Our Own Ice Capades

So, even though Disney's Princesses on Ice is coming to town, we've got something better...

Ever since we went to the zoo in December and saw the ice skating rink, the girls have been asking to go ice skating. A difficult task to do when you're pregnant and have 2 kids to hold up. We needed Daddy's help and finally found the opportunity last week. Yerba Buena Gardens has an ice skating rink we re-discovered and, with cell phone in hand, we called Daddy and asked him if he could get off work early. The begging was intense, especially since their new favorite movie has them laughing hysterically when Bambi tries to walk on the ice with Thumper. How could Daddy resist?

Initially, Daddy wasn't so sure the kids could even walk in their skates, much less stand on the ice. Within 15-minutes, however, the wobbling eased off and their confidence boosted. They leaned heavily on the glass waiting for their turn to go around the ice. So, for an hour and a half, Daddy took turns escorting the girls around and around. They continue to ask when they can go back. This may become another fun family favorite activity!

Week 21

A tummy photo of Baby #3....we're at 21 weeks now. I've dropped a couple of pounds since my last OB appt last month, but that still puts me at +15. Perhaps OK considering I'm a little more than half-way through the pregnancy... Also OK since it's about a fifth of what I put on with the girls!!

Feeling OK, but some days are hard with dizzy spells throughout. Holding kids is tougher as I have to hike them up to sit on the growing ledge. I can still shave my legs, though, so all's well!

God Bless the Bunnies....Especially the Black One

At the barn this week, Lolly showed us a brand new batch of bunnies, which fascinated the girls. So, before our little ride on Misty, we spent a good 45 minutes holding, petting and watching 4 new bunnies, no bigger than the palm of their hand.

The day was full -- after our little pony ride on Misty, and a visit with the vet and the vet's little dog, the girls played in the farm fields (and the mud in the irrigation ditches) before we wrapped it up and headed home for lunch, needed baths, and naps.

That night, as we were saying our prayers, the girls were recounting everything they were thankful for as well as sending prayers for those who may need them. After praying that Grandma has a nice airplane trip, sending hugs to Nonno and Grandma Dent and thanking God for Hayden and Misty, Ava adds, "And, God bless the bunnies," meaning the new ones down at the barn. "God bless the bunnies," I repeated, thinking this was pretty cute....at least until she topped it by added, "And, especially the black one!" Note which one she holds in her lap....the same one she has in all the pictures I took that day!

Every Mermaid Gets Her Hair Washed

It's getting harder for me and my growing tummy to do many things and I'm having to give up some things. One of which is giving the girls their bath. I'm just not able to reach into the tub as my tummy bounces off my knees or the rim of the tub. So, this little chore, which is something I have done 99% of the time for the last 2.5 years, is something Paul has begun to own.

As everyone knows, if you've done a chore 99%+ of the time, you tend to have a strong opinion about how it should be done - you have created the order and reason of all the componets, tried and trained by effeciency or past mistakes/learning experiences. So, it's a little difficult to watch someone else, not nearly as experienced, step in a do things entirely differently.

However, if we hold our tongues, we may end up learning a few new pointers. Case in point: Ordinarily, I use logic when wetting and washing the girls' hair. I shield their face as they tip their head back and count to ten so they know when it's done. Daddy didn't do this and was having a tough time convincing the girls to get wet. So, when the girls refused to get their hair wet,Daddy used reverse psychology explaining that every mermaid gets their hair wet and washes their hair to boot. This hit a big chord as "The Little Mermaid" is one of their stable videos to watch at night. "Do you want to be a mermaid, too?"

It, of course, worked like a charm and the girls got their hair washed while ramping up for their current favorite show - a tailgate party of sorts (no pun intended!!).