Good Thing He's So Cute

So, Clark is my charming 3-year-old.  As with most threes, he says hilarious stuff that I have to repeat to everyone I meet.  You see, making the stories funny saves my sanity (and saves him from injury too, I'm sure.)

Today I was rushing to pick the girls up from school.  I took Clark to the bathroom and was frantically rushing around looking for my keys.  I remembered putting them on the counter where I usually leave them, but they just weren't there.  I asked Clark if he had taken them.  A few days ago he lost a library CD which we still haven't found, so it wasn't beyond the realm of possibility that he would take my keys.  The following, in play form, will allow you to re-enact the scene in the comfort of your own home:

Me:  Clark, I can't find the keys.  We're late getting the girls.  Did you take the keys?
Clark:  Yep.  I must have taken them.
M:  Why would you take them Clark?  Where did you put them?
C:  I must slowly investigate.  [wanders around the house craning his neck in unusual ways]
M:  Clark, it's a little too slowly.  We're super late to get the girls.  Where did you put the keys.
C:  I must slowly investigate.  [continues wandering.]
M:  [thinking aloud]  We're never going to find the keys.  And school just let out 1 minute ago.
M:  Clark!!!  Where are the keys?!!?

We couldn't find them anywhere, no thanks to the neck craning, so I put on my running shoes, grabbed the jogging stroller, and ran to school, saying a prayer that the girls would be okay.  I am so out of shape, those 6 blocks of mostly sprinting were pretty pathetic and totally winded me.  Fortunately the girls were still in their classroom and not waiting for me in the office.  When we got home, after much moaning and groaning, I offered a candy bar to whoever found the keys.  I said a prayer that we'd be able to find them, and remembered that I had left them in the bathroom when I was helping Clark before we started frantically searching for the keys.  Grace got a candy bar for retrieving them.  I got one for running 6 blocks.  When I asked Clark why he said he had taken the keys when he really hadn't, he said, "I don't know."

My next story is just sweet, not frustrating.  Clark was cuddled up in my lap the other day and he said, "we spend a lot of time together, don't we?"  I said, "We're just best friends, aren't we?" and he snuggled closer.

Late March, Early April. The Months are Running Together

Honestly, I'm constantly writing blog posts in my head, but apparently I only write posts monthly in reality.  And these posts consist mainly of pictures.  Look how far I've fallen.

 Alex, Collin, Grace, Alyssa, Camille.  Some of our ward/kindergarten friends all mashed together in the wagon.

 Then we went to Washington DC for spring break.  Here is the carousel on the mall.  Camille and Grace can be seen next to their cousin Caleb, who is riding the dragon horse.

 In front of the Washington Monument.  Caleb has inherited his father's disdain for picture taking.

We had a lot of fun in Virginia- it was so nice to be around Paul's side of the family.  Every time I visit, I feel like I'm missing out, being on the other sunny and pleasant side of the country, and all.

 So then we got to visit with our friends the Tanners and the Oakdens.  Here is "Teacher Oakden", Kendra, who is the girl's much beloved ex-primary teacher (not pictured is "Other Teacher Oakden", her wonderful husband Jared.)

 Glow in the dark Easter Egg Hunt outside.

 We went to the Baltimore Aquarium for Clark's birthday.  If you look closely you can see his reflection looking at the fish.  This is a cool aquarium, and Paul's favorite (which is saying a lot, as he is an independent aquarium connoisseur.)

 We went to the village egg hunt.  After looting the place, the kids stood around watching the Easter Bunny arrive via boat.

 Uncle Brook likes to prove his strength when we get together by doing a push-up with all of the kids.  Clark decided to let him off easy by sliding off his back.  Uncle Brook could have lifted a few more kids, I think.  The man's muscles know no boundaries.

Here is Granddad lighting Clark's candles on his "strawberry cake with strawberry frosting and strawberry candles."  As you can see, we take birthdays very seriously.

 The girls in front of the flowering dogwood tree.  So many beautiful trees!

 By the secret graveyard in the neighborhood.

 Clark's favorite birthday present- thanks Caleb!

Paul and the girls got to go to the White House Easter Egg Roll with Jeff Tanner and his boys.  It was so nice of the to share their tickets with us.

 They had a great time doing a bunch of activities and spotting various celebrities whose names they did not know.  I had a great time hanging out with Mary and going to the museum with our babies.  (hers is 3 months old, mine is 3 years old).

C&G share a smoothie 

I finished a quilt (my first quilt ever!) that I made for my friend's son.  Welcome, Thomas!  We're so happy to have you in the world with us!