What's new? Not much . . .

1) It's gorgeous here in Arizona, so we're spending a lot of time at the parks, library, riding bikes, and jumping on the trampoline.

2) We have been enjoying the fresh fruit here in Arizona, and the girls like making juice with it.  I just eat lemons with salt on them like candy now.  Not so good for my teeth, but oh so yummy!

3) Daddy and the girls have been enjoying ice cream every couple nights.  And, Daddy has been sharing oreos and milk with me while we read in bed at night.  So, basically, our poor daddy is getting lots of treats!

4) We got to see my mom on a layover flight she had a couple weeks ago.  It was so fun to have lunch with her and watch her play with the girls.

5) We have been baking - a lot.  Cupcakes, cakes, cookies, banana bread, etc.

6) I finally got all my papers submitted to complete my screwed up adoption.  Hopefully everything gets accepted so we can move on in life. It has been quite stressful and time-consuming for both Nathan and I.

* And that's basically it.  We haven't been up to a whole lot because we spend so much time playing in the backyard or at the parks.  Or, we go to friend's houses to play and have dinner.  We were sick for a little bit too.  But, so far, 2011 has been great, and we're having fun!  (Although Natalie says summer needs to hurry up and get here so she can go swimming every single day.)

She's MY kid for sure!

This morning the girls played quite nicely downstairs for 2 hours while I did the laundry and cleaning upstairs.  They didn't fight, argue, steal toys, yell, etc.  They laughed, cheered, ran around like crazy, and eventually sat quietly playing with their magnetic dolls (like paper dolls).  The upstairs is clean (except Natalie's room) and there are now 3 loads of laundry done.  However, downstairs got completely trashed with toys, books, and kitchen stuff (Maejae likes to empty the pantry).

I had Maejae clean up some of the mess before her nap and now Natalie wants to a do a craft during Maejae's nap-time.  Usually, this is routine and something I enjoy.  But, I told Natalie I wasn't going to get another mess out until she cleaned up her part of the mess downstairs.

It's been 2 hours!  Yes my friends - 2 hours.  Usually she is good at cleaning and sings her way through her chores.  But, so far she has come up with the following:

- My ankles hurt
- My stomach is too hungry
- I don't know how to do it
- I want to watch a movie
- Maybe we will do a craft tomorrow
- Ugh
- Ahhh
- Dangit
- Why, Mom
- But Maejae made the mess
- My feet are hurting too bad
- Ugh
- Ahhh
- Dangit

Looking at this list - I am reminded of A LOT of stories of my younger self.  I would say my legs were breaking, or I was too tired, or anything at all.  Cleaning just wasn't my thing when I was a kid.  But, I was pretty awesome at the excuses!  Sounds like Natalie is my kid for sure :)