School Stuff

Last night we got to check out Tyler's GATE project. It was all about what would happen to the Earth without the moon. Good job Tyler!

This morning was reading assemblies. Both kids hit their 150% reading goals and then some. Proud of my little readers, they really do love books and can get their heads buried. I hope the same thing happens with Cole.

Sam and Audrey - happy these two are in class together this year.

What happens to Cole after too many school assemblies!

Great job kids!

Easter Weekend

The weekend was full, but with the best things. We were up early Saturday morning helping with the church Easter Egg Hunt. It went so smoothly (thanks to my amazingly organized friend and Primary President, Michalle.) Great friends, pancake breakfast, games, lots of eggs to hunt down - our house is filled with Easter candy. I have eaten plenty of Cadbury Creme Eggs!

These adorable three had a blast!

Not too old for egg hunting, thank goodness:

Love these two besties:

Then on to an afternoon of baseball games. So glad Grandma and Grandpa Tait got here in time to watch the boys. Cole at T-ball on the pitchers mound. He's been telling us he wants to play catcher one day - might be fun to train a little catcher.

Tyler's Pirates got slammed by the Indians, but he had a really awesome game. He pitched for the first time this season and struck out seven batters in two innings and a half, including a couple really good hitters. Parents were complimenting him a ton - I could tell he was really proud of himself. After the game his old fall ball coach wanted a photo of all the players from the old team. Some really good kids and families we've gotten to know in this community:

Lazing around the house:

Mikey and Veronica joined us. Combined birthday dinner for Grandma and Adam:

 The next morning, bright and early - the Easter Bunny brought lots of goodies:

And of course an egg hunt in the backyard:

Spent a lovely Easter morning at church with grandparents. Primary was great - we made Resurrection Rolls with the kids and it was a big hit! Then home to an easy family dinner.

Baby Dax bonded with Rey over catch:

 Had to make rice krispy Easter bunnies with Grandma. Her actual birthday was Easter Sunday.

Tyler wasn't feeling great, poor thing. Mostly overexertion from the weekend.

Cherry pie for birthday cake, and we stayed up late chatting with family. It was great catching up. We figured out who attacked a bunch of our eggs Easter night. Sneaky little guy prefers chocolate.

 Back to the grind! We said goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa this morning, and Grandpa was so nice to help fix a few things with Adam around our house before he left. Tyler stayed home from school so Adam could take him to get an inhaler (finally). I had my last day of Ladybug for winter session. Cole went on a fun field trip to the nursery:

And I caught Audrey playing school, after school:

Adam starts working on a pilot this week, and another in April. There are only a few weeks left in this hiatus - the end is near. One more week 'til spring break for the kiddos. Looking forward to seeing more grandparents, spending time with friends, and getting off our schedule a bit.

Happy Easter

Between church and celebrating Grandma Tait's birthday, we've had a wonderful Easter Sunday. Pictures to come, but got a few good ones this morning. Love this family.

It's been so nice to spend the weekend with Grandpa and Grandma Tait.

These goofballs sure do love each other:

Rey had to get in on the action.

Happy Birthday Adam!

We spoiled Adam a bit with some gifts and his favorite snacks to enjoy while he worked today. The kids made him the cutest cards. Adam actually had a super full afternoon, and I'm so grateful for wonderful friends who made it extra special for him. He went from bowling with the cub scouts, to two hours of baseball practice, to choir practice. "Happy Birthday" with the cub scouts:

It really is like Adam to spend the afternoon giving to his family and serving others. He's not one to make a big deal of his birthday. We'll do some more celebrating this week on nights that aren't so busy. Like Topper's Pizza and DW Cookies with a bunch of friends. Plus his parents will be in town for Easter, and it's always fun to celebrate Kathy and Adam's birthdays together. We are lucky to have him, and thankful for the many ways he blesses our family. He's had a great year, and I know there's more to come!

Easter's Coming...

Tonight's FHE:

Saturday!

Today started at 6am. Audrey and Adam had a call time for a short film, and Tyler had an 8am away game. Thank you to Michalle for inviting Cole over to play. He would've been fine to hang with me at Tyler's game, but was much happier spending the morning with Toby.

Warming up bright and early.

 The team we played was a little older. Our boys held their own for about 3 innings, then unraveled a bit. After game pep talk from Coach Art. He is fantastic!

