Reclaiming Time with My Girls

My days are packed. P-A-C-K-E-D. It's usually with good things, but the girls and I were needing some margin in our lives. Time to just be home and play. Time to get bored with each other. Between school drop-off/pick-ups, home school days, taking care of Ellie, and women's Bible study, I realized that there was literally no time to have a play date or go to a park or just be HOME. So I quit my women's Bible study to regain my Wednesday's with my two younger girls, and am hoping that some restful time playing together will overflow into better Thursday/Friday home school days. Let me tell you it was hard to do. I love Bible study, and it is the one time of my week when I get together with other adults...women nonetheless! But, I needed to enjoy my girls, and when I am running around like a headless chicken trying to be places on time and have enough snacks to avoid any hangry kiddos (hangry - getting angry when you are hungry) I just don't enjoy them as much as when I get to splash water or dig in the sand. So by regaining my Wednesdays I am regaining precious time with these precious ones: And it's all worth it!!

A Head to Remember

Hannah submitted an art display of her...a paper mache head...which was accepted to be displayed at the San Diego Art Museum! We were thrilled to participate in the Art Night, eating snacks, watching a performance from the San Diego Ballet, and looking at all the wonderful art from kids K-12. Hannah's head was of course my favorite!! Rachel Lee was not happy... Kate loved the ballerinas! We are quite proud of our little artist and am so thankful that she has had the opportunity to participate in such a wonderful program!

Snow Cones

We have enjoyed having out new Snow Cone machine lately, and between it and our water table we are ready for summer!!

Game Day

Hannah's baseball was full of practice and scrimmages, all leading up to the one game day. Hannah was so excited for the game, she insisted that we practice every day the week before the game so she would be ready. Something I love about Hannah is that she sets a goal for herself and she follows through. So, when Friday rolled around she was ready to go!! Here she is, hitting the ball, running the bases and then making a point! Go Hannah!! Did you see her little hop at the end as she tagged home base? You can just tell that she is quite pleased with herself, and I was so proud of her too! At the end of the game her team won 24-22, and Hannah had made 3 of those runs. Way to go Hannah!! And here's a picture of cheering section: YIPPEE! What a game!

Kate's Bike Day

Hannah's Art Party

Hannah has been talking about her birthday party since Uncle Roger told her about his paintball adventures this past Christmas...yes, Hannah has been talking about her party since December! So, the paintball party evolved from throwing balls covered in paint at each other to painting with each other, and the party was a hit! We started by painting faces, then a big mural together, painting snow cones, and then each kid painted their own canvases. Phew...what a party! Thankfully my parents and sister, Jenna, were around to help with getting paint and brushes as well as cleaning up paint and brushes. My mom spent the morning gluing cups on a plate so each kid could have their own paint pallet. Hannah with her cake...there is a yellow 6 on the right and sploches of "paint" on the left. A quick pre-party family photo. The mural painting... The snow cone making... and the finshed art projects. Hannah was so excited to blow out her candles!! But her little sister, Rachel Lee, stole her thunder and blew out her candles before she could. Hannah was so gracious she just looked at me with disappointment and then I lite the candles again, moved Rachel Lee, she blew her candles out. The rest of the time the kiddos just played and had a great time together. Nothing like hanging out with good friends and family!

Chuck e Cheese

Jeff and I have had a few unspoken rules about Chuck e Cheese... 1. It's for birthdays only. 2. We go as a family to support one another in the chaos. 3. We don't eat their food. 4. We only spend $10 and when the tokens are gone, so are we. 5. If the kids don't ask to go on their birthday we don't remind them, and we don't go. So with these ground rules we have been able to navigate the crazy place called "Chuck e Cheese". Until my parents took the girls...now it will never be the same... My parents came the day before Hannah's birthday party so Jeff and I could go out on a date, and to help set up for the party. They asked if they could take the girls to Chuck e Cheese for her birthday, and we said sure. My parents stuck to rule one and two, they went for Hannah's birthday and they went together. But, they bought food, tokens galore, and the kids did not ask to go they asked the kids if they wanted to go...which of course, they did. And look at all the fun they had...thank God for grandparents as fun and crazy and Grandma Sue and Grandad Ray.