Grant's Special Sharing Time

Tonight was Grant's program at his pre-school.  It consisted of his class singing a few songs.  He gave us a preview on the ride over - "Jesus Loves Me."  And let me tell you he nailed it!  During the actual performance I barely saw his lips move but that's ok there were lots of distractions!  He stood next to his friend Brady and next to Brady was Brady's friend Evan.  The boy on the other side of him was messing with his clothes and you could see his underwear.  Brady really got into dancing and he and Evan started futzing with each other.  Before we knew it Evan had bopped  Brady in the gut and Brady is in tears.  My videography at this point went downhill.  I was laughing so hard I had tears and Elizabeth is asking me "why are you crying mommy?"  I can't keep my hand still because I am laughing so hard.  If I didn't know all of these boys it probably wouldn't be so funny, but knowing them and their personalities it was pretty cute!

Easter 2014

We had a wonderful Easter.  It started a week early when David and Sara came home for the St.Jude Gala and to share some Easter time with us.  The weather was a little breezy, but none the less a perfect spring day with the sun shining.  We spent the day playing yard games.  Good ole' fashioned fun that didn't require an Apple device!  First up was croquette.  It had been almost 15 years since David and I had last played and the last time was actually at Brandon's Aunt Sandy's house!  Lots of strategic moves later and David reigned the croquette!  We played a few games of PIG and rotated partners for Bags.  We finished the evening with a glow in the dark egg hunt which of course I have no pictures of because my nighttime photography is not good!  Best of all we got out all of those Apple devices and were able to plan a beach vacation for the summer. I am so ready for summer!!!

Actual Easter day started bright and early when Elizabeth woke up at 5:15 (ugh!! it was like xmas morning!).  Grant was already in bed with us (he is sneaky in the middle of the night like that!) and we managed to hold them off until 6:00 when I finally announced we were ready to embrace Easter and all of the memory making ahead!  By 6:45 we had found the eggs, opened the baskets and Brandon was at Ron's getting donuts!  I didn't plan breakfast because we are always so rushed and never have time to eat it!  We had plenty of time to enjoy some fried dough this year and then headed off to church.  A bonus to all of this time was we all looked really put together for the day.  After church we went to Ima and Pops for a daytime egg hunt and baskets.  We then headed to Kenny Pops' for an egg hunt and baskets.  The kids never tire of egg hunts and baskets!!  Kenny prepared a lovely meal for us and then we sacrificed a lamb.  Wait, what? Yes, we had a lovely lamb cake as a centerpiece and I was brave enough to try it and Brandon made quite a production of slicing/cutting it.  The kids were screaming "No!! Not the head! Oh Daddy! Ouch! Poor lamb!"  I sampled the ear,  thus deeming it truly only a centerpiece :)

We came home mowed the yard and the chocolate induced kids feel into slumber!!

The CADBURY EGG!

New shades in the Easter basket

Johnny Pops repurposed an Easter ribbon as a hair bow!

The lamb cake centerpiece

Melt My Heart :)

This is probably one for the "memory jar" but here it is.  The kids were outside playing with play-doh yesterday and Grant made me a blue heart and as he handed it me said, in his sweetest little boy voice "I love you very much."  As if that wasn't adorable enough a few minutes later he bring me another blob/heart and says "this is for a really special girl."  I think I might have blushed!  When he is good, he is really good!!

Tears

Things Elizabeth (5 1/2 years old) has cried about in the last 48 hours:

- it was too cold to wear a skirt to school = tears
- it was her turn to help spray the cleaner on the hardwood floors and Grant was doing it = tears
- it took too long (in her estimation - I didn't care) to pick out an outfit = tears (I told her that was part of being a girl - she found no comfort in this)
- I couldn't braid her hair all the way around her head to then make a side pony tail = tears

Trust me there was more, but they events are starting to blur together!

Grant continues to respond with "that's what brothers are for!" anytime he does something remotely nice for his sister!

And as we were looking through our wedding album, Elizabeth says "were your pregnant when you got married? Oh wait, no you couldn't have been!"  I had been talking earlier in the week how I was pregnant in my brother's wedding and sister-in-law's wedding.  I think she just got the events confused, but it was cute!

Where will Jack sleep tonight?

Since we have moved into the new house it has become a very big deal where Jack sleeps.  We encouraged him to sleep with Grant as a way to help him stay in bed all night.  Of course, Elizabeth was envious and wanted Jack also.  We allow Jack on Grant's bed, but not Elizabeth's due to their bedding.  Grant's bed is low and easy for him to jump on as well.  We usually try to rotate back and fourth but honestly, Jack always looks most comfortable in Grant's room.  Tonight Elizabeth was adamant that Jack was sleeping with her.  Jack was adamant that he was not and let us know by barking.  Elizabeth was in tears and boohooing it up pretty good.  "Jack never wants to sleep with me. My bed is too high.  It's not fair, he won't sleep with me!" (on and on and on) Grant to the rescue.  "Lisbet you can sleep with me. My bed is huge!"  You should have seen the smile on her face.  So into Grant's bed she climbed.  Grant's response "that's what brothers are for!"  Awe!! Is that not the sweetest?! Then he points to the picture on his wall, the picture of himself and says "If you can't sleep just look at that picture.  That's what I do!" Ok, hush now and all of you go to sleep!!!

A Cake for Grandpa!!

A few weeks ago Aunt Sandy came down for a visit.  The kids were so excited to have her stay at our house for a night!  She had the kids help her make an awesome cake for Grandpa Ray's birthday!

Batter testing!

1st layer!

Grant swirling the frosting

Sprinkling on the glitter!

Finished product!! 

Celebrating Mimi's Birthday

I adore my sister in law.  She had an awesome idea for a way for us to celebrate what would have been Mimi's 56th birthday.  We released balloons with birthday wishes attached and sent them to heaven.  Isn't that cool? But it gets better.   A bunch of people did it!  Brandon brought home balloons after work and it had a pink rose attached to them.  I simply wrote "Happy Birthday Mimi. We miss you." We released them on our deck with the kids and tried to watch them as long we could.  A new neighbor decided to introduce herself so and by the time we had finished chatting we could no longer see them.  The kids thought it was so cool.  The kids were having a sleepover with Kenny Pops and they had birthday cake and released balloons too.  Their sweet little voices sang "happy birthday" as the balloons drifted up to heaven.  Here are some pictures of all the balloon releases.