Pre Easter Celebration

Raise your hand if you can't resist pictures of cute kids diving into Easter baskets?  Me either.  I love their sweet thank yous and "I love Easter" songs and the excitement on their faces.

It makes me smile.  This morning we're heading out to James' parents house.  Yay!  We get to spend Easter with family for  the first time in 8 years.  We get to hang out with Marilyn and the boys  and their grandparents from Oregon, Dan and Carol.  Yay!   We love those guys!  But most importantly we get to spend Easter together and celebrate the real meaning of Easter and for that I am truly grateful.

 I'm grateful for this kid who knows how to warm my soul with  her made up Easter song about how much Jesus loves us and how Heavenly Father is waiting for us...in Tennessee.  "Heavenly Father's in heaven." I smiled.  "That's what I said."  She replies back from the other room and continues on with her sweet song.

 I'm grateful for this little boy and his chocolate covered face and whispered apologies...

 and he's grateful for peeps...

 And I'm grateful for all these peeps and that they only moaned a little when I told them there would be LOTS of picture taking this weekend.

This year Cardi decided to forego orchestra and put her heart and soul into chorus.  I'll admit I was  slightly disappointed  that we wouldn't be careening to our near deaths at   Dollywood in the spring.  I had plans to master the roller coaster with lots of lamaze breathing but then that girl of ours had her first chorus concert last night and I forgot all about orchestra and roller coasters.

Despite the fact that we arrived late,  Meredith had no shoes, John was wearing my red socks on his arms in lieu of a jacket, and Bella was frantically trying to finish her homework  I was glad I got to listen to that sweet child of mine belt out tune after tune.  Even though just minutes before I was seriously contemplating whether bringing all the kids during dinner time for a twenty minute concert while James was away was really a good idea. 

Especially, because that sweet two year old of ours insisted on climbing over every seat in the theater whether they were occupied at the time or not.  I felt a lot of cold stares and more than annoyed glares coming my way.  But you know what?  Even though that baby girl of mine jumped up and down and tried to grab the camera numerous times and annoyed every single person around us,  I was glad I decided to load up the kids and sit through the drama that is sometimes parenthood. 

You'll be happy to know, I have bought another pair of shoes for my wiley 2 year old.  The second pair in less than a week.  I think whatever that mysterious force is that leaves us with only one unmatched sock has graduated to toddler shoes.

 

 

 

This kid  shivered all the way to the concert.

 

And because I have finally gotten around to posting again, I'll throw in a few more photos because you're such good sports like a  picture of my pioneer girl and that oversugared baby of ours on "Nerd" day

 

P.S.  Welcome to the family, Aaron!

"Low Key"

I hate feeling overscheduled and obligated. So, it's probably no surprise that we spent most of the summer just hanging out at home, eating popsicles, and watching more TV than was probably good for us. 

It was definitely low key, just the way I like things.  You'll see those two words a lot on the blog because it's how I envision my life.  Simple, easy, and fulfilled. 

 But occassionally, I like to stir things up and so the last week of summer break the kids and I co- hosted a field day at the park near our home with a number of our friends.   I was disorganized.  It was way too  hot.   It was  a little frustrating for some of the kids that balloons were popping left and right even before the games started.   And it was without a doubt so much FUN and left me asking myself "Why don't we do this more often?" 

 I love all these kids.  They are sweet and kind and such good examples to everyone around them.

 

 I am so grateful for each of them and I am especially grateful for their moms.  Oh how I love each one of them!  They are great friends, talented women, and dedicated mothers.  All the things I strive to be.  I am so grateful for their influence in my life and their willingness to put up with my many quirks like hiding out at home for the summer instead of hanging out with them more often.  (  =



Meredith

While James worked on the grow box for the garden, my contribution was to keep an eye (and camera) on Meredith.  That sweet little baby of our's can get into all sorts of trouble in a blink of an eye.

 This is the ritual meeting at Ms. Brenda and Mr. Joe's  fence.  And what happens next is this:  a good old fashion meeting of neighbors

 with lots of neighborly talk and of course a treat...I'm sure it's the great conversation that keeps her coming back.  I know that's what  draws me to the fence, of course an occasional treat just makes it a little sweeter. 

And speaking of sweet...Don't you just love that sweet, sticky, skittle covered face?  Some how, I think James got the worse end of the deal building the grow box.  But we'll keep that our little secret.