Happy, scrubby kids

I got my camera back but haven't used it much. I haven't had the time or the energy lately (been needing more naps again) to do much blogging. Here's a recent one of our rag-tag trio from this last weekend.
Aubrey is the epitome of "2" these days (perhaps another reason for not as much blogging), a bit of a mess--messy hair, messy face, messy clothes--and constantly asserting her will. This weekend she unrolled half a double roll of TP into the toilet. You can imagine how that worked out. Today she found Kari's art set with non-washable markers and decorated her arms. They'll be pink for a couple of days. She really does give the best hugs, though, and she's so stinkin' cute right now that it's difficult to be mad at her for long.

Snaggletooth

That's what we've been calling her for the last few weeks, lovingly, of course. She's had quite the smile (and quite the attitude lately, too, which we've been working on. Is it a 6-year-old thing, a girl thing? Maybe it's just Kari? Parenting is tricky.).
Anyhow, the front baby tooth that has been hanging sideways next to the big tooth coming in sideways finally came out!









Isn't she getting grown up?






















This last one was from the first photo session attempt (prior to snack time--why did I even try?) and doesn't show her teeth, but I like it. It's very Kari.

Saturday Yard Art

I knocked my camera off the coffee table today and broke something in the lens. Boo-hoo! I took it in to see if it's fixable, but until it's fixed/replaced I have to take pictures from afar because I only have the long lens now. I always thought the kids would be to blame if my camera broke, but it was all my fault. I can blame it on pregnancy clumsiness, though, to make myself feel better. I'm pretty klutzy these days.
The kids have been experiencing outside-play withdrawal and had fun today decorating our property with chalk. I think it's been two weeks since they've been able to play outside without sloshing around in the mud. Greg wasn't especially happy about the front yard rock artwork or the mailbox artwork either, so they were re-directed to the back yard.















They decorated the garden path instead. Isn't it lovely? As you can see, my garden has no green in it--no weeds but no seedlings either. That would be due to the torrential rainfall, hail, and cold temperatures we've had the last couple weeks. I unknowingly planted on the last warm day we were to have for a while. At least I only planted three things in the ground. My peas are starting to come up, so I just have to replant two of them. I'm pretty sure I'll have three eager little replanters when it's time.

Easter Sunday

Here we are just before church.
















figuring out the cool, new Zhu zhu pets from G&G (FYI: the label that says to keep it away from long hair is there for a reason. Aubrey got tangled up with her new "pet" and got an unplanned, but unnoticeable, hair cut)












Watching his new pet run around in the kitchen. Joel changed out of his Easter clothes as fast as he could; he's not much for dressing up, even if it's just a polo shirt. He's all about being "comfy."
















Egg hunting





Reading with Grandpa

Pre-Easter activities

Dyeing eggs
We had some bluish/greenish hands after we were done, but we had a good time doing it.

Making Resurrection Rolls
We had Sam, Maggie, and Miles with us Saturday morning, and we attempted a cooking activity
while they were here. We had empty "tombs" when we were done (the marshmellow rolled in butter and cinnamon sugar in the middle of the roll dough melts in the oven, and you're left with a hollow roll). They were pretty tasty.

Nooo, Mom, I'm not tired!

Oh, yes you are! Here you are at 3:30pm asleep in the crack of the couch with your sisters running and screaming all around you. This is what happens when you go over a week without a nap when you still really need one every once in a while. This explains the many tears today, too. You and Kari had an hour and a half of "rest time" in your room, and you waited until now to zonk out. Crazy boy. Hope you feel rested (and not grumpy) when you wake up!