Little Zoo

We made our first warm-weather trip to the little zoo recently. We went with our friends the W's and packed a picnic.

The leaf-cutter ants are very fascinating. They actually do not eat the leaves...they bring them back to their tunnels and the leaves create a fungus that the ants eat. I learned that in 2nd grade (while I was teaching it!). Also, on a side note, I have the exact same outfit that Laura is wearing in this picture.

"Double stroller"

The seals are finally back outside!

It's (past) that time again!

Ladies, it's self-exam day! I've done it, now you do it too!

My mom and sisters and I are going to be participating in "Race for the Cure" on Mother's Day, May 10th. We'll be doing a 5k walk around the Mall of America to raise money for breast cancer research. If you're interested in sponsoring me on the walk, click here. Or, if you want to join us, the more the merrier! Check out this site to register.

Easter: Part Two (finally!)

Sorry I've been so long in posting. I've had a lot on my plate lately. Here are the last of the pictures from Easter weekend...enjoy!

"Boom, Boom, Boom" as Owen calls it.

That pajama shirt has a black cape on the back of it. Hilarious! The pants are way too big right now.

Sunday School

I believe...

the men thought this was a clever idea.

Uncle Gerrit helped to put together a princess puzzle.

Easter Party

We spent Easter weekend with my family. The aunts & uncles & cousins were there! It was constant activity, noises, messes, and fun...for the kids.

On Saturday, we went to an Easter party at Cam & Kathy's house. They are dear family friends from forever ago. They invited everyone they know (I'm pretty sure!), and we were some of the lucky folks to attend their party!

Pre-party picture...while everyone was still clean and happy

Kathy put on a magnificent, Martha-would-be-so-proud, spread.
These were the decorations on the tiny kid tables. Tables that had tiny slip-covered chairs. Amazing. Yes, that's real grass.

Owen is holding a real (cleaned out) egg shell that contains a surprise.

The idea was to break them open after saying "He is risen indeed!"

Sophie didn't want to break hers. She's like that. But check it out...confetti. All over the place!

Really...all over the place!

I do not know if Sophie ever broke her eggs.

More lovely decorations...

And some crazy-amazing food!

Owen didn't like getting frosting on his fingers, so I had to help him eat his cookie.

Later, it was time for an Easter egg hunt in the huge yard. Here, Cam is telling the kids they can each find 10 eggs. They had hidden 300...for the 30 kids who attended. Whew!

Then it was every man for himself!

Mostly Owen just watched everyone else run around.

Each egg had little treasures inside. Sophie's checking out what she got.

Kathy, the hostess with the most-ess, and baby Isaiah.

It was a lovely party, and our family had a lovely time. Thanks Cam & Kathy! Thanks also for bringing leftover cookies to Easter dinner. They may be my new favorite!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

I was helping out in Sophie's Cubbies class at church last night, overseeing the 4-year olds who were diligently coloring their pictures of angels that were standing by an empty tomb saying, "He is risen!" when little Grace said, "Know what?! Know what?!" I leaned down to hear what she so exuberantly wanted to tell me. Grace leaned in closer, breathing on my face as she spat out, "I throwed up last night!"

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... sunny and about 40 degrees. We wore "spring jackets" today.

I am thinking...about the crazy way Christian people behave sometimes.

I am thankful ...that it is Friday. Even stay-at-home moms love Fridays!

From the kitchen...I haven't a blessed clue.

I am wearing...black yoga pants and a gray long-sleeved t-shirt.

I am creating...a grocery list.THE grocery list. (same as the last time I wrote this)

I am going...to get my Bible study on Titus done today. Life has gotten in the way the last few days.

I am reading...I'm a little afraid to admit it..."Son of a Witch" by somebody MacGuire. It's the sequel to "Wicked." The first tells the life and times of the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz. Fantasy isn't my thing usually, but I love the Wizard of Oz movie, so I decided to go for it. I do not necessarily recommend this book as there is wacky content/ideas, etc. Very thought-provoking, though.

I am hoping...to finish everything on my to-do list today...finally.

I am hearing...my children giggling and talking to one another from their beds as they prepare to go to sleep.

Around the house...it smells like Lavender Swiffer Wet cloths. Today is a cleaning day and I used a new scent for the first time.

One of my favorite things...to-do lists. A daily list on the refrigerator whiteboard and a more long-term list on a magnetic pad on the side of the fridge.

A few plans for the rest of the week. . . Greg and I are going to a banquet with some missionary friends of ours tomorrow evening. We are going to leave a little early and go on a date beforehand. Woohoo!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

"Skins"