Hoppy Easter

We just finished our Easter celebrations. They started Thursday w/Gray's class party and continued through the weekend.

Getting ready for the neighborhood hunt and proof that I am, occasionally, in the same place as my boys.

More toad hunting

G with the Easter craft from his class party.

Pure Genius.

I'm not the craftiest person in the world but, this was such a great, simple idea and the kids loved it.

Layer rocks (or some form of drainage), then potting soil and then wheat grass seeds. Top with the following poem:

A long time ago in Galilee, Jesus died for you and me.

After three quiet days in the grave, he arose that first Easter day.

All things this truth can help us know, so watch these seeds as they grow,

After three days quiet and still these seeds their mission will start to fulfill,

To make the spring more glorious and remind us of Jesus and his love for us.

(I know the last lines are weak, but it was getting late)

Have the kiddos take them home and water for three days and VOILA (as G loves to say); Easter magic

*If you put the dirt/seeds in baggies ahead of time and snip the corners as they do the craft this really may be the easiest craft EVER*

The littlest hunter.

A day in the life...

For family members far away, especially those with girlie households, I thought I'd offer a glimpse into a day in our world.

First, there's some toad hunting...

and some brother hunting.

Next, in a playroom full of age appropriate toys we find the one toxic item...

and 'model' for our mom.

Let's just say it wasn't a good day for everyone (see brother catching above).

Finally, we go for a quick flight...

and end the day with some arts and crafts.

That's how "we build heroes".

Better

It's hard to believe, but life with this little man just got even better. Although he's been a happy, happy, (busy), happy guy, he's had a rough time since December 13th. Since then we've been making a trip to the ped every two weeks (antibiotics last 10days) for ear infections. Finally, when we spent half a day juggling antibiotics and trying to track down the right one at a high enough dose we called it. A week later we got into the ENT. 2 Weeks later Christian was the proud recipient of tubes.

After a plethora :) of tests at the ENT they discovered that his eardrums were retracted and he had some fluid that appeared to be stuck there. Basically, he felt like he was on a airplane 24/7. No wonder the kid hasn't slept more than 5hrs a night since February. Knowing it wasn't just going away with cold/flu season I went ahead and booked the first available surgery, which unfortunately happened to be when Reed was scheduled to be in Barcelona/London.

I debated pushing it back to ensure that Reed would be here, but then I 'lost' my car in the parking lot, didn't plug in the slow cooker for Sunday dinner and triple booked myself for one morning I decided that we (I) may not make it 168 more hours without sleep.

It could not have gone better. Reed got an early flight home and was back the night before. We arrived at 6:30am, I carried C back into the operating room at 8am, held him for the 15 seconds it took for him to fall asleep, walked to post-op and prepared his bottle, finishing chatting with the surgeon in time to see him wheeled in. Seeing just how good they were at the children's hospital was amazing and helped quiet any doubts/flashbacks I was having. By the time the nurse finished giving me instructions he was stirring and he did his only crying of the morning as they handed him to me in chair. Then he chugged a bottle, got dressed and we were out of there and home by 9am.

I swear he was happier later that day and he slept through the night (to the sound of angels singing) saturday. I'd say it was a good choice :)

***BTW, fun fact: 3 of our 4 kiddos have had surgery before they were a year old***

Spring Break; the editorial

Since I'm feeling incredibly lazy and they say a picture is worth a thousand words here's the incredibly detailed account of our vacation, for posterity, of course.

break - slideshow maker

Spring Break

For spring break we headed across the country to LA. What's across the country? Well, other than freezing temps and a nasty stomach virus, Reed's bff from high school and Christian's namesake. The weather was slightly miserable, the throw up slightly gross and the sleep completely non existent. It's a great testament to the awesomeness of the Bacons' company that it was still a great trip. I guess now Reed and Chris can say they've been through EVERYTHING together.

Interesting that we had to go across the country to California to go skating. I quickly regretted my decision to not fly out my skates. On the plus side, the two littlest boys LOVED IT! Gray has been begging to go back and Christian didn't stop laughing. Reed's still not sure about this development.

The Chunks; incredibly adaptable during the day and yet demanding in the wee hours of the morning.

Some things never change

Us

Them