Dyeing eggs is so fun! (pt. 2 of 4)

   We really enjoy dyeing eggs.  The past couple years I just couldn't seem to get around to it and never made the effort.  This year, the kids were very excited about it and I don't think they would have forgotten about it.  I wanted to do it too, so I just had to find the time.  After lunch I put Manny down for his nap and we got right to it.

   It was so fun to dye eggs again.  We probably could've gone for hours, but soon we ran out of eggs.  Now we'll have fun hiding and hunting them outside!  

Feeling better now (pt.1 of 4)

   We are so glad that Clara is feeling better today!  She spent the entire day yesterday laying on the couch, mostly just sleeping.  So I was so happy to see her up and about today, smiling and playing with her siblings.  It was challenging to get her to drink the water that she needed so I thought of a little game to play.  We sang through 3 verses of "Jesus loves me" and after each phrase she had to take a drink from a straw.  This really worked because she did not want to drink water at all and she was willing to keep at it until we reached the end of the song.  All the kids joined me in singing so I was glad to have their support!

Manny walked around for a while with a whistle in his mouth
and a stick he found outside.  He loves holding a stick.  He's
such a little explorer!  (Please take it back outside Manny!)

I just love that expression on his face!

Brienne asks if she can ride on Dakota

Brienne attempts to ride on Dakota (Dakota is not so sure she likes this!)

These kids are so creative!  

If you can't really go skiing just have fun pretending!

It has been such a full day and I have so much to share with you.  I decided to break up this one day into four posts this week.  Why am I explaining this?  I wouldn't want anyone to think that my kids never changed their clothes all week!  These four posts will all be from the same day!  Enjoy!

The littlest caretaker

Manny was very concerned about Clara and is attempting to "check her temperature"

   Little Clara is ill with a fever and has been resting on the couch since yesterday afternoon.  Some of us are not feeling so well today either.  It's time to just slow down and get better. 

   Yesterday Manny learned some valuable lessons in being a caretaker of the sick.

When caring for the sick, one must lay aside selfish desires.

(Manny really did not want to give up that water bottle!)

   And now to get a bit random...

I just love this picture of Brienne in our vacuum box
(our old one broke and we had to get a new one)

Two cute kiddos in a box!

I found Manny sitting on a soccer ball while playing with his toys!
Too cute!

A sudden cloud burst

   This morning I was sitting at the dining room table balancing my checkbook while the children were happily playing in the back yard.  Suddenly I heard what sounded like a big splash.  I was a bit alarmed at first, wondering what on earth it was.  All the squeals of delight and laughter quickly eased my mind.  I ran to the back door and saw my children who were running around the yard and very much enjoying the biggest "sprinkler" ever!!

   When it began to rain all the kids ran to the porch, but Manny was far out at the end of the yard.  Joelle ran to "rescue" him, because everyone's first instinct was to avoid getting wet.  But it didn't take long for them to change their minds and get right back out into the rain!  Part of me wanted to call them inside to avoid all those wet clothes, but it was pretty warm out and they were having a blast!  So hey, why not?!

Thank you Lord!

Javi and Brienne trying to get a drink, I remember doing this when I was a kid!

Ah, the joys of water!

2008

Let's find some eggs!

Our homeschool group had planned to have an 

Easter egg hunt at the park, but it was raining all day 

and rather than cancel, we decided to have it inside.

Oldest girl with the youngest girl.  Precious.

Manny just loves the eggs, especially the jelly beans inside!

Clara makes some interesting faces when I take her picture.

I've even tried joking with her and saying "Don't smile!" 

 and she just looks at me as if to say ok I won't!

The kids really enjoyed themselves and we were glad we could 

still have some fun on this rainy day!

Don't mess with a cowboy and his hat!

The kids love to dress up and pretend.  

Manny has always wanted to do this with his hat.

  And yes, he has bumped into things before!

Manny loves hats

Those eyelashes make momma melt

Cheese!

A flower for the little lady

The guardian of the porch

I love watching all of their imaginary play.

As you can see, Javi takes his role very seriously!

Chalk it up to a good time

Nice 3D glasses Brienne!

I'm not sure how well these glasses work,
but they're supposed to make chalk drawings look 3D.
This was the perfect day to pull out the sidewalk chalk!

We're looking forward to more sunny days ahead!

Just what the doctor ordered

   Little Manny was having a rough day.  It wasn't taking much for him to be upset and break out into tears.  This is especially hard on his momma.  It seemed like every time I attempted to accomplish something in the house Manny was needing attention again.  He's not always like this.  He usually plays quite well and happily toddles about the house.  So when he is in a bad mood it affects us all.  Well...when all else fails...it's time for a special trip to mommy's room!  I cuddled with him on my bed and we felt calm together.  His mood was improving every moment.  This wasn't just good for him, it was good for me.  All that housework could wait a little longer.  This was our time!

He doesn't really want me to get back to work (watch the expression-ha ha!)

This little trip to Mommy's room did wonders!

Yay!  A happy little guy once again!  

Just in time for Daddy's arrival.

(shhh, Daddy has no idea what a tough morning 

we had [smile] maybe we'll 

tell him about it later...maybe not!)

I can't get over that smile!