"Stuff"

As we get closer and closer to the end of the school year, my posts become fewer and far between. School has been so nice this year. My class is one of those "dream classes" that just makes you want to be at work each day. I have been blessed. At home, life has been good. Always busy, and I have been taking pictures but haven't taken the time to post. So, here is just some April "stuff".

Poor Brian's Mustang. It used to be "cool". If you look closely, it's been transformed. There are 2 carseats in the back! Reid's favorite thing is to "ride the vroom vroom car". So, Brian obliged, and we took the Mustang for a little spin....with the kids!

Do 2 carseats fit in a Mustang???? Yep.....quite cozily.

There she is! Brian's 3rd baby.

I love this time of year. The blossoms are so pretty. Ellie wanted to show off her favorite tree in our yard. It is pink, you know?

Sophie.....loving the outside temps as much as we are!

Ellie and Brian getting our new tree situated. The city planted some new trees this year, and we were a yard that got one! We were so happy! It will be neat to watch it grow along with the kids.

Ok.....so the cake picture. This was a good idea until Ellie came to me with "her" plan. This actually started out as a Weight Watcher cake, but it ended up far from that. Ellie LOVES to be in the kitchen helping. She loves to decorate and cook whenever she can. So, she asked me if she could frost the cake. I didn't see any harm in that. Then, she asked me to get out the sprinkles. Again....what could a few hurt? She wanted to "surprise" me with her creation, so I really didn't supervise as well as I should. When she was done, there were about 3 containers of sprinkles that had been used up...completely. I am telling you, the cake had mountains of sprinkles. She could not wait for us to eat it for dessert that night. So, we all had a little cake and a lot of sprinkles that night. I think Reid was on a sugar high for the next 72 hours. And I think Brian may have chipped a tooth on the crunchiness of the stacks of sprinkles. We laughed, and definitely declared it the best Weight Watcher cake, ever!

I love it when the kids are getting along and in one place for more than 4.8 seconds. Reid was probably re-programming Brian's I-pod here. Who knows!!!!! But, I love seeing Ellie and him snuggling close. Sweet. (what you didn't see what the massive breakdown when I said it was bedtime and the I-pod had to be put away.......you know.....normal "stuff")

Known by Reid as "The Jesus Song"

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Zoo Trip~

Spring break is all about little trips at our house. So, today, we geared up the van, packed in the kids, brought a picnic lunch, met up with 3 other church families....and went to the ZOO! What a fun day it was! And with temps in the 80's....how could we NOT be outside? What a great day it was!
**sidenote** These pictures do not depict the true essence of the day. Thank goodness for friends who could haul the wagon around that I brought while I was screaming at Reid who was 10 steps ahead of me, "Wait for Mommy, Reid.." or "This way, Reid...", or "No, not that bathroom, Reid..." or "We are eating lunch now, Reid, not playing in the rocks..." You get the picture. It was a big day, and I was glad I had help, that is for sure!

Here we are! 8 kids spanning in age from 18 mos. to 7 years! (Reid is the 4th from the left, and Ellie is the 2nd from the right)

Ellie and her buddy Candance. They will be starting Kindergarten in the Fall. Hard to believe!

Reid making Jacy laugh. (or putting his hands all in her face after just petting the goats...that's probably more like it)

Ellie and Nathan sitting outside the Frontier Fort that Ellie was so looking forward to playing in. Unfortunately, it was not open today. They were good sports anyway.

Getting these 7 kids to sit in one place before lunchtime was just about impossible, but we managed. (Reid- tail end and Ellie- 4th from left). What a perfect day. We are blessed with some wonderful friends, and we were grateful for the time together today!

Easter Traditions

When there is a change in anything in life, it can be hard to do something new, or create a new tradition. As we approach another holiday without Dad, we always try and remember the tradiotions we had as well as make some new ones. We had fun with Mom this past week making bunny cupcakes (a brand new tradition that we will keep every year, I am sure!).

Reid figured out that eating the marshmallow on top was much more fun than decorating the cupcake!
Figuring out what to eat next....because all he did was eat!
Ellie with her bunny cupcakes. She is my little artist and decorator no doubt.
Showing off a creation of hers.
Ellie and my mom. A new Easter tradition that we enjoyed together.

Reid vs. Fireball

Reid is stubborn. Bigtime. I don't know if it's a boy thing, a second child thing, a inherited thing, a cleft thing, or a little of all of the above. He will not give in to any situation without a fight. And this is a fight, I think he may have lost. Brian was eating a fireball. Reid wanted it sooo badly. He threw this down and out fit about wanting to eat this fireball. So, Brian put him in his high chair and gave him the fireball to try. Now, being the stubborn little one that Reid is, he was not going to give in and lead on that this fireball was too much for him. So, here is how the challenge went.

Oh, and nevermind the "Jingle Bells" in the background. It's totally typical!

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A little bit of innocence

This little, sweet face is one of innocence, right? ( at least some of the time)

Well, that is until he gets his hands on my sitter's husband. Poor George has been forced to wear blankets over his head to please my little tough guy. I think I see a "little biker" in Reid's trick or treating future sometime!

My morning good-bye

As I left our sitter's house the other day, the kids all lined up at the window so I could give my usual "honk" goodbye. It was a really nice morning, and the kids were all so cute standing in a lineup, that my sitter had to snap this picture. Can you see her reflection in the window? I just love these four kids. It's nice to know that I will always be sent off by Holden, Ellie, Lauren, and Reid. What a great way to start my day!