Growth Spurt

I received some pretty exciting news when I took this dynamic duo to a doctor visit this week.

Jersey #3 was there for his well-child check-up. He is a healthy, growing boy. He did great.

Our physician is a family doctor, who treats our entire family. So, I was able to ask him for a prescription for Jersey #2's antibiotic prophylaxis, even though she did not have an appointment that day. The kids go to the dentist next month, and she needs a dose of antibiotics prior to dental visits.

So, Dr. S asked Jersey #2 to step on the scale to see how much she weighs now. The medication dose is given by weight.

50 pounds!


This is some exciting news. We knew Jersey #2 has been growing. She looks great. It is obvious she is getting taller, and her coloring is good.

In the 11 months that have passed since Jersey #2 had open-heart surgery, she has jumped 2 clothing sizes, and gained 10 pounds.

TEN!

She only weighed 40 pounds at the time of her surgery.


Plus, this 50 pound mark placed her 1 pounds above her younger brother's weight. He has outweighed her by up to 5 pounds, for the past 3 years or so. It is awesome to see her grow like this.

Praise God for such amazing healing!

Jersey #2 joins the ranks of her siblings, in the "healthy and growing" category!

Where's Waldo?

As we were cleaning out the kids' bedrooms recently, we piled their stuffed animals on my bedroom floor. That evening, Jersey #5 fell asleep in the midst of the pile. He was suppose to be going to my bedroom to pick out pajamas. He must have gotten distracted.

Egg Hunt, Part 2

We enjoyed an egg hunt at home, on Monday after coloring eggs. The kids were armed with their baskets, ready to find the eggs.

The older kids were most excited about the "empty" egg. All of the plastic eggs had some sort of candy in them. There was 1 egg which was completely empty. This is the prize egg. It is empty because the tomb is empty! "He is not here, for He is risen..."

Our backyard was plenty trashed out from the birthday party two days before, so it was easy to hide eggs all around the yard. Our kids have a ton of colorful, plastic toys to help disguise colorful, plastic eggs.

Kate, the puppy, was mighty curious about the eggs. She was a pretty good egg hunter. She also made the task more challenging by moving some of the eggs around the yard.

My sister had given us a dozen "confetti" eggs. When they are broken, they spray confetti all over the place. The picture on the crate showed a person breaking a confetti egg over another person's head. One end of the egg is already open, and the confetti is held in there by tissue paper at one end. I figured it would break easily, so I tried it on Jersey #1's head.

Instead of confetti pouring out, she grabbed her head and yelled, "Ouch!"

So, our confetti eggs were more like "concussion" eggs.

Oops.

(*Jersey #1 is actually Ok. I did not actually give her a concussion or an injury of any sort.)

After that mishap, we decided to break our confetti eggs on the ground instead.

We concluded our Easter festivities with some macaroni, tuna, and egg salad. It turns out that no one liked it, except me and Jersey #2. I later developed a stomach ache after eating it. I suspect Jersey #2 was only being polite, anyway. So, I am thinking we will skip that meal in the future.

The kids should get to enjoy 1 more egg hunt next weekend. We have friends who host a Spring Party/BBQ, and include an egg hunt as one of the activities.

I would still like to make "Resurrection cookies." I figure it is not too late. I let Jersey #2 keep her toy Nativity sets in her room all year round. On the same note, we can learn about The Resurrection outside of the Easter holiday as well.

HAPPY EASTER!

Coloring Eggs and Kids

We ran out of weekend, before all of the Easter fun was over, so we decided to color eggs on Monday instead.

Jersey #4 was the first to the table. She had watched me boil the eggs, and her patience was running thin

This year was so much calmer than previous years. I think it might be because the kids are getting older. No one tried to drink the cups of dye. No one tried to eat the wet eggs, shell and all. Most of the eggs actually survived the coloring process.

It did not take the younger kids long to use their hands, instead of the spoons.

I am not sure if Jersey #1 is just too "mature" for such messy crafts, or if it was that she still did not feel well. She chose to color some eggs with marker instead.

Jersey #5 gave this task some intense focus and concentration. That tongue sticking out is a genetic trait that comes from PawPaw!

