Easter 2011

We had a very nice Easter weekend spending time with family and friends. I didn't take many pictures on Easter and I didn't get a family picture. I'm probably lucky to get these....we didn't have time to take pictures before church so I had to try really hard to make everyone leave their church clothes on long enough to get a couple of pictures once we got home. Seems like an easy task, but with three....no, four boys.....it's not that easy! ; )

I got Chase to take out his paci, but he was not so willing to set Bullseye and Rex aside for the picture.....so we either get a smiling Chase with Bullseye and Rex or a crying Chase....I went with smiling Chase. : )

Mommy & Reed....just up from a nap....no smiling!

This Little Light of Mine

As a Mom, I have thoughts, hopes, dreams for my precious children; however, I know that I am not in control of their futures. All I can do is be the best Mom that I possibly can be and PRAY, PRAY, PRAY for them EVERY day. I pray every day that no matter what is going on in their lives, regardless of successes and failures, when things are going well and when things are really tough that Eli, Chase and Reed will always let their light shine for Jesus. There is a new song playing on the radio called This Little Light of Mine by Addison Road and I just LOVE it!! Eli and Chase enjoy hearing it too. I think it captures my prayer for their lives. The words are below. Let your light shine, sweet boys!!!!

There's a little flame inside us all
Some shine bright
Some shine small
The rains will come
And the waters rise
But don't you ever lose your light

In this life you will know
Love and pain
Joy and sorrow
So when it hurts
When times get hard
Don't forget whose child you are

This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
Gonna let it shine

May you live each day
With no regret
Make the most of every chance you get
Let your eyes get wide
When you look at the stars
With the same sense of wonder as a child's heart

With the ones you love-

Treasure the time
And for those who are gone
Keep the memories alive

Hold on to your dreams
Don't you ever let go
There's a fire inside you
Burning with hope

This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
Gonna let it shine

There will be days when you wanna give up
When the clouds settle in
But after the rain comes the sun
Don't you ever forget
Don't forget
Don't, don't forget

One day there will be no more pain
And we will finally see Jesus' face
So until then I'm gonna try
To brave the dark
And let my little light shine

This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
Gonna let it shine

This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine

Gonna let it shine
Oh, shine
Gonna let it shine
There's a little light inside us all

Displaying Art / Playroom Decor

I finally figured out a way to display the kid's art and decorate part of the playroom at the same time. I made a "picture line". Using a couple of drawer pulls, picture wire and clothes pins, I made a "picture line" in the playroom. Now we have a place to hang special pictures/art work. It was super easy to do and MUCH more cost effective than similar products that I've seen in catalogs.

This picture doesn't really do it justice, but you get the idea! ; )

Exploring

Reed found a box of tissues that I left on the floor. I just LOVE watching babies exploring something new...especially a tissue box. Reed pulled one out....dropped it on the ground....and then looked amazed that there was another one to pull out. He kept pulling and pulling until the box was empty. Oh, if we only knew what was going through their minds when they do things like this!!

Easter Fun

On Friday, our neighbors came over for lunch and an Easter egg hunt. It is so fun having friends that live so close.

Easter egg hunting in the back yard

Looking through the eggs....and eating TOO much sugar!!

Decorating Easter cookies

Resurrection Eggs

Eli made Resurrection Eggs at Preschool. I thought this was such a great idea. Eli used the eggs and told me the true Easter story with only a little help.

Fill and empty egg carton with plastic easter eggs. Number the eggs 1 - 12 and fill each egg with the various items listed below while telling the Easter story.

1. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people waved palm branches. Matthew 21: 1-11. Fill egg with piece of palm branch.
2. Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus' head. John 12: 2-8 Fill egg with perfume sample (cotton ball soaked in perfume)
3. Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples. Matthew 26: 17-19 Fill egg with craker
4. Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Matthew 27:3 Fill egg with silver coin (dime)
5. Jesus carried His own cross. John 19:17 Fill egg with cross
6. Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head. John 19:2 Fill egg with small thorn
7. Soldiers parted Jesus' garments and cast lots for His coat. John 19:23 Fill egg with piece of burlap
8. Jesus was nailed to a cross and pierced in His side. John 19:18, 37 & John 20: 25-29 Fill egg with nail
9. They gave Jesus vinegar mixed with gall on a sponge to drink. Matthew 27:34 Fill egg with small sponge
10. Spices to prepare Jesus for burial. John 19:40 Fill egg with clove
11. The stone covering Jesus' tomb was rolled away. John 20:1 Fill egg with small rock
12. He was not there. HE HAS RISEN!!!! John 20:6-7 Leave egg empty!

More!

Reed loves his cheese/veggie puffs.......

.....and apparently Chase loves peas!!! Enough to "drink" them from the can!

The Play Room

Ugh....the craziness that is our play room! Some days I go back there to clean it up and take one look and just turn around! It is clean occasionally, but only for a few minutes. Chase is in the "dumping" stage and Eli is still learning to pick up after himself.

Singin' and Dancin'

The train table occasionally get used for trains, but more often for singing and dancing. : )

Rub-A-Dub-Dub...

...three boys in the tub! Reed has graduated to the big bathtub, aka the hot tub (name given by Eli & Chase). Actually, it is just easier. Since Hunter is out of town during the week, I have to do what is easiest! So, I've started running just a little water and putting Reed in the bath at the beginning of Eli and Chase's bath. Then, I get Reed out and give E and C more water. E and C don't really like it when the water is not up to their necks! : )

Just Another Day in Paradise ; )

Art Show

Last Friday evening, Eli's preschool had an art show. We got to eat pizza, look at some of the wonderful art the kids made throughout the year and hear them perform some songs. We really had a great time. Eli really enjoys art and was so excited to have the whole family including Granny and Ga-Ga there to see everything.

Eli and Chase before the art show

Eli's "B"

Eli's hand crafted and hand painted fish

Eli and his beautiful painting

Eli's class made this special project that was part of the silent auction. It was so beautiful...it had a picture of everyone in his class and then the words "Hope", "Faith", and "Love" that the kids spelled out. Eli was part of the I in Faith. This picture went for over $400!!!

On the Move

Reed has been on the move for a few weeks now. It's fun but challenging because he puts everything in his mouth. I can't even begin to list all the things I've fished out of his mouth, but here is a short list: toy story sticker, metal spring, hard piece of plastic, ball of fuzzy something, dirt, leaves, dirt, sticks, dirt, grass, etc. And, I vacuum the floor EVERY day (for the record, the dirt, leaves and sticks were outside!) ; )