Eli's Motorcycle Party

Jadon's friend Eli turned 4 and had a fun party on Friday morning. The kids each brought a motorcycle and had show-n-tell. Then we played bingo with popcorn and ate other fun snacks. We had cake and Eli opened his presents. The kids played outside for a while and finished up with a pinata in the garage. Great party Lori!

What a cool cake!

Here's the birthday boy starting off show-n-tell.

Jadon loved hitting the pinata with all his might.

Leah enjoyed swinging, but wore herself out. Jadon and I thought it was pretty cute that she fell asleep on the way home holding her balloon.

Ahhh, Spring!

We were blessed with beautiful, warm days over Spring break, and Thursday was the best. It got up to 80 and even felt like summer. We opened up the sandbox and played quite a bit in the backyard. I've been dealing with an achilles injury in my left foot, which I reaggrevated last Sunday, so it's killing me that I can't get out and run.

Leah didn't like how the sand felt and would say "icky" every time she touched it, but hopefully she'll get used to it.

We had a little Monster Truck rally.

Here's a random shot of Leah in the jammies that jumpstarted her love for Spongebob.

Discovery Center with the Petersons

On Wednesday I took the kids to Clinton with Krista and her kids. We played at the Discovery Center for a couple hours, then had a picnic and played at a park down by the river. We all had fun and it was a beautiful day.

The kids all dressed up as Superman and Supergirl and then helped dress Krista as a clown.

Easter Tea Party

Last week Jadon was on Spring Break, so we planned a couple special activities. The first was a tea party with Deb, Amie, Kylie, and Dylan. We colored Easter eggs, did a little art project, played outside, and had a fun "tea party" lunch. It was a special day with family.

The kids wove Easter baskets and then stamped potatoes and a sponge to create the eggs and chocolate bunny. Jadon looks pleased with his.

Brian took a break from his work to join us for lunch.

Gurnee Getaway

The kids and I went to Gurnee this past weekend to spend time with my parents and give Brian a little time at home to catch up on house projects. On Friday night my dad and I went to the movies. On Saturday morning, the kids and I went over to my friend Libby's house for a couple hours. That afternoon, my parents took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese's and the toy store while I enjoyed some shopping and pampering. On Sunday my mom, the kids, and I went to Lakeforest. Yes, we were all spoiled! Thanks mom and dad!

Leah enjoys some of grandpa's homemade malted chocolate ice cream. She loves her grandpa's cooking and sense of humor!

Leah and Joaquin enjoyed parallel play and even chased each other around.

Here's Libby and Joaquin.

Jadon rides a horse at Chuck E. Cheese's.

Visiting Grandma

Brian and I took the kids up to Dubuque yesterday to visit my Grandma, Aunt Sue, and Uncle Les. We visited at Grandma's apartment for a while before heading over to Susie's, where Jadon and Leah had fun playing with all their toys. Then we took Grandma out to dinner and headed home. She loves seeing the kids and we love seeing her. She is the sweetest grandma you could ever imagine!

St. Pat's Playdate

I hosted a little St. Patrick's Day party on Saturday morning. Lori, Anita, Angie, and Brenda came over with their kids and us moms talked while the kids played. Then we read a book, made windsocks, ate yummy snacks, and had a scavenger hunt. Not only is this a fun holiday to celebrate with kids, but it's also neat to remember that St. Patrick himself was a missionary to the Irish people and taught them that there is one God who, like the shamrock, is 3 parts, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Here I am helping Jadon make his windsock.

Here's Anita adding clouds to her rainbow cupcakes.

Lori made a fruit rainbow which was completely devoured during snack time. We all loved it!