Jersey #3 was happy to show off his colored hands.

Jersey #1 proudly showed off her clean hands

Jersey #2 was quite pleased with the colors she made by mixing dye bowls

Jersey #1 was pleased with her neat, clean, artwork

I enjoy coloring eggs with the kids. It makes for very colorful pictures of some very colorful children.

Gifts from Grandparents

Our children have the BEST grandparents in the world.

PawPaw & Granny and Nana spoil their grandbabies regularly.

Not only did they travel for a visit for Jersey #3's birthday party, but they also arrived with gifts for Easter.


Nana brought everyone ice cream sundae "baskets" filled with candy. She even made up one for Coach Mom and The Referee. Plus, she gave us a stash of sundae toppings so that we can enjoy ice cream sundaes when the candy is depleted.

We love ice cream! This gift will get much use, for sure.

PawPaw & Granny brought wrapped gifts for the kids. Granny makes a point to give wrapped gifts, instead of baskets, so that she does not detract from the baskets that the parents make for the kids. (But, let's face it, she would have done a much better job with baskets than I did this year, for sure).

The wrapped gifts often contain a new outfit, a new pair of shoes, and candy. This year, the kids received a shorts outfit, and dress shoes. That does not necessarily go together, but it was a perfect fit for what the kids needed this year. They had all grown out of their dress shoes.

In addition, Granny & PawPaw gave the children umbrellas. We don't see much rain in this desert climate, that is for certain. But, the umbrellas were super cute. Each child received a different design, based on their personality and interests. Jersey #4's umbrella is shaped like a yellow duck, because she loves yellow ducks. Jersey #2's umbrella is a pirate umbrella, because she is fascinated by stories of pirates.

Granny told the children that we needed to pray for rain, so that they could use their umbrellas. Sure enough, we got a few drops of rain right toward the end of Jersey #3's birthday party. The kids grabbed their new umbrellas and ran out into the yard to "keep dry."

Resurrection Sunday

There were so many gorgeous family photos posted by my Facebook friends on Sunday. Everyone dressed up in their "Sunday Best."

By comparison, The Home Team looked like a bunch of misfits on Easter Sunday.

It did not help matters that we overslept. The Referee and I are certain that the alarm was set. Neither of us heard it. The children didn't hear it either. The dogs were no help, because they barked to go out earlier that morning, so I had already let them out at some awful early hour. They were still outside when the alarm went off.

We woke up at 9am. Sunday School begins at 9:45am.

I should have just allowed us to miss Sunday School, and just attended the worship service at 11am instead.

But, no, I foolishly tried to get us all going in enough time for Sunday school. I failed. We were late. Very late. Clearly, we were not at our "Sunday Best." There is not enough make-up in the world to make me look less exhausted. The children had a bit too much freedom to help get themselves dressed. (Jersey #2's socks, for example).

We had cute, dressy outfits. Granny gave the kids new dress shoes (which Jersey #3 refused to wear). There was a lot of potential to have one of those "Easter Sunday" family photos, in terms of the outfits at least. But, it did not happen. Jersey #3 barely kept his tie on for a picture, let alone a church service.

Jersey #1 could not go to church, because she was fighting strep throat and had only had 2 doses of antibiotics. She was still contagious. She stayed home, in bed, supervised by The Referee, and wore her new shorts outfit...

I took the younger 4 kids to church. I attempted a picture of them together in their Easter outfits. Cooperation was low.

Jersey #3 fell asleep in the pew, and slept through the entire church service. It was difficult to wake him even at the end. Jersey #4 really should have put on some shorts under her dress. I am pretty sure she flashed her underwear at every member of the congregation at some point during the service. Jersey #5 was amazingly well behaved. He must have been too tired to find much mischief.

The sermon was awesome. The music was amazing. We may not have looked our best, but we certainly enjoyed the corporate worship on Resurrection Sunday!

Baskets

When I was a kid, my Mom made up huge Easter baskets, wrapped in cellophane paper. They were gorgeous. They were just like the ones you can buy ready-made in the store, only better. Much better. Mom said she could make them up to be nicer, for a fraction of the price. We got a whole lot more candy that way too.

