life in general

spring break // day 2

Day 2 and we were going, going, going.

What I love about these school breaks is that we finally have the time to do the baking, outings, and playing that we just don't have time for during the school week.  And if it seems like we are running like crazy and doing SO much this spring break . . . it's because I know that during our next break (summer) it will be just too hot to do a lot of things so we have to squeeze it in now!

Today we needed to bake.  Oh my, I found the cutest idea for spring cupcakes over at Our Best Bites and we copied their cuteness in it's entirety -- right down to the packaging!

Everyone was assigned a job - crush oreos, color the coconut, make carrots (from Starburst!)

and paint egg cartons

 Then we set up a nice assembly nice -- Anna frosted the mini cupcakes and the boys decorated.

Anna: "It's like we are a cupcake shop!"

This is where the cuteness reaches epic proportions -- mini spring cupcakes packaged in an egg carton!

You can't look at this and not smile.

Then we hopped into the van and drove around delivering these little cuties to a few people from church (visiting teaching friends, primary teachers . . . ).

And because we did not get in enough bouncing at the trampoline center yesterday, we made our way to an indoor bounce activity center.  (Really, I just had another groupon we needed to use).

Everyone had a great time and got very, very sweaty.  And Anna may have peed her pants, just a little.  They were all in desperate need of showers when we got home.

The sister missionaries joined us for dinner.  We had sweet and sour chicken (click on the link for the recipe - so so so good!), rice, fruit salad, broccoli, and fortune cookies.

Later, around 7pm, the kids jumped on the trampoline.  They love going out for an early evening jump.  But we usually have to go out there and end it when the noise level gets out of control.  Both of our neighbors are retired and I'm not sure they appreciate the commotion!

chicks & doilies

Living in an apartment with all of your possessions in storage has it's pros and cons

pro: living with less stuff is actually liberating.  Less stuff to clean, organize, and worry about.

con: when you need something it is buried 15 feet deep in a storage unit.  Like, Easter decorations.

But really, I am embracing this new-found life of simplicity and just forgetting about all that other stuff.  Out of sight, out of mind.  If it's not in the apartment already I don't need it!

And to maintain our simple lifestyle I have made a commitment to refrain from purchasing new stuff -- decor, knick knacks, etc.  We are comfortable with what we have, the basics, and I really really do not want to bring anything else into our space.

So back to the Easter decorations.  And every other holiday going forward.

My plan is to go homemade, on the cheap, disposable.  Perfect.

I pinned a few Easter craft ideas and chose this one to do with the kids -- Spring Chicks

A bath sponge for painting the body

Markers for beak & legs

And googly eyes for . . . eyes.

Conner got a little creative with his chicks.

This is "Robin Egg".  He steals eggs from the rich chickens to give to the poor chickens.

The second chick he made is holding a stick of dynamite.

Later I punched holes to the cards and strung them on yarn, stapled a few doilies, and wah-la!

A spring chick banner to adorn our dining area for Easter weekend.

The tablecloth came here with us.  Do you recognize it from here?  I trimmed the fabric and hemmed it (the sewing machine is not in storage) so it would fit our 40" square table.  I think the remnants will be turned into a pennant banner.

I think it turned out pretty cute.  And the kids loved seeing their artwork displayed this way.

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I had my heart set on picking up some yellow daffodils at the grocery store for our Easter table.  This time of year I can usually get 3 bunches for $5 at our local Safeway back in Oregon.

But sadly, there are no daffodils at the grocery store here.

The mums and daisies worked out beautifully (and cost a pretty penny)

But they just aren't daffodils.  {sigh}  

I guess we traded color on the ground (tulips, daffodils, peonies, hydrangeas, roses, rhododendrons, giant hanging flower baskets) . . . . for color in the sky (blue!).

bunny day: in photos

No, Anna does not wear glasses.  These are fake glasses from Claire's.  There was an abundance of sweetness & batting of eyelashes & hugs & persistance and Papa said yes.  She wears them all. the. time.  And loves them.  She tells us that they help her see better.  I think that they aged her about 2 years.  And I think that she looks pretty adorable.  (Note: the glasses will not go to school with her.)

See how all that sunlight is already making his hair lighter?

Bunny Day 2012:

the Easter Bunny filled the kids' buckets -- new swimsuits, candy, and one small toy

mom spent a few hours shopping

dad & kids went swimming.  Twice.

we dyed 18 hard-boiled eggs

watched The Ten Commandments

Easter Beauty

Anna has recounted her Easter experience with much excitement to nearly everyone she talked to this weekend.

"I actually heard the Easter Bunny hopping in the night! Well, I wasn't sure if it was a monster or the Easter Bunny so I stayed in my bed. But he brought treats so I know it is the Easter Bunny!"

My parents were here for a quick visit last week (we were the pit stop on either end of their trip), and Papa took the opportunity to take Anna shopping for an Easter dress. And accessories.

These photos are for him.

Doesn't she look just beautiful?

 

He is Risen

We sang the song He is Risen twice in church today, and the ward choir sang it as well.  It is a great song with powerful words & music.

He is risen! He is risen!  Tell it out with joyful voice.
He has burst his three days' prison; Let the whole wide earth rejoice.
Death is conquered; man is free.
Christ has won the victory.

 He is risen! He is risen!  He hath opened heaven's gate.
We are free from sin's dark prison, Risen to a holier state.
And a brighter Easter beam
On our longing eyes shall stream. 

We have had a good Easter weekend.  The easter bunny came yesterday, we dyed eggs, did an Easter craft, ate cinnamon rolls for breakfast, the girls got new dresses . . . .

And now today is for remembering our Savior, Jesus Christ -- His life, the lessons he taught, all that he did for us, his sacrifice, and most importantly that he lives again.

He is Risen!

Happy Easter from our family

I would have had a picture of Scott but he was rushing us out the door to church.  We were still 20 minutes early.  :) 

ETA:  Here's a photo of Scott that I snapped on our way to church.