Embrace the Camera

Let me start by saying trying to get out the door this morning and off to school was horrible. Little Brother is back to waking at the crack of dawn (actually before the dawn cracks) and is exhausted by the time we leave for school ... at 9am...

So.Am.I.

That wasn't a good mix this morning.

So, I was feeling pretty bad about myself and being a grouchy mom when I clicked onto a blog I like to read. (I've been following her story of adopting a sweet girl from Africa for some time. A good read!) Anyways, she has a thing every Thursday to encourage Mom's to get in the pictures with their kids.

I'm not that great at that, but I agree. I love looking back at photos and seeing my parents in their younger years! It's a rare photo to have my mom in there with us since she was always the one taking the photo. So, I decided to set up the self-timer and get into the shots this weekend, and this is what came of it...

Kevin and Little Brother were up napping, so Big Brother and I played his favorite game. It's Cranium Cadoo. It's a blast and now that he can read (some of the) words, he can do it on his own. It involves charades, drawing, playdough and more.

There's nothing amazing or artistic about these photos, but that's not what matters. What matters is I documented a sweet time spent with my boy on a sleepy Sunday afternoon.

Here is a cactus, drawing a taco, and one of the clues. 

Big Brother said, "Oh- that is Pumpkin Pants!"  That is what we were laughing about in the above pictures. 

Below you'll see the "magic" glasses that allow you to read the secret words. When you hold it up you can see what you're supposed to draw, etc. Well, Big Brother got a kick out that and we started taking pictures of each other with the red lens up against my camera. 

Alright, so back to my point about feeling bad about being a tired and grouchy mom.... When I read through her post, I started to look at the photos above. It helped me remember that sometimes I actually laugh with my kids and sometimes I not that bad to be around. Sometimes! 

And it helped turn our day around.

(that plus an hour at the gym)

!!!

Looking back over my posts, I see I have a bad habit of using explanation points too often!
I will try to work on that!

It's probably really annoying!

It makes it seem like I'm super happy and obnoxious while I'm blogging!

Well, anyways, enough of that!

I'll just do these  :-) to be emphatic from now on! That seems way less obnoxious!

Easter Recap

Easter was quiet for us this year. That was by choice. You see, I was hoping for a nice family day, going to church, eating a meal, taking a nice hike or bike ride. Well, it was quiet, but none of that happened! We have had very cold days and Easter was not immune to that cold. So, we didn't brave the cold to go to our church's outdoor morning service and we didn't get to have that hike outdoors either. But, we did stay warm and in our jammies most of the day!


The kids woke up E.A.R.L.Y. (of course!) and we headed down for our basket and egg hunt. The Easter Bunny was particularly tricky this year. Much to their surprise, the boys' baskets were full of Legos and little Lego Men. I've been stepping on them ever since.

(Please ignore the stack of pillows and material in the background. 

Now that I've pointed them out it's probably hard to ignore them! 

I'm still sewing and I'm also bad at stowing away unfinished projects!)

 After (most of) the eggs were found, we started a new tradition. I found many blogs that showed "Resurrection Rolls" this year. So, we tried it. We already have a Christmas tradition of cinnamon rolls, so these are a perfect fit!

There are many recipes out there, but we thawed out frozen Rhodes Rolls and rolled them out before they could rise. Next, we added a marshmallow inside and pinched the roll closed around it. We spread melted butter over the rolls and sprinkled a cinnamon/sugar mixture on top. We covered them and let them rise. Finally, we baked them. When they bake, the marshmallow melts leaving a hole in the center (and a gooey surprise inside). They resemble the empty tomb on Easter morning from Jesus' Resurrection. They were a hit and definitely a new tradition for our household on Easter.

 I have loved finding small ways to show the kids in fun ways what Easter is truly about. 

I am so grateful for Jesus and His death and resurrection. I am grateful for His grace and mercy each day and for the quiet days He gives me even when it wasn't what I had planned!

Resurrection Eggs

These are a project Big Brother did in preschool a few years ago. They tell the story of the real meaning of Easter. 

Each egg is numbered and filled with an item that represents part of the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

Included in the carton is an explanation of each item and how it relates to the Easter story.

1. This is a story about Jesus (Picture of Jesus)

2. And how He was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver by Judas (nickel)

3. On a Thursday night many years ago, Jesus was eating dinner with his followers. He said to take eat this bread for it is my body broken for you. He raised His cup and said drink this for it is my blood shed for you. Do this in remembrance of me. (crouton and communion cup)

4. After dinner, Peter told Jesus he would never deny Him, but by the time the rooster crowed 3 times he did not know Jesus (small chick or red feather).

5. Jesus was arrested and a crown of thorns was placed on his head. (thorns)

6. He was nailed (nail)

7. to the cross (cross)

8. The soldiers pieced His side with a sword. (cocktail sword)

9. The sky turned black as night  and the earth shook. (black cloth)

10. Jesus body was wrapped in white linen and placed in a cave. (white cloth)

11. Three days later Mary visited the cave and found the stone was rolled away (rock).

12. Mary found that the cave was empty and Jesus had risen. (empty)

I've read it several times to the boys and now they can tell me what they mean. I like how they can learn the real meaning of Easter in a fun and visual way. Of course, it isn't all about learning- they have some fun too! Little Brother asks me for the "Bible Eggs" when he wants to look through them!