I usually try to carry on that tradition. Beautiful baskets of candy, and an outfit, wrapped in cellophane....

Except this year.

This year, I was SO exhausted after Jersey #3's birthday party (and the adventure of taking Jersey #1 to the urgent care), that I just did not have the energy to tape up those bags and arrange the baskets neatly. This year, I made less-than-pretty baskets.

I had ordered each child some jean shorts for summer. I put their pack of jean shorts on the table, and placed their basket on top. I added a packaged of new underwear, a t-shirt, and a chocolate bunny. I had actually purchased more candy, but left it in the fridge. I sprinkled some plastic eggs around the table.

Then, I dropped into bed like cement. I was too tired to feel too guilty about my lack of basket perfection. I was so very thankful that I bought all of the basket goodies at the same time I was buying the birthday party supplies, because at least I had the items available.


Thankfully, I have some of the most grateful children in the world. They were so caught up in the excitement of their Easter baskets, that they did not care that there was no cellophane paper. They posed for a picture, then tore into those baskets with gusto.

It did not take long to get those chocolate bunnies opened. Chocolate bunnies at 9am.
Yes, breakfast is served...

Egg Hunt, Part 1

Our first egg hunt of the year was part of the picnic with our homeschool co-op.

Zillions of eggs were tossed across a huge field. The kids were divided into 2 groups...younger and older. When the start was called, the kids raced off to pick up eggs. They were told to take only 6 eggs at first. This made it fair for everyone to get eggs.

The younger group included Jersey #3, Jersey #4, and Jersey #5. It was clear that the older of the group knew how this game was played. It was also clear that the younger of the group were clueless. When the hunt began, Jersey #3 and his friends raced toward the eggs. The younger kids had to be coaxed to pick up their first egg. There was a lot of parent interaction with this group. It didn't take them long to figure out how this game worked.

The older kids had me cracking up. Clearly, they were pros at egg hunts. All of those eggs tossed across a large field were no match for these experts. There was quite a group waiting at the starting line...

They took off running....and some of the boys actually did a dive-roll toward their first egg. I was highly entertained by this group.

Jersey #2 has her best friend in Co-op. She shared her basket, because her friend did not bring one. They hunted eggs together, and chatted the whole time.

Meanwhile, back at the younger side of the field, it became obvious that there were plenty more eggs to be had. The kids were allowed to hunt more than 6 each. Jersey #3 was mighty proud of his loot.

Jersey #5 had to keep picking up the same eggs, because his fell out of his basket as he bent down to pick up one on the ground.

I was pleased to get a picture of my precious handful, together

Cards from Granny

Granny sent cards to the kids, on behalf of her and PawPaw.

Cards from Granny make for such an exciting mail day.

Each card is filled with goodies: balloons, stickers, dollars. Plus, Granny takes the time to write each grandbaby a note, and tells them that she loves them.

This year, she sent pink bear gel clings. They stuck to windows and picture frames. Jersey #4 took hers and used it as a baby doll. It quickly gathered dirt and lint, and stopped sticking. It was fun while it lasted.

Easter Fun 2011

Easter is an exciting time of celebration. The story that started at Christmas, comes to full Glory on Resurrection Sunday!

It is amazing that God was with us on Earth. It is amazing that He loves us so much that He sent his Son to die on the cross to pay the penalty of OUR sins, so that we may spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

It is as easy as A-B-C.

• Admit you are a sinner.

• Believe that Jesus died for your sins.

• Confess that Jesus is Lord of your life.

The victory that Christians celebrate each Easter, is that the tomb is empty!

Jesus conquered death.

HE LIVES!!!


He was crucified.

He was buried.

He rose again.

PRAISE GOD!


Death is not the end for us either.

This time on Earth is just a speck in time.

We get to spend eternity in Heaven.

PRAISE GOD!


There is much to celebrate!

Easter is a secular holiday as well. Baskets, chocolate bunnies, an eggs. I know there are Christians who get up in arms about the ways that the world celebrates Christmas and Easter. They can be particularly mean to other Christians about it.

Personally, I love the fact that the two major holidays that mean the absolute most to Christians, have such a popular secular component, that we can go around wishing anyone a "Happy Easter" or "Merry Christmas" without persecution.

