Happy Easter, Ya'll

Thank goodness Grandma alerted the Easter Bunny that we would be at the beach. We woke Easter morning to a thrilling egg hunt around the beach house.

After we had thoroughly gorged ourselves on jelly beans and chocolate, we donned our best Easter dudsand headed to a church service held outdoors. With all the lovely Easter outfits and all the women's high heels sinking in to the grass, it seemed a little like a cross between Easter Sunday and the Kentucky Derby (minus the mint juleps, of course), but it suited Soren just fine as he prefers to run wildly outside any church service, rather then actually participate.

Happy Easter!

Sand In Our Toes

For Spring Break we headed to one of our most favorite places, Charleston, South Carolina.
We got up early and left cold, misty Columbus at 4 am. That was a little miserable, but the payoff was arriving in Charleston in the early evening. Plenty of time to walk down to the beach and give Soren his first look at the ocean. Grandma and Grandpa drove down from Pennsylvania and we were able to meet up and caravan for the last leg of the trip.

We played and played

My children are generally not very enthusiastic about any kind of sun protection: hats, sunscreen, tshirts, etc. So I was pleased when Soren fully embraced the wearing of sunglasses... even if it was at all times, in all places.

Favorite beach moments:

Rick being the World's Best Sand Dollar Finder

and this little shell that Soren found and brought to me as a gift.

The Baby Shower of the Century

The Invitation

The Decorations

The Menu: Milk & Cookies!
Milk, Chocolate Milk, & Strawberry Milk
Snickerdoodles, Lemon Iced, S'more Cookies, Lemon Pineapple, Peanut Butter Wrapped Oreos, Pink & White Pinwheels, Walnut Jam Thumbprints
(many recipes courtesy of Pinterest)

The Guests

The Games

The Gifts

The Prayer

Father of Life,

We thank you for the expectant mother who carries this growing hope in her life and into our world. Bless her and the living promise of this child and help her to manage the mix of joys, fears and anxieties she may have about the time ahead.

As she watches her body change, may she grow in your own loving kindness and compassion. Let her be inspired by Mary and Joseph who model a loving family life and give her the courage to guide her children in a faith-filled life.

Be with her in her gladness these days and deepen her faith, so that labor might be a time of strength and prayer. Guard the health of her baby and give her the peace of mind that may so often seem elusive in this time.

With your grace, she will be ready for the end of this expectant time and ready to take on the joys and challenges of parenthood.

May she praise you with Mary:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exalts in God my savior.”

Amen

Kara, Liz and I loved throwing this shower for you!
I hope you and Baby feel showered with love!

Principal For The Day

At the end of March, Will got to be Principal for the Day at school.
He got to wear dress clothes to school instead of his uniform and announce the birthdays at morning chapel. When he got home he was brimming with stories about awarding his Kindergarten class an extra recess, handing out candy to the eighth graders, consulting on questions about new playground equipment and changes to the school uniform, and getting to use the office shredder!
He also proudly showed-off his official badge and playground whistle.That evening we were at school for student-led portfolio conferences and as we walked through the hallways, everyone greeted him with, "Hello, Mr. Smiley".
I think he was a little embarrassed, but I was tickled.

Hello, Daffodils!

Welcome Daffodils!You make my heart happy!

Has Spring Sprung?

Last weekend, the weather was so beautiful that we just couldn't stay cooped up in the house. We headed over to Young's Dairy Farm and had lots of adventures including introducing the boys to mini-golf!

Look at my darling duffers!

We also enjoyed some unbelievably good ice cream and brought home one of Rick's favorite treats- cheese curds.
(Due to an unfortunate experience involving car sickness, I can no longer enjoy cheese curds, but I was okay with Rick bringing them home as long as he doesn't eat them near me.)

A Pinterest Valentine's Day

Our Valentine's Day was heavily influenced by the ridiculous amount of time I've been spending pinning things on Pinterest.

Valentines for teachers printed from a blog I got a link to from PinterestValentines for classmates with heart-shaped crayons made from a recipe on Pinterest

When Will brought his valentines home, I had a little chuckle because Rachael's mom looks at Pinterest too!