Go Green (Go White!)

We had a blast at the MSU spring football game on Saturday. It was the kids first trip to MSU stadium, and they looked forward to it all week. Major thunderstorms and monsoon like rain did not slow us down. Ok, it slowed us down a bit, and caused some tears in the ramps of the stadium waiting out the storm.... But the kids were troopers and enjoyed a real tailgate lunch, an exciting football game, shopping on campus, some games of catch with the football, and even a few autographs. This is a family tradition that I remember as a child. It was a wonderful day with family. Thanks mom and dad! The best part....MSU was sure to win!

Our Fragile Earth

We had a wonderful Earth Day yesterday. The kids learned about it at school, and then after lunch we headed out to see the Disney Nature movie 'Earth'. It was wonderful, majestic, and inspiring. It was also a little scary...very real predator prey interactions. The girls spent a little time buried in their coats. Overall, they loved it and talked about it and asked questions the rest of the day. Today we continued the theme by making very 'fragile' earths. We shaved/smashed crayons and they spread the flakes on a wax paper circle. They watched in awe as I ironed it and then after it cooled pulled the fragile creation away from the paper. We talked about how our real earth is fragile and what we can do to protect it.
In the picture note the graphs that they brought home from preschool on Monday! Geez, my middle school bio students did a graph this week too!!
Happy Earth week! Always like the opportunity to say "Go Green!"

Blessed Easter

We had a blessed Easter with family. My parents returned from Arizona/California late Saturday night, and still woke up early to be at our house (2 1/2 hour drive) by 9am on Easter Sunday. It was wonderful to see them, and share the kids excitement, church, and a wonderful Easter dinner. They took the kids shopping for Easter outfits last month, and loved seeing them all dressed up. FYI the kids got to pick what they wanted to wear...hence the difference between Abby and Sophie. Yes, it was difficult for me to stay out of it! After a wonderful walk in the sunshine my parents headed home and we headed off to see more family. We visited Grandma Bonnema and then went to Bill and Joan's for an egg hunt and a relaxing bbq. It was a perfect end to a very blessed day of rejoycing with family.

An aside: have I mentioned that I am leaving tomorrow night for Chicago with three of my wonderful friends? Thursday morning we will attend a taping of OPRAH!!!!!!!!!!! Needless to say, I can think of little else!!!!!!!!

More Fun!

Making homemade peeps!! YUMMY!! I'll let you know how they turn out!!

The finished bunny house!

Hard at work coloring Easter eggs!

Sophie

Abby

Noah (duh!)

Beautiful!

Happy Easter Weekend!! Love!

What have we been up to....

Spring break is over half over, and here is a bit of what we've been up to.....

• Strep throat. After days of on and off fever and exhaustion for the girls (mind you they never once said they had a sore throat!), I took them to the doctor on Monday. Abby got her throat swabbed and it was determined that both girls had their first case of strep throat. Sophie owes Abby big time for taking one for the team! So far (knock on wood) somehow Noah has not come down with it. I'm waiting.... The amoxicillin has been amazing, and they are doing MUCH better!
• Easter Egg dioramas. We did paper mache with tissue paper, it was hard work and the kids were troopers. As it dried, I wasn't sure it would work because it was so thin (the actual project called for multiple layers that would have taken my kids 10 hours!). We decided to give it a try anyway and I carefully popped the balloon and cut a door opening. The kids were thrilled with the results as we carefully placed grass and tiny bunnies, etc inside. LOVE IT!!
• Nests. We used clay and sticks and built our own version of bird nests. They are darling and creative! I made each kiddo a bird a few months ago, so now they have a home!
• Gingerbread Bunny Hutch. It's a kit, don't be too impressed. Daddy helped with this one as the kids designed, frosted and decorated our bunny hutch. They did great! I didn't get a finished product photo, but I will get one before they eat it!!
• Snuggles. We've spent a lot of this week snuggling, and watching movies as the girls get their strength back up.
• Reading. We are almost done with 'Little House in the Big Woods' The kids are loving it!!
• Talking about what Easter is really about. One night I quizzed the kids as to the true meaning of Easter. Noah piped up, "It's about when Jesus came out of his CAGE". I cracked up, surprised. Sophie quickly corrected him, "Cave Noah, Cave". Love it!

I hope your week is blessed.

Ooblek

Noah had a dream come true yesterday when I made him 'Ooblek' to play with . It is just cornstarch and water and I have used it in my science classes in the past to illustrate 'solid and liquid'. If you don't know, when you squeeze it, it forms in your hand and when you open your hand it turns to liquid and runs. He LOVED it! He made GIANT mess! He kept coming back for more! It was great! He's such a scientist! I should have gotten a picture of Tom's awe and wonder when he saw it too. Apparently he's never played with Ooblek before either! Gotta love my boys!
FYI: The girls thought it was cool, but didn't really want to dig in!

Finally...I know!

Sorry it's been so long!! I worked at preschool's Easter celebration today. The kids had a blast coloring eggs, painting, and doing an egg hunt. We are enjoying a relaxing afternoon at home (the kids aren't too relaxed...they are waiting for mommy 's next April Fool's Day joke!)
Have a wonderful day!