Easter Eggs and Easter Bunnies

  

I saw this cute bunny banner on pinterest, 

I pinned it thinking you needed one of those fancy schmancy paper cutters to make it

 so I pinned it thinking "one day", 

but when I finally looked at the tutorial I learned it's just the good ol' fashion trace and cut! 

 You can find the template here at the 504 Main blog

 B sang the song "Little Bunny Foo Foo" the entire week before Easter. 

You just sang it didn't you? 

Good luck getting that one out of your head. 

 Then we colored some Easter eggs with our special guests (Carrie's family).

 Pretty proud of her egg she did all by her big girl self.

Water Color

Brooke, a former college roommate of mine and artist extraordinaire. 

(Seriously, on multiple occasions I would go to bed and Brooke would be in the living room staring at a perfectly blank canvas, when I would come out in the morning she would be passed out of the couch with a work of art sitting on the easel - she said her best work happened during the night). 

You can find her workshop here:

During the month of March she had a special on water color portraits. 

And, well, I couldn't help myself. 

She is one of the sweetest and most gentle human beings I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, so I was happy I could give her my business and support her.

And look at what a marvelous job she did.

I wanted the dogs included in the portraits but they aren't exactly toy-sized dogs, so we thought to make them the girls stuffed animals... and I am in love. 

She included so many details I didn't realize were important until I saw the portraits. 

For example, Sydney's bent ear and the tip of Dixie's tail. 

I am so pleased and thrilled with these, I shall keep these forever. 

#TheGoodLife

Teaching The Littles

I consider myself a spiritual person, and because of that if there is holiday that has a spiritual or religious side to it I try to teach (or attempt to teach) it to my children.

The Happy Home Fairy 

has a great spiritual lesson for toddlers about Easter, she calls it "Resurrection Eggs". 

And it was a hit in this house.  We did this on Monday night. 

I am a strong believer that you don't need to omit the fun just because it's the spiritual lesson. 

Why can't we have both? Well, in the house we can.

There are 6 eggs, and inside each egg are things that symbolize what Christ did. 

Ex: Piece of bread = Last supper ; Cross = He died on the cross;  Rock = a stone was placed in front of the tomb etc. 

I filled the eggs and hid them around the back yard.

 

Then let them loose on the egg hunt.

 They thought it was great.

The spiritual lesson was 2 minutes, and it ended with candy.

The last egg is filled with candy because the sweet surprise is Jesus is alive- pretty awesome yeah? 

They thought so.

Parenting success!

Ok... I was somewhat Wrong

Ok, I did find a recipe on Pinterest, that was a success.

The cookie in a mug.

The recipe is here at No. 2 Pencil Blog

It was good. 

My cookie is yellow, that isn't the lighting it came out that way.

I used a fresh egg, as in laid that morning.

- maybe that has something to do with it?

I wouldn't crave this dessert per se, but if you're in a pinch and need something sweet, 

this hits the spot.

Which means I will be making this again, and again, and again.

Pinterest.... You're Starving Me

 

We had leftover steak. So I found a fried rice recipe using leftover steak on Pinterest. 

Above is a picture of said meal.

It was gross.

The dogs wouldn't even eat it.

THE DOGS. 

Who have been known to eat cat poop.

Pinterest, you are great for crafts and home projects.

How to paint stripes - success

Gift ideas - success

Rag Quilt Tutorial - success

 Holiday Ideas - success

Preschool education - success

Wainscoting - success

But you fail on more than one occasion (and two and three and four occasions) 

That recipes are NOT your thing. 

Oh, and potty training - you fail on that too.

I love you, Pinterest, but it's strictly conditional.

Hee Hee

B came to me the other week and said this to me. FYI, my father-in-law's name is Cody. Because I laughed so hard the first time she did it, she hasn't stopped and I am okay with that. 

Seven Weeks Later

At this time my iphoto is down and Brad's is asleep so this is only photo I can get right now.

Brad's grandfather passed away this week just seven short weeks after his beloved wife. 

He was committed to his family and hard work. 

He loved nature and taught his children to appreciate and respect it.

At the funeral Brad's Uncle Mike shared Grandpa's life; his struggles, his accomplishments and everything in between.

We (at least I do) put Grandparents on pedestals (rightfully so I think). The years between us are so far that we only know them when they are wise and experienced; forgetting what gave them their wisdom. That they too walked in our same shoes, experiencing similar emotions, short comings, heart break, and failures. 

I am so eternally grateful for all of our grandparents, the examples they have been in our lives and the legacy they will be in our children's . All of our Grandparents remained committed in their marriages, and the strong marriages we witnessed growing up were not simply given but earned. 

Grandpa overcame so much. He lost his father at a young age, struggled through the Great Depression, and spent time away from his family to put himself through school.  And despite the odds against him, built himself a beautiful life, one in which he was committed to his family, his God, and his garden.

California

One of our favorite places to visit is California. 

When the kids a gone and finished college we have hopes of settling in the warmer state, where  B's eczema clears up in a day (without the assistance of any lotions, creams or steroids) and my hair does amazing things.

Until then we are lucky that we live close enough, and my parents can get cheaper flights so we meet them in the colder months.

I think my girls are part mermaids.

 Sometimes you just need a hug.

 In line for the Cars ride in Disneyland.

 Getting ready to go! She was uncertain the entire time, but by the end she said it was "awesome".

 It's a toss up between the tea cups, the carousel, the Ariel ride being her favorite rides- she went on all of them multiple, MULTIPLE times.

 She most certainly did not like the Pirates ride, and she will tell anyone who listens. 

And this little lady would just cover her eyes on ALL THE RIDES.

We loved the entertainment, particularly all the Frozen shows and sing-a-longs.

 

The highlight of the trip:

We waited in line for an hour but the girls were thrilled to meet Queen Elsa.

Then we dined with these Princesses and B, thought it was the coolest thing ever.

Zonked.

The flight home was an interesting one. We have all heard about the measles outbreak in California, but what hasn't been broadcasted is the whooping cough epidemic they were having. Although, both girls are vaccinated both came home with it. Right before the flight Brooklyn threw up... down my shirt. It was an epic motherhood moment.

Fire Station

We took a tour of our local fire station. Unfortunately, there was a house fire so most of the firefighters and the fire truck were gone doing their job. But we still had a great time, the kids wouldn't have known the wiser.

 I didn't know there was a difference between a fire truck and a fire engine, to be considered a fire truck it must have 170 ft. of ladders, now you know too.

 Thanks to Fireman Steve, who was darling with the kids, we all had a great time.