Spring Break 2012

Wow, what a whirlwind the last 3 weeks have been!  Between sickness, spring break, a surprise birthday party, a wedding and Easter, we have been busy!  I'll do my best to catch you up on our spring break in Illinois.

My big sister turned the "big five-oh" on Easter Sunday.  Her hubby planned a surprise birthday party the weekend before.  She was totally clueless and we had so much fun!  After she arrived, Jensen's showed up with yet another surprise...a new recliner!  Laughter and tears was all she could muster!  Good times!

The kids on Palm Sunday

We decided to head to the Children's Museum of Illinois with Catherine, Hunter and Ryleigh.  I was pretty impressed with this Children's Museum.  It was lots of fun.  Of course, when we pulled up, my kids commented how small it was.  They are used to the monstrosity in Indy, but once inside, we had a good time anyway.

I did manage a picture of Ryleigh.  She did a lot of smiling and hanging out while we were there.  She is the best little girl!  So proud of my niece and her beautiful children.  On a side note, all my pictures of Hunter are blurry.  We couldn't get the little guy to hold still long enough! 

Love her!  How can you not smile at this?

 We did have a little mishap that warranted a trip to the E.R.  One night before bed, Madelyn and Molly were playing and running through the house.  Molly fell and hit her chin on the pull-out couch in the back bedroom.  Some glue, Elmo stickers, a color book and some suckers later, we were on our way home.  I was so proud of how well she did.  She was a little reluctant but had no tears and even told the doctor 'thank you' after she was done. 

Molly being brave!

Easter Sunday, we went to church then had dinner with my parents and my sister and her family.  Then after, we did an Easter egg hunt!

Dressed in our Easter best!

The kids also went train hunting with Papa several times, had fun watching the momma and baby bunnies in the back yard, played with the neighbor kids and made numerous trips to the park.  Thank you Mom and Dad for letting us come hang with you for Spring Break!  It was nice to get away and relax!

A Kindergarten Mother's Day

For weeks, David and his class has been preparing for a special Mother's Day event.  He was so excited this morning he just beamed!  Upon my arrival, my boy met me at the door, took my hand, handed me a program and guided me to my seat next to his.  I was showered with gifts and then introduced to the class by my son.  Then the class recited 2 Mom poems and sang a special song.  Afterward, we enjoyed cookies and punch.  Then each child took turns telling one thing they like about their Mom.  David said I make the bestest pizza in the whole wide world!  I've always said a way to man's heart is through his tummy.  :)  Finally, we were given a special marigold in a decorated pot that David had started with seeds.  I couldn't have been more proud or felt more loved today.  David is a true gentleman.  He told me how nice I looked and served me my cookie and punch.  And he was very courteous to everyone around.  Tonight when he went to bed, he told me today was the best day ever!  And I think I have to agree.

Here's David with Mrs. Mitchell and classmate Danielle.  Mrs. Mitchell has the biggest heart!  The way she leads her class is impressive.  And she loves these kids!  A small handful of kids did not have their Mother come.  But Mrs. Mitchell handled it with grace.  She wore each of their special flowers made for their Mom and made each one still feel very special and loved.  So thankful for a wonderful teacher and true servant of God.

Easter fun!

We had such a good weekend!  On Saturday the Easter bunny paid a visit.

The kids question whether or not this is Daddy.  Considering Daddy is never around when the Easter Bunny is, it kind of makes sense right?  But I think they are just not ready to come to that realization because they talk themselves out of it.  I myself think it's pretty hilarious.  Molly is not scared at all.  In fact, she just cuddles and pats and loves the near 8 foot tall rabbit.

On Sunday, Daniel had to work in the morning, so I had to get the kiddos ready for church on my own.  We didn't do too bad on time.  I was even able to snap a picture.

For the first time, Molly was able to have her own hair up in a top knot!  Love it!!  Molly is cutting some teeth and drooling like crazy, so not too many smiles from her.  Here is all of us in our Sunday best!

Daniel was home by one, so we got to spend the rest of the day together.  That evening, we went to Heidi's for Easter family dinner.  The kids got even MORE candy from Me-maw the Easter bunny.  We also had an Easter egg hunt.  On a side note, notice Madelyn's extra curly hair.  With all the rain and humidity, her hair was just full of curls!  I think it's just beautiful.