Our family enjoyed all kinds of Easter celebrations this year. There was so much fun to be had, that it took multiple days. So, I will spread out the photo highlights over multiple blog posts...

Birthday Party Fun

Jersey #3 enjoyed his birthday celebration. It was a full day of fun that started a little too early in the morning. He was up, dressed, and ready to open his presents, well before anyone else in the family was awake.

His favorite gift: Super Mario Brothers (a game for the Wii)

I finally managed to buy the right game. He had asked for this one for Christmas. I bought the wrong one. To my defense, as he described his desired gift to me, he told me he wanted the same game that he played at his cousin's house the previous summer. It turns out that his cousin has more than one Mario game for the Wii. I guessed (and bought) the wrong one for Christmas. My sister helped me find the right one....on sale too....in plenty of time for his birthday. It has been hiding in my sock drawer for months. It was at the top of the list of his desired birthday gifts, so I was glad to already have it on hand. He was so excited about this gift that he wanted to play the Wii for the rest of the day.

He did change his mind when Granny & PawPaw arrived, because they came with a whole bunch of birthday and Easter gifts. They got him a Spiderman skateboard for his birthday...

I have a feeling we might be visiting the ER this summer...

We planned for a birthday party at our house in the afternoon. I rented a jumper/bounce house. Those things are the best for keeping crowds of kids busy and entertained during a party. It wears them out real good. The company we rent from gives a repeat customer discount. We get to enjoy the jumper for a few extra hours, at the same price. I like having the jumper set up a couple hours before the party, so our kids can enjoy it privately. Plus, we have it a couple hours after the party, so lingering family and friends and enjoy it with us, after the crowd goes home.

I've looked into the cost of buying one, since we have plenty of kids with birthday parties. The initial cost, along with care and upkeep did not entice me as much. Renting it for an afternoon is so much easier.

PawPaw delighted his grandbabies by climbing into the jumper with them. They jumped circles around him.

The jumper was a hit during the party too...

We attempted a Mario Brothers pinata too. These days, pinatas come with strings, so kids can enjoy a non-violent version. We decided to hang it by a string and hit it with a bat instead. Unfortunately, the pinata fell and hit the ground before anyone had a turn, and the door that held the candy popped open. We tried to adjust it to allow for some hitting, but that didn't last long. There was a long line of children, and only a small handful got a turn to whack before all the candy fell out. Oops.

During cake time, I reminded the kids to not put their fingers into the frosting on the cake. Then, as I was lifting it out of the box, I smashed my finger in it. No one seemed to care. We sang "Happy Birthday" to the birthday boy, then enjoyed some cake and ice cream.

The birthday boy was excited to open gifts. He received some really nice gifts. His friends are generous. Most things involved super heroes, video games, or sports. That is just what he likes.

Through the years, we have held many back-yard BBQ-style birthday parties. This one was really nice. Part of the enjoyment came from us cleaning up the house and yard weeks ago, so there was not as much work to be done. Part of it was that Jersey #3 was branching out and making friends. He invited friends from church, from AWANA, and from our homeschool co-op. It was a nice group of people, and certainly many more boys in one area than I am used to.

Plus, the party included a visit from Granny & PawPaw, Nana, Aunt V, and 4 cousins. Our younger 4 children got to enjoy a little extra time with their cousins when the official birthday party time was over.

Aunt V & I took Jersey #1 to the Pediatric Urgent Care, where we learned that she had a raging case of strep throat. That certainly explains why she was complaining of her throat being sore, and wasn't feeling up to most of the party activities. After the visit with the doctor, we went all over town looking for a 24 hour pharmacy. That was an adventure. We were so exhausted. I am also hoping that we did not send anyone home with strep throat in addition to their goody bag.

Back at home, Jersey #3 jumped in the bathtub with his cousins and then put on his new Mario PJs. I thought for sure he would fall asleep the moment his cousins left. Nope. He attempted to stay up half the night, playing his new Wii game.

The Referee had to help him relax and fall asleep, by rocking him in the recliner. It only took a few minutes, and The Referee was rocked to sleep! LOL!