It's a Fire Pit Kind of Night

The weather was perfect today!  We were all so glad it was Friday that we spent the evening outside.  Paul sent me to Publix to get the stuff to make s'mores.  While I was gone they got the fire pit ready.  It was so nice to enjoy the warmer weather We all like being outside.

Easter!

Showing off their goodies!

The kids were totally not cooperative with pics today

Katherine showed her Easter basket to Nonna

It was a chilly Easter, but not rainy!  The kids were excited to see what the bunny had brought.  Luke was excited to see a Lego set he has been wanting and Katherine was thrilled with a baby doll.  She also got an InnoTab of her own so they won't fight over Luke's anymore.  They each got a new game for their computer, some candy, flip flops and new tooth brushes.  Despite the morning activities we made it to church on time.  The 830 worship was the busiest we had ever seen it.  We enjoyed a great sermon as usual.  We were asked to teach Luke's class in the 945 hour.  There was no adult Sunday School today so we were happy to do it.  We were counting on a full house.  When we have been in there before we have had 10-15.  Today there were only three and that included Luke.  We decided several families took their kids to worship with them.  It was nice to be back with the kids again.  Paul went and got Katherine from her room since there were so few of them. She liked being with the big kids.

This afternoon Mom came over to bring the kids a little Easter treat.  They enjoyed showing her what all was in their basket.  Jon, Kristen and Bill came for supper tonight.  Unfortunately, Paula is still in the hospital and couldn't be with us.  We enjoyed being together as a family and the kids happily entertained us.  We are so thankful for a risen savior and wonderful family and friends!

Oh and just so I am keeping track somewhere I ended March with 48.4 miles logged on the treadmill.  I had hoped for 50, but just didn't quite get there.  Something to aim for next month...

Where is Spring?

We are all anxiously awaiting warmer weather around here! It is staying cold and dreary which doesn't make for good outdoor playtime.  I worked this morning so Paul was on kid-duty.  They kept themselves occupied running lots of errands.  We went to the Louw's tonight to hang out.  It has been a long time since all the kids have been together.  It was interesting to see them interact.  Emma started Kindergarten this past year and it has made such a difference in her.  She has grown up so fast!  I am not sure Paul and I are ready for this with Luke.  The kids did play well together.  We took some bubbles to entertain them, but it turned out to be too cold and rainy to put them to good use.

It was fun catching up with them.  We enjoyed a nice, relaxed supper and let the kids do their own thing. It is nice they are to that age now when they can basically entertain themselves.  We made an early night of it since everyone had to get ready for the Easter Bunny to come tonight!

Just Like My Brudder

Katherine put Luke's coat and shoes on tonight

It did end up being a messy, messy day.  We had a very low-key day.  We played at home a lot.  Paul was free for lunch so we met him at Chik-fil-a in West Nashville.  It was packed!  Everyone had the same idea we did.  The kids did manage to squeeze in some playground time.  We all took naps this afternoon.  Paul went to visit Paula tonight so the kids and I watched a movie.  The liked being home today!

Ready for Easter

Not sure why we stripped the kids down to dye eggs...

K was super excited about all her Easter goodies

The kids had a big day at school.  They both had Easter egg hunts this morning and Luke had a party this afternoon.  I was really busy at work so I wasn't able to make it to any of their activities.  Paul got away a little early so he picked the kids up this afternoon which allowed me to work a little later.  They both came home with baskets full of candy and goodies from their hunts.

Tonight after supper we decided to dye some eggs.  They both were excited about it and liked picking which colors they wanted to use.  School is closed tomorrow so I took the day off.  It is supposed to be rainy and messy so I am not sure what all we are going to get in to!

Berry Face

Luke has been asking for awhile if we can make smoothies after supper.  I finally had everything we needed so we made them tonight.  What started as a little residue on his upper lip ended in a full blow "scary face".  The smoothies were yummy and both kids ate them up!

The Best of Friends!

Sometimes Paul and I want to pull our hair out with the shenanigans our kids are in to, but most of time we pinch ourselves with how fortunate we are.  Luke and Katherine have such a sweet relationship!  I hope it stays that way.  She loves doing anything that her brother does and he thinks she is pretty special, too.  They love playing together and are great at entertaining themselves.  Such sweet kiddos!

Easter Egg Hunt!

Luke actually got his picture taken -- Katherine, not so much!