 

We had a truly great weekend with lots of family fun!   On our way home from Heidi's, Madelyn started to tell us the Easter story.  She began her account at the start of Holy Week with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and finished with Peter entering the empty tomb to find it empty and the grave clothes folded.  She included so much accurate detail.  I am so thankful for each and every person who teaches Truth to my children.  Children learn by repetition and Daniel and I do our best to teach our children at home as the Bible instructs, but I am so thankful for a Godly church who speaks Truth.  I'm thankful for their Sunday School teachers, Children's worship leaders as well as a good Christian preschool.  May God reward them for the precious work they do each and every week.  They are making a difference in my children's lives.  Praising Him for so many things this Easter!!

Hollywood!

After dinner one evening last week, Daniel took the kids on a little walk.  The older ones rode their bikes, and Molly cruised in her umbrella stroller.  Since it was sunny, we put Molly's sun glasses on.  She loved them and wore them for quite awhile before she learned she could take them off.

Madelyn had to have hers too!

While they were gone, I took the opportunity to go to the back yard to plant some more flowers.  They weren't gone but around the block and the last turn David made, he fell off his bike and it broke into 3 pieces.  I couldn't believe it!  The whole thing just fell apart.  Luckily Daniel was able to get it back together, but by then, they were all done with the walk.  I only got as far as getting the gardening supplies out of the shed.  Oh, well.  There's always next time.

Spring Break!

In desperate need of a mini-vacation, the kids and I took off Saturday and spent the majority of our spring break in Illinois at my parents house.  The weather turned cold and we were not able to enjoy the outside as much as we would like, but we had a good time anyway.  The first night there, we got to enjoy Dad's famous home-made pizza!  Mmmm!

Molly made herself at home quickly playing with the toys Momo and Papa have collected over the years.  Here's Dr. Molly.  By the way, she put this around her neck on her own.  We didn't do this for her.  :)

Day 2: Madelyn, PJ and I headed to the movie theater.  We saw Gnomeo and Juliet.  It was an OK movie.  It really wasn't as funny as I thought it would be.  I definitely will not buy it.  But the movie theater popcorn was good and the company was even better, so it was all worth it!  David did not join us for the movie as expected.  He wasn't feeling too well and had a runny nose and a cough.  Molly also was not feeling well, but finally got some rest with Papa.

Day 3: Dad and I along with the kids headed to Decatur to visit my Dad's brother Gary.  The kids loved chasing the 2 cats around.  David, my brave boy, started the steep climb up the stairs to the attic.  Madelyn reluctantly started to follow.  Uncle Gary teasingly told them to watch out for the boogie man.  They changed their minds and headed back down.  But after a little talking between the two of them and David assuring Madelyn she would be fine, they headed up again and opened the door to the attic.  Funny to me....my Uncle Gary lives in my Grandma's old house and I too remember as a kid the long scary climb up the stairs to the attic.  I joined them upstairs and reminisced what it was like to visit this same house when I was their age.  Such great memories!!  In the afternoon, Mom and I sneaked out to do a little shopping.  Always a must.  This day Molly also started with a runny nose and a fever.  Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep this night.  Good times!

Day 4: David felt much better so he and Papa went on a train hunt.  After burning up about $30 in gas, 2 hours of time that included a Happy Meal, a trip to the park and 2 bathroom breaks, they finally saw a train and chased it 5 miles to Blue Mound.  Success!!  Meanwhile, my sister came over to visit.  Mom, Lori, Madelyn and I visited while Molly took a nap.  Later that evening I went to Taylorville to get my hair done.  A girl I went to high school with now owns her own salon on the square.  It was good to see her and reminisce about old times.  Molly started to feel a little better and slept much better.

We headed home on day 5.  By this time, David was perfectly fine, Molly just had a runny nose and I was starting to feel a little run down.  Sure enough, when I got home I had caught the cold.  And the next day it was Mom's turn.  Luckily whatever this is doesn't last long.  The first day and a half are the worst.  So far, Madelyn and Dad have escaped it.  And Daniel....well, he left for Illinois the day after I got back and will not be back until tomorrow.  So maybe he's escaped it too. 

John 14:27 (NLT)  “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give."


#34-42 of my ONE THOUSAND GIFTS.....of endless grateful love......

Spring buds on the trees

connecting with Mom through Him at that table over coffee and newspapers

fresh sudokus

listening to stories of old - reminiscing by my Daddy

her sitting next to me in the van and then in the movie theater. 

my parents and my children - strengthening and loving

catching up - the way sisters do

HIM pulling me back to HIS love using his words of wisdom and leadership I've so longed to hear.

