Egg-Stravaganza!

Here are a few pictures from our night of fun dying Easter eggs. The kids had a ball of course while Aron and I enjoyed diving into our creative side trying to make the coolest colors. Russell's #1 goal was to make a green egg for his teacher, Ms. Maria, because "green is her favorite color!" Sloane just wanted to make sure that she had a pink and a purple egg.

March is Reading Month!

March is reading month so that means a LOT of fun has been happening at my school. My students have been reading books galore in hopes of meeting our classroom goal of 100 books read and winning the prize of top reader. I am happy to report that we reached our goal after only two weeks. I am so proud of my students! To end our fun month of events, the school is having a book fair. I promised Russell and Sloane that I would take them to "Mommy's school" to shop for books and play. So today was the day...I picked them up and headed back to school for some book shopping. I told them that they could each pick out two books. They took this job very seriously! They studied each book on every shelf before deciding on their top two choices. Sloane was first to pick a hardcover Disney Princess' All That Glitters book and a Strawberry Shortcake Berry Fairytale book. Russell was intent on finding a Ben 10 book. I had NO idea what this was??? I guess a friend of his had one at school??? Well lucky for him, he found what he was looking for along with a Star Wars Hero book. Afterward the two kids played for over an hour in my classroom and then rode home without uttering a single word while they read their new books. It was so sweet and another memory that I am engraving into my already crowded memory lane!

The decision making begins and the love for books continues!

How can a girl decide with soooooo many choices?!?!

Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World!

Tonight was Russell's Easter musical at Daycare. Ms. Misti, the director of Grace Christian Learning Center, began by telling Jesus' story. As she told the story, she would stop from time to time to have the children assist her. After she finished the part about Jesus dying on the cross, she asked the children if anyone knew why Jesus died on the cross. Russell nodded his head. Ms. Misti asked him if he could tell us why Jesus died. He nodded and she held the microphone up to his mouth. Very quietly, but clear enough for all to hear, he said "because He loves us." The crowd of parents let out an "awwwwwww" while Aron and I looked at one another with tears in our eyes. It was so sweet, innocent, and exactly the reason Jesus loves the little children of the world!!!

The Children's artwork was displayed along the walls. This was my favorite!

Sloane and I arrived early to guarantee the BEST seats! She was so cute waiting for the "big kids" to sing. She is already asking when it will be her turn to sing.

Russell was surrounded by girls! He sang the first song so nice, but became a bit overwhelmed as the crowd cheered and had to sneak down into his teacher's lap when tears welled up. Later he told me that he was nervous to have "so many people" watching him. He is so A-DOR-A-BLE! Man, I love this boy!!!

We came straight home and got into the bath. Sloane couldn't wait to put on her new "stawberry jammies" that she picked out!

Lego Land at Grammy's House!

We made a short visit to St. Joe this weekend to visit Aron's Grandma Sophie. The kids just adore her and were more than happy to surround her with giggles and happy faces! Sloane was delighted when using the bathroom at her house. Upon entering the bathroom she immediately noticed that the toilet was not the ordinary porcelain white you find in most homes, but instead it was PINK! She screamed, "COOL TOILET YOU HAVE IN HERE GRANDMA SOPHIE! COOL!!!" Sophie found this too be quite adorable, as did we all!!! Sloane got plenty of use out of the "pink throne" finding a need to visit it 4 times in less than 30 minutes!

Russell found enjoyment at Grammy Carlson's house after exploring her basement and finding old ice cream buckets and boxes filled with Aron's childhood Legos. Russell had all the buckets and boxes emptied all over the family room floor and couch. I have never seen him with such concentration! He worked until bedtime and was back at it first thing in the morning. I guess it is time to buy the poor kid Legos!

Legos on the couch!

Legos on the floor!

Legos with Grammy!

Legos with Daddy!

(Aron played for two hours AFTER Russell was in bed!

Who is the kid here?)

Legos with breakfast!

Sunny, 60, and Celebrating!

This week has been BEAUTIFUL!!! I can not get enough of the sunshine and spring like weather. My only wish is for it to last. We have taken every opportunity to be outdoors! On Monday, Russell and Sloane insisted on picnicking outside for dinner. I wasn't quite ready for laying a blanket on the cool, damp grass, so we took the kids' table outside and set up a picnic dinner. FUN!!! The best part is the weather has increasingly gotten warmer all week with a high temp of 70 degrees today!!!

Girls' Day Out

I have been a bit delayed in blogging and forgetful in remembering my camera. I wish I had a picture of special moments that took place last weekend. Saturday was dark, gloomy, and rainy, but we didn't let that stop us from having fun! After clocking in 11.4 miles of running, I took Sloane out for our first mommy/daughter day at the movies. Sloane's new love, Strawberry Shortcake, was playing at the Emagine theatre for $3 so we headed there for the Saturday morning showing. We purchased popcorn and snuck a juice box in my purse. It was 60 minutes of pure girly, flirty, fun!!! Sloane was in awe. When we drove away from the theatre, she announced, "Mommy, I want to go back there someday because I like it!" We then headed to the "sandwich shop" (AKA Subway) for a special lunch and met Aron and Russell at soccer. I look forward to more mommy/daughter dates!!!

A Fun Adventure at Jungle Java!

Jungle Java...Whoever thought up this place must be one intelligent PARENT!!! A coffee shop and children's indoor jungle gym in one?!?! What could be better for parents of children with some major spring fever?!?! We packed up the kids this morning and headed to this new place of adventure. Upon entrance, the kids whipped off their shoes while Aron grabbed a coffee and I a diet coke. We met some friends there so as the adults sat down to sip the caffeinated beverage of choice, the children ran ahead ready to jump, slide, wiggle, and play! What a blast! Check out the pictures!

Sloane making her way through the ropes course.

Russell took a rest on the bridge. (Check out his Diego vest...once he heard this place was "jungle" themed, he insisted on dressing just like Go Diego Go!)

Sloane loved the slides. She flew down them at lightening speed!

Russell learned to do the zip line all by himself...just like Diego!