When I text Brian, "Can we just run away?" And he texts back, "Yes," it's time to take a vacation. In March, we didn't really have time to take an actual vacation, but we did squeeze in a day trip to Payson, AZ. That day, it happened to be 90 degrees in Phoenix and a balmy 78 in Payson, so we picked the perfect time for our mini spring break!
After a visit to the Rim County Museum (not recommended for toddlers, but if you do go, FYI there's a bunch of toys UPSTAIRS. Just go up there first, instead of at the end!) We found the perfect place for lunch. We were still on our Whole 30 Challenge for the month of March, and we found great options at the Mongollon Moose!
We stopped at a bike shop (as always) and Edison was quite taken with the rocks he found outside. Then we took a short drive up to a lake, and did a little "hiking"... aka, walking in the woods, ate some snacks, and taught Edison how to throw rocks in the water.
We had just enough time to stop at an Antique shop before it closed - Granny's Attic Antiques. They gave Edison the baby, and then when I found the carved candlelabra and vintage Mickey Mouse book, they were close to closing, so they gave those to me for free also. That's the best kind of antiquing! Note to self: take a cute kid with you to get good deals.
Very last minute, Brian and I decided to do the Walk for Life. It's a short walk - 2.5 miles - and it doesn't cost anything to participate, but you can raise funds by having people sponsor you, and the funding goes to our local crisis pregnancy centers. In one week, we were able to raise $375!
As part of the 2.5 mile walk, we got to tour the Tempe center. I didn't know exactly what to expect, but I was so impressed by the facility and the staff. The ultrasound and exam rooms were comfortable, welcoming, peaceful, and professional. The center's licensed medical and volunteer staff provides free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, abortion information and risks counseling, low-cost STD testing and treatment, childbirth and parenting classes, men's mentoring, post-abortive recovery groups, and abuse recovery groups. All without ANY government funding - it's completely funded through donations.
At the end of March, we renewed our Zoo membership, which reminded us that this is the perfect time of year to take advantage of it!
We've gone almost every weekend - and it's so fun to see Edison picking up the animal names. The mammal (camel) and monkeys are favorites.
This is how I did my Lent Bible study on weekends - with the company of a little cuddler.
My sister-in-law Andrea visited us for a weekend on her spring break from teaching! Of course that would be the weekend Edison had major allergy issues, which made playing outside a little challenging. All the more cuddles for her, though! Edison missed her when she left - he asked about where "Anya" went.
A few other great #toddlerlife moments:
When mama doesn't want to wear the shoes you picked out for her to church.
When you ask for a banana, then get so mad when mama peels it before giving it to you that you throw it on the floor, and then immediately regret that decision.
We try to keep a sense of humor about the toddler meltdowns! Overall, this stage has been really fun. Watching him sleep stretched out in his crib, he seems so big, and yet still so small. He's so quickly becoming a boy and not a baby anymore.
This weekend, the temps are supposed to climb to 100 degrees, meaning it's the end of our spring and the start of summer. I'll miss having the doors and windows open all day, and letting the cool breeze fill the house. But I'm happy to say goodbye to spring allergies, and hello to pool time!
Just like each season brings it's own joys and challenges, I'm learning that parenting really goes in seasons too. Nothing stays the same for long, and just when you think you've got things figured out, there's new growth and change. But the new joys and discoveries make up for the things we leave behind.
What season of the year is your favorite? Do you have a favorite parenting season as well? Let me know in the comments below.
Labels: Adventures in Arizona, Brian, Edison, Family, Life
