Easter

This year I received the best Easter gift, ever! We had gotten a new waffle iron a few days before Easter and thought it would be fun to break it out on Easter morning. Our other one had been broken for a few months, so we had been doing lots of pancakes. The kids were surprised to have waffles for a change for breakfast. I served strawberries and fresh whipped cream and sausages as well. I don't serve sausages often, but know a few in my family love them. I love strawberries on my waffles, but I know no one else does. With all the "new" and favorite foods on the table, everyone sat at the table at the same time and ate the same food! That kind of thing doesn't happen around here with Erik- ever! We had a nice conversation and everyone enjoyed their food with no complaining! What a great way to start Easter day!

Logan and his family dropped by the day before Easter- fun!

Pokemon cards!

Gardening gloves

This b-ball has been everyone's favorite!

Colored eggs

I couldn't take her pictures 'til her rollers were out...

Kind of a glare, but this is how the family pics turned out...

We had to get to church early so I could  receive my new calling as the Primary 1 st counselor, hence we have the church background. 

Too bad I couldn't take a picture of our peaceful breakfast- I didn't want to break the peace!

We Built a Wall

Actually, Jason built a wall and you all knew that, but I painted the primer on it yesterday and as I was painting it, I realized that it was a brand new wall that no one has ever touched before- kind of cool! Jason and Jim did build another wall in the back of the basement workroom about 7 years ago, but it was smaller and not directly in view of anyone. I think Jim taught Jason a lot then, and since then, with other projects he has helped us with.

 There's still some work to do in the basement and it's a huge mess, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Weeks ago when I tried to post the pics of these windows that have been a pain! Above the small line of purple dry wall is the cement.

Jason covered it with cement board.

Now he is able to tape and mud the area by the four windows.

Austin has been interested in helping. This is the new wall. 

After I painted the primer yesterday. The sun is shining through the windows which is why it looks like there's streaks.

 Meanwhile, I bought these bar stools from Overstock, finally!  We could have bought them years ago, but I was always afraid of some little person falling off them. Really, they're not much taller than our chairs, but no back. They have helped me survive the extra clutter that is everywhere else while everything is out of commission in the basement. The kids enjoy eating there and/or doing homework and crafts there.

Austin helped me put them together.

Birthday Fun

I have such a good family, extended and immediate! Good friends, too! They all made me feel so special last weekend on my birthday. We had a birthday extravaganza weekend. Friday, Jason brought me some Indian food for dinner because that has become my most favorite, but the kids aren't into it, yet. We got to go ice skating as a family for free for a family fit night that we have been participating in monthly that I'll catch you all up on later. As you know, I really enjoy ice skating and it was made even better by the fact that I actually got to skate most of the time standing up straight with no kids pulling on my hands! Victoria, Jason, and I shared the duty of helping Erik on the walker, but he finally got his feet under control enough that he skated the rest of the night on the walker by himself! Karissa improved a ton as well, and of course Austin is Mr. Ice Skate himself. They skated the entire time we were there, no breaks except for when the Zamboni came out. I had to convince them to leave when there was only 20 minutes left so I could make it to the Annual Mom Awards party my friends put on every year. I was awarded as the "most social" this year. It kind of makes me laugh since about 20 years ago in high school I received the "sounds of silence" award in cheer leading because I didn't talk much in big groups at school. Times have changed!

I went for a long run Saturday morning, not meaning to be gone that long, but the group I was running with just kept going, so I did too! It was a good thing since back at home Victoria and Jason were making me pancakes. As soon as I walked in the door they played the Beatles' birthday song. I was surprised to see them up and making breakfast and be organized enough to have the song ready when I returned. They were happy I was surprised! Victoria also made me a fruit salad and the girls did a puppet show for me. Jason made enough pancakes for an army, so I haven't had to make breakfast much this week!

After dance and ice hockey I took the kids to the park while Jason worked in the basement. The weather was so lovely!

Selfie at the park!

