Easter 2016

 We did a fun and different Easter activity this year. Our recreation center hosts a ducky drop for kids where they fill up the big dumping bucket from the kids area with rubber ducks, pour them out, and then kids try to collect the ducks with numbers on them. The numbers are used for a prize raffle at the end, but each participant goes home with a goody bag and then each kid can hunt for eggs around the pool area. It was fun, but stressful for me since Blake had to work and each of my kids were in different age categories so while I was in the pool with one child, the other one was just sitting (or was supposed to be sitting) alone. Porter especially had a hard time with waiting and being patient for his turn. The kids said they had a good time, but  not sure if it's something we'll next year.

Brooke searching for ducks.

 Porter and his friends waiting for the older kids division to get done so he could have some swim time.

 The Saturday before Easter the kids and I went to the egg hunt at our local dinosaur museum. I haven't done a community Easter egg hunt since Brooke was probably 4 years old. I really hate big crowds, especially when I'm by myself with the kids, so I was reminded why I it had been so long since our last public event like this.

Porter was super scared of the dinosaur mascot. Grant really wasn't a fan either. I couldn't even convince Porter to go stand by the dino for a picture.

 Porter finding eggs. I decided last minute to go to the egg hunt, so I didn't even have baskets for the kids to put their eggs in. I just told them to put them in Grant's stroller!

 We also stopped by the grocery store with a quick picture with the Easter bunny. This time, Porter had no fear. He went right up and sat on the bunny's lap. Grant, however, still wasn't a fan and wouldn't let me put him down/

 After our fun, I tried to get a picture of all three kids with their dinosaur stuffed animals they got at the museum, but of course it's impossible to get a picture of all three of my kid sitting still.

 and all Grant wanted to do was throw his dinosaur onto the floor.

 So, we just took Grant out of the picture entirely!

 Saturday afternoon while Grant was napping, the older two kids and I dyed some Easter eggs.

 Porter was actually really into this year and loved putting all the monster stickers on the eggs.

 Sunday morning, we did things a little differently than usual. This was in part because Blake had to work and wouldn't be home until after dinner. He didn't want to miss all the Easter fun, so the bunny didn't come to our house until the evening. We passed the time before church by making sugar cookies.

 Grant thought he should help too.

 Sunday morning when the kids woke up, this is what the "bunny" left for them. I put out pictures depicting the last week of Christ's life, an egg carton full of Easter "Story" Eggs and a note from the Bunny.

 The kids helped me open the eggs and put them by the correct picture. This was actually a really good activity for the kids and helped bring the spirit into our home Sunday morning. I liked that the focus was on the Savior and what the real meaning of Easter was. I was worried that the kids would be sad going to church and hearing about what all their friends got for Easter, but they weren't even phased by it. Blake and I decided that we'll probably do Easter this way from now on, even when Blake doesn't have to work.

 Brooke was positive that the Easter bunny was going to come while we were at church (he didn't) and she wanted to leave him some carrots and lettuce.

 Trying to get an Easter Sunday picture, yeah right!

 But looks how cute my little man looks in his outfit! The baby mullet just makes the whole thing!

 Grant loves birds and was so excited to see one in our yard.

 After Blake got home from work, he took the kids on a bike ride and guess what? The bunny magically came while they were riding around the block.

 Grant was not interested in finding eggs. He thought the eggs were balls, so he'd pick one up and then just throw it back down again.

 Grant thought Brooke's water bottle was for him.

 Brooke drew a picture of a minion with her chalk she got.

We Marched Right Along

 With March, we enjoyed a lot of good weather days. It was great to be able to let the kids play outside and enjoy some sunshine. Grant LOVES being outside. At the beginning of March he was still crawling a lot instead of walking, so he'd get super dirty crawling over the only semi-dry grass and scuff his knees crawling on the driveway. I banished him to the little toy car and made the kids take turns pushing him around. He loved it and would scream and cry (still does) when it was time to go inside.

 March 10 I went to a book signing at our local Wal-Mart for Cassandra Clare's new book Lady Midnight. I love her books and so shocked and so excited that she made a stop in our small town as part of her book tour.

 Me getting my book signed by Cassandra Clare. Brooke was so worried that someone was writing in a book (something the librarian at her school has told them not to do). I told Brooke it was okay because she the author. Brooke was really impressed that this lady had written all the words in such a big book.

 Brooke and Porter playing school. I love all the little stuffed animals lined up next to Porter as other "students".

 St. Patrick's Day! I didn't get a picture of all the kids in their green, but Porter loved the idea that wearing green kept him from getting pinched.

 I love hearing my kids all laughing and getting along. Porter and Brooke were taking turns giving Grant raspberries on his tummy.

 And Porter, at barely 4 years old, learned how to ride his bike without training wheels! It was a big day for him! Blake and I were both nervous because this is a full year earlier than we did it with Brooke. But Porter had no trouble getting started or stopping. He just wants to keep up with his big sister!

 Brooke LOVES sleeping on the floor. It's her favorite thing to do on weekends.

 Storytime before bed.

 One Sunday afternoon we went for a hike in our area. We randomly selected this trail and after a mile got to this breathtaking overlook. It was a great way to spend the day together as a family enjoying the creations from our Heavenly Father. Porter got a little whiny when he realized that we had to walk the entire way to the car. He thought the car would be waiting for us at the end of the trail! And since we didn't even plan on hiking, we didn't bring the hiking backpack for Grant. Blake and I had to take turns carrying him. But it all worked out!