Some days...

Some days I just don't have the motivation to be productive. And I don't mean just cleaning or running errands...I mean in the mom, wife and person departments also. I was having one of those days today. Just wasn't feeling myself, and regretfully, my children started to notice. I guess usually I'm readily available to play Legos, or watch the newest dance moves, or blow bubbles for the dog (this is Maddie's new favorite pastime). And although my kiddos are very good at playing by themselves, or finding things to do with each other when Mommy is busy, they are not adept to doing this when Mommy's just watching TV. Finally, after Claire was done with her silent reading log, and Landon had bored himself silly with Tranformers, both kiddos climbed up next to me on the couch. (Mind you, this was merely 15 minutes of time.) I had one in my lap, the other's head on my shoulder and both sweet baby hand's in mine. I got teary-eyed; although they didn't notice. What a precious moment to spend, even in my rotten state of mind, with the two most important beings in the world. Silently we sat, me holding back tears, and them watching TV. Finally, the stillness was broken by Landon, who gave me an inquisitive look from under those dark, long eyelashes. He stated, "Mom, I thought you hated Spongebob!" Yes, that's what I had been watching, although I really wasn't watching it. I flipped the TV off as fast as I could, shook off the blahs, and played hard the rest of the afternoon with my children, whom I love with every inch of my heart and to the very depths of my soul. This flatlined day became extraordinary just that quickly!!! I am thankful for those two little blessings!

Gator Gallery and Easter

Easter morning at church.

Claire and her friend holding their class's art piece during auctioning. The kids wore red, white and blue for their singing talent.

The PTO at Claire's school does an art auction and talent show each year called Gator Gallery. Each class makes an original piece of art that is then auctioned off to the highest bidder. Student talent is showcased between the auctioning. This year Claire's class sang and signed several patriotic songs to start off the show. Then Claire also danced her Bug dance from competition. Six other girls in that dance attend the same school, so it worked out well! Both performances were darling and Claire seemed to enjoy showing off for her friends! She was also chosen to hold her class's art piece during the auction. A fun night, with lots of money raised for our children!

I'm not sure why I didn't take a lot of pictures on Easter. Everyone slept in that morning, and with going to church early I guess I just didn't think about it! The Easter Bunny came over night, so the kiddos hunted down their baskets and eggs. Then we left for church where we had breakfast, played games and participated in another egg hunt. We had dinner that night at the Symons' (Yummy!!!!). It was a fun, although low-key day, but it was beautiful and a great way to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus!

April Fools and Landon-isms

So this morning after the kids were up and eating breakfast, I started freaking out about a huge skunk in our backyard that was chasing Maddie-dog. They jumped up and ran to the windows trying to get a closer look. "April Fools!", I said. Claire laughed and went back to eating. Landon, on the other hand, decided it was his turn. "Mommy, your couch is gone. April Fools! Mommy, your table is gone. April Fools! Mommy, my arms are gone (appropriately put in his shirt). April Fools!" This has gone on all morning. His preschool teacher will make her money today if he keeps this up!

Other funnies:

-Landon and I were having a tickle fight the other day and I got his neck just below his hairline. He got very serious and said "Mommy, that spot is not eligible".

-Landon's preschool class is talking about Easter. Yesterday on the way home, he was asking Mommy lots of hard questions: "What does Heaven look like?", "How come they nailed Jesus to the cross?", "How did Jesus get to Heaven?". Trying to explain this type of thing to a 4-year-old, albeit a bright one, is distressing to a Mommy. My concerns were in vain, because after a lengthy discussion about all this he stated "My Heaven will be our house with your iphone in it, Mommy. Wait, I'll have my own iphone there (Heaven)".

A Diva is Made...

Claire and Sara in front of the limo.

"Besties" in the limo.

Everyone loaded up.

All the divas ready to go.

Posing with their ride.

Making bracelets.

Getting nails done with Miss Beth.

