Finishing March

It has been a busy month. A few more bits of our fun...

Extra Lexi Time. This girl thinks our house is awesome and lives just one house away from us, so she enjoys coming to play. Her spring break was the week after ours, but she fit in some extra visits. The kids also went to her birthday party at Urban Air this month.

(Sidenote: Makin was trying out his manliness and going shirtless around the house.
It concerned Lexi that he was "half naked" for this picture though. ;) And yes, the girls have spots...
she would use face paint every day if I let them.)

We were thrilled to see one of our favorite families over their Spring Break as well. Our sweet Hughes family came up for a visit with family and friends and we were able to fit some time together in one morning. We miss these faces!!!

We are adjusting to the new soccer schedule with games being on Sunday afternoons. The games are closer to church than home, so we now keep busy between church and the game without going home. It has its own challenges but we are trying to make it into good time out as a family. This particular Sunday we ate lunch at a new park and enjoyed trying out the playground as well as some fun ziplines.

The weather. Gorgeous. So grateful for spring.

It warmed up significantly so we headed to the lake after home school

one afternoon with one of Makin's classmates.

Sprinkler Fun!

Soccer practice is right after tumbling, so Macie and Lorelei have enjoyed the extra time together.

Everything tastes better when you eat it alfresco, even breakfast. :)

Just playing around.

At-Home pedicures. Hard to turn that down. :)

I went to our church's women's retreat over a weekend and it was great to spend some time outdoors and get to know a few of the ladies from our church better.

Yes, I really did zipline.
It wasn't that long (compared to what I thought it would be in my head) and it was mostly over water which made it less terrifying. It was a good time to give it a try!

Gorgeous Views

On the first night the ladies opted to start a puzzle. I was hesitant to join in because a) I don't particularly love puzzles and b) it seemed an unattainable goal to complete a 1000 piece puzzle in that amount of time. WELL I was the comic relief/biggest puzzle complainer but I was proven wrong after sheer determination. We put in a few wee hours, but got that puzzle completed before it was time to leave.

The food was amazing and the presentation was equally amazing. I cannot believe I didn't get a picture of the cheesecake.
We also had a campfire with s'mores, because we hadn't eaten enough yet. ;)

So thankful to Brad for holding down the fort another weekend with the kiddos! They had fun!

Nana's (Almost) Spring Visit

We were excited for Mom to visit during her Spring Break from school.



The kiddos got in some good reading time. Makin loved showing her his new favorite series. Both kid read to her for their lessons on Friday. They also got Nana to read them an Animal Ark chapter book during her visit.

Mom and I enjoyed shopping and lunch together while the kids were at school Thursday.

Sticky Ball was their favorite game this visit. Loved how much they smiled and laughed.

St. Patrick's Day we had a little extra fun flavoring our coffee that morning. We also made our own Shamrock Shakes (the kids opted for just ice cream) and Mom and I ran to Kroger and happened to catch a little wine tasting as well.

Some coloring time.

We had a girls morning and headed to the new Beauty and The Beast movie. The boys opted to go hit range balls instead.

We spent the last evening of her visit grilling and eating out on the patio.

Thanks for visiting Nana/Mom!

Lego Americana, 1/2 Birthdays, Spring Break and Amanda's House

I was thrilled when I found out Lego Americana was at the local mall. We went on a Wednesday afternoon after schoolwork with some GCA friends and the kids loved it.

After seeing all the amazing creations they had their own chance to create.
They built cars and raced them. Makin could build all day,
so Lorelei eventually read a book so he could keep building.

We celebrated 8 1/2 and 6 1/2 by eating out at Red Robin. We also enjoyed some cupcakes I pulled out of the freezer from L's bday party. :)












Spring Break was very low-key but a great chance to recharge our batteries. We spent some extra time on a few around-the-house things I had on my list, and then had some fun with local activities.

Arbor Hills is always a great time outdoors. The kids were bummed it was too muddy for the trails and streams this time.

We enjoyed the low numbers at soccer practice one evening. Coach Andy working with only two kids! Lorelei enjoyed smaller numbers for tumbling that week too.

We met friends at a park for a bit one morning.

I'm not above rewarding them with Starbucks for good behavior when grocery shopping at three stores with me.

We spent time at the lake with friends another afternoon.













