The Best Time of Year

This time of year is why we live in Arizona.  It is simply perfect out.  Yes, it is getting hot and the reality of a toasty Summer is upon us, but we cannot soak in enough of this perfect weather!  Last Saturday was one of those absolutely beautiful mornings.  Since it is still cool in the am I got to sleep in and run a little later.  I had 10 on my schedule, but just needed to run so I ended up finishing my lollipop trail to make it an even 12.  It was glorious. 

I got home and sent Bob out on his run.  He called a few minutes after leaving to tell me that a local real estate crew was throwing an annual easter egg hunt at our park.  Donuts, water and candy were free plus a petting zoo and a host of other vendors.  

The girls found the face painting stand right off the bat and patiently stood in line for their turn.  It was so much fun because I know so many of our neighbors and it was great to chat with them while waiting.  My girls are such independent little souls.  They poured over the designs and with complete commitment asked for their designs.

Evie got a Minnie look.....

Lily went completely in with a gorgeous butterfly.........

The results were perfect.

Next was the Easter Egg hunt.  I won't lie, I was really nervous about this because there were a lot of big kids in the bunch, but the egg hunt was portioned out and broken up into age groups which made it so much better for Evie.  She anxiously waited for the buzzer.

At first she was a little uncertain and wanted to open every individual egg instead of collect, collect, collect!  I practically wanted to bowl over a little 2 year old because she got in Evie's lane!  To my personal delight, Evie was so kind and gentle.  She even lost several eggs because she was busy making sure 2 other little kids had some.  I was so proud of her.

Now Lily was all business.  When it was her time to go she had an entire strategy and plan to collect the most eggs and she nailed it.  She put her bag around her neck and did her thing.  So fun to watch her.

Later in the heat of the day, the girls begged and begged for us to find a pool.  So we found ourselves a pool and had a blast.  To be clear.....it is not warm enough to be playing.  If you are working hard, the water is perfect, but if you are standing around in it?........FA REEZING!  So Bob took one for the team and played with the girls.

It always takes Evie a few minutes to remember that she swims and then BAM.......the kid is a fish.  Its amazing to watch my girls and even more amazing to watch the other parents around my kids.  Everyone is amazed "that little tike" can swim the way she does.  What can I say.......She is Evie and she is fearless.

We enjoyed our afternoon fully and even though it was not quite warm enough to really swim, we thoroughly enjoyed the sunshine and living the Arizona lifestyle.

We came home and within the hour Miss Evie had completely passed out.  I forgot how awesome swimming is for energy consumption.  Oh babe, the summer is just starting!

A Little Sugar....a Little Spice

This little girl........I wish that all of you could know her really, really well.  She is such a fun kid.  She's 3......all 3 and while I was warned of the terrible 2's, I feel as though they do not hold a candle to the 3s.  Evie Frances is unbelievably fearless, determined, opinionated and bold.  To be truthful, she is even more so all of these things than Lily was.  She is her own little self and she owns it with flair.  

Evie lives most of her days doing her best to hang with Lily.  Whether it is playing on the playset and doing all the flips Lily does or just holding onto her as Lily runs all over.  Evie quickly learned that Lily was much faster on her bike than she was on her tricycle so whenever Lily wants to ride her bike, Evie just runs with her.  The gap between speeds is growing, however, and we are watching the little Bee find that she simply can't keep up any more.  We got Lily a new bike and put the training wheels back on Lily's.  Evie now has a big kid bike and if I know her she will be riding that as fast as she can in no time!

Some days Evie literally slides into her bed at 7 barely making it before she is out.  The kid goes hard ALL DAY LONG.  She fights sleep with the best of them, but when bed time does come...........she digs completely in.  The other night I couldn't help taking this picture.  Her little hands were so perfectly tucked in.  She was so peaceful.

Evie really is such a fun kid.  She plays and explores so easily.  The other day we found the accessory section of Target and in a flash Evie had fully accessorized herself.  She plays and plays.  Her sense of wonder never ceases to amaze me.

Evie is growing up so much and becoming a little girl, no longer a toddler.  I am loving the growth, but clinging to the fleetingness of her toddlerhood.  Some days the hours go by slowly and some days time is going to fast.  My Bee is a perfect blend of all things sweet and spicy.  Amidst the days of arguing and attitude are moments of pure bliss when she looks at me and out of no where says, "Mommy, I love you."

She is special.