What we have been up to . . . . .

We have been very busy lately. So, here are some pics to catch you up. Lucas's class has been waiting for some chicken eggs to hatch, and at last the baby chicks are here. I should off grabbed my camera to take a pic when he showed them to me, but here are some photos for you to get the basic idea. There are still some eggs left to hatch and then they will give the babies to the farmer.

My boys were helping my neighbor Bill do some repairs in their bathroom. They were thrilled when he taught them how to use his drill. It was nice of him to put 3 screws in a board for them to practice. They all did a good job taking turns.

I am glad spring is finally here. Winter wasn't too bad but I am ready for the warm weather. And those last 2 late snows were a bit frustrating. The boys and I took advantage of the great weather this week and did some planting. Since I no longer have as much shade, I put in some more sun loving plants. Eli was too busy helping Bill in the house, to come and plant. But he did help a lot on Tues, when we were gardening.

This is the finished flower bed. Now if only the rest of them looked so nice. I better get busy.

Friendship bread.

I am posting some pics from nearly 2 weeks ago. I have been really busy, and truthfully haven't wanted to mess with my tempermental computer. But here are pics of Eli and Lucas helping me make some Amish friendship bread that a neighbor/mother of a kid in Lucas's class gave me. I think it is so great that the boys love to help in the kitchen. I have more pics to upload but I will try not to overwhelm you. The boys and I are doing Easter this weekend, so stay tuned.

Lucas says . . . .

Okay, I will set the scene. Noah was in yoga. Eli, Lucas and I were in one of the rooms at the gym while Eli was working on his homework. My mom got the boys these brain cards from Christmas. They are grade level appropriate and have a ton of questions on different questions on various subject (and are great to throw in your purse). Anyway, Lucas and I were going through a set of the 1st grade cards- and the question was is 7 an odd or even number?

So, Lucas says "What's odd or even mean?"

I say " Well, even means that you can divide the number in half like the number 4 is even because you can separate it into 2 groups of 2." I got out some old movie tickets in my bag and tried to use them to explain.

While I was explaining Lucas was saying " So even is smooth, like even numbers put on lotion?"

What?!?! I have no idea where these things come from, but he is definitely entertaining. Obviously, my lesson was completely going over his head. But I do think that his thought process was too cute.

Easter Trail

Downtown was having a easter trail. Local business were giving out easter eggs/candy. My Bff Brooke and her nearly 4yr old David, came along. Noah felt he was "too old" and wanted to just help David instead of joining in. However, he didn't say no if someone was offering candy. My baby is growing up. :( We had fun. We ended the day with going to my gym and having the boys play on the playground equipment. After they were completely sweaty, we went home and made pizza and had a movie night (gotta love the redbox). It was a lot fun. I have some Chef Eli and Chef Lucas pics to also post, but I am not going to push my tempramental computer.

Eli says . . .

My kids were having a discussion about my dad and reading. I guess some how my kids thought that my Dad doesn't do a lot of reading. Which is funny because my Dad reads tons. In fact my dad usually reads more than one book at a time. But he usually reads upstairs which the kids don't spend alot of time up there. So, my mom was telling the boys about how not only does Papa read alot and more than 1 book at time. So, Eli says " Does he pass his AR tests?"

Oops!

Obviously, I need to do a better job when I am taking videos. I didn't realize that it was still on. It would help if I read the manual instead of assuming it is just like my old camera! So, sorry!

St Pat's Day Games!

We played some games for our St Pat's day party. In this video the cousins are tossing gold coins into their partners hats. We also tried to toss the hats onto our partners heads (Noah came up with this game), hide the hats (Jordan's idea), coin toss, leprechaun races (which I thought I had a video for, but didn't and it was funny).

Happy St Pat's Day! I know it late but oh well!

The boys and I celebrated St Pat's Day on the 18th since they were in Florida for the 1st half of spring break. The sibs (except Andrew) and cousins came over to join in the green fun. Lucas quickly jumped in to help make the cookies. Green shamrock sugar cookies.

Eli helped with the frosting. Because of course the boys wanted frosting and sprinkles on the cookies. Are we surprised? No!

The decorations. I saw this idea on someone's blog. Can't remember who, so I can't give them credit. But we made a rainbow passage. The kids all really liked it. When Trevor saw he stared at it and whispered "ohhhhh!" It was too cute! Wished I had captured that on film.

After games, we went up to the park. Fred/Julie/Trevor/Tyler showed up shortly after. The kids had lots of fun. Even Trevor joined in playing with his cousins.

Scott did not pose for this pic! ;)

Jordan and Scott having a sibling moment.

I did not take this pics. Jen had my camera, (since I was holding Tyler) and was in charge of taking pics. I would not have encouraged Jordan to climb up on this thing. In fact, I hollered at Jen when she was taking this pic. So, just to be clear. I do NOT support this pic. But I was glad it wasn't my kid climbing up there :).

Rock, Paper, Scissors!

Trevor loved the playground. The swing, slide and tubes!

It was a little chilly, but Tyler liked watching all of the kids play.

Some of our green food included green mac and cheese, grapes, green ice cream floats and green applesauce.

And we can't forget the sugar cookies.

I tried getting a closer pic, so you could see them better. But as you can see they were going fast. Right after the pic, the plate was empty!

Happy Birthday Grandpa and Trevor!

Trevor's Bday was yesterday and my Grandpa's bday is on Thursday, so we had a joint party for them on Saturday. Trevor's before dinner and Grandpa's after. I didn't take pics of Grandpa opening presents, frankly because I was tired. But he enjoyed the frame. Here is the baby birthday boy opening gifts.
Birthday hats for all! Well not enough for all, but they helped put everyone in the party mood!

Even Tyler was in the mood.

The big cousins were bit over the party scene.

Trevor was a little more interested in playing with his new presents.

I think family events are a little overwhelming for our shy Trevor, but he did pretty good.

Even with the barrage of cousins.

I think one of the highlights of the party were the balloons for Trevor. Unfortunately, my parents house has A LOT of vaulted ceilings. But Trevor was happy to play with them as they were tied to a coffee table.

Make a wish!

Julie's mom brought these. Yeah! Thankfully they didn't make noise.

Trevor tried and tried to make his work. And he had plenty of people to show him how to do it. While the cake was being cut, I snagged a pic of him trying all on his own. But he still wasn't able make his work. Probably because he wasn't really putting his mouth on it ;).

Black frosting, YUMMY!

The cake!

Here are the making of the cake pics. Chef Lucas helped with the making of the cake and the eat of the frosting! Shocker! My child liking scratch that LOVING frosting. Say it ain't so!

When the boys got home, Eli joined in the fun. He helped with the green.

And the finished project. It's hard to read but it doesn't say Trevor sucks!

Lucas says . . .

I have another funny story of what Lucas said. Yesterday, Lucas and I were making my nephew's bday cake (Happy early Birthday Trevor!) And Lucas asked if he could lick the beater. And I said yes. So, as Lucas is leaning over the kitchen sink licking the beater-he says " I want to make sure it isn't POISONED!"

What?!?! Where does he come up with this stuff? So, Julie rest assured that Lucas is Trevor's official taste tester and the cake is safe!