Easter with family and friends

Lots of fun this week with Easter - preschool party, church services, and family dinners. We started off the week with kindergarten screening. Brenner did fantastic and as a reward got to pick where we would have dinner. We don't eat out much so he was very excited to choose Pizza Hut.....then changed his mind to Dairy Queen (our options are a bit limited in Boonville) - but mainly he wanted ice cream. One of my favorite parts of the evening was listening to Nola while Brenner was with the screener. We were in a playroom with other parents and kids...Nola was playing with some animals, singing a story, and ended it by raising her arms with a sheep and cow with a crescendo to end the story. This drew many smiles and chuckles. But for me I felt the pure happiness that was in her right then and there. Lots of children don't experience this so I felt at that moment that Matt and I were doing something right as parents to have happy children.  That sure is something special to witness and recognize! Then Nola picked up one of the dolls and told me "This is a cocoa baby. Look his feet are brown." Yes - dear - they are brown. Anyway - love those kids!

 Aunt Lynnie, Grandma Val, me, PawPaw Hinckle, Papa, Colten, Nola, and Brenner outside of church Easter morning. Nice weather change from last week! The kids didn't sit still - and Grandma's church is REALLY small. At first I felt bad for their disruption...then thought - is it better for them to be loud in church or not in church at all? In church, of course!!!!

 Another moment of Nola's pure joy on Easter morning!

 Grammy Vo and PawPaw Floyd came to Grandma Val's for Easter lunch. Afterwards we hunted eggs....but Grammy may be searching for Lewis and Clark :)

 Brenner found one (but he had hid it!).

 Our new tradition is chucking the eggs into the lagoon. Yes - you read that correctly. It started last year when Caio  was visiting. Hey - blame the Brazilian! Look at those right-handers! So opposite of mommy and papa!

 Their form is consistent......

 Such animation! On more than one occasion, we have had reason to say "And the Oscar goes to....Brenner Parker!"

 PawPaw Floyd, Brenner, Papa, Grammy Vo, and Nola - it was windy! Nola is shouting "CHEEEESE!!!!"

 Earlier in the week Brenner had his Easter party at preschool. Here he is with his buddy Aiden. Thanks Grandma Val for taking such great pictures!

 Brenner telling Aiden that he could some with him since he didn't have an adult with him at the party.

 Some animal game at the party- Brenner chose to be a wolf!

 Our soon to be kindergartner! So handsome. He actually told me "If I pose for a nice picture, can I have a special treat." Hmmm....he could be a politician! Did I mention that he did a 49 inch standing long jump and he is only 42 inches tall!!!!

 Brenner sitting on a toilet paper roll.....his idea. Nice face buddy!

 Little Miss Accessory before Maunday Thursday service. Nola loves her rings, necklaces, and bracelets. I shouldn't mention this but that church service was interesting. Matt was having some tummy troubles and jetted off to the bathroom. Next thing I know, Cooper (one of Brenner's friends) was tapping me on the back asking "What is wrong with Brenner, Ms. Jo?" Brenner has the biggest crocodile tears pleading to go see Papa because "He might be dead in the bathroom." Well - at least that service had some extra entertainment thanks to the Parker children!

 Nola with her hand down her pants...we battle this constantly...she likes to fall asleep this way.

Lots of seeds growing - here are our sunflowers in only one week!

A snowy Palm Sunday and kindergarten registration

It is true - another snow storm dropped over six inches at our house....where is spring?! Last year at this time we were already mowing the grass! Busy week with kindergarten registration, activities around the house, and just life in general! As we begin Holy Week, I think of all the things that many people have and take for granted - our families, health, safety, employment. There is so much negativity and discontent on frivolous things everyday but let's hope and pray for a change!

 The view from our front porch this afternoon. I shoveled for about an hour and then rewarded myself by baking cranberry pistachio biscotti - Matt was pleased :)

 Brenner at kindergarten registration. When we walked in the building Nola said "Wow!!!". Brenner was pretty excited!

Brenner loved exploring the SIX kindergarten classrooms. One even had dinosaurs which was a nice surprise for him!

 By far Brenner's favorite "room" was the gym. He asked to run and run and run!

 Typical morning before work. Brenner up early and dressed, Nola groggy and not wanting anyone to touch her but Mommy. I couldn't resist posting this picture of "real" life!

 Time to plant more seeds! Tomatoes, cucumbers and sunflower. Now if that snow would just go away!

 We also colored Easter eggs. I played around with some camera setting and color....still need some work. Good thing I have several friends that are pros :)

 Nola and Brenner really concentrating on those eggs. Love that Nola's tongue is sticking out. The kids disliked waiting on the dye - so this year I watered down finger pain to decorate our eggs. They dried super quick and had rich color!

 The egg-celent masterpieces :)

 Brenner working on his dinosaur puzzle. He has been doing amazing at looking at patterns and matching them up. I asked him who taught him and he said "Grandma Val". Thanks, Grandma - you are one of the best!

 It was quite Sunday morning (we got snowed in and didn't go to church). Quiet is unusual at our house. I got down to the garage to find Brenner helping Papa reload some ammo. Geesh - but they were having a ball! That is one proud papa :)

 Nola saying "Take a picture of me, Mama!"

