Mr Potato Head

Yesterday, Andrew, Bella and I went to visit my Grandma.  During our visit, Bella seemed to invite them to play Mr Potato Head with her.  It was the sweetest thing.  I couldn't help wondering how many times my Grandma has put those little ears on that potato?  I had to snap some pictures, but unfortnately they are with my iphone, so they do not compare to the ones my REAL camera would've produced!  I'm so thankful for my family, and for these wonderful women who love my children !

Summer is coming!

Bella enjoying her TCBY!

Yes that is a sprinkler, and it is May...it was 80 degrees! I couldn't resist.  My boys say I'm the funnest mom ever.

Lemonade. Spring. The glass is definitely more than half full :)

Bella enjoying one of the treats she won at the Cake Walk!

Andrew and pixie sticks... need I say more?

Andrew and David with Jack at dinner. :)

My monkey. How is he big enough to try to climb a tree??

We had a very fun few days here and I just had to document it! Last Thursday was TCBY night to benefit Andrew's preschool.  Have I said yet how much I LOVE the community we live in?  An excuse to buy frozen yogurt, and visit?!  It was the first visit to TCBY this Spring, where we actually got to eat our frozen treat outside!! After TCBY, we went to buy a sprinkler (it was 80 degrees, and I am just very spontaneous like that now....) and pick up pizza.  We ate pizza outside on our deck and then I connected the sprinkler and let the kids play in it in their clothes! What the heck, it was almost bath time!!
 On Saturday we had the "Tin Can Auction" at David's school.  It was so much fun! There were inflatable bouncers and slides, games (with little trinket prizes that the kids just LOOOOVE), a cake walk (where each kid can win twice and each time they win they come home with half a dozen of baked goods.....even Bella won!), and a yummy dinner grilled in the gym.  I really do love David's elementary school.  It's been so nice getting to know other families, and there are so many neat events like this to enjoy! Besides that, he's getting a good education on top of it :)

So much fun! Summer is coming....

Mother's Day Weekend

What a nice weekend!  Saturday, Bella and I spent the morning together shopping for a gift for mom and buying some really pretty flowers.  Then we picked up the boys from mom's house and gave her her Mother's Day gifts.  When I came home there was a beautiful boquet of flowers and a wonderful card from Joe sitting on the counter.  That afternoon we did some work on the house and then the boys had a soccer game (which Mary came to watch!) ...and they won! Their first victory :) In the evening Joe and I drove out to Howell and had dinner with the Longs.  We had such a fun time. We went to this Black Rock Restaurant, where you can cook your steak on a 750 degree rock! It was a neat experience. We love spending time with David and Marie! 

This morning Joe let me sleep in.  Ahhhh...I didn't get out of bed until after 8!  When the boys heard me up and about they came running upstairs with their gifts for me.  It was sooooooo sweet.  They both had made presents at school.  Andrew's is a hanging picture craft with his little hand cut out.  David made me a rose shaped pen (out of duct tape!) and also a picture of him in a flower, and a matted art work from his art class.   I just love these little gifts.  It was really just so neat that they were excited, too.  I am so blessed.  We went out to breakfast together and then off to church.  After lunch, we had naps. I love naps!!  Then we walked to the park to play a while and when we came home we grilled our dinner and made s'mores in the fire pit.  The best part was when I tucked the boys in.  I always ask them what the best part of their day was.  Tonight David said, "Spending the whole day with you."  My heart just melted. 

When Bella saw this flower, she said, "Mine flower!!" She carried it into the store and all around!

The boys helped me plant it later while Princess Pink slept :)

Joe's Black Rock food

David Long at Black Rock

My precious babies

Beautiful flowers from Joe

A sweet plant from Marie Long.  Planted it in the garden today :)

Thank you Lord for my beautiful children!

Resurrection Day!

Easter.  So awesome...the kids actuallly understand Easter this year! (Well, except for Bella).  I made their Easter surprise baskets the night before (with a tummy bug...yuck!) and they LOVED them!  I love making them smile :)  Then off to church we went for the pancake breakfast and service.  It was lots of fun celebrating. In the afternoon we had an Easter egg hunt in our yard, and it was Bella's first.  The boys did such a good job helping her.  David even took time to show her the eggs and saved some for her.  So sweet! In the evening the children and I visited Elham and Darren for dinner, while Joe stayed home to rest (his turn with the tummy bug...:( at least this bug didn't make us throw up).  When we came home he was feeling better and we had a campfire and s'mores for dessert.  A great day celebrating our wonderful Savior!

Our First Soccer Season!

Brother-on-brother practice!

Listening to the Ref...

I don't think David likes goal tending :)

Yesterday the boys had their very first soccer practice and game.  They are playing through the Neighborhood Club this spring and get to be on the same team (very easy for us :).  They had a blast!  And I don't think I've ever seen anything so cute as those two little boys in soccer uniforms :)  Joe was quite the soccer guy in high school, and even played for a while on private teams afterwards, so he is enjoying helping them learn his sport! And I am loving watching.  I took over 80 photos of the first session...don't worry, I only saved 40 of them.  Eek! I'm going to need an entire album just of soccer if I keep this up! David got one really good defensive kick in, but also scored on his own teams goal while being the goalie :)  So cute! Probably the best part of watching them play?  Hearing David encourage Andrew.  He kept saying things like, "You can do it, Andrew! I know you can!" and "I'm counting on you buddy!"   It was precious.  I love them so much! I am so thankful to have such sweet, loving little men, and I'm so thankful that we are able to get them involved in these types of things!  Looking forward to lots of fun Saturdays!

My Little Evangelist

So, at church lately the boys have been hearing about God being our friend, and at home we've been talking about Easter, and the death and resurrection of Jesus.   Apparently, Andrew is listening.   Yesterday we had a play date with a friend of David's from school.  At lunchtime, the conversation I heard was something like this:
Andrew:  "Ryan, do you know who God is"
Ryan:  "Yeah."
Andrew : "Who is He?"
Ryan:  "That guy who lives in Heaven."
Andrew: "Right.  Do you know He also died for our sins and rose from the dead on Easter?"
Ryan: "Yeah"
Andrew: "Okay, I just wanted to check."

My heart was smiling so much.  I love it when my children challenge me spiritually.  Andrew has no fear, and is not ashamed of the gospel.  He has heard and amazing story, believes it, and wants to make sure his friends also know about it.  How awesome!  So should it be with us.  Our God is so amazing, and has poured out such incredible love on us.  Why would we not share it with a world hungry for love? 


And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”


Romans 10:14

Fire House Field Trip

Andrew's class got to visit the Woods Fire Department, and since it was scheduled on a work day for me, Nana got to take them. They had a very nice time, and Andrew even got to pretend to drive the truck (and so did Bella for that matter!) Preschool rocks!

Andrew and the fire truck :)

I love this expression!

Andrew driving the fire engine :)

Bella driving the fire engine!

Andrew and some classmates

Giving sissy a hug (as always!)