Sensational, Scrumptious Squash!

We harvested our first vegetables from the garden this afternoon. Squash! We invited the McDonald's over because Joey knows how to stir fry the best squash and we needed a lesson. I must say it was delicious and it tasted even better knowing it came from our garden, our hard work. We've got lots of other goodies growing in our garden - I can't wait to try our green beans, peas, & watermelon to name a few.

Lake Miona

We celebrated Earth Day today by enjoying God's beautiful creation. We took the kids to Lake Miona for some fun in the sun and the dirty lake water. Funny thing, the kids liked walking in the water in the section that is roped off for swimming. We didn't think anything about it other than it was nasty. So maybe an hour or so after they had already been playing in the water we noticed a sign that said the Sumter County Health Department doesn't recommend swimming in the lake. The kids didn't swim in the water - they really only went to their knees or so. Needless to say ever since we've been praying a hedge of protection over the kids. If you look at the picture below with Jake & Caroline you'll see the sign in the background. How did we miss that??

Josie & Jake came to and the kids had a blast catching baby catfish and digging in the dirt. Jake would squeal everytime he tried to pick up a baby catfish, he wanted to touch it so bad but just couldn't make himself do it. The others had no problem grabbing those fish and slinging them all over the place.

Cooper got his first chance to play in the sand. He loved it and was such a good baby. He even took a little nap in his stroller while we packed up. What baby does that? None of my other children, that's for sure!

The kids got a good scrub down when we got home to wash off any of that nasty lake water and now they are snoozing! What a great Earth God has made, we thoroughly enjoyed His creation today!

Easter Day

Coloring Easter Eggs

Easter Morning Baskets

Easter Duds



Can we say "ROTTEN?"

Happy Easter!

Easter Egg Hunt

The kids had an Easter Egg Hunt today at the Windham's house. They loved finding the eggs and putting them in their basket. Of course, the eggs didn't stay in their baskets long when they realized that there was candy inside. They would find a few then stop and take a candy break. It was a lot of fun. I made some little allergen-free chocolate bunnies for them to snack on too. I just hope they eat some veggies tonight to balance out all that sugar!

Candy Break!!!

Chocolate bunnies are so yummy!

Show Me Your Pearly Whites!

Connor had his first dentist appointment today. He was a champ! He never complained or fussed. The office we go to has a pond you can look at while you get your teeth cleaned and he loved watching the turtles and ducks while I got my teeth cleaned. When it was his turn he hopped right up in the chair with no hesitation and Mrs. Kim cleaned his teeth. He said his favorite part was watching the turtles and "Mr. Tickles" the teeth polisher that polished his teeth.

We are happy to report no cavities and great teeth spacing!

Easter Party & a Growing Garden

Today was a fun day! I planned a little Easter Party for the kids I tutor and they had a blast. They made Peanut Butter Eggs dipped in chocolate and bunny cakes. I made them do all the cooking so they could use some of their measuring math skills. Of course, if it was a fraction that meant small so they automatically went for the measuring spoons instead of measuring cups. So I had to catch them a couple of times adding 1/4 tablespoon instead of a 1/4 a cup. They covered themselves in chocolate and had a blast doing it. I made them promise to eat some vegetables today to help balance out all that sugar.

On another note, we've decided to try the gardening thing again this spring. Last year we couldn't really produce anything. We learned a lot from last year's garden and we are hoping to get some good stuff from Mother Earth this year. We've been talking today about the best way to make a compost heap. We are making an small effort to be more environmentally friendly. Craig took some pictures of the kids out by the garden today. They are LOVING the garden. I've planted a bunch of seeds for flowering plants as well. Hopefully we'll be seeing lots of blooms and butterflies very shortly.

MOSI

Today we took a trip to Tampa/St. Pete to pick up our Yukon from the mechanics again and visit the MOSI museum with Amy Russ and her girls. We picked up the Yukon first and then headed over to the museum for some fun! We felt it would be best to leave Caroline with MawMaw & PawPaw this time and we didn't regret that decision. Connor had a blast playing with Chloe & Alma. They played in the Kids in Charge section of the museum and then we watched an IMAX film called Under the Sea that Connor really liked. Apparently this was Craig, Cooper, & Connor's first IMAX movie. Connor said his favorite part was watching the sea turtle eat the jellyfish. It was a neat museum that we will definitely have to visit again.

I'm so thankful for this time in my life where I can spend quality time like this with my husband and children. I don't want to take this time for granted or not appreciate this moment in my life. It will seem like a blur in a few years and I'll look back and say "Remember when . . . ."

Connor & Chloe liked playing with their shadows!

I'll have his head on a platter for this one!