Sunday Afternoon

We came home from Church but weren't ready to be inside so we played outside for an hour while Papa made a  yummy fish and quinoa dinner.

Everett loves climbing up the ladder and sliding down the slide

these two at play

Big push from big sister

Grace's new dog

Tulips in bloom

my little flower picker

Everett got a turn with the dog

curly hair

Kiki wanted to play on the swing

The girl's new stroller: couldn't be any happier

Grace's baby stroller died on our last trip to the zoo.  I'd checked out the local thrift stores but didn't find any.  boo.  I started searching online and found this beauty on craigslist for 15.00 it was a little more than I wanted to pay but it's practically brand new.  The best part is it give the girls some room to grow.  Grace was bent over using her last stroller it's nice she'll be able to push this on up into her late teens.  Yes because my girls will be playing with baby dolls and running bare foot without makeup until they are in their late teens.  wishful thinking.  maybe, but I love my baby girls.

I love spring time, pink dresses and bare feet

 When it was finally time to come inside the play time didn't end.  The girls have been so good about playing together it's really nice.  Grace dressed up like a lion and Gwenevere was the owner.  Everett and Papa built train tracks while I finalized our plans for a very fun and busy April.

My little lion

Singing Grace

She may want to get up and dance during primary, and it may look like my class is out of control but we love to learn about Jesus in a very active way.  Thank you Sister Lindsay for your great work during singing time.  It's paying off.  I love to hear Grace sing.

Everett's first day in Nursery

Sunday was Everett first official day of nursery.  For better or for worse.  James had to work and I teach sunbeams so the poor kid was left to defend for himself.  Sister Sherri Eaton took Everett to Nursery for me, since I needed to run off to Primary.  Everett left crying but I felt confident he'd be okay.  Especially because he slept through most of Sacrament meeting.  During sharing time Esther brought Everett to me with a massive poopy diaper.  I'm so glad I listened to the prompting to make sure I bought Everett an extra change of clothes.  After stinking up the bathroom beyond repair, several wipes and two garbage bags he was ready to go back to Nursery.  This time he was less the happy to return.  Kicking and screaming I felt bad I couldn't go with him, but my sunbeams lesson wasn't one I could just hand off to someone else to do.  I do a lot of improvising with the lessons and this week we had a short video about all the Fish in the sea that God Created.  

About half way through my lesson, the primary president came into my classroom and told me I had to go get Everett.  He had been screaming ever since I changed his diaper.  Since there was only one nursery leader I think he was a bit overwhelming to her.  I went to go get him, but as i turned the corner toward the Nursery room I saw Everett with Brother Jon Hunsaker leaving the nursery room.  Everett had stopped crying and I watched from a distance as Jon took Everett to another room where they could play.  I felt Everett would be okay so I didn't bother them. 

After church Jon brought me Everett and Everett was happy to see me.  

I feel so blessed to be in a great ward.  Sometimes I feel it might be easier for the entire ward or at least primary for me to be released from my calling.  But I love being able to teach Grace's class and I'm so grateful to Heavenly Father for this wonderful opportunity.  I know there will be a time when I'll get to do the same of Everett someday.  Maybe I'll be called to cub scouts with him, or be blessed to be his Sunbeams teacher too.  

James sure enjoys the time he gets with Everett on Sundays while I'm busy.  And next week when Papa is able to go to church i'm sure they will have fun in Nursery together.  

the two teeth smile

After church activity 

Learning the ways of a leprechaun

I kinda didn't put any thought into St. Patrick's day this year.  my mistake.

When Gwenevere woke up and realized it was St. Patrick's Day, she immediately asked when the leprechaun would come.  I explain that the leprechaun wouldn't be stopping by this year, she was super disappointed.  It was sad.

throughout the day she would mention how nice it was when the leprechaun came last year and how much she wished he would come again.  I didn't even have any candy laying around the house I could use.

Later that afternoon we went to Target to pick up a birthday present for a friend birthday.  I was hoping I would be able to sneak a treat into the shopping cart but they are just to smart for that.

That evening I went to enrichment with little Grace and afterwards we stopped by the store.  Papa stayed home with Gwenevere and Everett and watched youtube videos of people catching leprechauns.  Grace helped me pick out things to leave out for the leprechaun to use for his treasure hunt this year.

While Gwenevere was getting ready for bed, I thought i saw the leprechaun jump behind the rocking chair in the living room.  That made the girls run to the bedroom.

During the night Gwenevere crawled into Everett's bed with me and Everett.  The next morning I lay awake in Everett's bed waiting for the kids to wake up.  When Gwenevere woke up the very first thing she said was "mom you need to get up, I was to see if a leprechaun came."  So we all woke up.  Gwenevere found a note on the table with three pinwheels.  The leprechaun needed a rainbow to get his pot of gold.  If the girls would collect a rainbow of items he would share a treat with them.

The girls made a rainbow with
Red-ball
Orange- crayon and a stuff fox
Yellow- Grace's night shirt
Green- block
Blue- Gwenevere's toothbrush
Purple- Grace's rainboots

Once they arranged the items in order, a hidden message appeared on the leprechauns note.  it said thank you for helping me find a rainbow, i left your treat by the bathroom window.

The kids ran into the bathroom, pulled back the shower curtain and saw three goody bags in the bath

they all got a little toy and some chocolate eggs.

Gwenevere got a mama arctic fox
Grace got a baby arctic fox
and Everett got a baby polar bear.

It came on March 18th and that's are lucky day.

Random Happiness

 Some of my most resent favorite things.

Her face

 We've been cooking with the girls more.

Grace making pizza

Gwenevere making frozen yogurt pops from her highlight magazine.  Thanks Green Grandma

James and I enjoying a date night with friends, go carting.

We got felt boards from our neighbor and the girls love them. 

 I got to see one of my best friends Camille from BYU-H and her son Wesley.

Amazing friendships last forever

zoo trips

Celebrating Kyler's birthday

Progress on the shed

more zoo trips and baby tigers

hiking in the woods

little boys and big stikes

i love listening to him play

Saturday mornings with this little man

Portland's Children Museum with Cousins

The day after Grandma's wedding, we got to go to the Children's museum with Rebecca, Charlie, Miles, Stephanie, Lexi and Kaden.  So much fun.  I'm so grateful we have a wonderful family.  Thank you Rebecca for sharing your pictures with me.  

Everett was sweeping the floor before he decided to sit down

Gwenevere loves learning about animals

Charlie is a great big cousin for Everett, we're excited to see the kind of example he will become to our kids