Young at Art

If anyone knows ME at all, they know that she LOVES to "tolor" and paint. Well, I'm happy to say that her love for art has earned her a few ribbons (a 1st place and a couple of 2nd place ribbons) from the kid's school PTA fundraiser.

ME showing off her watercolor dino that won a 1st place ribbon.

And I'm proud to say that Benjamin is starting to take a liking to art as well. He won a 2nd place ribbon for some cute penguin's made from his thumbprints. Of course, I couldn't get him to pose for that. I did, however, catch this shot of him painting a picture for me...oh wait...nope, he painted his legs instead (a future in body art?).

A few days later ME requested to paint a picture for Davis since he has a new baby sister. She said that would be nice. Do you think the pink polka dot bow is too much that she cut and glued all by herself? Ha!

We got a playground!

Some of our friends recently gave us their backyard playset that their son has outgrown. We surprised them today with the reveal. I think they were kind of stunned after seeing it in so many pieces days prior to it. Anyway, I have a feeling that we'll be spending a lot of time out in the "rainforest on Mary Elizabeth's pirate ship" and I'll be spending a lot of time with my stomach in knots considering Benjamin has NO fear of climbing up on anything. YIKES!

Horses, eggs, and family=Easter 2011

We went to "Camp McDonald" to celebrate Easter with VeVe's sister and all of her group. Luckily Benjamin took a nap on our way up there because the day was filled with fun! I captured this sweet "Kodak moment" just before we walked into church.

Then I guess they decided that they weren't going to cooperate for pictures the rest of the day. Ha!

Who knew that Easter eggs could bring such goodies?

The "kiddie table"...Rhett, ME, Grant, and Alex. Do you think any real food was ever eaten here? Ha! Benjamin got to eat at the big kid's table in his high chair.

Benjamin: "Hey, that's my ball!"

Of course, a trip to Mom Tom's house wouldn't be complete without seeing the horses. Always a fun treat!

This can't be a good idea!

Well, I guess the first way of riding in the golf cart was a better idea than this way. Yikes!

The kids sure did stock up on their share of Easter candy! I love ME's mischevious look in this picture. "Mom, I promise that this is good for me!"

Church Easter Egg Hunt 2011

Mary Elizabeth, Drew, and I went to our church's Easter Egg Hunt. Benajmin fell asleep at my parents house when I had to stop by there for a moment, so I just let him take his much needed nap. Now that Drew and I finally found a Sunday School class (yeah!!!) that we both enjoy this past year, ME had fun running around with all of her new church friends.I think each year, the whole idea of the egg hunt gets more fun for ME...see an egg, get the candy. Yep, I think that covers the concept pretty well.

As you can see in the next few pictures, she has candy stuffed in her mouth while playing the games and even sitting with the bunny. Kemp (her old classmate) and ME

Easter Morning 2011

"Uhh...heavy!"

"Daddy Mike sen me a present!"

The Easter Bunny was good to them this year, bringing them a few of their favorite things (bubbles, stickers, sunglasses, trucks, bows, and of course, candy!)

Doesn't she look trendsetting?

"Truck!"

If only he had more than a cute button nose to keep these things up. But he still looks cool!

Princesses on Ice

My mom and I, along with Aunt Kari's mom, took Mary Elizabeth, Benjamin, and McKenzie to see Disney's Princesses on Ice. The kids had a blast, but I think may have enjoyed even more than they did...I loved singing all of the classic princess Disney songs and sharing that joy with my kiddos!

Of course, Benjamin couldn't sit still, but he loved the songs.

McKenzie loved "more song" and really took it all in.

ME couldn't even take time to smile for the camera as she watched her favorite princess (Jasmine).

And, of course, we couldn't get out of the show without getting the kids a snowcan all because of the cool cups! ;)

Benjamin's Field Trip to the Zoo

I had the joy of going on Benjamin's class field trip to the zoo yesterday. The weather was perfect and we had a blast! I was so impressed with how well Benjamin behaved.

Watching the chimpanzees and saying "E, e, e".
While the rest of the class watched the gorillas, Benjamin's attention was caught by the choo choo going by.
Riding the train saying "Choo choo"!

Me and my little stud.

"Momma, I want out of this!"

"Better yet, I think I'll just chill."

Palm Sunday 2011

I finally had the joy of getting to walk my kids down the aisle for Palm Sunday. The first two years, we didn't know that little kids could participate or we weren't there. And last year, ME was sick so I left the kids at home so I could help the rest of the nursery walk. Anyway, it was super cute to get to watch all of the kids (my kids especially) walk down with their palm leaf. What a neat way to introduce one more way to show our love for Jesus!

"What's the big deal about carrying this leaf, Mom? Just let me run around with it!"

ME and one her sweet friends from Sunday School class.

It was very hard to corral Benjamin while waiting our turn to walk down the aisle. He started walking down the aisle a few times before Bro. Fred ever walked in.

What pros! My little angel.

Touch a Truck 2011

Junior League held their Touch a Truck children's event this weekend. Although it was extremely chilly and windy, we had a blast! Look at the pics below to see for yourself.

The top two pictures were taken of Benjamin right after we got there and he woke up and realized what he was going to get to do. I only wish you could hear him say his gruff "truck"!

Watching the cow get milked.

Benjamin was too cool for the Navigator limo. He was more interested in seeking out the next truck to climb once he got out of the limo.

We got to warm up for a little while and sit in the trolley car while visiting with Anna Carol, Mason, Jarred, and Aubrey.

This pretty much describes the tone of the day...who's going to keep up with Benjamin?

Somehow I got talked into sliding down the bouncy slide with them. Four words...no socks=blisters, ouch!!!

A baby pool filled with Dawn soap for bubbles. 30 seconds later after Benjamin decided to submerge most of his body into the pool, he stayed sudsy the rest of the day. Ha!

Wouldn't you feel safe with this firefighter? After the firefighters came to their school about a month ago, ME has been saying she wants to be a firefighter when she grows up, but after she's a teacher and a doctor first.

"Why don't I have a tractor like this? It will fit in the house."

Benjamin saw the bikers that were showing off their bikes lying down on the ground talking. So he thought he would do the same.

"Don't worry, Mom! We don't have any booboos. We're just going to play in the ambulance."

Of course, no day of fun would be worth it if you didn't have ice cream.

ME and LaLa stood in line for about 45 minutes or longer to get her face painted. She chose a blue buttefly...after a few strokes, she decided that she didn't like it. Ha!