His Word breathing new life into my soul - truth, love, passion, joy

Life

We have had a fun week!  The warm weather has been a nice welcomed change.  I thought Molly looked so cute in her blue shirt and bow.  Just had to take a picture.  What you can't see here is her first pair of jean capris.  I love this time of year!!

The kids have really enjoyed the play set.  Madelyn can swing this year all by herself without help!

And finally to round out our week before spring break, Madelyn had mis-match day at school to celebrate March Madness.  2 different socks, non-matching clothes....

 

And even mis-matched hair.  She looked adorable!

 

Spring is here!!

And what a better way to usher in spring than a day at the Zoo!  

 

We were able to see some of the new exhibits.  This year they have added bats and a wart hog.

The bats just hung in the corner and slept.  But this warthog just stood at the window and let people take it's picture.  Extremely ugly little thing, but Molly didn't seem to mind.  It was also nice to visit some of our favorites again.  Sharks are always fun.  And since we went later in the afternoon, we saw the Cheetah's and also the elephants pretty close.  Here's Madelyn with some rhinos.

 

 We also got to admire some of the new spring flowers already in bloom.  It was a fun day!!

Zoo Boo

Today, the children and I ventured out to Zoo Boo.  The weather was a little brisk, but since it was sunny and there was no wind, it really wasn't too bad.  We started off in the bounce house, did some pumpkin bowling and a hay maze.  Then we went on a haunted train ride and finally did some trick or treating. I have to say...I am so proud of their costumes!  They all look adorable.  David wanted to be Spiderman this year.  Thank you to Heather and J.J. for letting us borrow his costume.  You made one boy very happy and he told everyone we saw that he was the "real" Spiderman. 

Madelyn wanted to be a mermaid.  After some looking, I found this one on buycostumes.com for $8.50 with shipping!  What a deal!!  And so adorable.

And as for Molly, I found her butterfly costume at The Children's Place for $11.00.  Is she not the cutest butterfly you've ever seen?!  (Please ignore the bib in this next one.  Girl needs to cut more teeth quick and stop drooling all over!!)

Molly did wonderful as usual.  She did not fuss one time, was full of smiles, and of course got lots of attention.  Towards the end of the evening it was starting to get a little cold and she wanted a nap.  I think the look in the next picture says it all!

After Zoo Boo, we met Josh, Elisa and Gavin at Chick-fil-A then headed to Westside Retirement Village to do some trick or treating and visit Mr. Bartle.  They even had a haunted house that was a lot of fun.  Madelyn wasn't too sure at first, and eventually was OK.  David on the other hand had a blast and wanted to go again!  Boy after my own heart.  Daniel and I both love haunted houses.  We've hit some scary ones, especially up in Wisconsin.  In fact, it's been awhile since we've been to one, so we may have to track one down next year.  :) 
Tomorrow on the agenda holds some fun too.  Pumpkin carving and passing out candy.  Then some more trick or treating on Sunday.  I just love this time of year!!

Leaping lizards Batman....or roses....

I recently learned from my Aunt Joan a little about roses. She said that the first year you plant a rose bush, it's sleeping, the 2nd year it's creeping and the third year it's leaping. Well, we are in year 3 for my rose bush and leaping it is! It has been just covered in blooms! And the flowers are just huge and gorgeous! It has since stopped blooming and I'm hoping it's not done for the season, but we will see.

I also have a lily that has bloomed.

And this is a new flower for this year. I just love it's color.

Happy Easter!!

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday. We celebrated our Lord's resurrection at church, went to Applebee's for lunch and then home for an Easter egg hunt. Later on, we went to Heidi's for supper and visited with family.


The kids looked adorable in their matching outfits. I wish I had a picture of all 3 of them together, but alas, I do not. Molly had a bit of an accident on her dress during church and I was unable to snap a picture before she was changed. Oh well....soon I will play dress up and get my picture. :)

Spring has sprung!

The weather has been beautiful! We got out this evening and enjoyed as much as we could. Madelyn wanted to ride her "skewter".


David is still stuck on this tricycle. We got him a bike for his birthday, but it's a little big. He rode it a little, but insisted he needed to grow into it before he rode it anymore. We may need to do something about that.


And Molly was content snoozing in my arms. I guess spring doesn't impress her that much. :)