 Tyler had a great game and got the game ball! I was so proud of him, and happy to be there. He had a good hit, great play in the outfield, and chased a kid down on second base and got him out! Go Tyler!

 We made it to game #2 - Love those T-ball Dodgers. Afterward Rey was soooo happy we were home. I enjoyed my day, just me and my boys.

Audrey had her first day of real work. One of the actors from Henry Danger was shooting a short film. Adam was in it, and they needed a little girl, so they recruited Audrey. She had a blast and got paid 50 bucks, which pretty much made her day!

She played a little girl hyped up on sugar - hence the candy mouth. The movie is set in the 1940s, and is black and white, which is why the colors and costumes don't need to match.

Adam played the detective's sketch artist

Audrey had a great day, and Adam said she did great. Lots of compliments. I can't wait to see it. It was a very good day with these kiddos.

The Week

There are benefits to Adam being on hiatus, and one is him taking the kids to the 100% reading goal pancake breakfast:

Reading on the way to preschool. I hope he loves books as much as his big brother and sister.

Tyler reading Ella Enchanted. They're on Chapter 4.

Girl Scout science projects:

More badges earned.

School night at Menchies. The kids all picked Peep flavor, with Peeps on top. That was dinner after a baseball game. Pirates won!

How cute is this little plant from preschool?!

Am I the only one who has Batman living at her house? Freaks Rey out, which is pretty funny actually.

Full Saturday ahead, hopefully a nice relaxing Sunday.

Past Week

These two were driving me a little nuts today. Although they both look so cute and cuddly in this picture.

Trying to remember what Brooke told me - no one likes having a dog when it rains! Feels like a mud pit in my backyard that keeps getting dragged into the house, and I'm cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. Dumb drought! Of course I got my fancy new Shark vacuum so that will clearly be the answer to my problems. Plus Rey ate something that upset her tummy this week (good times), and Adam has been teaching a workshop (yay money, boo me realizing what's stressful about having a puppy when Adam's away!) Good news is it's like dog owner boot camp for me, and I still want to keep her ;). She also makes up for it in the evenings by being the sweetest, cuddliest girl once the kids go to bed, and she's sleeping awesome at night. Having said that, I was a stress ball this afternoon, and hope Tyler and Audrey weren't taking notes for adulthood. Can we blame this dumb day on the time change?!

And Cole, well he's just getting a little kick in the bum with some bad habits he's picked up as the baby in the family. Namely screaming, yelling, and not using his words when he doesn't get his way, and throwing a fit when we take Rey for a walk. Quite a few time outs today. Maybe I needed one, too.

In other news I managed getting ready for church (albeit late), sharing time (with help from awesome presidency), and baseball pictures x 2 today, so hurrah!

Fun photo of us in the local paper, cheering on Cole's Dodgers Opening Day:

Had the best date with Tyler the other day. Spent his birthday gift cards, then to Ben & Jerry's (he read about how they started their business in school, and wanted to taste some Cherry Garcia - who was I to say no. Chocolate Fudge Brownie fro yo reminds me of Ithaca). It had rained and we saw the most awesome rainbows over our gorgeous valley.

Books and Legos galore.

Big kids had Friday off for teacher conferences. Can't believe they're in the last trimester! They got fantastic reports from both teachers. Tyler's teacher did a student-lead conference - it was so cool to have Tyler tell me all about his goals, and what he's been up to in class. Loved it! Audrey was chosen for Young Authors! I am so happy for her, she is thrilled. She has spent the weekend with her head in chapter books. I think she read about five thanks to Brooke's book giveaway, and the school book fair.

 Cole was so excited to go to a Candy Land birthday party this weekend. He told me all about eating a donut off a string, the bounce house, and more. He's always happy when it's his turn to do stuff.

Pillow forts while watching lots of Lego movies this afternoon:

Cute doggie who likes to cuddle her new blankie and toy from Gmom:

 Adam's birthday is coming up, and Easter. Adam and I have been obsessed with the OJ show - oh my gosh, so good! You know a show is good when you know what's gonna happen and you're still so fascinated. Seriously the courtroom stuff was just nuts. The Bachelor picks his wife tomorrow (!!), maybe that's a nice, mindless way to start my week.