Then I headed out for a long weekend at Amanda's house while Brad got some Dad/Kid time. I was so thankful for a chance to pitch in and be there for Amanda during the less-than-fun task of going through her dad's house. We worked hard and enjoyed winding down each night and getting to chat. When I arrived home I walked into the house hearing the kids laughing with Brad. They loved their daddy time over the weekend.

Makin at 6 1/2

At 6 1/2 You...

Love to run, and love that you love to run. For this reason soccer is a great fit. You really love all sports and wish you could play everything.

Are a huge fan of Lego Nexo Knights. You have now gotten two seasons of DVDs for movie nights and road trips, a couple of Lego sets and at least one book. You still find more books at the library. There are questions at the back of the books and you like me to quiz you about the characters etc.

Are very into building with Legos. It is one of your favorite things to do in your spare time right now.

Like to help me in the kitchen if you have some down-time while I'm cooking/baking.

Love working those arm muscles at the park!

Are tenacious. I put this on your valentine heart as stick-to-itness and it was one of your favorites.

Love watching football with your dad. You watched Husker games (when they weren't at bedtime!) and the Superbowl. You have learned a lot and I love hearing you use the all the correct football lingo/terminology. If you had to go to bed while a game was still going, we were always instructed to wake you up to let you know who won.

Keep us on our toes with great questions. One recent example would be, "What part of speech is the word 'Please'?"








Quotable Moments:

(He was unhappy his sister got to watch Blue Tube Men with her dad on his phone while he was at soccer practice and I explained it was because she didn't get to go to practice so she did something a little special.) "It's not like I was at video game practice or something."


(To his sister.) "When it comes to playing, you are a spoiled rat."


(I almost dropped my phone in the toilet.) "That wouldn't have been cheap!"


Me: You're going to be quiet like little angels ok?
Makin: Angels usually sing.

(Praying at Christmas...) "Thank you for having the courage to come to the world to die on the cross."


"Clean the bathroom first. Cuz the stressfullest thing will be over-with first."


(Asking me to help do something on his robot.) "I know, I'm asking the non-engineer of the family."


"Our car is like Drover (from Hank the Cowdog). It breaks down at the worst possible times."


(Discussing how we won't watch T.V.  at the hotel etc until after his surgery...)
Me: Sorry.
Makin: (sing-songy voice) Its okay, (patting my head) you're just trying to be a good mommy!


"Well, I don't really consider a Cheeto a chip. I consider it a carrot."

Lorelei at 8 1/2

At 8 1/2 You...

Want to be socializing every minute of every day. You are very thankful we have a neighbor who drops by often so you have another person to play with. You are loving my extra planning to get you more time with friends.

Still ask daily, if not multiple times daily, for a dog.

Spent some of your Christmas money on makeup. You can't wear it out of the house, but love that you get to try it out for fun, like face paint.

Enjoy reading chapter books to yourself. My heart feels so full when I see you reading. So proud you have worked hard to get to this point even though it didn't come easily to you. Right now you especially like reading the Little House On The Prairie books (young reader versions), Dog Diaries (based on real dogs, next up will likely be Horse Diaries) and you have also started into the the Fancy Nancy mysteries.

Love listening to the Animal Ark series. This is a series you found at school and have loved having me read them to you. You do still listen to Magic Tree House on CD for quiet time sometimes, but you have heard all of the once the library has multiple times. You also listen to Hank the Cowdog on CD.

Enjoy tumbling, but we definitely need to have me work with you on that kartwheel!

Popular Lorelei chalk art. Hills with varying sky scenes.

Now request we rub your feet with lotion followed by calming oil every night before bed.

Have grown a bit over 1 1/2 inches in the last 6 months.

Admit you like to argue, but aren't sure why.


Quotable Moments:

Me: I never even got to wear face paint when I was a kid.
Lor: That's because face paint wasn't invented yet!


Lor: Why were they honking?
Me: I don't know, they weren't honking at me.
Lor: I gave them a dirty look, just in case.

Lor: I'm going to have 200 kids.
Me: That would be expensive.
Lor: They would all just have to buy their own food.
Me: Even the little baby?
Lor: I'll give the baby one Cheerio. Per day.


(Trying on a dress I picked out that had two front pockets and buttons on the shoulders, looking at me skeptically...)
"I look like I'm going on a safari."