Hoppy Easter

Our Easter weekend started on Thursday.  Steve took a day off --yay, he has been working so hard.  He put together the trampoline we bought for the kids.  After school when their homework was done we convinced them to go outside to do bubbles with Andrew and when they saw the trampoline there was audible gasps. Lila said, "where did that come from?"  We explained we bought it as a spring surprise.  Ellie, "I thought this day would never come." Now they are jumping maniacs.  I even saw Andrew and Lila's heads bouncing Friday morning before school as I was driving back from the grocery store (I went to pick up a few items after dropping Ellie off at ballroom).

Friday night we decorated Easter eggs.  It was great fun after we stopped Andrew from eating the dye tablets and trying to crack the eggs. ;)

The Easter bunny comes to our house on Saturday.  Andrew and Lila were in a hurry to see what he brought.  Ellie wanted to finish reading a chapter in her book.  As soon as Andrew came around the corner he grabbed the Reester bunny that was for Steve and said, "mine." After we said no he moved on to the chocolate bunny by my clothes and repeated, "mine."  Finally he found the little bunny in his basket opened it immediately and started eating (this kid has more of sweet tooth than his older sisters).

After breakfast, Steve gave directions for the Easter egg hunt.  This year the bunny sectioned off the yard so he could make it harder for the older ones and not have them pointing out to the little ones where there are eggs.  It worked out good and they all got done about the same time.

Then the fun sorting, where once again Andrew was shoving in as much candy as he could.

Marcus and I made it to church today for the first time.  It was kind of fun to get us all ready and nurse in time for 9am church--ok we were 5 minutes late.  We'll get better at it.  Tonight we are having a little family dinner of lamb, roasted potatoes, rolls, salad, and carrot cake.

I really enjoyed the post hymn we sang in church today, "I Know that My Redeemer Lives."  It testified that, "He Lives!" and that is what we are celebrating this weekend.

I know that my Redeemer lives.

What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

He lives, he lives, who once was dead.

He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives to bless me with his love.

He lives to plead for me above.

He lives my hungry soul to feed.

He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply.

He lives to guide me with his eye.

He lives to comfort me when faint.

He lives to hear my soul's complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears.

He lives to wipe away my tears.

He lives to calm my troubled heart.

He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend.

He lives and loves me to the end.

He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing.

He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath.

He lives, and I shall conquer death.

He lives my mansion to prepare.

He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives! All glory to his name!

He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

The Rock

We had family home evening today before lunch.  We were talking about the Holy Week and the events that lead up to Easter.  Andrew was really tired because we had been at Mimi & Grandpa's in Mt Green the night before and he didn't get to bed until 10pm.  I was doing my best to engage him in our lesson while also teaching the girls (which can be quite the task when he isn't tired). All of the sudden something bounced off of the forehead of Marcus. I knew that Andrew had thrown something, he throws everything--you ask him to hand you the binkie, your phone, the remote whatever it is it gets thrown to you. Then I realized it was his precious rock he had brought in after playing outside yesterday.  Marcus took a second, but there was a delayed squelch of shock and ouch!  I picked up Andrew who immediately knew it was bad (he didn't mean to hit Marcus, he was just tossing his rock).  I held him and explained this is why Mommy says not to throw things because you can hurt someone or break something.  He hung his head and shed a few tears.  The adults in the room kind of chuckled after everything settled down.  Good times.

Lucky

Girls shirts say, "I'm a lucky girl."  Andrew's says, "Sham Rocker" with a clover shaped like a guitar.  Marcus's says, "I'm your lucky charm."

The girls made another trap this year.  Andrew got into it running around gathering supplies, cutting paper (they didn't use--it was busy work from his sisters), laughing with them. It was fun to watch. This year they even left a note.  

 












Ellie's note says, "you are so smart and kind. I hope you keep coming."  Lila's says, "we want to catch you. please stay. we will take a picture then we will let you go."

I guess their traps are getting better because they had to use magic to escape and left green 'pop-rock' like dust behind.


I made Welsh Breakfast Cakes and somehow they were green and shaped like shamrocks.

Now for some luck with sleeping. ;)

Sweetnees

Lila is always running to see Marcus.  She loves to hold him and last night he snuggled in and they sat like this for almost an hour.  I was getting dinner ready and when I was done I asked Lila if she wanted me to come get Marcus so she could eat.  She said, "Have you eaten mom? Go ahead and eat first."  So thoughtful of her.  This morning we had leftover breakfast and I asked her what she wanted and she said, "Well what do you want so I don't eat it."  She is the sweetest little girl and I love that about her and I'm trying to be patient with her living in the moment personality which on several mornings has her ready to walk out the door with coat, backpack etc, but no socks and shoes . . . I'm not joking here. ;)

Andrew came out with his dress-up police hat on and said, "Halloween."  He gets that you dress-up for Halloween.  The girls explained that it was a police hat and that he should lock up bad guys. Andrew said, "Oh, Wreck-it-Ralph."  I'm glad that is the extent of his bad guys right now. :)

I Smell Chicken

Andrew has a keen sense of smell.  One day I made french bread while he napped and when he woke-up he sniffed and said, "I want a roll. I want a roll."  One evening while I was getting him ready for bed he said, "I want a cookie." it took me a minute but I realized he must have smelled the oreo I stole on my breath.  Tonight as dinner was cooking, once again he sniffed and said, "I smell chicken."  I explained it was really ham and cheese baked sandwiches.  After tasting one he said, "Mom, I like this chicken. Wait, bacon?"  He definitely keeps me on my toes which is hard when I spend about 8 hours a day sitting and nursing Marcus, but fortunately he does not like time-outs and the threat of a time-out with a count to 3 usually reverses any undesired behavior.  It's the times I don't notice what is happening that make me nervous. . .

Marcus is now a month old and we are settling in a bit more.  The girls are very helpful with their chores, making lunches/dinner, holding Marcus, and chasing Andrew.  Time is flying by even though the nights seem so long or short . . . which is it when you're awakened every couple hours by a screaming baby (poor kid must have had an upset stomach last night).

Marcus sporting his mohawk and the rascal somehow managed to get his arm out of his shirt and blanket in the middle of the night.