Beautiful Easter

Happy Easter!
I love this holiday. Last week I enjoyed so much preparing and teaching my little primary class about Easter. It was so touching to watch them from the beginning of the lesson saying that Easter was about candy, bunnies and eggs, to understanding that it's all about Jesus Christ's resurrection. We did the same hands on lesson with Naomi and James for Family Home Evening the next day. From the manual I had cut outs, similar to a flannel board story and the children just loved it. Visual and tactile materials are exactly what most little ones need to understand a concept.
But not to entirely dismiss the secular side, it is tied together and I think Eggs are the most beautiful example.
We have been busy planning and preparing all kinds of fun for Easter. My favorite "craft" this year is from Megan at Not Martha, her Easter Surprise Eggs are so pretty and fun, and a relatively simple activity. Naomi liked helping to empty the eggs, dye the eggs, fill and then assign name tags to each. Although I admit, I usually like to do it all myself, I like perfection and I have to remind myself to just let it go and let my little girl get in there and do it herself too. We had fun with these. They are filled with candy! Here's the LINK

We also had fun decoupaging hard boiled eggs the kids had dyed with their Grandma Linda earlier. We separated all the tiny paper flowers from my stash, poured some newly purchased Mod Podge and then got messy. James was great at this one. Naomi wasn't sure she really wanted to hold the gooey egg but she got into it finally. Talking to herself about how to get the flowers to stick to the egg, not the brush. So cute.

And finally, Easter Morning goodies from the "Easter Bunny." I like pretending to be all these generous people. Naomi was so excited that she wanted to go to bed an hour early last night.
It's been such a fun day so far, And I love listening to conference, it really is food for the soul.
And we have more fun in store at Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner soon.

Happy Easter, He is Risen!

 Those stuffed animals are also banks! I remember receiving a new stuffed animal every year at Easter, a tradition I loved.

The best way to empty an egg...

What have you been up to?

Sheesh, I didn't realize it had been so long since I'd posted anything.

Ok, actually I did realize. I just have been busy having fun. And reading in my spare time instead of blogging. 

For a book club I attend I recently read The Age of Innocence. It was just my style. I also just read another wonderful book called The Guernsey Literary and the Potato Peel Pie Society. I loved that one. Now I'm reading The Toss of  a Lemon. It's been pretty interesting so far.

I put Naomi's hair in two pigtails today with darling, bouncy little ringlets on each side. It isadorable. She's adorable. Today at least. And yesterday. She asked, authoritatively, of me and Zach at dinner last night, "Do you have your own money and your own ticket?!" 

I laughed and answered in the affirmative. I had no idea what she was talking about.

We had a fun and very low-key Easter. Naomi thoroughly enjoyed dying eggs and eating jelly beans. James had Cheerios's in his eggs this year. He didn't know the difference and was thrilled when they spilled out all over him.

I taught Zach how to blow out eggs. I just use a pin and poke holes at each end and then blow! Zach was at first impressed, and then showed me up, of course. It seems that's the trend with us. Skiing, (just kidding, I know you already knew how), water skiing, wake boarding (ok, that one too), any recipe of mine. I suppose I still am the household authority on sewing, glitter, blogging. 

DC is just gorgeous this time of year. The cherry blossoms are gone but there are many other flowering trees still just hitting their peak.

And the tulips are amazing. I love tulips.

We have been outside a lot as it's been warming up. James is more sure on his feet and doesn't eat grass and wood chips from the playground too much anymore, things are looking up!

Today we went to the zoo with Cassie and the kids. We lazily made our way through part of the animals as Naomi and Abby zigzagged all over the place. It's so warm this weekend and the zoo was packed with school kids and tourists. It's a strangely satisfying feeling to be a "local" here. I love knowing my way around and not looking like a visitor. You know, with sneakers, ball caps, back packs and cameras around the neck. Maybe a fanny pack and a map too.

That sounds snobby. I guess I am sometimes!

As soon as James wakes up from his nap today I'm going to take the kids outside to blow some bubbles. For Naomi's birthday, 2+ months ago, she got a big bubble bucket, the no-spill kind. We've been waiting for the perfect weather to use it, and it has finally arrived!

Today's a good day, my kids are being sweet and the dishes and laundry are done. Does that make anyone's day like it does mine? 

Happy Spring!

Easter Photos

Isn't she just the CUTEST! I am a little biased, being her mom and all.....

She was great taking pictures and I think they turned out just awesome.

Easter Photos

Isn't she just the CUTEST! I know I'm just a little biased, being her mom and all...

She was great for pictures and I think they turned out just awesome. Kiddie Kandids was our photographer this time around, I was pleased and as usual, it's a pretty good price for what you get.

Photo-a-holic

Ok, just a FEW more.

I took some really cute pics today and I just had to share!

EGGS

Naomi was so excited about coloring eggs! she was really good at cracking them too...:)
Making things "FIT" is a favorite game of Naomi's

Naomi and Mommy (I've seen better days!)
Trying to put the egg in her pocket.

Happy Easter!

We colored eggs today and went shopping for Easter dinner food, and best of all, Zach was home all morning! Naomi has been a trooper, she's been feeling a little sick all week. She's just seeming to be getting over her cold and now her temperature is shooting up. I suspect (another) ear infection. Sigh... I breastfed that baby forever and less ear infections is supposed to be a benefit!!! ah well.

She's sleeping now (thank goodness). Naomi's been tired all day and unable to get to sleep. She ended up with a 25 min. nap earlier this afternoon. Poor baby.

If she's feeling yucky still tomorrow I'm going to take her to the E-room and get her ears checked out, it's not worth waiting another whole day for antibiotics if that's the case. I'm just praying she'll sleep well tonight.

Anyway, back to Easter. Last night Zach and I watched the Testaments DVD my Mom & Dad sent us for Easter. It's so amazing, I wish Naomi was able to understand but I think she already does in her own way.

I'm posting some cute pictures from today and a few from the park a few days ago. It's still freezing here since that cold front stormed in, literally. I have a sweet little green Easter dress for Naomi to wear tomorrow if she's feeing up to church. The dress and little white sweater were b-day gifts for Naomi from my mom. I have the cutest dresses for her to wear this summer!! I'll probably post pics of them all. ha ha.