Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree

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This is the apricot tree at my parents house. This was our favorite tree to climb when we were younger. It is the perfect climbing tree. I remember times when I would climb up this tree and read as I sat on one of the branches. We had so much fun in this tree. We got so fast at climbing this tree. Once you know where to step, you can cruise up it. When we were younger, the city was widening the street and they needed to take several feet of everyone's property that lined that street. They were talking about how they would probably have to cut down this tree when they widened the street. I remember it talking about this in the newspaper how my Dad fought the city to be able to keep our tree. We were all so grateful to be able to keep this tree. It would have been so sad for it to be cut down. We love it... now the grandkids love climbing this tree. My nephews Spencer and Luke were climbing this tree the other day and Aaron Jr. was playing with them, so he came in to get me and I went out and he started climbing the tree. I showed him where to put his feet to find the best route up the tree and once he did it that one time, he kept climbing it over and over. Here is a series of photos that I took of one of his climbs...






Once he got up, he would sit in this little spot until he was ready to get down. Once he gets more confidence, he will want to climb up as high as we would climb. He had so much fun and I had a blast watching him. I can't believe my baby is climbing trees now.


Spencer and Luke in the apricot tree. Aaron Jr. has had a blast with these two while they have been visiting from Oregon. We will miss them when they go home.


Ta Da !

- - - POTTY TRAINING UPDATE - - -

Okay, so here's a story for you. Sorry to keep bringing up potty training stories, but this one was so funny. The other day, I was cleaning the bathrooms and I put toilet bowl cleaner in each of the toilets. Then once I put it in each one, I let it sit for a bit while I cleaned the bathtub. Aaron Jr. came in and he grabbed some toilet paper to wipe his nose. I told him that he needed to throw it in the garbage because I was cleaning the toilets. He looked and saw the blue cleaner in there and then went to throw away the toilet paper. Once I cleaned that toilet, I headed upstairs to clean the next one. As I approached the top of the stairs, there was a smell that wasn't pleasant, so I figured Aaron Jr. had done his duty. When I got to the bathroom, I saw him trying to clean up. I looked in the toilet and there was nothing, but there was a pile of toilet paper sitting on the floor next to the toilet. So, I moved the pile of toilet paper and there were some smears of poop on the floor where he had tried to clean it up. I still hadn't found the actual poop yet... until I looked up on the counter. There was another pile of toilet paper and in the middle of that pile, there was the poop. He had tried his hardest to clean it all up. At first, I couldn't understand why he had done that, but then I realized that he knew I was cleaning the toilets and he figured he couldn't go potty in the toilet until the blue cleaner was gone. So, he pooped RIGHT NEXT to the toilet instead.Then instead of throwing the poop into the toilet when he was done, he found a spot that he figured was acceptable until the blue cleaner was gone. I felt so bad after that. Of course, I didn't mean he couldn't use the toilet if he needed to, but he was doing as he was told. :) What a sweetheart. That was our latest funny experience. Aaron Jr. is doing so great with the potty training. I can't even remember the last time he had an accident. He still gets really excited when he goes poop in the toilet. I always tell him how proud I am of him when he goes potty and he has started to tell me how proud he is of me. It is so cute.
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My parents have a picture of Jesus on the wall in the living room. The other day, my mom asked Aaron Jr., 'Where's Jesus?' Aaron Jr. answered, 'He's with my Dad.'

One other story... my mom made Aaron Jr. breakfast the other morning while I took a shower. He hadn't been able to find a little toy truck that he had been playing with the night before. My mom said that when he was saying the blessing on the food, he asked several times in the prayer that he would be able to find his truck. Later that day, it was found and he was SO excited.
I believe he is gaining more and more of an understanding of Heavenly Father and Jesus. I am so grateful for that. I am sure he will find comfort as he gets older knowing that his Daddy is in heaven with them.


By the way... is anyone else tired of the snow? Spring officially started last week, so when do we get to start enjoying it? At least I have a little helper to help brush the snow off of the car. He is always so helpful.
I love Aaron Jr. so much. He is such a sweetheart.

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