Adventures in Arizona

And just like that we are down to three and a half days left in Arizona! Sure, the trip has been filled with driving kids around and 111* weather. HOT HOT HOT! Although it does not feel as hot as even 85* is in Washington. We have been in the pool ALMOST everyday and have had lots of adventures.

Olivia LOVES the horses. She enjoys watching the girls ride, petting the horse's noses, and she even got to sit on one! It is a good thing that grandma Sheila owns horses :-) Olivia is also very close to saying 'horse' properly. Even as I sit here and type this, she is pointing at the screen saying, "ahthorse! ahthorse!" (Mulan is on in the background and she would rather look at the pictures!) I definitely see riding in the not so distant future. And think about all the skills and lessons she will learn working in a barn! Grandma Sheila, she is all yours :-)

"Look mom! A horse!"

 I love this girl so much <3

This is Allie... the horse :)

Like I said, we have been in the pool almost everyday. With the weather getting as hot as it has, that is really the only thing to do. The other day we had a scare with Olivia. That night we went out and bought a life jacket. She did not like the one we had last summer (it was big on her) so I was not sure how she would respond to this one. She has done okay! I told her it was a coat and was able to get it on her the last two times we have gone in  the pool. I have been trying to get her to float on her back, she doesn't like it at all. Since she likes to pretend to sleep and snore at home, I told her that is what she is doing. Nope! Didn't buy that for a moment. It is not a surprise at all seeing as she does not like to lay back in the bath to get the shampoo out of her hair.

Without a doubt, we need to get Olivia into swim lessons this summer. If you know me, I am not a water person at all. Since being down here, I am trying to push myself yo at least pretend to enjoy it. There have even been a couple of times where I hopped in the pool while she was sleeping to do some "laps". Water safety is so important! Just because Olivia loves the water so much, I need to make sure I am prepared to jump in if needed.

She threw a fit because I told her she had to put on her bathing suit and sunscreen if she wanted to go in the pool. Then it was time out.

You want me to take a nice picture?? Take that mom!

Another case of not wanting to put on her bathing suit

 

Uh oh! Look at those cheeks! :-O

I am learning lots of lessons for later on. I have dealt with a kid getting bit by a dog, a knee injury, a kid getting stung by a bee, and preteen drama/attitude (although this one was not very bad at all). I tend to worry a lot about things. I tried very hard to not freak out, but these are not my children and it may have taken a while to get a hold of the parents if something more serious had happened. Side note, when watching children while their parents are out of town, make sure you are authorized to talk to their doctor! I had called about the dog bite and found out I was not authorized.... thankfully their mom was able to call the next day and get it straightened out. Check to see if the animal bite broke skin. Ibuprofen and ice packs for the knee. Watch the area where the bee sting occurred. Send kids to room who cannot get along. Reward good behavior with treats.... These four kids really are great. They are well behaved and hold each other accountable. I have been very blessed.

~~~~~~~~~

Olivia had her first movie theater experience! We went and saw The Angry Birds Movie. Although I did not think the movie was all that great, she did really well. Since she is so young, I did not have to buy a ticket for her. At this theater it was recliner chairs and reserved seating. I strategically picked three seats next to each other starting with an aisle seat. Then there was an empty seat followed by other seats that were taken.

aisle <--- XX X __ X X X X X X X

I figured that the odds of someone taking a single seat like that was low. And I was right! It was great because it gave Olivia her own seat and we didn't have to pay for it :-) We ate dinner at In-N-Out Burger right before heading to the theater. I figured we would not have buy as many treats. I cannot believe how much popcorn this girl scarfed down! Thankfully my soda was on the other side but she got to my licorice too! I didn't think she had the room for it in her little belly.  She sat still for most of the movie. But like her mom, when she's done, she is done and it is time to go. She got out of her seat, walked to the top of the aisles (one or two more rows up) and tried to walk behind everyone. I picked her up and we walked out of the movie. We ran down the hall, went to the bathroom, then walked around a little more before making it back to our seats to get the other two kids.

I want to take her to see Finding Dory that comes out this month. I know I know.... she isn't even two yet! But she loves to watch Finding Nemo at home so she knows the characters. Yes, I have always been one to say, "why not wait until your kid is old enough to ACTUALLY REMEMBER the experience? Don't waste your money!" And that is for anything. But I love to watch her reactions. And I want to see the movie too! If I do not have to pay for a seat and she sits still, why not?

We have had a couple of adventures at the park and shopping. We even found a Dutch Bros! If I was house sitting, I would probably be there everyday. We are having a blast! And that must be why I can hardly believe that our two weeks are almost up :-( I really do think that we are both going to miss it down here. I believe that I have been bitten by the travel bug! It is a shame that Olivia turns two soon and that I would have to pay for a seat for her :/