Stinky Eggs

Big Brother had a day off of school this week. It was a cold, gray day, so we decided to add some color! There is nothing fancy about our eggs, just a store bought kit, crayons, and some stickers. But, it was a great (and smelly) time, nonetheless... 

Big Brother put the finishing touches on most of the eggs.

Little Brother put most of his energy (and stickers) on 2 eggs!

Mmmmmm! I eat hard-boiled eggs in a spinach salad almost every day for lunch. I have a pretty good stock this week. The kids hate it when I bring out the stinky eggs. 

More Easter Traditions to come soon.

Piano Lessons

This is my view while Big Brother has piano lessons. We're finishing up his first month and there hasn't been a single fight about practicing! I know it will come eventually, though. But, for now, I love to get a little listen while he works with Cristin each week.

 I especially love how his little feet don't even come close to the ground. He's getting so big, yet every once in a while I get a glimpse that makes me cherish the "littleness" that he still has left in him.

Have you ever?

had a day like this?

After a particularly long day with no nap, I couldn't find this little guy anywhere. Finally, I went up to his room and found him sprawled on the floor, next to his bed, fast asleep!

So, I've been Sewing

In my spare time (Ha! Did you get that joke?!?) I've been sewing. I ran into this tutorial on making Letter T-Shirts. Little Brother has taken a real interest in learning his letters recently. His favorite is "N" (for his name!). So, I made him this shirt. It's his most requested shirt.

Then, it was my nephews birthdays, so I made them these: (they got C's for their names!)

The Tie Shirts were from here. Little brother is still waiting for his.

I liked how these letter shirts turned out better on the stripes. Too late for Little Bro!

And just because she's so cute, I made these for my littlest niece! 

I can't wait to see her little toosh in these cute ruffles!

And finally, I made these for a friend who had her sweet boy last November! I guess it's better late than never!!!

So, if I forgot your birthday or haven't called you back, now you know why. Just be glad you aren't getting a package of ruffly underwear in the mail to make up for it!

Bass-kah-ball

Part of Big Brother's nightly homework is to write a sentence. It can be anything he wants. Almost always, he starts it with "I like to ..." This day, I was challenging him to try some new words. He didn't "like to" so I left him to write a sentence. When I came back, he had written "a surprise" for me! He doesn't just "like" baskbol, he "loves" it.

When I said, there is an "E-T" in Basketball. He replied, "No, there is not. Listen.... BASS  KAH  BALL." 

Case closed!

What's for lunch?

As strange as it looks, this is the only sandwich Big Brother will eat - turkey and strawberries. He'll substitute halved grapes too. No PB&J for this kid! 

When he was a toddler he used to dip bananas into ketchup. So, I guess his taste buds have evolved a little.

Friday Favorites

A long time ago I started Friday Favorites. I never did it again. These are a couple of photos from the past few weeks that I love.

We made these "spaghetti" cupcakes for April Fool's Day. They are Chocolate cupcakes from a box with yellow frosting, Rolo- 'meatballs' and strawberry jelly 'sauce'. Big Brother got a big kick out of these. I love the way Little Brother is trying to see what his big bro is doing. That is the way it is around here. He says what he says, does what he does. This picture is precious to me.

Found the boys on my bed with every pillow in the house having a pillow fight! Too cute!

Piano Man

Big Brother has asked to take piano lessons for a few months now. His good buddy's mom just happens to  teach piano lessons. He started Monday. He learned a song with 4 notes. He plays it for everyone that visits our house. It makes my heart glad that he is learning the piano. 

(It also makes me glad that it's being used for more than just dusting practice!)

My week

It's been a while, I know! This has been my week....

Yep, a sick little guy. I will spare you the details, but it hasn't been pretty! Let's just say a dose of Mirilax an hour before a stomach bug shows up is not a good combination. And just when I think he's better, he relapsed today. We haven't left the house much. Every time I turned around this little guy was sleeping. 

Being home has had it's benefits. I have an almost clean house, some almost completed projects, 2 sets of vacation plans almost completed, and best of all had plenty of time to look at these...

These are the boys' photobooks from age 4 and age 1 that came in the mail this week. (Yes, I am aware that I almost 2 years behind for them both!) I do a book for each year for each boy with Shutterfly. I use my photoshop and usually templates I find on the internet. These are both about 90 pages and I love every page and every memory they represent. Here are some of my favorites...

When we took the training wheels off Big Brother's Bike.

A fun Halloween memory

Turning 5!

Going back to Pre-K

A summary of a fun one year old!

Days at the park

A sweet toddler with only 2 teeth!

A sweet little boy who loved his pacifiers!

It was a good treat to get these in the mail this week!