The Silver Lining

Moving. It's a part of life. Especially if you are, or live close to, a military base like we do. Sometimes, even our friends who aren't military move away. But, as hard as it is to say good-bye, there are times when you get to see the old friends again! And, for us, that's what we got to do this weekend. Emily's life-long (all 6 yrs!) friend, Logan, and his family, came into town for the evening on Saturday. We had so much fun!!! The kids all played and completely wore each other out. We were grateful that they were able to come into town---even if it was only for an evening.

Then, on Monday, we starting taking part in some "last hurrah's" for our good friends, the DeYoungs. Emily met Nicholas during their first year of preschool and we've been friends with their family ever since. (It's especially funny when we're all out together b/c there are 8 little blonde kiddos and it's hard to tell who belongs to whom!)

Being military, they are moving away next month and so we all met up at the zoo to get some quality playtime in before we have to say good-bye (sniff, sniff!) (This week is Spring Break for our school district so all of the "big kids" are out.) The weather was chilly, but that just meant it wasn't crowded and we were able to let the kids run a bit more. We will miss them terribly, (Julie has been such a fabulous friend to me...my heart is breaking!) but, we hope that, like little Logan and his clan, we'll be able to see them again soon...even if it means we'll "have" to take a vacation to go visit!

Eggs

This weekend was full of eggs! (All good eggs, thank goodness!) On Saturday afternoon, Cubby and Harvey took Emily and Christian to the city's Easter Egg Hunt. There were 15,000 eggs and the kids came home with basket fulls of plastic fun (mostly tootsie rolls and junk toys :-) .)

Sunday after dinner brought us over to Grandma Karen's house where we, of course, dyed some eggs.

Aren't they lovely??

{Another} Beautiful Day!

Have I mentioned how much I love Spring?? It was GORGEOUS today--a top ten day for sure. And, true to form, we spent it outside!! We ate lunch out on our porch and then I got out some fun "new" water toys (not really new, but new in the sense that this was the first time we've gotten the water out this year!). We were seriously out there until it was time for naps! Fab.u.lous.

Christian loved playing with his sharks, lizards, and other animals that all enjoyed going for a swim.

Kari had fun giving her baby doll a bath--the little changing table opens up to a sink/bath for the dollies. Soooo cute!

Backyard Adventures

We've had some fabulously warm weather as of late (as in, we had to turn the air on...in April). This makes for some great times, though, in our own backyard! I busted out our camera (along with the sunscreen!) Saturday morning and caught some of our fun little moments. (Not the most "meaty" post, I realize, but the pictures turned out cute and I wanted to include them in a future blog book!) Emily told me,"Mommy, I smell summer!" (She definitely knows the smell of sunscreen!) Christian was so excited to wear his "short pants" as he likes to call them.

Cubby was mowing the lawn and Kari wanted to help.

Grassy, green feet! Ah, Spring! "Look at my muscles!!!" Fun Timers!

Homemade Playdoh

Today, it rained. Welcome Spring! Actually, it was great. Not only because everything is getting green, or that the air smells wonderful. But, it gave us a good chance to just take it easy! When the weather is beautiful (as it has been all week...and the weekend before that!), I can't stand to be inside. So, naturally we're all totally exhausted and needed a "day off" from nature!

I decided to make some homemade playdoh. It was a great success! The kids loved how soft it was (and how good it smelled--Kool-aid!). They also liked how much there was--a lot more to play with than what you get in the store-bought kind. Plus, it was super easy and fast to make.

Here you go:

1 c. flour

1/2 c. salt

3 T. vegetable oil

1 pkg Kool-aid

1 c. boiling water

Mix first four ingredients. Add water and knead (with a wooden spoon b/c it will be warm) into a soft dough. It takes about 2 mins to cool before the kids can play with it.

Kari also got in on some of the fun. She loved playing with all of the regular play-doh and cookie cutters.

Melt My Heart!

(Do you think she'd share some with me??)

Kindergarten Music Program

This past Thursday night Emily had her kindergarten music program. (Remember those??) The kindergarteners had practiced very hard and it paid off! They were darling.

Some of the songs that they sung were "Yankee Doodle" and "Star Light, Star Bright." They also did a little interpretive number to "I Like to Move It" (from the Madagascar soundtrack; it was a big hit with everyone!). The kids all made up moves based on a book they read in music class about little polar bear cubs who take their first swim in the ocean. Their teacher, Ms. Johnson, is a favorite with Emily and she does a wonderful job getting all of these little ones to sing their best!

Here is Emily and her Fan Club. Great job, Em!