Puddle jumping

When it rains..

Go play in it!

Easter 2014

He is Risen, indeed!

 After church, we enjoyed a beautiful afternoon at our apartment playground with a potluck Sunday dinner and community Easter egg hunt.

Jarrod corralled the kids while the other adults ran around "hiding" eggs.  

 The kids collected all the eggs off the playground and returned them to the large basket, then went to get a goody bag of candy, toys, and a Jesus has Risen coloring page.

 When Jarrod collected the eggs, all the kids gathered around him to see what was next.. so he took the opportunity to talk about the significance of Easter and egg hunts... celebrating New Life!

Happy Easter!

"I can do it, because I'm four!"

Yesterday was Marc's birthday!  He is very proud to have turned four years old!  He woke up and immediately confirmed -several times- that he was four years old now.  Then all day.. he proceeded to tell me all the things he could do because he is four now... for example, I heard, "I can walk up and down the slide because I'm four!"  Or "I don't have to use a booster seat because I'm four!"  Yes, Son, I am just as excited to see all the new things you can do in this new year. :)

Here is a quick recap of Marc's birthday:
He enjoyed finding his requested smiley face themed decorations up around our house.

Good-morning, four year old!

Because Marc's birthday party is on Saturday, I didn't want to make two cakes.. so instead Marc and Emmalyn helped me make a "cookie cake".  Marc wanted to make sure there were sprinkles. :)

We wanted to share the cookie cake with some friends so we called our most-often played with neighbors (the Burchells) to make sure they would be outside on the playground after school and we out to meet up and sing happy birthday to Marc.   There ended up being a bunch of kids on the playground (sometimes it is just us and the Burchells), and they all got in on the celebration!  

 The cookie cake ended up being a big hit and a great choice for an inclusive, impromptu party - since it didn't make a big mess and was easily shared with many friends.

(Marc's Mom and Alaina were in attendance of this party, just behind the camera!)

After a fun party and play time outdoors, we went inside to warm up, eat dinner and finally open the pile of presents Marc had been patiently eyeing since he woke up.  We let him stay up a little later than normal so he could enjoy some of his presents before bed. :)  Emmalyn had a hard time realizing that all the presents were for Marc and none were for her.  She partially opened a few of the presents before we caught her!  By the end of the day, though, she was on board with Marc's birthday and stopped insisting it was her birthday, too. :)  I understand, I mean.. birthdays are so fun! 

Happy Birthday, Marc! So glad you are four!

More to come on his Smiley Face Birthday Party tomorrow!

Super Heroes

Marc (and by default our whole family) was invited to his friend Liam's  super hero birthday party last weekend.  We all pulled out our Superman/SuperShaun shirts.. with some accessories.. and had a great afternoon together! I will admit that I wasn't planning to wear matching shirts (Jarrod, Marc and Emmalyn TRY to match, often!)... but since every one (even Alaina!) in my family had on their super shirt, I pulled mine out of storage.  And since I was going to do it.. I figured I should get a mask to match.

 ...I guess dressing alike isn't so bad...