My dear friend is expecting a baby girl in a few days. For months I tried to talk her into letting me throw her a baby shower. Every time I brought it up she totally shot me down. She DID NOT want a baby shower. Well, that just wasn't going to work for me so at the beginning of May another friend and I threw her a surprise party. It was so much fun! She had a great time! We ate delicious food, made flower crowns, took funny photos, and chatted the night away. For the record, she is glad I ignored her.
For my birthday last year we went on a family hike in Sabino Canyon. We had such a lovely time I decided I wanted to go back this year for my birthday. Well, things got busy and we just couldn't fit it in the schedule. Lillian was heartbroken when I told her we weren't able to go this year. She was so heartbroken I decided I had to make the hike happen come hell or high water! I am so glad we squeezed it in. Freya soon became infected with Lillian's excitement. The morning we planned to go Freya woke up bright and early and get herself outfitted for our adventure.
The girls set out ready to conquer the world!
Pretty soon the heat got to them and Dad had to come to the rescue.
They felt better after a swim and were able to continue on for a few more miles.
While swimming Lillian said,"Mom, they don't take very good care of this water. It is so green." I couldn't help but laugh out loud. "This is wild water," I explained. "No one takes care of it. It comes from rain and melted snow." Wild water made sense to her. When the fish found us she really started to understand that this was no swimming pool.
These fish could have nibbled my feet all day. At first it felt creepy but after a minute or so it was actually pretty relaxing!
It makes my heart happy to see these girls out exploring the beauty in nature.
Freya and I brought a little bit of nature home from Papa's house one day when we found this little sparrow injured in Beauty's stall.
We named her Suzie Peppermint and we loved her for two whole weeks. We read to her, sang to her, fed her, and cared for her until one day she was ready to fly away.
Once we were confident she could fly well enough to survive on her own, we took her back to Papa's and released her back into the wild where she belongs.
While we gained one pet for a short while, we lost another. Lillian's dear rat, Madeline died of old age. It was a rough few days for all of us as we tried to make her as comfortable as possible and let her know she was loved.
She was such a loving rat. She always wanted to be near us. I just couldn't stand the thought of her dying alone so we carried her around in a Tupperware everywhere we went and petted her and talked to her all day long.
Lillian chose to bury Madeline at Papa's house next to Emerson. She always did like chasing him around.
Because Lillian is in preschool several mornings a week, she misses out on a lot of time at Papa's house. Freya isn't short on company though. There is always a hoofed, feathered, pawed, or shelled creature around to be her companion
When Lillian does get to come with us she has a swinging time!
We have had our pawed creature, Oliver, four months now. He has taken over the house in true dog fashion. He runs the joint for sure.
He always gets the best seat in the car
and he has to be in the middle of everything.
He had kind of a rough month this month and missed out on lots of our adventures.
He gained a friend though and that kind of made up for having to wear the cone of shame. O'Brian, a Rat Terrier like Oliver, joined the menagerie at Papa's house. I am not sure Papa likes him all that much but Grandma Jean sure thinks he is great. He reciprocates the sentiment.
Our mornings are usually busy working with horses, running errands, and playing with friends. After nap time we get creative to pass the hours until bedtime. One night I let Lillian use the face painting kit she got for her birthday. She now has her heart set on becoming a face painter when she grows up.
Sometimes we play Hide and Go Seek. Seeking is pretty easy when you play against these two.
Thanks to Aunt Patty, several evenings this month have been taken up coloring masks.
We made crystals with Borax one evening.
And another was spent making these adorable bears.
We are also blessed with great friends and neighbors who do fun things like host outdoor movies.
The girls had an especially difficult evening starring at Josh's birthday cake. We made it the night before his birthday celebration and they about died having to wait 24 hours to eat it.
This three layer cookie cake was worth the wait! We celebrated Josh's 33rd year of life with all you can eat sushi and card games with friends.
May marks the end of the school year where we live. Lillian said goodbye to preschool and her teacher, Ms. Cassie, at an end of the year picnic.
Ms.Cassie gave her the cutest scrapbook in which she describes Lillian's knack for taking over the class as teacher. I think with a great grandfather, grandmother, and mother in the teaching business it is safe to say she has it in her blood.
We ended the month of May celebrating Memorial Day at the Sonoita rodeo. The girls had a blast running wild with all the other kids at the rodeo.
Freya was so excited to see the rodeo royalty she could hardly contain herself. She shrieked with delight and waved as each princess rode by.
While waiting by the shoots for Lillian to compete in Mutton Busting, Freya had a great time telling the rodeo clowns, "I bigger. I not fall off. Promise!"
Lillian did well riding her sheep. She hung on for a little over 4 seconds, not long enough to win but long enough to have some fun. I sure am proud of her.
I know this summer will fly by, full of hot days spent at the pool, trips to the beach, camping, and fun with Nona and Ppa. I want to enjoy every minute before I have to send Lillian out in to the world as a kindergartner. I am not ready for her to go. I wish I could keep her close forever.
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