 A little later Nola had a bath and then decided her birthday suit was the best attire for a snowy day. Here she is jumping with her snuggle bunny! If you look closely, you can see her pink fingernails and toenails. She was quite upset when she dropped the bottle and broke it crying "we get more at the store, Mommy?!". That girl and her pink!

 Dr. Seuss hat that Brenner made at school!

Some more of Brenner's school work - he is doing awesome taking more time to color (sometimes) inside the lines!

Mommy's birthday and spending the night at Grandma Val's house

What a fantastic week. I have the most amazing family!!!! Matt and the kids made me a birthday cake - Brenner and Nola were sooooo excited to help! It was fun to watch their creation come to fruition. Brenner has been doing great with his manners - lots of please and thank yous - which is wonderful. My favorite Nolaism of the week was on Saturday morning when she went to the fridge for something to drink and said "I want milk. There is only wine in here!" To clarify....there her milk cup is kept on the door and we hadn't gotten her one yet for the day....so there was milk to be had :)

 Papa and his helpers. Brenner thought I should have a chocolate cake - so that is what they made!

 Both were good helpers. I sat in the living room reading a magazine so not to hover over the novices :) Actually, when Matt told his mom he was going to make a cake - she chuckled to which Matt responded "I do have my Master's degree. I think I can make a cake." I am one special gal to have a hubby this fantastic!

 The cake was well attended to - even in the oven.

 Brenner even helped with the dishes! And, yes, I am lucky as Matt does the dishes every night. Divide and conquer - I cook, he cleans - woohoo!

 Dinner on my birthday! Yes - last year we had ice cream cake and this year we had cake with ice cream (well actually gelato or sorbet) - yummy!

 Brenner jumping the gun on blowing out the candles!

 Candles hold the very best icing! Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes - it warmed my heart to receive all the wonderful cards, texts, calls, and messages!

 Aunt-ta Theresa - this is for you. You sent this wonderful Easter box with stickers, cards, and window clings - but what stole the prize - the box and tissue packing paper. Brenner is a knight and Nola is a princess. I love the natural smiles on their faces - what cutie pies!

 So, I went shopping with some birthday money and ended up buying Nola some sundresses - pink of course. When she saw them, Nola laid them all out on her bed to show Papa when he came in the house. She finally convinced me to let her put one on.......then she said "Ready to go to church now!"

 Brenner sucking on a lime while watching a movie.

 On Saturday, we went to Grandma Val's house. The kids love when Aunt Lynnie reads books!

 Brenner snuggling up with Grandma Val...and playing some game on Matt's phone where you kill rats - sigh.

 The kids slept on an air mattress....well at least they rolled around for a good long while. The pink thing in Nola hands is her "snuggle bunny" - she was so excited that I snuck it into her bag and it was there for bed time.

Brenner made this picture all on his own. It is called "A worm going to a party" and was for Papa and Mom.

Goodbye snow!

Busy week with Grandma Val having the kids three different nights - it was wonderfully, sadly quiet on those nights :) Given those absences, we didn't take many pictures this week!



 Nola's church outfit (minus the hat) this week. She does not like tights hence the jeans. It was a battle I wasn't willing to wage this morning!

 Our backyard Saturday morning....60 degree temps made it history by Saturday night!

 On our walk, Papa asked Brenner to take a picture of Nola's boot.

The basil seeds have sprouted!!!!! Brenner told me "I am talking nice to them mom. I gave them carbon ox-side".

Viewer discretion is advised.....

Wow - what a week with another snowstorm that dumped an additional 10 inches of snow and knocked out our power for 36 hours. I think I could handled things better but I really don't like being cold! The kids piled in with us the first night and we ran a space heater hooked up to our generator but the next morning was chilly. We survived and were very thankful for the lights to come back on. The lineman from our electric coop did an amazing job! Now for some funny stories.....



 The two silly manillies. Brenner went to school on Friday and I asked him what he did. He said "I played dead animal." Hmmm...what is that? "Aiden was the carcass and I was the bird that ate the carcass." Tasty, I guess. Funny that he knows the word carcass!

 When I got home from work on Friday, Brenner proceeded to get out the vacuum to clean. He actually tried to get the dog hair for a few minutes then he used the hose for swords. Brenner has also been sick this week and informed me "I am sick because I ate a bug." Poor guy :)

 Meanwhile, Nola is running around in her underwear. She is in the habit of not wanting to put her pants on after using the potty. I have also started calling her Al Bundy as you need to tell her multiple times a day to "get your hands out of your pants, please."

  Nola loves dipping her hair in the bathtub. Today she looked under the bathroom sink and said "Mommy, there are no more stickers for your fanny." Sigh.

 Our Saturday morning project was planting some basil seeds. With the summer heat last year, my basil plants fried and I have been suffering with store bought pesto (ugh). So, we planted seeds and will hopefully transplant them this May!

 The kids were very proud of themselves!

 The "look". Yes, young grasshopper, you are a quick study.

 Talk about snow blindness. It didn't take long to convince Brenner that he needed to wear his sunglasses when building his "iceman" on Saturday afternoon. Papa and him then built a fort that collapse just as they were finishing it :(

 Sunday morning Nola was so excited to wear a princess dress to church. Next you hear her screaming to take it off because "my nipples hurt!!!!!!!" Oh my......so here Papa is taking the dress of the unhappy little girl!

Some of Brenner's school work - this worksheet they have to follow specific instructions that the teacher gives.