First Spring Break

Yes, we had our first spring break!  Since the kids are now is school, we have spring break.  I worked some, but was able to spend some great time with the kids.  Our first spring break adventure was to have some slip and slide fun with our friends from school.

Wednesday, we loaded up and the women and children headed to the zoo!  A few hours away and we were able to see giraffes, zebras, elephants and monkeys!  We even got to feed the giraffes this time.  That was really a cool experience and the kids loved it.  

Thursday and Friday we had some playdates with new and old friends and just enjoyed having a relaxing week.  School resumes Tuesday and only 2 more months until summer!  

March "Family" Madness

How is it almost April!?  Time sometimes seems unbelievably slow and then amazingly fast.  March began with a family weekend.  On the 10th, we went to Craig's great-grandfather's 75th birthday.  The day was filled with family and lots of corn-hole.  That game can really be fun!  We had known about this day for a while, so we were happy we were able to celebrate with him.

We then headed further south for Dawn's baby shower!  Emerson Juliane is due April 25th and we wanted to celebrate this upcoming arrival with family and friends of Dawn.  I also had the honor of making the bedding for Emerson and I think it turned out really cute.  Can't wait to see her in her room!

Pinterest-inspired wreath

Play-doh babies

Mommy-to-be and Gram (aka Aunt Vicki)

Matt and Dawn painted this for Emerson's room

Quilt with verses and words of encouragement for Emerson

A fun weekend, but very busy. Not sure if we will squeeze in two big family events in one weekend!  Congrats to Larry for 75 years and Dawn and Matt for their upcoming baby girl!  May God richly bless you both.

T-Ball and other Spring Misceallany

Spring is blooming around here.  Jack started T-Ball on Saturday mornings with buddy, Kayleigh and he seems to really like it...more than soccer I think.  One day I hope to like baseball....  Anyway, it is the quick season with only 6 weeks and a basic introduction to the sport.

I have been sewing more, busy with baby stuff for Dawn (Craig's cousin) and her impending arrival Emerson, but in between that, I have made a few things for Kate and even myself.  

Happy 1/2 Birthday!

We definitely don't need an excuse to party, so we had a half birthday for the kids last night.  Jack turned 4 1/2 on Feb. 20th and Kate turns 2 1/2 on Feb. 28th.  I also had lots of cake mixes and no frosting, so I whipped up some homemade buttercream, that was pretty great and made a half cake (idea from Pinterest).  I also got some hats, plates and a banner from the dollar store and wrapped up some gifts.  The thing about the gifts is that after Christmas each year, we save some gifts and "release" them throughout the year to the kids.  They think it is new and we don't buy more toys.  So I pulled out the box and wrapped a few items and then gave some candy and a couple other dollar store items.  Total cost for 1/2 birthday - $12!  And, it was a fun night.  We made homemade pizzas and had cake and opened the presents.  The kids really enjoyed it and it was fun to hang out and just visit.

A Big Decision and LOVE

HUGE news to report...Jack asked Jesus in his heart!  He has been asking questions lately about God and praying and how we talk to Him and on Thursday, February 9th, he asked on the way to school about how we get to Heaven.  I told him that requires recognizing you make bad choices (sin) and realize that God wants us to make good decisions and He died on the cross so we can go to heaven.  He said he wanted to pray right then the sinner's prayer and we did.  We talked about it more and he seemed to really grasp the concept and I believe he truly made a decision to give his life to Christ.  It is a very overwhelming, amazing feeling when your child decides they want to follow Christ.  We talked about baptism, as he calls "bathtism" and asking God to help us make good choices.  It seems so complex, but is such a simple concept that we make more difficult.  Believe your are a sinner, accept God's unconditional love, recognize He died on the cross and rose again and decide to try and live like Christ.  This is biggest decision of His life and we will continue to help guide and prepare him for his journey in life as a born again believer!  I am still in shock a little bit, but so amazingly happy for Him.  I know angels are rejoicing too!

But Jesus said, "Allow the little children, and don't forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these." - Matthew 19:14

On a side note, not much to report around here in general or for Valentine's day.  Craig actually worked pretty late that night, so the kids and I hung out here and went and grabbed some TexMex for dinner.  I truly LOVE those kids.  They make us laugh all the time.  The kids made some cute Valentine's for us at school to share.  My mom got festive on Sunday night at dinner with heart shaped desserts, some plates and a Valentine's banner and Gramma sent some goodies for the kids.

Snow Day and Girls Weekend

Friday was Snow Day at the kids' school!  70 degrees and fake snow is all it takes to get these southern kids happy.  They had a little snow pile to dig around in and then the snow hill to sled down.  Jack and Kate's classes were back to back, so I stuck around for a bit to see both classes and take some pictures.  Jack loved it all.  Kate liked it, but wasn't super excited about sledding, even though she is my fearless one.  I even attempted a quick trip down the slope.  It was really a fun day!

That night my mom and I took Kate, Paige and Claire to Destin for a quick girls trip for some fun and shopping.  Jack stayed with my dad and did boy things while Craig was in Vegas for a business trip.  We ate dinner at the Back Porch.  Then we went to Wal-Mart and let the girls pick out some candy and headed to our hotel and got a bubble bath.  They settled down around 11.  The next day we did some outlet shopping and then headed home that night.  It was really a lot of fun.  We missed Reese and Kimberly, but we will do it again.  Cousins are so much fun!