Easter in April

Okay, NOW He is risen! 

Our church had an egg hunt the weekend before. 

"There's more joy in Jesus than egg hunts" we all kept joking.

Man, is it true.

But to these two, it was awesome.

Fordy was so excited to be in Abby's group now. They'll be together in church until the fall when Abby moves up to the elementary group. Elementary. As in, first grade. What?!

This love goes along with him saying randomly, "Abby, it's good that we're together." or "Abby, it's good we sleep together still." or "Abby, I love you." 

He loves his sister.

So much. 

Over our Easter break there were fevers, colds, congestions, sprinkler moments (that lasted 10 minutes due to the drought)...

Birthday breakfast for mom...

..and while lots of people went to Disneyland on their spring break, we went to ice cream. 

And plans got cancelled because of more fevers....

and the kids rode motorcycles in our friend's yard with daddy...

(look at this pose she's got going. who taught her that?)

We did an amazing study on the days leading up to Easter. 

Each day was a new craft or experience.

Washing each other's feet was the highlight. Filled with laughter.

Red dots and their name written on their hands.

"His body, broken for you..."

This year more than ever, the price He paid and what he purchased for us all was brighter and bigger than ever. Death be cursed. He is risen. 

And, there was a tiny, itty bit of candy.

And Easter night we got to see cousin Katy and Uncle Kev and Aunt Christi.  Papa gave a prize to whomever could answer the following puzzler...

"What is the easter bunny's favorite kind of music?"

That's right. 

Hippity Hop.

1352. following through on the e-resurrection materials 

1353. engaged eyes during the tough parts of the story

1354. good questions as a result

1355. "But Jesus is the real reason, right, mama? But I still do love candy." Amen.

Christmas in April

He is Risen!

Wait ... (record scratch)...

Christmas! Remember that? We're almost half way through the year again so why not recap last year, shall we? 

The tree picking was at a new lot this year.... and this little boy was grumpy pants because he wanted the biggest one. Doesn't he know that his parents get the best deal they can for under $50? 

Oh yeah - those were in the pre-kid, Pasadena days,

where there were lots of trees and plenty of bargaining going down.

Not so much in good 'ole EDH!

You tell 'em Fordy...

There was pajama wearing snowflake hanging hugging...

Sick spiderman...

New Christmas clothes from Grandmama that brought out some Fred Astaire moves...

Hats and bow ties and ruffles....

Girl Scout cookie decorating for the Santa Run...

Where they met this cute couple....

And unlike last year we didn't have to run through the streets to meet the sleigh before it left.

There was zoo caroling, 

train riding...

Doesn't Ford look happy?

10 minutes later in the car, cue the barfing. Sorry he was hugging you so tight, Grandmama!

But at Christmas church he was good to go again...

Thank heavens that Snowflake the elf made it in to this picture. My kids don't go for the behavior modification with these elves as much as wait and wait and wait for Christmas Eve in order to hold them (because they no longer need to report to Santa and can't lose their magic anymore).

Perhaps next year, I'll push the behavior modification a bit more. 

Let's see some sharing!

This neglected post fails at capturing our magical holiday. 

But at least you didn't get to witness a video of the barf!

1348. all together

1349. no crying with new outfits

1350. no smelly car after the sickness

1351. Jesus not being dead last in what matters most

The Makings of a Christmas Card

Now that the trauma of taking our Christmas card picture has worn off, we can talk about it. 

It took 3 tries over 3 days over 3 weeks. 

2 dogs.

2 kids.

Seems easy enough. 

But oh, I have such respect for the amazing photographers who've taken pictures of my kids. 

Trish Reda and Emi & Mike Hedden....  I revere you. 

Truly.

Here is a look at the first try. I'm on a ladder. 

And the kids were trampled, kicked and scratched by Gunner, the wonder dog.

Thank God there wren't showers and hair brushing and clothes changes. 

Then, I really would've been crazy.

"Smile! Look here! Hey! Ford! Ford! Stop crying!"

You can imagine.

There were 56 takes in 5 minutes.

I knew when to say when and tried another day.

But bad moods persisted.

Especially with the little lady.

Oh, joy. 

"Christmas is coming! Smile! What do you want for Christmas?!!! Here's some candy! Please!"

But no.

45 takes later.... we stopped.

So we went on a hike on Thanksgiving day.

It was glorious. 

And I'm sad this one didn't turn out....

because she was actually smiling (!!!) and Ford wasn't crying (!!!)...

And I almost resorted to this one....

But we finally gave in to the real us.

The messy us.

2 dogs in a bathtub with one crying boy and one smiling girl.

Here we are, people.

And this took 66 takes.

Amen.

Here's to next year. 

Hopefully we'll be at the beach. 

Who could be crying at the beach?

....right?

1344. Grant rocking the family card with a good attitude

1345. one finally turning out

1346. pressing and praying

1347. sermons during work

Hugs and Arranged Marriage

This guy has been giving the absolute best hugs lately. I mean, they are legendary.  I never take them for granted. The eskimo kisses, either. My little lovey guy...

And this sweet girl. Our sweet Serapha.

She and Fordy are fast friends.

I'm drawing up the paperwork for the arranged marriage.

What more do you need in a spouse than companionship when you pretend to fall asleep on a swing?

Or act silly...

...or go on long walks together?

Or separately.

What do does Fordy think? "Mom! Ahhhhh! I'm marrying you!!!!!"

1340. bestest spring 

1341. the best "lets do errands" companion

1342.  sweet pals like Serapha

1343. gel nails (who knew?!)

Not So Hometown Theater

Small town theater isn't so small town anymore. There is a beautiful new theater just minutes from our home and it's nothing short of glorious. To get to take Abby at reasonable prices? It's such a blessing.  In the past we collected pixie dust after Peter Pan and danced in our seats along with the Nutcracker. Last fall, Aladdin came to town so we grabbed lunch with a few pals before hand...

Abby, Zoe and Ella...

And made a day of it!

Getting ready for the show!'

Afterward, you can meet the cast on the way out. And I'm realizing that when I say, "Do you want to meet Jasmine?" that she has absolutely no idea what gracious thing to say when she does so. "Well? Did you tell her she did well, Abby? Did you tell her you enjoyed it?"

"No, mom. I just smiled."

Ahhh. Hoping a smile's worth a thousand words.

The "magic carpet" was our favorite part - and she was a pint sized kid to boot!

Doesn't Aladdin look like a 3rd grader?

He was probably an 8th grader. But still. 

Still. 

He killed it.

But not like the genie. He was definitely channeling Robin Williams.

(On stage the make-up was fabulous. Up close, a little scary!)

This time, when Singin' In the Rain was coming, Grandma and I wondered whether Abby would be interested. 

Perusing the program...

Grammy gets the best seats...

Get set....

3 generations of entertainment fun...

Snack time at intermission...

Meeting "the star!"...

She left tap dancing, singing "Good Morning" and making sure we did not forget her program. 

Voila. She'll be asking why Cats left the stage in no time.

1336. printing out from the kitchen computer
1337. ford's workbook for "homework" with sissy
1338. new dresses that "work"
1339. an unbroken bow and arrow