Florida Cousins Visit

This weekend, one of my cousins along with his wife and kids were here to visit from Florida. It was so much fun to visit with them and our kids got along very well. Wish they lived closer, so we could see each other more often. Here are a few pictures of the kids playing!

We Love Popcorn

The kids love popcorn. The minute Caden wakes up in the morning, he is asking to make popcorn, and as soon as we get home from daycare, Allyson asks to make popcorn. Here is a picture of them watching it pop.















And here is a picture of Caden after he fell off a bike at daycare and scraped his face on the cement.

6 Random Things

Candi tagged me - so here goes.
I am supposed to list 6 random things here.

1) Lately we have watched a couple movies, and I love it because my kids cuddle up next to me on the couch. Caden especially is such a cuddle bug. He loves to put his arms around me and just cuddle.

2) Both Caden and Allyson have been saying "I love you mom and dad" at just random times during the day lately! It is so sweet, and catches me off guard.

3) I am so excited, I made 3 scrapbook pages last week. Beginning to end! If only every week could be that good!

4) I am so ready for it to actually feel like Spring. It has been rather chilly and I am looking forward to being outside more!

5) I can't wait to go camping this Summer! The kids are so excited, and I love to camp!

6) I love to read! I have read all of Karen Kingsbury and Sally John. Both are excellent authors, and haven't figured out what to read next. I am open to suggestions on other Christian authors that you have tried, and would recommend!

Okay - I hope that is random enough for you.
Now, I tag Carey, and any others that read this but don't have a blog - you can just email me your random list!

Happy Birthday Sis

Wanted to say "Happy Birthday" to my sister!
This is one of my favorite pics of us.
Hope you had a great day!

Our Favorite Book

Our favorite book right now is I Love You This Much by Lynn Hodges & Sue Buchanan
This story is about a mama bear and her bear cub. When they say "I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH" they stretch their arms out wide - as far out as they can go.
It is based from the bible verse:
I pray that you ... may have power ... to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:17-18 (NIV)

When you arise with sleepy eyes, my smiling face you see. I always say, "Well, look who's up." You laugh and say, "It's me!" How I love your morning hug: you nestle in my touch. You wait to hear me whisper low, "I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH." I love you best. I love you most. I love you high. I love you low. I love you deep. I love you wide. I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH! Throughout the day we hide and seek; I love to see you smile. I always say, "I found you, dear" But I had you all the while. You run to me with open arms; I love to feel your touch. We shout out loud for all to hear, "I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH!" I love you best. I love you most. I love you high. I love you low. I love you deep. I love you wide. I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH! I trust you know that God is so, by what I say and do. I tell you he is safe and sure. And what he says is true. He holds you in his loving arms; you feel his tender touch. You hear the heavenly Father say, "I love you this much!" When day is done at setting sun, we bow our heads to pray. I trust you to God's loving care. You safely drift away. I kiss you on your sleepy head, with one last gentle touch. The words still ringing in our ears, "I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH." I love you best. I love you most. I love you high. I love you low. I love you deep. I love you wide. I love you, I love you, I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH!

Happy Birthday G'pa Rick!

The kids wanted to send you a birthday message! Even though your birthday isn't until the 15th, we wanted you to see this on your actual birthday, and since you are 13 hours ahead of us, it is actually our 14th!
Happy Birthday Grandpa Rick! We love you!

G'pa Rick's Birthday

Here is a pic of the kids with G'pa Rick! Hope you are having a happy birthday!
We love you!
The kids are worried that since you aren't here, you won't have your birthday! Allyson says "Grandpa Rick really, really wants his birthday!"

China

This evening, my dad called from China to talk with the kids. After they were finished on the phone, I explained to them that Grandpa Rick is in China and he called to talk to them. To try and explain better, we used the Dora globe to show them where China (Grandpa Rick) is and where we are. In between the 2 continents, there is a picture of Boots in an airplane - they decided that was how they could go see grandpa.
After that, Ally was playing with all her Dora toys and had the helicopter with Dora in it. She kept saying as she held the helicopter up in the air, "I'm going to China".

Find Something Game

What do you do when 2 three year olds are begging you to go outside and you are under a winter weather advisory in April? You make up games! (I used Candi's idea - Thanks!)
I gave the kids an idea of something to find and take a picture of. Below are the pictures along with the idea they were given.

Allyson's Game

Something pink (baby's bottle)









Something circle (sippy cup)









Something you love (little lamb)









Something soft (big pink lamb)









Something hard (pet shop)









Something pretty (roses)

Something you like to play with (babies)

Something you don't like (the noise daddy's drill makes)
{had a little help from mom on this one!}









Something you like to eat (fruit snacks)

Caden's Game

Something Blue (Whac-A-Mole game box)









Something circle (wheel of bulldozer)









Something you love (favorite blankie)









Something soft (stuffed bunny)









Something hard (the floor)









Something pretty (Elmo)









Something you like to play with (big jeep)









Something you don't like (diapers)









Something you like to eat (casserole)

Winter Weather Advisory???!!!

Today, we have been under a winter weather advisory. It has snowed off and on all day.

Tattoos and Making a Tree

Today was a beautiful spring day after cold weather and snow this past week. It was above 60 degrees - so we took advantage of the warm weather. First, we woke up and put tattoos on (they are from Valentines yet). The kids thought this was really neat! They even had to show them off when we went into the grocery store.














When we got home, I decided to let the kids play outside, while I vacuumed out the van. (the vacuuming was much needed!) Both kids have quite an imagination. They found a stick, stuck it in the little bit of snow left, and told me they were "making a tree". (As I am posting this, the snow is gone!) They both had scoops and went to find mud to put around their "tree". On every trip back to the "tree", Caden would say "here birdie, birdie, birdie". Then they found some bricks and put them around the tree for "birdie food".

PJ Day

Today, the kids had pj day at daycare. The class has finished the entire alphabet and to celebrate, they had a slumber party day. They ordered pizza for lunch and had popcorn for snack. They were so excited to wear pj's to daycare.
They moved to the back room and started learning letters at letter "O".
Allyson has started saying a word and then saying, "mom, what does _____ start with?"
I will tell her the letter and make the sound.
She spells her name E-L-L-Y-S-O-N.
Caden will spell his name C-A-D-S-O-N. (We have a little work to do yet on that one!)

Ears Pierced?

Today at daycare, the kids had their hearing and eye sight checked. Later, Caden told me that he got his ears pierced and they took pictures of his eyes.