Easter Smiles

We have a LOT to smile about. It was a fabulous weekend for our sweet family. We had fun dying eggs, hiding eggs, play dollhouse, getting Easter goodies, celebrating Mom's birthday, and just being together. Of course, most importantly, we got to worship our risen Savior on a sunny day. Doesn't get better than that.

There were a few tears too. Mostly by a certain three year old who never wanted to stop playing to have meal time. Nothing major, but I got stressed a bit and wasn't as patient with her as I should have been by the end of Easter Day. What a day to be reminded of the power of FORGIVENESS.

HE AROSE!

I saw a lot of fancy recipes for Resurrection Cookies and really neat activities to show the empty tomb, but for some reason I just couldn't get around to doing any of them. We have been talking about the Easter story on a small level and Amelia has really wanted to know a lot of details about it. I can't believe how much kids soak up; it amazes me. It has been important for me to not say death or die as she isn't ready to really talk about that before she has to, but she knows he was very hurt and bleeding, etc. Here is a glimpse of "her" Easter story with good old playdough.

A: "Lets make the cross."
M: "Okay, it was very scary for him up there."

A: "I know and he had blood dripping all down and it was for our sins."
M: "Yes, we are so thankful for his sacrifice."
A: "What if he hadn't died for our sins?"
M: "Um...that would have been awful." (Put me on the spot there).
A: "I know his Mom was very sad like this."



M: "Yes, it was very hard for them to think he would never come out of the tomb and that he was gone forever."
A: "But they went to check and he was AROSEN! Everyone danced and singed."


M: "They sure did. And Elise is checking to make sure he rose and went in heaven."
A: "He did. He will always live there."

Egg Hunt #2

Jessalyn hosted a super fun Easter cookout and egg hunt on Wednesday. I seriously LOVE her living here. The girls have gotten so close to her and Greg since they get to see them so much and we had a great time.

There were golden prize eggs and Barbara brought prizes for the girls to choose from. Amelia just loved it and as long as Elise got to run around wild and crazy she was up for anything. The girls loved finding the eggs, and Amelia was very excited when it was her turn to hide the eggs for Jessalyn and Greg. She immediately directed Jessalyn to all the "good" hiding spots.





A few days before this, we all met up (minus G and Pa) at the park and enjoyed a beautiful evening together. Elise loves Max and Murphy and I was glad the dogs got to come. I'm so happy that when they are done with school Jessalyn and Greg will just be moving to Fayetteville and not across the country. Anyone want to volunteer to tell Amelia when it is time for them to move???

She's On To Us...

Here is Amelia before school on Wednesday...

That is what she looks like before school every single day. Happy and adorable. However, when I went to pick her up, Mrs. Tonya said she had an awful day and cried and cried for me. BIZARRE. She was fine at the end of the day and very proud of her bunny mask and very nonchalant about having a hard day.
I tried not to talk about it too much, but I have a tendency to RUN THINGS INTO THE GROUND. Just ask Ross. She said she cried for me because she knew that Elise and I were doing fun things. I have never said Elise and I do anything other than errands and nap. She said, "I know you played some. So tell me, what did you play?" She then started naming all the stuff we usually do. Hopefully it was a fleeting thing. I told her Elise really wanted to be at school, but that she wasn't big enough yet. She has had such a great year and I will be sad if she regresses now. Praying for a great day Monday.

And ironically, Elise and I did have a fun day and I want to know who has been telling Buzzy, haha. We went walking (and sweating) again and when the long trail was over, Elise found a turtle! She walked right up to it and petted it and then tried to pick it up and get its head. Very typical for little Miss No Fear. Jen tried to keep her in line :)


Ross has been working A TON this week. Several nights, only making it home for a book and a kiss and I know that also weighs on Amelia and her behavior. She has been struggling with her emotions quite a bit. It is either the happiest of happy or meltdown city. Three seems much more difficult than two so far in terms of that. We have been trying to do lots of fun things so that she won't just dwell on him not being home. Also, she has been saying a lot about Elise being in the hospital and how she missed us. Some delayed emotions there as well. But, birdwatching takes your mind off of things for sure. Amelia says that if you look through the big end, you can see even further!
Painting Easter decorations in mismatched clothes is fun...


Skating and sidewalk chalk help too..

And so do surprise visits from G!

Visit from Grandma Cates

Mom and Dad brought Grandma Cates back from TN to meet Liv and see the girls. We drove down Friday to see her and go on an egg hunt at Gammy and Gampy's church the next day. It was a fun visit and the girls warmed up to her quickly, especially for not seeing her often. She doesn't like having her picture made, but we did get a picture of all of us together before the egg hunt. (Ross was working and Mom was taking the pic)
The girls were excited for the big egg hunt and when we got there they drew for door prizes. Amelia: "If I don't win something I am going to be upset. I will probably pout or throw a fit."
Me: About to explain how it is just the luck of the draw..
Announcer: "Amelia Halsted."
Amelia: "YESSSSSS."
Me: "Oh dearie."

Here she is with her jungle themed basket that she just loved. The binoculars already have gotten lots of use because Amelia can see for "miles" out of them. (more on that later).

They had a blast at the egg hunt and there were prizes in almost every egg. Ingrid was definitely the most aware of the prizes in the eggs and opened her egg immediately upon retrieval from the ground, haha.



We came back home Saturday night after hanging out with Steph and DD for supper and lots of playing because Ross was going to be home in time for bedtime kisses. Then we were off to church for Palm Sunday. Amelia was very into the story of Jesus coming down the road on the donkey and it was precious to watch her wave her palm branch and tell of the people dancing for joy. I am so thankful for her Sunday School teachers and continually amazed at what all she retains from her weekly lessons with them. Elise didn't get the story, but was very into waving her branch anyway.

Before Church

After Church

I Ain't Foolin'

The past few weeks while Amelia is at school, Elise and I have gone on some hikes. (Don't tell Buzz). It is fun to get some exercise and let Elise experience nature. I carry her the whole way in the backpack and when the trail is over she gets to run around a little. She loves watching the squirrels, turtles, birds, and whatever else we happen to see.

Two trips in a row we saw some deer. Elise was screaming, "DOG."
Her favorite thing seems to be getting in the dirt and she comes and hands me big clump-fulls and proudly exclaims, "DIRT." She also loves the leaves and sticks.


On this particular trip, we were moseying along and I saw something HUGE in the water. I immediately convinced myself it was an alligator. Yes, I'm serious. I have never walked so fast in my whole life to get past the water area. It seriously was an alligator. So, I'm calming down and walking along and a few minutes later, a HUGE black snake slithers across the path. At this point, I decide to run and Elise is bouncing furiously in the backpack and my phone goes flying out of my pocket. I debated not getting it, but I remembered I am addicted to FB and texting. I went back for it and the snake slithered off into the leaves. AHHHHHH. The rest of the hike was uneventful, thankfully, but I did have a little pee in my underpants.

I returned to the trail the next school day with my alligator and snake radar on high. But, we just saw some squirrels up in a tree...


and Elise found a cool rock on the trail.

Aunt Jen joined us for some fun on her day off and we were so excited to have some company.


I'm thankful for these days with Elise to really slow down and show her things and talk to her without (precious) interruptions. I really love, love living here and can't wait to hit up all our favorite outdoor Spring spots.