Ft. Worth Trip & Rangers Game

The last weekend of May we had a lot of firsts. We went to cousin Michaela's 1st birthday. M, K, & C were the helpers showing her how to open the presents. Then we went to the Ft. Worth Zoo for the 1st time. It was hot, but a great zoo. Clean & lots to see! On Sunday we took the kids to their 1st Rangers game. We were at the TOP of the stadium, but it was so hot, the cool breeze was great! We made it to the very end of the game too. (I was not sure how the kids would handle it.) Also, had their 1st cotton candy there. None of them liked it at first, but Kate got into it when we came home. She is definitely my child, b/c I love cotton candy!

Michaela's 1st Birthday.
Mason studying the map before we enter the zoo.
One hot group picture. (Should have packed more water!)
In line for the train.Train ride with Daddy.
Rangers Game!

Swimming Lessons

First week of swimming lessons started for us on Tuesday. I thought I was just going to put Mason & Kate in the class, but Ms. Mimi is so good I decided after the first class that Caroline should join. Mason and Kate LOVE it, Caroline is not so sure just yet. We get to go for the next two weeks on Tues. & Thurs. Mason normally is not thrilled with the idea of ANY water in his face, but for Ms. Mimi he will do it and go back for more! I can't wait to see how much they learn this year!

Mason kicking
Caroline's 1st swimming lesson. Not so sure about it just yet.
Kate already swimming back to the steps! (Day 2)
Diving down for rings. I was impressed that all 5 kids in the class did this.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday we had to have a "plan". Brent and I were volunteering in Mason & Kate's room on Sunday, so we all actually got up and went to the 8:30 service, then Della and Pappy took all 3 home so we could volunteer. We were worried we would have a large crowd, but ended up with 8 kids in the class! (Would have been 10 in M & K stayed!) We normally have up to 18 kids in this class so we were so surprised! Then went home for Easter lunch and egg hunting in the back yard. Laid back day! I am doing all of these posts in one day b/c Mason & Kate have been in Louisiana this week and come back home tomorrow! It has been strange around our house with only one child. I have not known how to act! Back to normal tomorrow, so I am trying to get anything and everything accomplished today while there is still time!

Sunday pictures


Backyard egg hunt! After this Kate went around and hid the eggs again and Mason went on the hunt!

10 Year Anniversary

Last Thursday April 21st was our 10 year anniversary! Hard to believe we have been married 10 years and have 3 children! Wow!

We had a "fancy" dinner at home in our dining room and used our fancy china. I plan on using it more in the next 10 years and longer!
Surprise! I had flowers at the front door on Thurs. We normally don't do flowers but this certain occasion it was a WONDERFUL SURPRISE for me!

Helicopter 30,000 Egg Drop

Last Saturday we went to an egg hunt at a local church. The kids loved it b/c they had a helicopter fly in and drop eggs for every age group. We will definitely have to go back next year, they are still talking about it! Saturday night we made the Easter Story cookies I mentioned in the previous post. They thought it was great too! It might work a little easier with a helper to read the Bible verses though. Trying to follow cooking instructions and flip to certain verses while holding their attention was a challenge. I think it is going to be a new tradition in our house either way, good reminder that Easter is not about the Easter Bunny.

One round of the Egg Drop.
Focused on picking up eggs!

Not interested in the camera! It was a VERY WINDY DAY!
Working on the cookies, everyone took a turn beating the pecans.


And we took a chance and ate some of the left over batter too!

Easter Story Cookies

We have not done this yet, but I wanted to go ahead and put it on the blog before Easter so other families can make them too! Brent's Aunt Carole sent me an email about this last year and I thought it was a great idea to get the kids involved in a true Easter project. Plus they would enjoy the cookies of course! I would love to hear what your children have to say about it.

EASTER STORY COOKIES

These are to be made the evening before Easter Sunday.

1 cup whole pecans

1 tsp. vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch salt

1 cup sugar

zipper baggie

wooden spoon and tape

Holy Bible

Preheat over to 300 degrees.This is important - don't wait until you're half done with the recipe.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.

Explain that after Jesus was arrested the Roman soldiers beat him. Read John 19:1-3.

Let children smell the vinegar. Put vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest in to the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our sin. Read Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity of God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the over OFF.

Give child(ren) a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.

Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone cookies.

Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.

The cookies are hollow!

On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9

Texas Bluebonnets

Yesterday we went to a park near our house to take some bluebonnet pictures. I have always loved the idea of it, but never tried taking them anywhere. They did a great job considering that the wind almost blew us away and it was chilly on top of that. Knowing that you can kind of tell they were cold in the pictures. Now bribing them by taking them to the mall for chic fil a afterwards I think helped!

Wind AHHHH!