Friday, April 27, 2012

Karina the Camel

A few weeks ago the kids stayed the night at my parents.  The next morning at breakfast there was an article in the newspaper about the camel at our local zoo.  She was very old and had become extremely arthritic and had developed sores.  In short they had to euthanize the camel.  Well Elizabeth saw the picture and asked Ima what it was about and she told her that the camel was leaving the zoo.  I had seen the article as well and anticipated lots of questions.  We went to pick the kids up and ran into town to do some errands.  The entire trip she kept asking where the camel was going.  The article had also said that there were no plans to replace the camel at this time.  I knew the next trip to the zoo would lead us by an empty camel exhibit.  I finally reached my limit of creative answers and turned to the truth.  I crawled in the back seat with her and held her hands and explained that the camel was very sick and that she died, but that she was in heaven now and it is so much better for her there.  Oh the tears...she cried and cried.  I focused on the healing that happens in heaven and that she is in a better place now.  She is so tenderhearted when it comes to animals.  I asked her if she would like to make a card when we got home to send to the zoo to say goodbye to the camel.  She thought that sounded like a great idea!  I grabbed a piece of card stock and outlined a camel and gave her the crayons.  She colored a beautiful multi-colored camel, all in the lines - it really was precious!  I am really kicking myself for not taking a picture of it.  I told her I would write whatever she wanted to say.  "Bye Camel - Love You" was what she wanted.  We folded it up and mailed it to the zoo.

Yesterday was our first trip since the camel's passing and on the way there she said, "I am a little sad about the camel but not too sad.  It is is heaven with Gunner right mommy?"  We got to the camel's exhibit and they had relocated the emus to that area.  The emus are one of Elizabeth's favorites and we hadn't seen them in a while due to construction so she was thrilled to see all three of them at once.

Today she got a letter in the mail from the zoo.  It was a thank-you for her nice card to the camel.  Her eyes lit up :)  At lunch she asked me if camels like to be petted.  I said I didn't know for sure.  Her response, "Mommy, when I go to heaven I am going to pet all of the camels and Gunner."  This girl just melts my heart!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

My Birthday

It was a beautiful day and I spent it enjoying my family.  Elizabeth woke up early to give me a Mickey Mouse card that daddy had bought for the kids.  She signed her name and then hid it in her baby's bed.  It was very sweet.  In the future we will remember to take birthday pictures in the morning when we look fresher!  (this will help the birthday girl not look any older than she already is right?!)

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Tidbits

My sleeping babies!  The pictures you dare not take because you don't want to risk waking them up!  Elizabeth is pretty much done with naps, so when her head hits the pillow she is out like a light (although ironically she sleeps with two night lights and a lamp turned on!)  The little man on the other hand likes to fall asleep on daddy's chest after being given the option of going straight to his crib.  The nightly routine goes like this...I read the kids a few books, Grant kisses us goodnight and runs to daddy.  Daddy stands at his bedroom door way and says, "Grant, do you want your crib?"  He nods no and they go and lay down in our bed.  He lays down in his crib at nap time with no problem, but given the option he take a chest any day!  Really, who wouldn't?!
Yesterday I was getting ready and I hear a crash and wait for yells, but hear nothing.  I few minutes later Elizabeth carries in a ceramic tea cup saucer in three pieces.  She is very upset and I tell her it is no problem and attempt to glue it back together.  "Mommy, I thought you would be mad."  I was not mad at all, I actually was extremely calm and just shrugged the whole thing off without a lecture about being careful.  She proceeds, "Mommy, I am so sorry, I know it was special.  Grant did it!"  First of all, it was not at all special, I think I bought them on clearance at TJMaxx!  Second, way to through your brother under the bus!  In all honesty, I think he may have been guilty, based on the reenactment.  I can only imagine the plotting that went on between the break and the delivery of the broken plate!

In other news, the latest craze in our house is Doc McStuffins, a new series on the Disney Channel.  It is a show about a young girl who is a doctor to stuffed animals.  Elizabeth can even sing the theme song!  I have to admit, it is kind of catchy and I have even been caught singing along ;)

Elizabeth's tumbling recital is next week.  I signed her up for the summer session of a ballet/tap combo class.  She is going to do the Kids in the Kitchen "cooking class" this summer too.  We will end the summer with VBS.

Grant is loving the outdoor weather and being able to climb on everything at the playground and kick balls around.  We are going to have a fun summer with two active kids!  He is becoming quite verbal (or maybe I should just say loud!) He will let you know what is on his mind.  He's newest thing is that he clenches his jaw when he is mad about something and then usually follows it up with a head butt.  He uses his head like a billy goat!

Oh the trouble siblings can get into together! 

Picnic at the zoo with the arms wide open.




Monday, April 9, 2012

Easter 2012

Our Easter festivities started on Saturday night when the Easter Bunny surprised us with a glow in the dark egg hunt!  The kids loved it and just as we were finishing it started raining, so the timing was perfect.  It was so cool to look out at the backyard and see the eggs glowing.  A few hints for future glow in the dark hunts...1) have tape available to close the eggs and 2) have extra glow sticks/bracelets in case of duds 3) darker eggs glow brighter! Also, be prepared for little to no pictures and/or video of the hunt!  We just have to treasure them in our memory banks because my night time photography is not good!
Can you see the glow?!
The EB brought coins this year.
Eggs glowing in the basket

Feeding the piggy

Sunday morning the kids woke up early so we went to the early church service.  We spent the afternoon at my parents.  Elizabeth was pointing out eggs before we were even out of the car!  The kids really enjoyed the egg hunts.  It was fun that they were both old enough to participate this year.  Elizabeth often shared her eggs with Grant.  It looked innocent and sweet, but really she was just making more room in her basket!  We praised her sharing skills anyway.  We enjoyed the afternoon together and watched plenty of the Master's tournament and even taught Grant to say, "Bubba!"  We were all rooting for Phil, but when that didn't work out we turned our attention to Bubba!
Ready for church

Now that church is over, time for the hat!

Hunting eggs!

Hunting eggs!

Victory!


Yes, he actually kept his hat on!


Happy Easter family!

Friday, April 6, 2012

Hawaii Pictures...(a few favorites)

Do you see the waterfall?  

Grant peddling his shells, "you like this one?" and then he would pick up another one and do the same thing over and over!


Orchids easily grow anywhere

One of many roosters/chickens

Spouting Horn

Tunnel of Trees

Brandon and my mom's "Corona" moment (I thought it looked like a Corona commercial)


So tired...

...so very very tired

Best place to nap - on somebody!

Yes it's raining, yes it's cold, but we had power, so we sat in the hot tub!

Elizabeth helped her brother get dressed (notice her underwear)

She wanted the layered look

Knitting lessons



Uncle David entertaining the kids!





The Whisper helipcoter tour

The waterfall in Jurassic Park


An aerial view of the "Queen's Bath"  The next day we went inside it on our boat tour

Honey, it's easier to see the fish if you actually put your head in the water!





Grant wore himself out and wanted to be picked up and just fell asleep!

LOVE the outdoor shower!  

Perfect timing with the rainbow!

I made the cheesy matching shirts for everyone for Christmas!



What shall we do with this coconut?

Drink the coconut milk?

Balance it on my head?

David & Sara - love this picture!

At the Luau


The move really fast! Shake those hips!




Underwater camera while snorkeling
Do you see the sea turtle?


Elizabeth is 15!!

  2) HOW OLD ARE YOU? 15 3) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? pink 4) WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND? Parker, Isabella & Julianna 5) WHAT DO YOU WAN...