Easter 2019

Somehow Easter snuck up on us, which is ridiculous, because it was almost as late in the year as it could possibly be. I guess we are just not very on top of things. We didn't go to any community egg hunts, we didn't do the advent resurrection eggs I made in RS, my Easter craft I got to make with Sophie is still sitting in the laundry room, and we almost didn't even dye eggs (see below).

In retrospect, however, none of that really mattered. I have no regrets and am perfectly happy with how things turned out. The kids had fun with their baskets and egg hunt in the backyard, I got a great photo of our family in our Easter best, and we got to hear wonderful messages about Christ and his atonement at church. Maybe sweet and simple is the best way to go.

Easter Sunday 2019

Charlie, Age 1

Davey, Age 3

Sophie, Age 6

We almost skipped dying eggs this year and I thought all was well, until Sophie came out of her room crying on Saturday night, a couple hours past bedtime. She thought that if we didn't dye eggs, then the Easter Bunny wouldn't come and so I got out the dye cups and we did a rush job. They weren't pretty, but we made enough to appease her worries and it was worth it to see her excitedly search for those eggs in the morning.

Baskets waiting to be found... the Easter Bunny couldn't help herself and felt extra generous this year

Charlie loved his new trike. He knew just what to do with it and has been rolling all around. It took him no time at all to find the button that makes it sing a song, or honk. 

Davey got a dump truck for playing outside in the gravel pit. He was also very excited to wear his new bow tie to church. 

Sophie is still obsessed with Hatchimals and was excited about the new game. She also loved the golden glitter horse shirt the Easter Bunny left her. 

The kids literally had 3 minutes to hunt for eggs in the yard, but they took it as a challenge and found almost all of them in that time period. There were only about a dozen left behind that they went back for after we got home from church. 

Eating some of their egg hunt sweets after church

For dinner we made our first prime rib roast, since neither of us are big ham lovers. It turned out delicious, and since it was just our family for dinner there were plenty of leftovers to be enjoyed the next day - mmm!

Ready for bed in the new summer jammies the Easter Bunny brought (a new tradition for our family)

A few video clips from our Easter morning

Canyon Trails at Buffalo Hill

We love spring! It's so nice when the days start to warm up enough to enjoy the outdoors. One place we have been loving is what Davey calls "Buffalo Trails," a little hiking/biking trail system about 12 minutes south of our house. It's located right off the interstate and isn't especially scenic, but there are several loops that never take you too far from the start so it's a perfect "Chose Your Own Adventure" for little kids. We've been twice with friends, and once as a family when Sophie had a day off school.

Davey and Jaxon  hanging out on the bridge

I carry Charlie in the front pack, but let him down to explore during our snack break. He was just starting to walk and the uneven ground made him a little nervous. 

These boys loved throwing rocks down the hill

There is some sort of project happening near the trail head and the kids loved climbing this rock pile that had been dumped in the parking lot. 

The wildflowers are blooming right now! I'm glad we are getting to enjoy them for a short time before they get scorched when things heat up in a few weeks. 

A week later Charlie was feeling more confident on his feet and walked a very short section of trail

He had some help from Sophie

After we got back the car the kids had a fun time checking out the excavator parked nearby

Davey was in digger heaven!

Potty Training Time for Davey

We put off potty training Davey for a long time. We had the potty, we had the underwear, he showed all the signs of being ready, but I just wasn't feeling it. Although I hate paying for diapers, they do make life so much easier.  After Davey's 3rd birthday, however, we were out of excuses and I knew it was time. 

On April 1st we ditched the diapers and so far things have gone really, really well! He had a few accidents the first day, and now things are mostly good. There was one regression day a week in (6 accidents, including 2 in his bed), but luckily that was not normal and we haven't had another day like it since. After less than a month he will tell me when he needs to go, and sometimes just go take himself if I'm busy with Charlie (I don't encourage this, but prefer it to having an accident). He even stayed dry every day last week - we are so proud of him!!

The first thing he did after putting on his new Paw Patrol underwear was climb up on the bathroom counter to check himself. He said, "Mommy, these panties are so cool!"

Davey is a big boy now!

Sophie is a Reader & Diamond, the Betta Fish

We started Reading Book with Sophie the summer before kindergarten. She picked it up really fast, then we hit a bit of a rough patch about half way through when the lessons started to get more difficult. We promised her that if she stuck with it and finished the book, then she could get a pet fish. After a few weeks of struggle, we took a break and put Reading Book up on the shelf. 

During that break, something clicked at school and she started reading really well all on her own! Each week she brings home a little reader from her teacher and for awhile she was moving up a level almost weekly. I also get several books from the library that she works through within days of me bringing them home.  As of her last progress report, she was nearing the end of 1st Grade reading level. It's been so fun to see her take off! 

One day Sophie remembered our promise of a pet if she finished her Reading Book. So even though she had moved well beyond it's lessons, she dug it out of her closet and worked through the remaining 6 lessons, over 100 pages, on her own! It took her about a week, and when she finished we went to PetSmart to pick out a fish. You did it Sophie - you're a reader now!

The first Betta we picked out (Rainbow) had some issues, so after a few days we exchanged him for a new fish. Sophie chose this white one and named "her" Diamond (it's really a male). 

Right now Diamond lives on the kitchen counter where she can be closely supervised

At first we put Diamond into a glass tank we already had in the cupboard, but then upgraded to a real fish bowl with a fun plant. Since the switch, Diamond has started building quite the bubble nest, which is a sign of health and happiness. The kids love to watch the nest grow and have really enjoyed having a fish in the house. 

Camp Week at the Panhandle-Plains Museum

It seems like there is a holiday to celebrate almost everyone and everything.. National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day! Hug a Librarian Day! Pet Appreciation Day! The second week of April is apparently the "Week of the Young Child" and families and communities are supposed to make an effort to support early learning and young children. Since we have young children, this is a good week for us!

The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, located on WT campus, decided to participate by hosting little camps each morning that week. I was excited because we had never visited the PPHM because it's kind of pricey, but during this week, admission was just $3/kid and adults were free! I took Davey twice - we went to "Wiggly Wednesday" with friends and "Fix-It Friday" with Dave.

Each day had three activity stations. Wiggly Wednesday started with a dance party to YouTube videos, which was Davey's favorite part of the whole event, then we went to an animal show to meet some snakes and lizards, and the kids made spider hats. 

Davey and his buddy Jaxon were in matching orange shorts that day :)

These boys are both goofballs

After the program we went to the library real quick to catch the tail end of story time. I was glad we went because the craft that day was kites for all the kids!

Fix-It Friday started off with some block building. Dave walked over and was able to join us for about 45 minutes. Davey had a great time making towers with daddy. 

Charlie loved this little car we found in the hall of automobils

The other activities included making a construction vest from a paper bag and building with marshmallows and spaghetti noodles. 

Cakes for all!

On April 9th Nothing Bundt Cakes announced that they were going to give out free Confetti Bundlets for 300 seconds at 3:00 to celebrate opening their 300th store. I'm always up for an adventure, so I decided to take the kids to get some cake! Sophie was pretty confused when I showed up the school to check her out early, but when I told her where we were going she was pretty excited :)

The store had about 100 people in line, but we were there on time and were able to get a cake for each of the kids and myself. We ate one right then in front of the store, gave one away to friends, and then enjoyed the other two at home the next day. Delicious!!

Eager kiddos waiting in line

Drooling at the display case while waiting for our bundlets

Trying to get a photo with our prizes, when all they wanted to do was eat :)