Baker and Katherine playing with the eggs

Striking a pose

Baker wanted to hold Luke's hand and go home with us!

All three of my kids took an afternoon nap!

The kids and I went to the Easter Egg Hunt at Dollar General this morning.  It was a dreary day so they held it inside.  I thought Katherine would be all about having her picture taken with the bunny, but she wouldn't go near him.  For the first time since he was an infant Luke agreed to have his picture made.  We met Mom's friends Jason and Sandy there.  Their little boy is so cute!  I love his red hair.  The kids got a kick out of him.

The hunt was divided up by age group.  Luke actually won 2nd place in his division!  He was pretty excited and got a cool basket full of toys!  Katherine didn't fair so well.  There were so many kids in her age group that it was hard to get the eggs before someone else scooped them up!  We had a fun morning!  Paul stayed here.  When we got home we had PB&J for lunch and then everyone took naps - Paul included!

Another Friday Night Party...

Luke got a snake painted on his face

Friday nights have meant one thing lately -- birthday parties at FBC Hendersonville.  I think this is the 4th one we have been to this year including Luke's in January.  The parents are growing tired of them but the kids l.o.v.e it!  Tonight was not exception.  Luke and Katherine had a blast running around and playing with their friends.  It was Rylee's big night tonight and she had a great time.  Her grandfather is an electrician that Paul uses all the time so it was finally nice to meet him.  We had some difficulty getting the face paint off - especially Katherine's.  She picked to be a puppy dog with pink and purple paint.  She currently looks like an abused child!  Hoping we can figure it out tomorrow.

Luke had a great accomplishment this week -- he earned a star everyday this week!  The past several weeks he had come close - getting 4 stars in the week, but this was the first time he had five in a row!  We are so proud of him.  We let him pick out a little treat before the party.  He was pretty proud of himself, too.  He said it is hard work being good everyday and he has to try really hard not to be bad!  It doesn't help that their teacher is extremely strict.

We are looking forward to a pretty laid back weekend.  The weather is supposed to be less than desirable but we will make the most of it!

Pooh Bear!

We recently re-discovered Winnie the Pooh around here.  Katherine has decided she has to have him all the time.  She has been sleeping with him and everything.  He is actually a hand-me-down from Uncle Andrew!

A Little Late...

Luke - Age Five

We finally got around to taking Luke's picture in Paul's shirt this year. It is amazing how much he changes from year to year.  He is getting so mature.  I tell people all the time that he acts like Katherine's third parent most of the time -- sometimes that girl needs an extra parent!

They have gotten so good at playing with each other.  Their favorite thing lately is playing school or house together.  They have such creative imaginations and it is so fun to watch!!!

Chamber of Commerce Perfect!

Although I don't have any pictures to show from the brunch or birthday party yet, we couldn't have asked for better weather.  The day was perfect -- sunny and 70!  The brunch was fun and we had lots of leftovers!  We hope Sam and Jay enjoyed getting to see some old friends and celebrating their upcoming wedding.

Tonight there was a birthday party for Jay and Andrew.  It was fun, too. There was bbq with the trimmings and several yummy cakes to choose from.  Paul and the kids opted to grill hot dogs and make s'mores.  It was a fun day and the kids are worn out!  We will see Andrew and Mandi in the morning before they get back on the road.

Hip, Hip Hooray!

We are so excited that Mandi and Andrew are here for the weekend!  They are here to celebrate the upcoming wedding of Andrew's best childhood friend Jay.  Mom, Freida and I are hosting a brunch for them tomorrow and then there is a joint birthday party for them tomorrow night.  It is going to be a busy, but fun weekend.

Luke couldn't wait for Andrew to get here so he could help him work his new Lego set.  Mom left work a little early today and picked the kids up which was a nice treat for me.  I stopped and picked pizzas up for supper.  Paul met us all there and we got to hang out for awhile.  I had to get home tonight to do my part of the cooking for tomorrow's party.

Grandparent Saturday!

Hiding in the recycle bin!

Tons of fun!

Surprise!

This morning we went to the park for a walk.  It was absolutely beautiful!  We enjoyed a 2 mile walk on the trail and the let the kids play on the playground.  After that we went to Mom's for awhile to do a few things.  The kids always find ways to entertain themselves.  Today, it was back to the recycling bin.  For some reason they love to get in there -- always under adult supervision I might add.  They also like to play games on Nonna's computer and watch neat shows that we do not get at our house.

