It's Been A Blur

Bobo and Crockett had their piano recital tonight, which also functions as "warm up" for their National Piano Playing Auditions in just under two weeks.  It was Crockett's first recital and he handled it well.  He played all five of his songs from memory and sat dutifully as his teacher scribbled notes in his music between songs.  Bobo's an old pro by now but her program is eleven songs long - a Herculean feat just to get through, let alone to have by memory. I remember sitting at the piano and drawing a complete blank with my one recital piece many years back. Not a good memory.

We're finally on Spring Break around here - it felt like it would never come! It's been a long winter; I think I've mentioned that more than a few times. We spent the day at COSI: the big three going through the Sherlock Holmes exhibit with Hubby, me and the little people running around KidSpace.  All three were mesmerized by the bugs and critter program:

We finished our art class, "Face, Spaces, and Places" a few weeks ago, leaving a big hole in our Thursday afternoons. Everyone loves Mrs. Ness (not to mention hanging out in her amazing basement play space while waiting for siblings' classes to be over).

The late winter/early spring birthdays were celebrated with nary a mention here.  Better late than never.

Crockett turned 7

Right Hand Man turned 2

The Patriot turned 5

A sweet note and gift from our oldest for Hubby on his birthday

The current Power Ranger fanatic. 

That's a little bit of everything that's been going on around here. I can't keep up with it all anymore but it feels good just to save a few moments for posterity.

Happy Easter

A beautiful Easter it's been... The children and I are all celebrated, sugared, and worn out. Hubby hasn't even arrived home yet! But it was a great morning at church and we even made it there on time. Flying solo on these big church holidays isn't always easy, but there are blessings even in the tight spots. (And with a new baby thrown into the mix there are definitely tight spots!)

Ready to go!

Morning surprises

Posing as a Daddy look-a-like in Hubby's office

Easter smiles

On the agenda for tomorrow: celebrate Hubby's birthday!

Easter Monday

Always a small sigh of relief knowing we made it through Holy Week. It was a beautiful Easter (despite the uncooperative weather)... A brass ensemble, our fabulous choir, and a powerful message from Hubby. I'm biased, obviously, but there was applause afterward - uncommon in Lutheran circles - so it's not just me!

Hubby's family is in town so we were ten around our table for ham, scalloped potatoes, pineapples, salad, and rolls. Eating sweets again after so many days was a highlight for all!

Since Easter

It's been a busy blur around here since Easter. The day after, Bobo and Hubby tested for Tae Kwon Do; she's now a green belt, he's an orange. (She'll always be ahead since Hubby can't make it to class as often as she can - lots of fun for her!) Everyone is prepping for an upcoming TKD tournament this weekend and Bobo's choir is full steam ahead for their spring musical next week.

We also managed to celebrate Hubby's birthday before most of us came down with some strange spring flu. The birthday was spent seeing the great Artifacts of the Titanic exhibit and going out for a festive family dinner - which quickly turned less festive as some of us started fading with fever right in the middle of the meal.

Not to be forgotten, however, is this sweet card Bobo wrote for her dad:

(I love the part about how he has to work every day - even Sunday!  -

"if he wanted his family to get food and water on the table")

Other than that, we're plugging along with the final four weeks of our regular school year. Next week we'll wrap up Ancient Egypt and move on to the Greeks, another favorite around here. Today we did some Egyptian map making:

                                             

Lots of squealing coming from the front yard today - it's over 80 degrees and the sprinkler's on!

Happy Easter

My troops are churched, sugared up, and happy.

Hubby left at 5 AM to get ready for services. Crockett got everyone else up at six.  By nine, we were dressed and out the door. (After having hunted for Easter eggs, found goody baskets, marveled at our Empty Tomb Cookies, texted Hubby a picture of all the hoop-la at home, and cleaned up various chocolate drool from clothes and carpets - someone was slipping my baby some treats).

We're awaiting Hubby's arrival home so more hoop-la can happen.

Wishing you a very blessed Easter...

We Did It

We got through a very busy Easter week. I had all five children in church with me - front row, center - while Hubby was busy doing his pastor thing. That's not to mention the three hour (very child friendly) Good Friday service.

We're tired. And sugared up. So it's all good.

Happy Easter!

Now Back To Our Previously Scheduled Holy Week

Pictures are finished. I got to skip the haircut part, because Toddzilla took a serious digger and has a nice purplish-yellow welt on his forehead. I needed those bangs to stay put.

Now that we've got some Easter pictures, I can actually concentrate on Holy Week. Pressure's off! I won't mind a bit when the girls stroll down the steps come Easter morning in some version of Fancy Nancy meets Anne of Green Gables. Honest, I won't. There's just something about preserving a few memories that aren't quite so... "How do I look, Mom?!!" Know what I mean?

The build up to Easter is far and away one of my favorite times of year. All the solemnity and darkness of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday just waiting to be overcome by the Light on Easter morning. There's nothing that says "Jesus is Risen" like a brass quartet belting out "Christ the Lord is Risen Today, A-a-a-a-a-le-e-lu-u-ia!"

I spent many an Easter Sunday during college at the home of dear friends in Wellesley, MA. We'd worship at the historic Park Street Church and then be treated to a true resurrection celebration. This always included lots of guests -- many of us college students -- lots of food, and most memorably, great conversations.

Most recently, we've been the guests at another great Easter party at the home of some of our best friends in Fargo. We'll miss you this year!

Come to think of it, I've never hosted Easter. This year Hubby's side of the family will be with us. Off to come up with something... fast!