Easter is almost here

It is that time of the year when the trees are in bloom and you can smell the honeysuckle and wisteria in the air that you know spring is here.  I love this time of the year (besides the allergies that come with the beauty).  I love to drive around with the windows down taking all of the wonderful smells in.  You have to realize I don't drive with the windows down too often because the paper mill usually smells, and it is not a pleasant smell, I think it downright stinks.  So when the flowers come out and smell wonderful, I try to take advantage of it and I know spring and Easter are just around the corner.  But with that said lets get back to the  pictures.  

A week and a half ago our ward had our annual Easter Egg Hunt, and Andrew was so excited that all day he would ask if it was time to go.  So when it was time for his age group to go he was so ready.  He is a pro at finding the eggs.  This last Tuesday we went to the libraries preschool/storytime Easter Egg Hunt and by the time I got outside to try to get a picture he was already done getting his eggs.  Tey have a limit so some kids don't get all of the eggs and others don't get any, which to me is great because Andrew would probably try to get all of them, he just keeps going and going.  I have been know for letting him pick them up and I drop them back on the ground when he isn't watching.

 

 So excited!! 

Okay, back to the ward's Easter Egg Hunt.  While other age groups are out hunting their eggs the youth are keeping the ones left in the church with things to do.  This year Ryan's group decided on coloring hard boiled eggs with crayons and/or markers.  Here is Emma and Emma Jr. as she called it (silly girl, Em and her friend had named their eggs and would refer to them as that, they crack me up!)

 Ryan helping Andrew color on his.  He thought that was great.

 Emma and her loot.  I didn't get a good picture of her in the hunt but this shows her stash that she was able to get.  She is kind of sad this could be her last hunt as we don't know when Easter falls next year and she turns twelve, and she may be on the other end doing the activities.  With her birthday in the middle of the month it's hard to tell.  I can't believe she is already turning eleven this next month.

Clark's group did a cake walk type game but we weren't to do food prizes so they had crowns for the kids to win.  They were so excited to win and get a crown, I thought it was great.  And no I didn't get a picture with Clark.  The lighting in the room they were is not very good and I just didn't get one.  The kids had a blast and I am so glad the primary and the youth were able to put it on for the kids.  I know the hard work that goes into it and I am so grateful for those sisters who took the time to plan it, Thank You!!

Now on another note last Thursday, I had had a day with Andrew, I couldn't even take my eyes off him for a moment.  This is what happened when I did. He got into the white out and put it all over his face.  Later we were getting ready to go to soccer practice and I went to go to the bathroom, I came out to him running off and trying to hide something.  I caught up to him and he had found some green nail polish (that was up at the back of the counter) and had put it all around his mouth (not in his mouth thankfully and sadly no pictures).  By this time I was at the end of my rope.  I went and got the nail polish off his face with remover (probably not the best thing for your face) but what else do you use?  Also we found out nail polish remover does not take off white out (yes I did try it).  I couldn't get the white out off, it does not come off and he actually looked like this for a few days.  Some one had suggested trying baby oil and guess what it actually worked, so now I know how to get white out off skin, baby oil.  Thank you for the suggestion.  I was so glad he didn't have to go church looking like a hooligan.

Just look at that smile he was so proud of what he did.  This is even after he got into trouble for doing it.

This is just some of our crazy life with a toddler.

He finally made it

 Clark had his Eagle board of review last night and he passed, now we are waiting to get his stuff from the National Council.  We were so excited to finally hear the words "the newest Eagle Scout".  It has been a long road but now we see the light at the end of the tunnel.  It is a good thing he passed since he turns sixteen next week and now he can get his drivers license.  I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. 

We are so excited for him and it is so nice to know that he has accomplished one of his biggest goals.  I don't think I have ever seen him smile much or so big as he did last night (no cheesy grins) once it was over.  Clark was quite nervous before, I had asked him if he wanted something to eat before we went and he commented back that he had butterflies.  By the time we got home he was hungry.

Congratulations Buddy I am so proud of you for achieving the Eagle Scout rank!!!

What we do

when it warms up.   Get the garden ready, yard work and playing soccer. 

