what a stud...

So Matt came home today and presented me with a flyer for a Ballroom Dance Summer Camp.

Let me just say that this is SO NOT something this boy would normally request. This kid (who LOVES to swim) wouldn't be on the swim team because they have to wear speedos. Catch my drift?

Anyways...the story unfolded. There is a girl who wants to go to this camp and wants Matt to go with her to be her dance partner. His words "It was ALL I could think about on the way home from school."

He wasn't referring to the Ballroom Dance Camp.

Aye yi yi.

"I'm GREAT!"...

We went to the park yesterday, and Lizzie discovered she could accomplish a little more than the last time we went to that particular park. She was so proud of herself and ran around saying, "I'm so great!", "My name is Lizzie, and I am GREAT!", "This is so great, I am!", "I am the cutest girl ever!" (...wonder where she heard that one...)

LOVE her!

in/on...

Lizzie has been quite the budding artist lately.

The other day I told her to go put her picture ON the fridge.

She heard IN the fridge.

This is what I keep finding when I open the fridge.

I LOVE it!!

meditation...

meditation:

continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature.

Sam has discovered meditation (apparently)

This is how you go about it...according to Sam.

"You sit, criss-cross applesauce your legs, close your eyes, put your thumb and first finger together and the rest of your fingers have to be up, try really hard not to laugh."

Yesterday Sam taught his new discovery to the Kindergarten class and this is how the teacher found said class sitting on the ground when she went to let them in from recess. (All but one kid who apparently wasn't a team player. Smart kid.)

I really hope his leadership skills serve him well someday.

He already has one follower...

Easter story cookies...

I got this idea from my friend Chanel and it has become an Easter tradition for us.



~Easter Story Cookies~
This is a great recipe to teach your Children the REAL story of Easter. That the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior is not dead but has Risen. We serve a Risen Savior......

You will need:
1 cup whole pecans 

1 teaspoon vinegar 

3 egg whites

a pinch salt 

1 cup sugar

a zipper baggy

1 wooden spoon

scotch tape

Bible

Instructions:
These are to be made the evening before Easter.

Preheat oven to 300F.*** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe).
Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read: John 19:28-30
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read: Matthew 27:57-60
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door andturn the oven OFF.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66
GO TO BED!Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20&22
On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed
to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9

spring has sprung...

SPRING BREAK!!!!!...

...started with a trip to the Air Force Museum.

(they're so thrilled to be having their picture taken!)

We almost made it through the museum without incident.

Before heading home we visited the (large) restrooms. While the boys waited, Lizzie and I went into the ladies room...not two minutes later a certain 5 year old reached his hand inside the door and turned out the light. PITCH BLACK.

Wonderful.

We weren't the only people in there, either.

Once we found our way out, Matt & Zach were having a hay day pushing each other around in the stroller...off-road style.

Next time they are ALL accompanying me to the ladies room. Embarrassed, or not.

Next, the park!!

Thank goodness for a beautiful day. Finally!!

Lizzie has asked to go to the park every day this Winter. She finally got her wish and she was so happy!

They all crashed into bed tonight! Round two tomorrow!!

we survived our first...

...fist fight.

Wow.

I probably should be embarrassed to share this, but, you know...sometimes these things happen. Even among the closest of siblings. Even in the most blissful of environments (said in a harmonious tone).

If you don't have boys or don't know how boys groove...you are horrified right now. If you have boys and/or know exactly they groove...you are chuckling.

I was horrified. Then I chuckled.

All is well now, and blissfully harmonious once again.