Happy Easter!

Wishing our family and friends a happy and holy Easter.

After church, the children raced through the house looking for the Easter basket. Andrew was enjoying the candy while Michael and Elizabeth looked at their small toys.

The children didn't have class this week, but we managed to keep busy over Holy Week.

First off, I took the three kiddos for the Imagination Movers concert.

During the finale, huge streamers fell from the ceiling. One landed in Michael's lap. He got more excited because many other children were jealous.

Andrew was well behaved but needed to let off some steam after the show.

Elizabeth said she sang so much that she needed a juice box.



We invited friends over for a cookie decorating play date. With ten children armed with frosting and sprinkles I didn't get any pictures. Afterwards, Michael decorated a bunch.

Andrew and Elizabeth preferred the final products.

The children love the Max and Ruby characters. We went to meet Max but Elizabeth said he was too big.

Another day we had friends over for lunch and everyone made their own pizza.

Dyeing eggs was a lot of fun. We had a kit that came with stickers and special crayons - they spent a long time creating their masterpieces.

Elizabeth was placing cross stickers on hers when she said, "I putting three crosses because Jesus fell when he was carrying the cross three times." Guess she has been paying attention.

Another cold Egg Hunt with the MOMS Club.

After such a hectic week, we were all worn out. I took the children to church on Good Friday. We stayed for ninety minutes and they were so well behaved, people were complimenting me. Elizabeth and Andrew were tickled with the veneration on the cross. The entire way back to our pew Elizabeth was telling everyone she kissed Jesus' feet while Andrew was yelling God! God! With all of our Easter festivities, it's important to not forget the reason we are celebrating. HE is risen!

Easter Egg Hunt

We braved the cold, wind and rain for the Ross Township big hunt.
Elizabeth loves her new Princess basket - good thing we have many hunts this season. Surprisingly, Andrew and Elizabeth had a better time. When Michael's age group was called, he started up the muddy hill and decided he'd rather go inside for games and crafts.

Andrew ran around yelling Eggs! Eggs! He was knocked over a couple of times, but didn't seem to mind. He wasn't too happy to exchange the eggs for a treat bag, until he saw the inflatable punching balloon.

Once inside they had a great time. Elizabeth's hair is an indication of just how windy it was outside. Andrew and Elizabeth wouldn't go near the real Easter Bunny, but were happy to pose with this inflatable.

I can't believe how big Michael looks here. Love his fake smile.

When we were preparing for the Easter Candy Cottage, Michael told me this was his favorite thing to do ever. They did a lot on their own this time, because Andrew woke up and started wreaking havoc. He was scrounging around the floor looking for dropped candy - poor third child.

When it was complete, Andrew kept pretending to place marshmallows on the house. Elizabeth insisted that we make a cross out of bunny marshmallows. After taking the children for Living Stations of the Cross this Lenten season she keeps talking about how Jesus fell down with the cross three times then he died. In fact, during the service she yelled at someone leaving their pew, "It's not time to leave, we're still PRAYING!"

First baseball game of the season
We went to the Pirates game with four other families. The kids had a great time. They each received a baseball glove. Elizabeth thought one of the players was going to throw a ball right into her mitt. Finally she asked if she could take it off because it was getting hot. Andrew spent a lot of time at the playground and walking around greeting people. They weren't interested in running the bases after the game, it was a really hot day. The kids were more excited by the free snacks and drinks being passed outside the stadium.

Andrew will be 15 months this week. He's a little bundle of energy - it's not easy to get a picture of him these days. He thinks he can do everything Michael and Elizabeth do and makes a valiant effort trying to keep up with them.

Big Girl Bed

Elizabeth is thrilled with her new bed. It's been in her room for a week and last night she finally slept in it. She made sure her bed rails were secure and got right in. Except for one bathroom trip she stayed in and did great.

She loves her polka-dot duvet. She was excited to pile on the blankets. She looks so little in the big bed, but there will be plenty of room for her dolls now.

This week we went to the Gymboree store and Elizabeth saw these shoes. She told me that she didn't need any clothes, so that I would have enough money for these sandals. She's definitely my daughter.
Silver, sparkley, and rhinestones - what more could a girl want? It even shows off her painted polka-dot pedicure.

My Princess


Elizabeth fell down the stairs at a birthday party and got an ugly gash under her eye. The ER doctor patched her up but we will be visiting the plastic surgeon. From the second I scooped her up at the bottom of the stairs until we left the hospital I didn't let go of my little girl. But the entire time she was screaming I want my mommy. It broke my heart.
At one point in the hospital I told her I would buy her a Cinderella dress. Maybe it was when it took four people to hold her down on the bed. When we were driving home she asked if we were getting her new princess dress. So we pulled into TRU and I went in half covered in blood to get it. Fortunately, Elizabeth and I went on a shopping trip last week and she picked out some movie star sunglasses. They cover her eye perfectly.

Andrew already broke her Cinderella necklace. But Elizabeth said, "That's okay, I can just wear Mommy's pearls." At least she still has her wits about her.

Princess Tea Party

Elizabeth - I mean Rapunzel and I attended our first Princess event.

Dressed up as Snow White

After a dress-up relay - totally decked out

Manicure time

She was so excited to have so much make-up.
She wouldn't wait in line to get her hair done - there was so much more to do.

After the performance she ran up front and center to sing some Disney songs.
The entire drive home she was singing "Someday my prince will come..."

Deciding which dress to wear, here she is as Belle.

Ariel is Elizabeth's current favorite.




April Fools!

Yesterday I nearly gave James a heart attack. The day before I started saying that the food smelled funny. Then on April 1st I told him I got sick at Gymboree class and felt nauseated all day. That evening I "took a test" and freaked James out.

Michael and Elizabeth were so excited about a recent hail storm.

Andrew kept yelling BALLS!

Look how big!