Claire has been asking, wait, begging for a limo for her 7th birthday since before Christmas. Being the softy parents that we are, we gave in and for her birthday party with friends had a limo. The afternoon started off with 11 (one girly got sick) girls arriving at our home for painted nails and makeup. They also made glamorous bracelets. Miss Beth and Miss Sara helped with the corralling and makeovers, much to Claire's excitement (Thanks Beth and Sara!). The white Hummer limo arrived during these makeovers. One of the little girls spotted the limo out front, unexpectedly. She yelled "The limo's here!". All the girls started screaming and ran to the front door. It was hilarious!!!! After calming the riot, the girls were outfitted in hot pink feather boas and sunglasses for their debut in Bentonville. I heard several times, "We're divas!" and "We're famous!". It was too cute! After pictures, everyone climbed in the limo and we headed to a local pizza place for pizza and cupcakes. Afterwards, we drove through the Promenade (our open-air mall) with the windows down and the girls hanging out waving! Then the drop-offs began. Each girl was dropped at their respective homes, with pictures by the parents as they got out. Claire opened presents in the limo while this happened, and they also sang and played games to pass the time. I must say, it was a HUGE success and lots of fun!

PS: Everyplace the girls went, it looked like some terrible flamingo accident had occurred!

Spring Break Part Two

Landon on Barney.

Claire and cousin Thurston.

The new cousins.

Claire and her popcorn cake.

Climbing the fallen tree.

We got to Gram and Poppy's Monday evening. We celebrated Claire's birthday with a popcorn cake and floats (Thanks Gram!). Tuesday we spent the whole afternoon out at the farm with Barney...with some fishing and tree climbing thrown in! It was a beautiful day and we all enjoyed the spring weather. Wednesday afternoon we finally went to see Thurston. Oh yeah, and Unkie and Staci too! Thurston is so sweet, and both kids got a kick out of his facial expressions. Although Landon had more fun playing ping pong with Unkie, Claire held Thurston a couple times and laid on the floor with him too. It was good to see them all doing so well! Thursday we ventured to the book fair at the hospital where Gram works and then went swimming at the indoor pool in Marion. Uncle Frank bought us Pizza Hut that night...which was a good ending to the day! Friday was some more playing outside before loading up and heading home. Thanks Gram, Poppy, Unkie and Staci for a fun and very full few days!

Monster Jam

Watching the action.

Cars transformed and then fought each other. Landon thought the "fire thrower" was cool!

"Grave Digger was there Mom. He's the best ever!"

Papa, Geoff and Landon went to Monster Jam Saturday evening in Wichita. Monster Jam is something that Landon has watched and played for almost two years. He was so excited when he found out he'd see it live! The boys had great seats, great pizza and a great time! Geoff made a video of the action that I'll try to get on here.

Spring Break Part One

The only close to a good pic I have of all four cousins at the zoo!

Cousins celebrating a birthday!

Just love this pic! Laney keeps us all laughing!

Our whole family left for KS Friday afternoon, albeit in two vehicles. Geoff only came for the weekend and a meetings at work on Monday & Tuesday. We went to Nana and Papa's first. Joy and rapture ensued as the cousins were reunited and were able to play to their heart's content, even though there was snow on the ground! We went out to lunch Saturday and the kiddos were treated to an afternoon at the toy store (Thanks Nana and Papa!). Saturday evening, the boys had a night out at Monster Jam (separate post to come) while the girls went out to eat. Sunday was spent celebrating Claire's birthday with family and rainbow cupcakes (Thanks Ling!), and then play time at the cousin's house. Monday was a beautiful day, and since the snow had melted away, it was hard to resist a visit to the zoo. The cousins enjoyed talking about the animals and cooperatively picking where to go next. Goodbyes were said, a Lucy sandwich made between Claire and Landon and many woeful statements made about "missing my cousins" as we left the zoo. They all get along so well, it's hard to watch them say goodbye! The kids and I loaded up and headed to Gram & Poppy's next. Thanks again to Nana, Papa, Ling and Hoopy for your hospitality and the fun times!