Showers in the forecast

It's warmed up in AZ, but the pool water is still a little cold for this particular Desert Doer. The fair-headed one braved the pool but since the curly-headed one needs an adult to swim with her and it isn't going to be me, we opted for a run through the sprinkler instead.

Here is a short clip of the girls having some giggles and fun.

That do that you do

As the mother of two girls I'm pretty inept at doing hair. Some of it certainly has to do with my level of patience. It may also be because I haven't had much opportunity to practice. Em didn't really have any hair to work with until she was about 2 years old. Then when she finally had some it was fine and thin so I'd be lucky to get it pulled into a couple of blond horns growing out of the top of her head. Now that she's older and has a head full of beautiful blond hair, she doesn't want me fussing over it. Also, she has the same texture of hair that I had when I was her age. It's silky smooth and super straight so it falls out of most dos.

Megan has lovely hair. She was born with a head full of wavy dark curls. (Do you know the old wives tale about heartburn during pregnancy means a head full of hair on the baby? Well it proved to be true in the case of my pregnancies.) What Megan was not born with was a disposition to sit still and have her hair done. Despite this, I've kept her hair long for fear of cutting off the curls. Because of the length, the curly texture and my decision to not fight that particular battle, Meg spent most of her third and fourth years with an unruly "mop top".

But now she's in her fifth year and she's mellowing. With this mellowing has come a willingness to sit still long enough to have her hair done (and to look flabulous). Sometimes I can even convince her to sit for braids, as she did yesterday. Check out the results.

Happy Easter Mee-ster!

The Desert Doers have had a wonderful Easter weekend doing traditional Easter things. Whatever your beliefs, we hope your weekend was spent doing things you love with those you love.

Coloring Easter eggs...



Inventory of the bunny's loot...



Before Easter services with a friend. And yes, I'll dress them in matching dresses for Easter as long as they'll let me.

A bunny, some sparkle and lots of spunk

Spring is definitely a busy time of year for these Desert Doers. Looking at our calendar we seem to have stuff going on over the weekends well into May. It probably has a lot to do with the fantastic weather we have in the spring and everyone planning things before going into hibernation for the summer.

This past weekend was no exception. The weekend started out with the annual neighborhood Easter egg hunt...including a visit from "the" bunny himself. Prior to the event, Meg had convinced herself she'd say hi to the bunny...but once she actually got there she settled for a wave from a safe distance instead.



That afternoon Em and I painted pottery with the Brownie troop while Steve and Meg visited GrampAl and went shopping for a birthday present for a party on Sunday which turned out to be the highlight of the weekend.

The daughter of Steve's friend of 20+ years was turning 4. Her parents planned quite the party involving a pink limo ride, hair dos, sparkle and a runway show. The girls had a great time and Em even made some new puppy friends, Luke and Leah.

A break for spring

There was a time in my life that spring break meant finding a sunny, cheap place that served drinks to adults under 21. Now it means finding a cheap place that serves a kid's menu and has plenty of entertainment for children under 10.

And with that we're headed to our home town, San Jose, for spring break. We'll be staying with Steve's mom, visiting with old friends and keeping the kids busy.

Tune back in after the 22nd for pictures and anecdotes.

What my children think of me...

This has been going around on Facebook the last couple days but I thought the answers were funny enough to share here. It is a series of questions I asked Emily (8) and Megan (4) about me. This just proves to me that being 4 is awesome.

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Emily: Don’t harass your sister.
Megan: I love you.

2. What makes mom happy?
Emily: When I’m good.
Megan: Smiles

3. What makes mom sad?
Emily: When I go in time out.
Megan: If I don’t give you a hug.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Emily: Tickles me.
Megan: Funny faces

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Emily: She looked like herself.
Megan: A baby

6. How old is your mom?
Emily: 40
Megan: 8 (I wish)

7. How tall is your mom?
Emily: 6 feet
Megan: This big

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Emily: Hang out with our family.
Megan: Play games

9. What does your mom do when you're not here?
Emily: Works
Megan: Clean

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Emily: Cooking
Megan: Being a star

11. What is your mom good at?
Emily: Dancing
Megan: Playing games

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Emily: Singing
Megan: Not playing games

13. What does your mom do for a job?
Emily: Mercer
Megan: Pick me up.

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Emily: Fudge-cicles (Dessert)
Megan: Salad and meatballs

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Emily: That she’s awesome.
Megan: Presents

16. If your mom were a TV character, who would she be?
Emily: A TV mom
Megan: A carrot (carrot...character...I get it)

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Emily: Cuddle
Megan: Play another game.

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Emily: We’re both funny.
Megan: Food (perhaps our love of it??)

19. How are you and your mom different?
Emily: We look different.
Megan: We're the same

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Emily: You give me kisses and hugs.
Megan: I kiss you on the lips

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
Emily: How he sings and dances.
Megan: Hugging him

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Emily: Sephora
Megan: The store.

Scheduling Conflict

Emily lost a tooth yesterday but the Tooth Fairy didn't make it by last night. Emily thinks it was because it was late in the afternoon when she lost the tooth and so she didn't have time to fit Em into her already booked schedule. And also because it was Sunday...apparently the Tooth Fairy also likes to keep limited hours on the Sabbath. It's a good thing too because she would have had to come back tonight anyhow. Turns out Emily pulled the other loose tooth out, with one swift tug, during a spelling test today. (She's gotten a lot more brave than a year ago).

This isn't the first time the Tooth Fairy has been late. Fortunately, Emily is pretty understanding. That is probably because she knows how understanding the Fairy is as well. Em's first two lost teeth ended up just that...lost. The first was swallowed and this mom was not going looking for it. The second was lost somewhere at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Em insisted on bringing it so she could show Grandma and PopPop when we picked them up...against someone else's (ah-hem) advisement. In both cases she put a letter of apology under her pillow in lieu of the lost tooth and she was generously reimbursed anyhow. When the Tooth Fairy has been late, like tonight, she's usually a little extra generous. So with two teeth and one a day late, Em is likely getting a wind fall.

Here is Emily's latest adorable smile.