the party continues

Joachim and Caitlin got together for a while before Caitlin returned to Denver
And cousins came over for a cookout, more water guns and some kite flyingAnd Grandma built a super duper sandbox that all the grandkids can fit in.

Pascha

We had perfect weather for the Easter picnic again this year, I even had to break out the sun screen. St. Andrew’s puts on an awesome celebration which I think is really a testimony to the relationships in the parish. Being relatively new here, it was nice to look around and feel a genuine belonging and I was surprised to realize just how many memories I already have with each person.

There was an egg hunt especially for ages 1-3 (and another for 4-7 and one for 8-11). Below is Caitlin, Joachim's Godsister.
The older kids had their annual treasure hunt. They’re pictured here singing a silly song (they have to perform various slightly embarrassing activities to get their clues).Aside from being supplied with an unlimited amount of candy, someone also provided water guns for all the kids. It wasn’t long before Joachim got the hang of the trigger...and loved it.
The big boys celebrating.Joachim learned to hold on to the swing recently and he and Katerina suckered Grandma into pushing them continuously. Joachim's lucky to have Katya for a buddy.

It seems that with the arrival of spring, my blog entries have thinned out. I intend to keep posting, it’s just harder with an ever more engaging Joachim and so many outside things to do. Joachim has really found his voice and is chatting it up. He’ll talk to anyone on the phone and repeat his litany of-

“Horsy Kaatee ride, horse eat grass, Goat, goat house red. Rabbit boo, rabbit geen, rabbit poop – candy.”

Translation: "I rode the horse with Katya, he ate grass. There is a goat (at the end of our street) and he lives in a red goat house. I have rabbit stickers on the window (blue and green). There is rabbit poop (by our cars where the rabbits like to eat). I like candy."
We’ve started going to a new playgroup with a friend and it’s perfect for Joachim. The instructor is an occupational therapist and uses all sorts of play to engage the toddlers. Last time she had an animal tracks theme and Joachim LOVED making animal prints in the therapy putty.
Willon demonstrates how to use the foam animal print shoes.
For Easter I worked on flower decorations for the church, I worked on the garland below and the bunches over the icons. The older women in church are looking for new energy to take over the decorating in the future and Kara and I are excited to as long as our husbands are willing to watch the kiddos.We had a fabulous Easter and I can’t wait to post more pictures. Joachim did really well for the hours of services.

Delta Museum

A month ago I took Justin and Jacob to the Delta historical museum, a very small “museum” right in the middle of town. Mostly people go there to look through the archives (I actually haven’t talked to anyone who’s been in). While the boys enjoyed the 10,000 year old arrowheads and dinosaur fossils (found right here in Delta County), I was absorbed in reading about our town’s history. It’s crowded with everything from trunks that Delta settlers handmade and brought over in covered wagons, to the first dentist chair used in Delta. Below is a Delta brick :)I like this stuff, I mean I really really like it. I’m fascinated by the connections to people’s lives and the changing face of the land. There are hundreds of acres of desert down the road from us called “peach valley” but no one I’ve talked to has ever seen a peach tree there. I learned that nearly century ago they tried, but the soil is too alkali, still the name remains.

Outside the museum there was a bell collection including the original bell from the first school in Delta. The sign read, “We encourage you to ring the bells- try all of them.” Whoever wrote that didn't anticipate my nephews. Here they are ringing a 1,000 pound bell. And the highlight of the trip that Jacob enthusiastically spouted to his mom when we returned? I locked my keys in the car and Grandpa had to deliver the spare (fortunately I had several extra copies made after last time). People tease me for locking my car here, but old habits die hard, I’m a car locker.

pretend play

Recently Joachim hit another toddler milestone in full stride- pretend play. He really enjoys playing "church" in which he arranges his favorite icons, lights a candle (with help) and "holds services". He likes to play the role of the priest (who also happens to be his grandpa) here he is blessing me with the cross (a treasured family possession because Fr Anthony carved it as a wedding present).
Inspired by Martha Stewart and Kassia, (a self-proclaimed hopeless do-it-yourselfer), I fashioned an oven for Joachim. Now he goes to bed saying, "I cook, I cook" and wakes up to new combinations of pasta, beans and cereal. It's been such a big hit, I'm imagining designs for a sink and refrigerator. I had hoped to paint the cardboard, but he doesn't seem to mind so it may never happen.
And this one is for Simon and Ira. I know every child diapers their stuffed animals, but I was amused by his insistence that he could diaper Simon, his guinea pig, I like how he even got the little leg to stick out.
I really like this age.

weather

Last week this big red dust storm blew through,
and this morning, the first day of April, this snow storm blew through.Hmmm, spring?