Pick Up Sticks

He really is a great helper. He picked up sticks and cleaned up the yard so Daddy could get in a first mow.

Pits

It almost felt we were competing with nature for the proper time to start a fire. The kids are so easily impressed. They ran around the yard picking up sticks and branches so we could clean up the yard and start a fire. It does take a lot of patience and caution to do this with them, but the thrill only lasts for a few short moments, so we just rolled with it. I can imagine that this is one of those moments that burns an everlasting impression in their minds. It probably seemed like the moment lasted forever to them. I think that's cool.

Baby Shark

One of Hendrix's favorite YouTube videos is Pinkfong's Baby Shark. He acts out and sings the entire song. I need to grab video but have to clean off my phone storage so I have room for a clip! In the meantime, feel free to enjoy the video he references. 

Sun-Day Spa

Hendrix fetched the hair tools and products and reentered the room begging to do hair. Vanessa and I sort of freaked knowing the brush would get stuck in our hair, and this was before heading out to church, but Zane was so patient and kind to offer his . . .

On the Fields

 Vanessa is taking it to two fields this spring, just to try out some other super skills.

Cherubly Beautiful

This was one of those moments I wish I could freeze. He fights sleep, but he settled in the other day, after an hour plus settling down for a nap, and all I could do was stare at him, wishing to stop time and kiss all of his plumpness instead of squeezing in work. One of the ladies at church asked to see photos of him and I shared this one, just having taken it the day before. She asked how I got him perfectly posed, noting he's quite energetic and running all over the place. I told her it was angels that placed him there.

Right Track

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." ~ Will Rogers

When It Rains, It Pours

So they say. . . .

It's been one of those times these last couple of weeks. And then we went from a kid sick on Easter to a Monday with a plumber and a mad rush to get maintenance on the van. In the hustle to take care of everything Monday, we did not plan well for Tuesday's storms. Rain is a little more concerning when your child is responsible for transporting their school iPad back and forth. The water sleeve we ordered for her iPad had not arrived in time, so we were left to figure something out as fast as we could. Thankfully when it came time for V to leave for school, God blessed us with a ten-minute window of no lightning. I still had our disposable ponchos from our Disney trip, so Vanessa put one of those on to protect her bookbag.

Vanessa fretted some but did really well for having to be flexible. And at the end of the school day, we were thankful the sun shined for her 10-minute walk back home.

Easter Fooling

It was a strange Easter but still good even so. Hendrix went into the weekend just getting over a virus. It made for a cranky first egg grabbing at the Eggsplosion. He wanted to "Jumpy, jumpy" on the inflatables but they weren't really made for that, so he was angry. We also tried to keep him away from people in case he might have a germ to share, so I didn't even bother with the Easter Bunny. He hated having his participation wristband on but once we started grabbing eggs, he forgot about it for a short moment.

Hendrix wanted only eggs, no random pieces of candy on the ground. He took his time and after he picked one up, he would shake it and stop to open it.

Vanessa and Zane were anxious to get ot bed so the Bunny would come. Vanessa said she barely slept. And then Zane woke up sick.

Zane and Vanessa, though, wanted to be the ones to lead Hendrix to his basket. They were excited to share it with him. Vanessa prepped for church, looking pretty. Zane, Hendrix and I stayed home and rested.

Grandma and Grandpa organized an egg hunt and Nerf gun battle. Zane hated missing it but was excited that they went out of their way to send him special treats too.

Easter fell on April Fool's Day this year, so the oddness of the day and weekend was quite fitting, I guess. Even so, we're blessed and feel so very grateful for the hope and love we have in the real reason of the season, Jesus.

(I'm still determined to take an Easter pic of everyone dressed pretty, and will eventually!)