We went to Bill and Paula's tonight for supper.  We took everything to grill hamburgers.  It was warm here today which was nice.  Paula is still recovering from her two recent hospital stays so she was really tired. She is still on antibiotics fighting an infection.  Jon and Kristen were able to come, too.  The kids were really good about not being too loud and were able to enjoy some time with Nene.  They sat in her lap and she read stories to them.  It was great to see her.  It had been too long for the kids and I.  Paul saw her several times in the hospital but the kids and stayed away for fear of giving her daycare germs!

It was a good, low-key night. Katherine wanted to wear Jon's visor so, of course Luke needed a hat, too.  He got to wear Bop's hat.  It is amazing to us -- if one child has something the other wants it regardless if they could care two flips about whatever it is!

Brrr....

The really do love each other!

Afternoon snack

It was chilly here today.  This time of year is so confusing.  One day it will be warm and sunny and the next will be cold and cloudy.  Today was definitely the latter.  It didn't keep the kids down though.  We played outside after church and all took naps this afternoon.  My kind of Sunday!

Family Day - Saturday!o

Love her!

Patiently waiting on his food

I got to help Luke with his project

The finished project!

Trying to catch snow flakes!

It's always hard to pull them away from the lawnmowers!

It was a cold, dreary day here.  We decided to make the most of it.  The morning started at Red Rooster for b'fast.  We like it there -- definitely just a good neighborhood spot.  Then we went to Home Depot for their kids workshop.  We built race cars this time.  I helped Luke and Paul helped Katherine.  We really all enjoy those projects.  We spent quite a bit of time in there just browsing around and letting the kids play.  The rest of the day was mainly at home doing normal weekend chores.

36.4

The kids watching Cinderella

The kids have recently decided they like the movie Cinderella.  They asked to watch it tonight before bed and we let them after they got their pj's on.

I have recently started exercising again.  It has been way too long and I used to really enjoy it.  I started after the first of the year and have stuck with it!  I am striving for a minimum of 3 days a week, but ideally do 4-5. I usually walk/jog in the evenings after supper.  It has helped me to keep up with how far I am going by writing it on my whiteboard calendar.  Just for fun, I tallied up what I had done this month and was pleasantly surprised with the number.  When you are walking 2-3 miles at a time it doesn't seem like much but it really adds up.  I don't have a specific distance goal in mind, but I know that I want to walk further in March than I did this month.  I have increased my speed, incline, etc.  I enjoy jogging, but my knees don't!  So, I will stick with a brisk walking pace.  Hoping I can stick with it!  Paul is being extremely supportive and actually is the one who started back on the treadmill before I did.  The kids think it is fun to watch me.  Katherine often sits in her stroller playing while watching me.

Another Year Older...

Today was my birthday.  Paul surprised me with a tablet!  I have wanted one for a couple of years now.  I think I am going to love it!  I was really shocked since we don't usually get that big of a gift for birthdays.  I took the kids to school for a little while.  I had several things to get done today.  Not really anything fun, but I enjoyed talking to several friends that called, texted, etc.

I picked the kids up early and we went to get a cake pop for my birthday.  It was kind of strange taking them in Starbuck's but they were great and enjoyed going somewhere different.  They loved their cake pops.  We came home for a little while so I could get ready to meet Paul for supper.  I took the kids by mom's work before I went to Nashville.

We ate at Silo which is a cook farm-to-fork restaurant in Germantown.  It was a cool atmosphere and the food was great!  They source most of their menu items from local farmers.  The menu changes daily based on what is in season and available.  We came home and I worked on getting my tablet set up before Mom brought the kids home to us!  It was a good birthday!

Happy Birthday Nonna!

Today was Nonna's birthday!  I cooked supper for her when we got home while she and the kids played games and watched a show. Mom brought coconut pie for dessert.  It was fun hanging out for Mom's birthday.  I gave mom a photo book of our Christmas festivities again this year.  It is nice to have all of our Christmas  pictures in one place.

Bring on Spring!

We enjoyed another nice day today!  It was so nice that the vehicles got a bath! The kids loved splashing and "helping" Paul get the cars clean.  Luke is really getting into riding his bike now which is so fun.  He decided he wanted to try to ride without training wheels.  It didn't last very long, but it was fun to see him try!  We are ready for warmer weather around here.  It hasn't been an extremely cold weather, but if it is not going to snow I would rather the warmer weather get here.