 First of all we are trying to get the garden ready for planting.  I am hoping we can get it planted this coming weekend as it  is going to be BeAutiFul!!  Andrew thinks he is in heaven with the garden.  He will sneak (or thinks he is) outside to play in the dirt.  Yesterday Clark came in and informed he he was burying things calling them treasure.  What a funny kid.  The only thing is he can't find what he has buried, so dad will have some surprises when he goes to till it again.  

 Andrew and Emma helping.

 

 With spring coming it means mowing the lawn.  Yes, it looks dead but it really isn't, we actually got seven garbage bags full of grass. 

Now that it is warming up soccer has started and the boys want to play any chance they get.   

Yes, like I said soccer has started and all four of the kids are playing.  I am coaching Andrew's team, and I am having a lot of fun with it.  The only downfall is their attention spans are so short and you lose them.  When I get the chance and it warms up (at night) I will get some pictures of the little guy having fun at soccer practice.  All of the kids were so excited to have their coaches notify them about practice.  We don't start games till April 6th due to spring break and Easter.  But we are good with that they are outside running around and getting some much needed exercise.  Even I am getting some, the kids (Andrew's team) love it when I run or play soccer with them.

Also I want to brag on Clark for a minute.  He has tried out for soccer and basketball at the junior high and high school with no luck of making the teams.  We talked and we came to the conclusion that even though he has been disappointed in the past he still needs to try out.  I know it is hard to be told no because we are choosing the coaches son, or you just didn't make the team.  I know it's bad on the self esteem, but you will never know if you don't keep trying.  Well a couple of weeks ago the high school held tryouts for the basketball team for next year.  It's more like practice all spring and summer and then they still have to try out next fall.  When Clark came out I could see a light and he was kind of excited.  He was one of the boys that was asked to come back and practice with the team.  From the impression we get, even though there are tryouts in the fall, this group may be the ones the coach chooses.  So as for now if he keeps doing his best he will be on the basketball team for the 2013-14 school year.  From what he says the coach is impressed with him.  Way to go Clark and GOOD LUCK!!!  We love you!!


Also over the weekend I was a grandmother.  I am so not ready for that in real life.  For Clarks health class they either have to take care of a robotic baby for a weekend or write a seven page research paper about teen pregnancy.  He chose the baby and I think he was looking forward to turning it back in on Monday.  It wouldn't have been too bad if it was more like a real baby.  Yes, I know real babies are a lot of work (I have raised four through the baby stage) but it doesn't take forty five minutes to get a burp up, and yes they are demanding.  It was good practice for him and Andrew was loving the baby.  he would get worried when Clark couldn't get it to stop crying.  But I am so glad we are done with that project.

 Andrew loves to go to story time at the library.  We are still trying to get him to sit on the floor and listen to the story all the way through.  Even with his friend Caroline he still won't just sit there.  Most weeks he has to come and sit with me or run around the book shelves.  He is getting better but we aren't quite there.  This last week was pajama day and he was so excited to wear his pajamas.  They read stories about pajamas, made a craft and had a snack. 

 

 Having to sit on mom's lap.  He sure loves his mommy!!

Emma's class was having a party for Dr. Suess's birthday last Friday, and she was asked to bring cupcakes.  I was looking around the internet and pinterest for some fun ideas with the Dr. Suess theme.  I saw these here and decided I could do that.  So the search began for red cupcake liners.  Nope never found anyso I became creative, I took strips of red construction paper and wrapped it around the cupcake.  From what I hear they were a hit.  I'm not the best at decorating but it works, and I was excited to sen them.

Now that Spring is finally on its way and the dogs are gone, we (I mean dad) is extending the garden.  I hope to get a better crop and this way we can plant more yummy food.   We took it away from the fence so we could walk around it which will be nice for weeding it and harvesting time.

 Andrew was dad's big helper.  He had a blast helping and yes it was freezing while they were out there, notice his hands are in his jacket.   Later that day we even had some snow flurries and yes it was March 2nd in Alabama.   The boys had a camp out overnight and I was so worried that they were going to freeze since it was supposed to dip into the high 20's.  They say it was warmer then expected.  Ryan slept in a tent with the other boys and Clark slept under the stars (as he puts it).  Crazy kids!!  But they had fun and that is all that matters.

 The garden now that it is moved and ready for dirt and for planting.  I am getting the dirt today, and hopefully we can get it planted in the next week hoping the weather is good.  We have had a lot of rain in the last couple of weeks.