I had wanted to take the kids to the Mexican restaurant we have a coupons for. I was reminded of  how they sing to people on their birthdays when Jason and I went there for Valentine's Day. I had forgotten how fun Mexican restaurants are on birthdays because we don't do Mexican much around here. It's just not the same as in California or Texas. This one is pretty good, though. The kids enjoyed their dinner and the unlimited chips and salsa. They especially loved the reason I brought them there: when the servers came out singing to me and I got to wear a huge sombrero! Even Erik got a kick out of it!

Yes, they put some whipped cream on my nose!

We were too full for cake that night and with the time change we decided to do cake the next evening so we could try to get ready for losing an hour. Austin ended up getting sick all over his bed after Jason's and my movie time, so that was lovely. He rested on Sunday, but was better. After Jason made a delicious shrimp dinner, they got to sing to me with all 38 candles lit! What a fun birthday weekend!

Call the fire department!

Wax Museum, Federation, and Science Fair

Victoria and Karissa have been keeping busy, as usual. Last week, the 5th graders at Miller hosted a wax museum. Unlike last year, this one was a fundraiser for the 5th grade camp trip in June. Victoria gets to go for a two night and three day camp at Howell Nature Center. This was the first fundraiser. We put a quarter in the student's can or box, which was the trigger to get them to speak as their character. She went as Queen Victoria.

On Saturday, the girls both had piano federation. It was our first experience with it. They had two prepared piano pieces they played for a judge. I wasn't allowed in the room. I should have recorded them playing them during one of the many times they practiced their songs, but I didn't. I'm sure I will record them soon, maybe for the recital. We found out on Tuesday that they both received a "superior" score! I guess this is like a piano "sport". They can earn a trophy if they earn superiors a few years in a row, something they are both excited about.

After they played for the judge. They both had a different judge. It was in the music department at Schoolcraft College.

Tonight Karissa participated in her first science fair. She and her friend Olivia did a project together. They used salt, vinegar, nickels, and pennies to create an electric charge that they tested with a multimeter. It was an interesting and fun experiment and of course they enjoyed the extra "study times" together. They looked great at the school and we enjoyed being there. Austin and Victoria got to see their teachers from last year, which was special since those particular teachers are at the TAG school now and they don't get to see them very often.

I love these opportunities for my kids!

Just Like Brother

I was saved by my friend Melissa's yogurt parfait yesterday. She hosted preschool and they celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday. She had made these fabulous Cat in the Hat parfaits that Erik did not touch, of course. When I picked him up, I took it with me in case he sneezed on it or whatever. (Secretly, I wanted to eat it myself!)

Cuties at preschool!

Not even five minutes after we got home Erik had a collision with the corner of drawer on his mouth. Lots of blood. I didn't know where it was coming from at first. When I could finally see the cut I knew I had to take him to the urgent care. So, I grabbed that yogurt parfait and an apple and off we went to the urgent care.

4 hours, 3 popsicles, two movies, and one stuffed animal later we were able to leave. He got one stitch like Austin did.

He was really cooperative at first, stepping on the scale, getting measured; it was his idea to have his blood pressure taken. The problems arose when they had to put the numbing medicine on his cut. Being so close to the mouth, it was a difficult task anyhow. He didn't like it and started to get upset. When it came time for the stitch, it was like a comedy show. One doctor, two nurses, and me trying to keep him still while he kicked us all. Then he hid behind the chair and then behind the bed and tried to push the bed out the door. That was when we took a break and watched some movies. They give him some benadryl to help him calm down. Finally, after I convinced him that he needed to get stitched so we could leave, and with his arms in a pillowcase behind his back and both of us under the surgery cloth so they could stitch his lip through the hole, it was done!

The doctor felt bad that he had gotten so upset. I guess she's always really good with the kids and they call her the "Baby Whisperer". She's the one who stitched up Austin and he did so well, she figured Erik would too. I told her she was great and that Erik did better than I thought he would, which is true!

Was it worth it for one stitch? I don't know. The dr says he'd have a bump there if it didn't get stitched. It would be awkward there by his mouth. Maybe it was worth it...

I sure am glad I had that yogurt parfait to get me through!