Happy Mother's Day

to all the Mama's who have cared for crying babies, held chubby, sticky hands, and walked through life with their little people.

 My Mama

My two grandmothers and Justin's maternal grandmother

Easter

Easter at our house begins quite early.  The night before the girls pick out spices and perfume to anoint the figure we use to represent Jesus.  (We build a tomb--this year it was all Lego--wrap Jesus in cloth, and place him there on Friday afternoon.)  I go to the girls at dawn or before and we head down to the tomb, to find the tomb open, guards fainted, and Jesus missing.  Then we wake the men, who come to see for themselves.

Justin reads the Easter account and then we do Easter baskets and breakfast.  This year the bigger kids all got a little candy.  Kate, Gabby, and Ellie got new shoes.  Nate had just gotten a pair of shoes two weeks ago, so he got sunglasses.

Since everyone has fall birthdays in our house, except Justin, we give them one gift at Easter.  Sometimes it is a Bible if they are ready for a new version, but this year we got the big girls pearl earrings.  Nate, who loves sports, got a 'real' (peewee league) football.  Little Elliana received a baby doll.  She had been loving on Gabby's dolls from time to time, but we knew she needed her own.  We got her a baby Belle doll, since the big girls are preforming in Beauty and the Beast this spring (and Gabby didn't own this doll!).

Happy New Year!!!

We decided to have a New Year's party for the kiddos.  With their ages, we decided it would be best not to stay up until midnight, so we had a count down to noon party.

We invited several people, but it is that time of year...between travel, dental appointments, and a friend having surgery, we had one family able to make it.  We were so glad to have them with us!

We made feathery masks, 

 

fruit snowmen,

 

played, ate pizza, set off confetti poppers, and used the party blowers.

The Fifth

We had delayed our Independence Day plans to the 5th, since we ran up to visit my parents at their cabin on the 4th.

Both days were really rainy.

We were able to eat some veggies from our garden

with dinner (the cucumbers and squash).

 Justin also made funnel cake.

The kiddos got to hold morning glories in the drizzle--they were tickled.

 

Celebration of Holy Week

I hope your family had a joyous Easter.

We read through Holy Week with Palm Sunday, and the money changers early in the week.

On Thursday we celebrated Passover.  It doesn't fit with the actual Passover, but I like to do Thursday, since we line it up with the next day being Good Friday.

Friday we wrapped up our stand in for Jesus and placed it in our 'tomb.'  I mentioned in a few years when Nate had some warrior toys we could use them as guards and within a few seconds children were scampering for regular Duplo men to stand guard.

On Sunday the girls and I made our early morning trip to find the empty tomb with spices and perfume.  The guards were passed out, of course, and the burial cloth neatly folded.  Then we woke the men.

We made cinnamon rolls with marshmallows inside.  Once baked the marshmallow is 'gone' and the tomb is empty.

I also made our carrot cake an empty tomb.

Gabby is 5 and Kate is 7, but this is the first year one of them came home from church asking about the Easter Bunny.  I pointed out that they got baskets of goodies and eggs to hunt.  I asked if she missed out on anything and she said, "No, " but I'm not sure she was convinced.

Some friends from church invited us over for the afternoon.  We ate, chatted, and played Spoons.  It was a lovely Easter.

And today we'll get the ham that was put off because we made the trip over to those friends, never-mind I forgot to put it in the crock-pot before we went to church.

Merry Christmas!

Easter 2012

I hope you had a wonderful Easter!

The girls and I went with spices and perfume to find our tomb (made of clay this year) empty before going to get the men and tell them.

There were baskets of goodies, eggs to hunt, and new dresses (and a tie for the little guy) to wear.

We took a few pictures after church.

We had a ham dinner with coleslaw, deviled eggs, rolls and a cheesecake (with cupcakes for the little guy, as even Lactaid can't save him from cheesecake).

Unfortunately something didn't sit well with Gabby and she did not retain her supper last night. Ick. We are quite thankful though that once we got her all squared away and laundry washed we were able to sleep through the night, even if we headed to bed rather late.

Ash Wednesday

For many people, Catholic and Protestants alike, today marks the beginning of the Lenten season. A time for self denial and preparation for Passover, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday, leading up to Easter.

Kate knows that often people choose to give up something during Lent. One day while at the grocery store she smiles an evil grin and tells me, "I know what I'm giving up for Lent," as we stand in the middle of an aisle.

"Really?" I ask.

"Yep. I'm giving up school."

So her first attempt was vetoed.

Her next, while less self serving was as untenable as the first... "I'm not going to talk during Lent." While a vow of silence can certainly serve a purpose, I think at 6 she needs to be able to tell me things. Things like, "Mama Nate climbed on top of..." well whatever he climbed onto at that moment.

Last night she announced, "I'm giving up screaming for Lent."

I think this will be challenging for her so I asked, "What will you do when you forget what you gave up for Lent?" Trying to make her think about how she would repent for breaking her vow and deciding if she thought she could really pull it off.

"I guess I'd say, 'Hey Mama, what did I give up for Lent?'"

"No honey, I meant, what if you forget you gave up screaming and you did scream?"

"Hmmm. I guess I would just have to not scream anymore after that.

So, it *should* be quiet here, at least on the Katie front until Easter... Best wishes in any changes you are making for Lent as well!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The gals have gymnastics tonight, so we had our special dinner last night--candles, a cake with two small heart cakes on top, a table cloth I picked up on clearance after last Valentine's Day at Target, and pizza...they are kids!

We also got several cards from family and a package of goodies from my parents. The kids were very disappointed by the candy.

Can't you tell? So sad they had to eat sugar...

We'll be delivering cookies to our librarians today. I hope you have a great Valentine's Day!

Giving Thanks

Our little Thanksgiving craft from this past week.

Kate wrote her own from the list I scribed for her. Gabby wrote with a bit of help. I wrote for Nate, of course, but he gave me his list too.

Labor Day

Thankful for Justin's job that pays the bills and mine that doesn't, but pays in many other ways.

I take pay in sticky kisses, silly stories, cuddly hugs, and cute smiles. Other payments are negotiable.

Holiday Weekend

(fruit pizza)

I spent yesterday running errands so I didn't tell you about our 4th!


We had a wonderful time with friends coming in on the 2nd. We went to the zoo with our seven daughters (all but the youngest gal pictured here)


and Nate (here he is with the young gal--in her mama's arms). If he has trouble getting a date in a few years, it won't be for lack of options, so long as he likes older women and traveling a few hours! We're leaning toward arranging a marriage for him with the youngest little miss--she's 5 months older and already turned 2. Maybe we'll talk it over with her parents.

Sunday, was a day of rest, with church and all.


Then we spent the Fourth eating berries with real whipped cream


(Nate approved),


The kids playing in the fun pool we got for them,


Making home made ice cream,

Oh and Justin put in a new ceiling fan, set in the sump pump, and hung some shelves in the girls rooms this weekend too!

Fourth

Happy 4th of July from my little fire crackers!