer, so I stopped by for a few treats when I went to get B.

The kids had fun at their parties. They ate all of their candy between school and the dentist's office. I had to apologize to the dentist for bringing them in with chocolate-covered teeth. (Surprisingly, no cavities!)

Crosby showing me the eggs that he found at the egg hunt

Alexee made sure to find only pink and purple eggs during her hunt

I always love getting the kids' artwork

At the door to the dentist's office

Alexee's turn--she and Rhett both did great. R got x-rays and everything looked good.

I wasn't sure how cooperative Crosby would be. He didn't want to sit in the chair alone, but he did okay sitting in my lap. It wasn't really a complete cleaning, but he did let them count his teeth, clean the front ones and take a general look at his mouth. When Dr. C peeked in he could tell that Crosby sucks his thumb. He said it's nothing to worry about yet, but said just to talk about it with him and encourage him not to do it.

the treasure box!

Phone Photos #24

(I think these pictures go through March 3rd...I've been meaning to post these for a while.)

Rhett's first school report

This was his resource for his report

sitting on my lap

leaving Fresh Market

At Reid's fun JumpZone b-day party--C had a blast!

at my parents' house

driving in the field

At Mom and Dad's, Crosby has moved out of the crib--he slept with me last time we were there. He's so sweet!

Two tired kids! Alexee doesn't look very comfortable!

shoe shopping at Academy Sports

R wanted to take a look at the bb guns while we were at Academy

Relaxing in the waiting room at the doctor's office

It's always fun (wild) to take all three of them to a doctor's appointment!

sidewalk chalk afternoon

:)

usual Sunday breakfast: donuts at church

backyard baseball game

Crosby's ice cream. I asked him if I could try a bite, and he said, "No. You wouldn't like it." Ha!

Lane helping Alexee practice on her bike (no training wheels)

Out for a walk

Nature findings from our walk