Sea World was fun . . . really . . . truly!

I mean, isn't the joy just written all over Luke's face?

While you'd never know it, he and the rest of us really had a fabulous time at Sea World today. Luke's just a little bit touchy about getting photographed (kind of goes in the same category as haircuts and diaper changes . . . ).


On the other hand, Ethan's not shy about posing for the camera:





Luke could have watched these dolphins all day . . .


Perfect weather, perfect company (thanks, Mom!), and a perfect waffle cone sundae to top off the day. It's going to be a Shamu-filled Summer.

Egg Dye Party

Here's the group hard at work dyeing eggs at Grandma Bollard's house.
Big smiles all around--this was the first year Ethan & Luke have dyed eggs. They did a good job, and their clothes survived thanks to Christy's many child-sized aprons.
Look at this serious creative concentration.
There were of course some casualties . . . (mostly at Luke's hand).
And an appearance by our very own Easter Bunny.

Easter Thoughts

Yesterday evening we had a wonderful start to our Easter weekend. Our church put on a musical production entitled Savior of the World, which chronicles the events leading up to the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was really fun to see many friends unveil their musical talents on stage, including Will's Dad who did a great job playing a disciple named Cleopus. My favorite aspect of the show was a 125 person angel choir that stood upon two 12' circular colonnades that surrounded the audience. It was impossible not to be touched by the beauty of the music when performed this way.

But more than any one song or actor's efforts, this show was powerful because of the message it delivered: that He truly did die for us and rose again on the third day. That He lives still. And because of Him and through Him we too can live again. How grateful I am to know that Jesus is our Savior and celebrate that knowledge with my family this Easter.

Easter Egg Hunt 2008

So I inexplicably left my camera at home today during the annual church Easter Egg Hunt. Veteran blogger-mom that I am, I was dreaming of a post featuring pictures of my little darlings' delight upon busting open plastic eggs full of fluorescent-colored jelly beans. Even more adorable would've been the pictures of Luke with my friend Jenny's pet bunnies, which she kindly brought to the hunt and allowed all 40ish of the kids to pet and hold (let me tell you, these were some brave, brave bunnies). But what I really wish I'd captured is a little movie of some dialogue between Ethan & Will later after the hunt.

Every night poor Will tries to eat his dinner while Ethan bombards him with questions and news of the day (and Luke tries to steal food off of Will's plate). Today Ethan was showing off his loot and popped open an egg containing a Black Cherry Sour Warhead (yep, reach back in your memory to about the fourth grade). Will tried to warn Ethan that he wouldn't want to eat this one. Carefully considering the candy in his hand, Ethan solemnly asked, "Is it because it makes you toot?" Baffled, we explained that "No, it's because the candy is super-sour, like a lemon." But Ethan again pointed to the package and explained, "Nope, this guy is tooting out of his ears."

Luckily Ethan was saved the misery of trying the candy by Luke, his ever eager guinea pig. It was promptly spit out and thrown in the trash.

Here's hoping for some chocolate bunnies come Sunday!

It's Hard Work Being A Kid

Does this look uncomfortable to anyone else?

Count Your Many Blessings

I'm fending off the temptation to write a whiny post about Ethan's ear infection putting a damper on our week. I will try and accentuate the positive instead:

1. We've experienced a miracle. To say Ethan has a hyper-gag reflex is a bit of an understatement. You only have to say the words throw-up and he will start choking. These are the first drugs he hasn't thrown up in over 3 years.

2. We updated the pictures on our living room wall. After seven years of our wedding pictures hanging there, we thought we'd finally include the kiddies. I love these close-ups even more enlarged like this.

3. The discovery of this little gem. If you like unusual ice cream flavors like I do, this one is worth the calories. The description pretty much says it all: banana and whipped cream ice cream swirled with chocolate fudge, bananas, cherries and strawberries. Yum.

4. New short bangs and haircuts for the boys. I love that my hair looks somewhat styled even when it's up in a ponytail. I also love that Luke doesn't look like a little homeless child anymore.

5. My wonderful family. I'm thinking about my Grandma Rose because today was her birthday. She has been gone for four years now, but I still feel her influence in my life all the time. We went to her house most Sunday afternoons of my childhood and my favorite part was just sitting around the dinner table, long after we'd finished eating, and chatting with her and my aunts and uncles. She made me feel loved and important, but she also wasn't afraid to put me in check when I became a teenager with an attitude. Grandma Rose made the best mashed potatoes and I think of her every time I make them, sometimes with some of her own pots and pans that I have inherited. I feel truly blessed to be her grand-daughter.

There, I feel happier already. Wish us luck for a speedy recovery for Ethan!

Little Helpers

Next time I'll remember to put them in their bathing suits first . . .

Pump It Up

The boys got invited to a birthday party at Pump It Up, aka Inflatable Heaven, or "the jumpings!" as Luke likes to say. They should sleep very well for me tonight.Here's Luke being shown the ropes of the giant slide by a seven-year-old. He couldn't get enough of this.
Ethan waited patiently for Luke to make it through the obstacle course so they could go down together . . . good brotherly love!
Thanks Amber for a rockin' good time!

Not Exactly A Vegetarian

Lunchtime chit chat over Ham & Cheese:

Ethan: Mom, where does the cheese come from?
Me: Well, cheese is made from milk and salt . . .
Ethan: What about the bread?
Me: Bread is made from wheat that grows in the ground . . .
Ethan: And Mom, where does the meat come from?
Me: Well, uh, it comes from animals . . .
Ethan: What kind of animals?
Me: Ham is meat from a pig.
Ethan (while practically dropping his sandwich): WHAT?! A PIG?
Me: Yep, it's true. And the beef we eat is from cows and the chicken we eat is from chickens . . .
Ethan (while retrieving his sandwich): So Mom, can we have polar bear meat for dinner?