Resurrection Day

Happy Easter/Resurrection Day! We spent time preparing for Easter this year in ways that I've wanted to but just never was quite able to make happen, and it was really good! We got together with a few families in our neighborhood one evening every other week or so leading up to Easter, had a meal, and did an activity together. This was one of them. I've loved having this as the centerpiece for our table these last six weeks. I think we'll do it again next year.



This was another activity we did. We hid eggs filled with candy in a neighbor's yard and taped this sign to their door. We did it late at night (well, late for our kids 8:45pm). The kids loved sneaking in the dark to do something fun for their friends. Our neighbors loved it, and we were able to invite them to church when we talked to them later. Even if they don't come, it was a wonderful experience for our kids and our family to reach out and do something fun for someone else, in Jesus' name.

 

We're all ready to head to church and enjoy the day. He IS risen, and we are so grateful.

Play time

I've got some other things to post, but I figured, I may as well start with today! We got back from Eagle Crest last night, which made today a laundry day and a day of recovery from all the fun. We went to the playground after lunch to run off some energy and enjoy the sunshine. They had a good time playing together, and I had a good time taking their pictures. I can't get over the cuteness of Grant riding his scooter. I'm going to have to get some video of it soon.

Great Wolf Lodge

Thanks, in large part, to some Christmas money our family received, we took our first trip to Great Wolf Lodge this week. We were too sick at Christmas to use it then and decided to save it for later. So glad we did! I say "first" trip because we want to go back. We liked it a lot! The older two were able to enjoy all the slides. Aubrey could do all but one (wasn't tall enough for the biggest one), and Grant wished he was taller so he could go with the big kids everywhere they went. There was plenty for him to do, too, though. We spent a lot of time in the wave pool.

The kids had a couple days off school, so Greg took a day and a half of vacation, and we spent one night there. We played in the water once we got there, had a nice evening back in our room with some popcorn and snacks. We went to the lodge's "story time" and even got ice cream before bed. The next morning we hit the water park when they opened and played all morning, with one snack break back in our room. We just had a really great time as a family. We were exhausted by Friday afternoon when we left, but it was a good kind of exhaustion--from all the water fun and excitement.

click to make bigger, then click again to see even better
 

Some pics of A & G

Sweet little friends--Aubrey and Abby. Aren't they cute? These were from Valentine's Day, after preschool and before I knew Aubrey had strep throat. She doesn't look sick here, does she? Things quickly went south a few hours later.
 

bustin' up :)
 

Grant's been practicing his scooter on some of these sunny, dry days. He's so cute doing it, and he looks so small next to all the other kids riding around on theirs. We're still working on staying in the driveway and on the sidewalk and NOT in the street. It could be another long summer. Hopefully, he'll learn that we mean it when we say we will bring him inside if he goes in the street.
 

So sweet and innocent-looking. We know your wheels are turning, little dude. :)
 

Who needs a table?
 

The kids painted while I worked in the kitchen cooking/baking (and leaving cupboard doors open--I only noticed it when I saw them in the photo--strange quirk of mine) Noteworthy: Grant painted longer than Aubrey. He's been at it for almost an hour. He's making a big mess now, but he sure is happy!

I was trying to get them to look at me. Before he started laughing, Grant told me, "I kinda busy right here, Mommy."